KAWASAKI ER-5 (2003-2004) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Kawasaki ER-5 was a naked commuter machine manufactured by Kawasaki from 1997 until 2006 when it was replaced by the Kawasaki ER-6. The bike was powered by a parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine based on the one used on the Kawasaki GPZ 500.

The bike was a handy commuter aimed at novice and commuter riders, offering a dual seat with an under-seat storage compartment and an 800 mm seat height, making it easy to ride even by smaller riders.

The bike's aesthetics were represented by a large round headlight up front with instruments mounted on top, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab rail, side-mounted twin shock absorbers, a two-into-one exhaust system with a silencer on the right side, a side stand, and three-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

The bike was built on a double cradle high-tensile steel frame with a 37 mm telescopic fork on the front, offering 125 mm wheel travel and five-position dual shock absorbers on the rear with 114 mm wheel travel.

In the performance department, the 2003 Kawasaki ER-5 had its heartbeat set by a 498cc four-stroke parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine fed by two Keihin carburetors, delivering an output power of 50 hp at 9,000 rpm and 45 Nm (33 lb-ft) torque at 7,200 rpm.

The bike's power was handled by a six-speed manual transmission with a wet milt-disc clutch linked to the rear wheel through a final chain drive.