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MOTORCYCLE – Kawasaki ER-6n Joins List of “Euro-only” Models

Kawasaki recently revealed an all-new naked bike, the twin-cylinder ER-6n, to its European dealer network. The bike is scheduled to be available in October 2005 without ABS and December 2005 with ABS. Pricing has not been announced.
Conceived at Kawasaki’s design facility in Akashi, Japan, the ER-6n looks to mix contemporary design with ergonomics suited to a variety of riders.
The fuel-injected 649cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke parallel twin is cradled in a diamond-type high tensile steel frame suspended by a 41 mm telescopic fork and off-set single-shock rear suspension with adjustable preload. The bike is outfitted with an under-engine exhaust silencer similar to on a Buell; and power is transferred by a six-speed transmission.
The machine rolls on 120/70ZR17 front and 160/60ZR17 rear tires, and stops from dual piston caliper and dual semi-floating 300mm petal discs up front and a single piston caliper with 220mm petal disc in back.
Wheelbase on the 383-pound bike (dry) is 55.3 inches; seat height is 30.9 inches; and the bike holds 4.09 gallons of fuel.
Kawasaki now offers European customers five bikes unavailable in the U.S. market: the ER-6n, KLE500, Z750, ER-5 and W650.
But Kawasaki is not the lone major manufacturer of two-wheelers offering motorcycles in Europe that are not available in the United States. In fact, Honda currently offers European consumers 20 models not sold in the U.S.; Yamaha offers 17; Suzuki, 10.
Honda bikes not available in the U.S. include the CBR125R, CG125, XR125L, Varadero XL1000V ABS, Varadero XL125V, Transalp XL650V, FMX650, CB1300 ABS/F/S, CBF 250, CBF 500 ABS, CBF 600 ABS/S/ABS S. Unavailable Honda scooters include the ANF125, Dylan 125, FES125 Pantheon, SCV100 Lead and SH125i scooters.
Yamaha dealers in the U.S. are missing out on the YBR125, DT125X/R, XT125R/X, MT-01, TDM 900, XJR1300, BT1100, XT660R, WR450F 2 TRAC and 250cc two-stroke Tricker, as well as scooters like the Cygnus 125, X-Max 250, XC300 Versity and Tmax 500.
Suzuki product missing from the company’s U.S. line-up includes the Katana R50 and Burgman 125 scooters, VanVan 125 trail bike, GSX1400, Bandit 600 and S version, Bandit 650 and S version, GS500 and SV1000SZ.

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