Faults:

Rectifier failed.

General Comments:

Generally underrated, especially by the press, a kind of Ford Fiesta of the motorcycle world.

Handles well, good on fuel (I've been getting high fifties to the gallon), brakes are fine, gearbox is very good, comfort is OK too.

Apart from a dead regulator-rectifier, mine has been reliable, starts on the button and has been used in all weathers.

Comments from others about rapidly deteriorating finishes are true, but regular spraying with WD40 etc (I've been using ACF50) helps a lot.

I would recommend the ER5 as I consider it a very competent bike, as long as you expect of it what it was designed for.

Faults:

Wear and tear items really. Just fitted a new chain and sprockets, and a new front disk rotor and pads. The disk had a couple of cracks in the drilled braking surface.

General Comments:

Most people dismiss the bike as a bit of a hack bike or a commuter bike. Having been riding for over 45 years, take it from me it's not.

If you owned T100 Triumph from the 60s or a T120, you would see the pleasure of riding a twin engine bike. These are great bikes; simply made, and easy to maintain, ride and enjoy.

Faults:

Regulator blown, fork seals perished, CDI unit buggered, battery over charged, stator coils packed up, light bulbs blown, exhaust baffle whistles, sprocket carrier bearing knackered.

General Comments:

An easy to ride motorcycle for the beginner. Manoeuvres well, it's sturdy, and has a fair bit of poke.

The engine sounds terrible, it can only be described as an old petrol lawn mower.

Regulators have a habit of malfunctioning, causing the battery to overheat, the CDI unit to pack up, blown bulbs and possibly damage the stator coils, which is what happened to me.

Second hand parts are plentiful, and it's a fairly easy bike to do home mechanics on.

Fuel consumption isn't great though, and the petrol gauge isn't that accurate.

It is what it is. For the first time rider, it's great to plod around on and build up your confidence, ready to move onto bigger and better machines.

The wind really hits you at 60mph+, which isn't nice.

Faults:

Since owning this bike, I have encountered only minor problems. The clutch cable has snapped (all motorbikes can have this problem!) and the side stand switch was faulty.

Overall a good strong, reliable bike.

General Comments:

Parts are easy to obtain, and there are no fairings to break if dropped!

After coming up from a 125cc, it feels like it has a great amount of power, despite leaving the previous owner's 33 BHP kit in it.

Very comfortable seat, which is great for commuting or riding long distances. However, due to being a naked bike, the wind isn't too pleasant at high speeds!

I would recommend this bike to anyone starting out in the motorcycling community.

Faults:

Nothing.

Brakes a bit spongy and leaky front forks.. Not the end of the world stuff.

General Comments:

What a cracking little bike! No, it won't set your backside on fire. Not the most economical bike in the world either. Not the best bike in the world.

That said, it is, perhaps, a modern day Superdream! No. The Superdream sounded much, much better.

The ER500 is a reliable and worthy bike. If you work on it, it'll 'go' really quite well, provided you keep it in the right gear.. An excellent bike for those who have just passed their test and want something with a bit of 'poke'... It has a 'bit' of poke and will cruise at 80-90 all day!

The ER is not a bike you 'love' it is a bike you respect. A reliable workhorse that won't turn heads. The rear brake is feeble, especially two up, but if you're honest about it, it's a very good bike!

In the hands of someone that knows what they're about, it'll 'go' very well indeed!

Rust! Watch out for that stuff. The swing arm is vulnerable. Indicators could be bigger.