Who knows about ER5s on motorways?

Is there anyway to make an ER5 a bit more comfortable for extended
motorway cruising? I'm sure I've shrunk a couple of inches since I've
been using it on the motorways more regularly as a result of wind
blast.

Would a little wind deflector above the headlamp help to push some of
the air over my head, or shall I just go as fast as is comfortable
rather than usual motorway speeds?

Also, while I'm at it, back to the chain, adjusting every 25- 300 miles
is normal, yes?

Thanks again.

Dave.

 

You could put a fly screen on it, I suppose. I didn't find mine made
much difference.

If you find that your head is being knocked around in the wind too
much then you could always slow down a bit or perhaps duck down. I
found that sitting in a more upright position helped but you haven't
got the same shaped body as me so YMMV.

You adjust your chain every 300 miles? That's not good. My last
chain had one adjustment in 25,000 miles. Do you lube the chain at
all? How often? With what?

 

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks. I do tend to hunch forwards, so I'll
adjust the way I sit and give it a go.

I was given some chain lube when I bought a jacket from a man in a
(motorbike) shop. I can't remember the name of it right now, I'll
check when I get home. I don't think it is up to the job, though. I'm
going to pop to halfords on my way home tonight and see what they
have available. Any particular recommendations?

Cheers.

D.

 

And to think I proof read the whole thing twice and let that one slip
through. It's a nice idea though.

 

Indeed.

 

Yes it would help quite a bit.
It did on my Hornet anyway , and thats a similar shape.
At speeds of 1XX it's now much less hard work.

Something like this should do
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Airblade-Fly-...ryZ25623QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

You never struck me as a cruiser .

 

If you adjust it every 300 miles then there's something wrong. Even
if you didn't lube it every hundred or so miles then that's still too
often. You'll run out of chain. If you did 8,000 miles then that
means it's adjusted nearly thirty times a year.

What measure are you using to adjust it? Are you adjusting it so it's
really tight? There should still be a fair amount of movement in the
chain when it's correctly adjusted. The ER-5 manual gives the
measurements for this.

 

I'm on course for about 11k miles this year. I do agree that
something is wrong. I have a feeling that the wheel itself could be
slipping in the frame.

The book says about 2 inches, IIRC, so I tighten it and then measure
that 2 inches from the mid point of the chain (lower side), then
rotate the wheel and re-measure it.

In short, I think I need to alter my riding style, or get a bike that
is a bit more forgiving of abuse.

 

Top stuff. I'll pop down to the motorbike parts shop over the weekend,
as I don't have an ebay account, but now I know what I'm looking for
it'll be easy. I'm sure. Thanks muchly.

 

How many miles are on the clock already and how many miles has the
chain done?

Have you got a picture of the rear sprocket? Is it worn too much?

I think the best way to adjust the chain is to sit on the bike and
then get someone else to adjust the chain with you on it. You'd be
surprised exactly how much that two inches dissapears after you've got
someone on the top of it.

The ER-5 does take a *lot* of abuse quite happily. This is why it's a
fave for riding schools across the country.

I doubt your riding style is an issue as I thrashed my ER-5 good and
proper in all weathers until it died one morning in Dover...

 

Go slower? I don't try to keep up with the fast cars when on a slow bike on
the motorway (on my ER5). If I feel I have to use a motorway I just cruise
at 70 and sit up. If I have to push on, the bike will do more, but it's
harder work. If I use the XT600 for long journeys then I find cruising at 65
is quite theraputic and very comfy. 80 mph on the XT is only ever a short
term solution.

Not unless someone has replaced the original O ring chain with something
very cheap and nasty. I would even expect a non-O ring chain to go 1000
miles between adjustments given some decent lube and average weather
conditions. Do they still sell non-O ring chains?

John

 

I saw an ER5 on the motorway this morning, cruising at 75 or so.
It was quite obvious what was required - clip-ons, a bikini fairing,
and an anorak that doesn't flap in the breeze.