Budget all-rounder made sharper; Motorcycles.

Byline: HARRIET RIDLEY 

THE simple things in life are often the best.

Take the ER-6. Kawasaki first launched this budget all-rounder in 2005 and its popularity surprised even the manufacturer. It sold a huge 22,000 models in Europe.

The ER-6 is Kawasaki's version of the much-loved SV650, a novice-friendly machine with a strong V-twin engine and cool street-bike looks.

Like the SV, Kawasaki's ER-6 gets two versions - the faired ER-6F and the naked ER-6N.

But although the Kawasaki's engine also gets two cylinders, the layout is parallel rather than V. The fun performance, good styling and low price tag make these models an instant hit.

Novices love to learn on them: the low seat gives confidence especially at low speeds, the engine chugs along at near-idle speeds without threatening to stall and a wide turning circle makes easy work of the dreaded U-turn.

Yet they still have plenty to offer the more experienced rider: the various MiniTwins championships where these bikes are run are the UK's most popular club race series.

Economic woes are also helping these bikes. At times like these people want budget all-rounders that don't skimp on style and ride quality. And that's the definition of Kawasaki's ER-6. The ER-6 waited four years for an update, which it only really needed to retain its sparkle against the all-new Gladius - Suzuki's replacement model for the naked SV650.

The 2009 ER-6's upgrade comprised only a few tweaks, but they're clever ones that address the old bike's shortcomings and keep it sharp.

The ER-6N costs pounds 4,699 and the ER-6F pounds 5,075.

SHARPENED-UP: The Kawasaki ER-6

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SHARPENED-UP: The Kawasaki ER-6