| MODEL | KAWASAKI ER-5 TWISTER 1997 - 1999 |
| Year | 1997 - 1999 |
| Engine Type | Four-stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 498 cc / 30.4 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 74 x 58 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 36.5 kW / 50 hp @ 8500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 45.2 Nm / 33.2 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm |
| Ignition | Digital |
| Induction | 2x 34 mm Keihin CVK |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 6 speed |
| Clutch | — |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Steel-tube cradle |
| Front Suspension | 37 mm telescopic fork, 125 mm / 4.9 in wheel travel |
| Rear Suspension | Dual rear shocks, 5-way adjustable preload, 114 mm / 4.5 in wheel travel |
| Front Brakes | Single 280 mm disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | 160 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 815 mm / 32.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 1430 mm / 56.3 in |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | 180.0 kg / 396.8 lb |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 110/70 R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 130/70 R17 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 17 Litres / 4.4 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | — |
The ER-5 Twister was Kawasaki's entry-level naked roadster for novices and commuters, built on a basic steel cradle chassis. Its 498 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin came from the GPZ500 family, retuned for this bike. This 1997 - 1999 version has a 37 mm fork, dual rear shocks and a single front disc with a rear drum brake, which the source calls modest.
