Victory Kingkin or Vulcan 1600?

[slider03]

I'm starting to look at bigger cruisers. I'll use it to commute in rush hour traffic, take overnight trips, and sometimes carry a passenger. I'm 6'2" 190 lbs. and need a bike that's comfortable for a tall rider. Any experience with either of these bikes? I'd like to compare comfort, price, power, vibration, stock seats, reliability, etc. Any better bikes in this class?

Thanks!

[schwartzkm]

Victory Opinion:

I had a victory and it never left me stranded. The engine was rock solid the three years I had it (I used it as my primary form of transportation while I owned it). The only thing I did was basic maintenance type stuff that would have to be done on any bike (change tires, brake pads, oil etc..) From what I have heard, the engines and transmissions in the newere model are MUCH better than in my 99 victory.

Problem:
1) Steered like a firetruck. I think all the big cruisers suffer from this, though. I like smaller, more nimble cruisers for commuting. (I would get a naked sports bike but my wife will not let me get anything that looks fast. Ohhhhh, the trade-off us married people make! Speed Triple or Ducati Monster rocks!)

2) The older model had all its components in the headlight. Why is that a problem? The amps it draws forced me to keep it on a battery tender otherwise it would not start if I didn't ride it for a few days (bad weather weeks).

[snwflk303]

I can't speak for the Victory although it is a really sweet looking bike.
My bike is an 06 1600 Nomad. For me it rides like a dream. Every time I take it, in town and out, highway or byway I am amazed at how sweet the handling is. I look, it goes. It almost seems to lean itself. I've been riding nonstop for 36 years, this is my biggest bike and the easies handling on the road. Being a scant under 5"9 and 162 lbs, I did opt for risers so that I could have a better riding position.

[insaneman_12]

Road Star beats them both, but for those two Victory will be beter. Vulcans always have motor problems.

[snwflk303]

Bashing bikes other than ones own seems to be popular on this website. the only time many of the members get together is bashing HD. My last bike was a 99 800A, a Kawasaki Vulcan. As a daily rider even during tropical storms with winds gusting over 35MPH it never let me down, After 6 years and 45K the only repairs were front brake pads an O ring for the coolant and at 40K I changed the chain.

Anyway, lets all just smile and get along. No need in bashing anything.

[ZooTech]

Vulcans always have motor problems.

Source?

[Gummiente]

Vulcans always have motor problems.

Source?

From his brother's co-worker's neighbour's sister's fiancee, who got it off the internet, of course.

[Rydr]

I like the Kingpin myself. Just the looks as I've never ridden one.

It doesn't matter what I think though, it's what you think. Go to the motorcycle dealers and check out the bikes you are interested in. Sit on them and try to a feel for them. See if they fit. If you can wrangle a test ride on the bike from the dealer so much the better. Don't put to much stock into what people say on forums as many tend to be biased.

Make up your own mind.

Good luck with your choice and happy riding.

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

Vulcans always have motor problems.

Source?

+1

I can't give you advice on the Kingpin, but my husband had a Vulcan 1600 classic, which he purchased from my brother in law and it never had a problem. It's comfortable for both the daily commute and for long distance, that's in comparison to the Victory. There are obvisouly better choices for traveling. The problem is that what is comfortable for one person is not for the other, they key is to sit on them both and get a feel for it.

The only Vulcans that used to have habitual probelms are the older Nomads that had a plastic oil gear. Besides that there realy hasen't ever been anything else.

[stargazertony]

Vulcans always have motor problems.

Hi insaneman_12: I ride frequently with a number of Vulcan owners and can't recall any of them having "motor problems". In fact, am considering a Vulcan 900 LT as my next ride. The group I ride most with has lots of different make bikes and it seems all are very reliable. All, well most anyway, are well maintained - that means a lot. I think the problems many bike owners have, regardless of make, are self induced. They add on something that doubles torque then complain when rear tires, clutches, and other rear components fail more frequently. Or add some wiz-bang device to their engine that caused it to throw a piston.