Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD comparision question

[flw]

What is similar in size and style (standard) to the 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD ? Since the 750 was dropped for 2008, it would not be considered for a friends purposes.

He asked me and I'm not sure as it seems most 500cc bikes tend to be sport versions.

Thanks

[sharpmagna]

How about the Honda VLX 600, Suzuki 650, Vstar 650? All similar cruiser style bikes with very close displacements...

[Ian522]

Supposedly the Vulcan 500 smokes all the other cruisers in the middleweight class. The motor is basically a de-tuned version of the ninja 500's parallel twin. Im thinking of getting my hands on one in the spring if I can get approved for financing.

[jackM50black]

I read a review of the LTD 500 and believe it or not, it was considered the best in its class, overall. That was a comepetition gainst the Boulevard S40 (650cc) and a Honda 600cc bike. I have not read good things about the S40, and the Honda is just OK. Apparently the 500 outperforms the others, even with smaller displacement. I don't know it it compets with the V-Star 650 which is a very popular starter cruiser. I've ridden the V-Star 650 and thought it a bit anemic, but I have never ridden a Kawi LTD 500, so I can't compare.

[Fast Eddy B]

What is similar in size and style (standard) to the 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD ? Since the 750 was dropped for 2008, it would not be considered for a friends purposes.

He asked me and I'm not sure as it seems most 500cc bikes tend to be sport versions.

Hyosung GV650. Give it a few (years?) and we might all be riding Korean.

[gsJack]

The Vulcan 500 will outperform the V-Star 650 as well as the VLX 600 and Savage 650 aka S-40, but the Intruder 800 aka S-50 has long been the best performing mid size cruiser. Could be the new Korean 650 with the SV650 type engine will surpass the S-50 now.

The V* 650, VLX, and S-40 are included in this Cycle World comparo:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... lsOnWheels

The Vulcan 500 remains my choice if I must lower mtself to a cruiser one of these days.

[roscowgo]

I like the thumper. It just works for me cruiser wise. But i agree, from everything i've heard, the 500 is a "better" bike.

[jstark47]

The V* 650, VLX, and S-40 are included in this Cycle World comparo

"But while the Vulcan's motor is a hoot, we can't help feeling that it's misplaced. A v-twin would just be more 'righteous'."

What a useless, mind-numbing, lemming-like, self-indulgent piece of mental masturbation masquerading as motorcycle journalism! This is the kind of thing magazines say when the editor/publisher has pre-decreed the results of the comparo, but the writer can't think of anything genuinely bad to write about the bike.

gsJack, this comment isn't directed at you, please don't take it personally. Cycleworld's blatant pimping for whatever manufacturer slipped them the most payola gets on my nerves!

[sharpmagna]

Why must a VTwin be in a "cruiser" type bike? If it's got the "Get up and go" then that's all there needs to be.

[jstark47]

I guess these guys would absolutely hate Triumph's cruisers. The Bonneville America and Speedmaster are vertical twins, and the Rocket is a huge, longitudinally mounted in-line three..... (kinda like a 1940's Indian 4, another bike I guess they don't approve of! )

I got news for these guys, a 90-degree oversquare v-twin (e.g. my V-strom) doesn't feel like a traditional longstroke 45 degree cruiser engine, either. It's not just a v-twin configuration they're looking for.........