Kawasaki Vulcan...What do you think???

Message

hammbones · #1 Unread post by **hammbones** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 4:14 pm

Hey there,

my girlfriend wants to get a cruiser between 700cc and 800cc. She has sat on quite a few. yesterday she sat on a 04' Vulcan 800 that she really liked. Can anyone give me some info(pros and cons) about that bike? And how much do they differ from lets say 2000 to 2005. also we saw this bike at a dealer for 5,000 clear out the door. it had a few scrapes on the side, should i worry about that or not? does this sound like a decent deal?

thanks for any input

P.S. if you have read my first post, i have now put over 500 miles on my new bike. good times.

VermilionX · Fri Oct 06, 2006 6:40 pm

looks the same accdg to this website...
http://www.motorbikes.be/en/compare/4075/4839/

congrats on the 1st 500 miles.

Shorts · #3 Unread post by **Shorts** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:44 pm

A Vulcan has a solid reputation on being a good bike. DHs ol' '91 400 has been excellent.

MotoF150 · #4 Unread post by **MotoF150** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:51 pm

The Kawasaki Vulcan 800 is a great bike, its the quickest and fastest 800cc bike out there, made simple, chain drive, but $5000 is too much for a 04 thats scratched up. I own a 05 Suzuki M50 have it for sale for $2500 and people that looked at it tell me $2500 is too much.

#5 Unread post by **t_bonee** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:51 am

I have a 06 Vulcan 900, the replacement model of the 800. I can't say enough good things about the Vulcan. Great bikes, rock solid, they look good and ride good. No complaints about mine at all.

Lion_Lady · #6 Unread post by **Lion_Lady** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:06 am

Okay, you posted in the newbies section about an 800 cc bike. You do NOT mention what kind of experience your gf has.

If she has NO experieince, then I strongly recommend that she sign up for an MSF (or equivelant) Basic Riders Course.

That bike though, comfy is going to be a LOT to handle (unless gf is an AMAZON), expecially at slow/walking speeds which is where she will have the most trouble. How easily can she pick it up off the side stand and walk it around?

That said, look at a Rebel. Similar styling, easy handling and light. PLUS can be resold for what you paid or MORE depending on how well you take care of it.

P

VermilionX · Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:10 am

the 800cc vulcan doesn't have a lot.

it only has 56 bhp. it even weighs 518 lbs so that doesn't help its power to weight ratio either.

MotoF150 · #8 Unread post by **MotoF150** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:51 am

wait??? how can a 800cc Vulcan have 56 hp when a 1600cc Kawasaki Mean Streak only have 52 hp? something don't jive!

VermilionX · Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:19 am

MotoF150 wrote:wait??? how can a 800cc Vulcan have 56 hp when a 1600cc Kawasaki Mean Streak only have 52 hp? something don't jive!

the VN 1600 has 72 bhp. just about the same as an SV650. it has more torque but it also weighs 630+ lbs.
http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Kawasaki_VN ... _2004.aspx

#10 Unread post by **Wrider** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:13 am

I don't know about your whole power to weight ratio argument Verm... I have an 01 Volusia 805 cc that has 52 horses and 47 ft/lbs of torque, but it still gets me 0-60 faster than just about any car on the road. But yeah, back to the original question... I'm a guy, 6'2, 280, and I can handle it, but it took a little getting used to. It is however my first bike. Also, it does actually sound like a pretty good deal, most in that price range are 99 or earlier and haven't been dropped, so it makes sense about it's price. Good luck with it! and congrats on your first 500 miles!

PS. MotoF150, 2500 too much for an 05 M50??? What did you do to it? Book on my 01 version of it, the Volusia is 3500...
Wrider