Yamaha 650 vs. Kawasaki 900 or...

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BaldBudoka · Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:59 pm

Hello! I have been lurking for a while and feeding off the collective wisdon of this group so I guess the first thing I should say is thank you for all the good info and advice. It's finally time for me to stop daydreaming and get in the saddle. I take the MSF course in two weeks and will be buying a bike soon after. I go back and forth between buying used or new. If I buy used I am not all that particular and will by what looks well maintained and handy. It's buying new that gets complicated. I have it narrowed down to two bikes...

Yamaha 650 Classic: I like the looks. Has a good rep as a beginner bike. The power issue worries me. Can somebody whose ridden give me some feedback. I just want to know if it has enough get up and go to be a truly usable bike. I don't need super fast, I don't plan on much (if any) two up riding, and I only weigh 150 pounds myself. Is it enough bike to move me down the road?

Kawasaki 900 Classic: This bike seems much bigger, even though it only weighs about 50lbs more. I'm a guy who stands 5 foot 6 and weighs 150. Is it too big for me to learn on? I think a year from now I would be happier with the extra power, but is it a good beginner bike? By the time it's all said and done, it only costs about $500 more out the door than the Yamaha and it seems like a lot more bike. Anyone here learn on this bike?

Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated. You guys are great!

Scott58 · #2 Unread post by **Scott58** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:35 am

Buy used. What's your inseam?

rwp · #3 Unread post by **rwp** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:33 am

Both bikes have enough power to cruise interstates without any trouble. The 650 will take a bit longer to get up to speed but still plenty fast enough for a 150 pounder. Since you'll almost certainly want to upgrade either bike within a couple of years, get the smaller bike to start and put the money you save toward a newer machine in the future.

Learning is easier on a lighter, slower bike.

Bachstrad37 · Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:54 am

I rode my co-worker's 650. Very nice beginner bike. Simple in mechanical build, too. Decent amount of metal chrome for the price. I'm 175 5'9" and it fit fine. The power was more than adequate for the highways at 65-70 mph. Not a speed demon, but sufficient for a cruiser.

I also test rode the Vulcan 900. Very solid bike. Liquid cooling and EFI is a real draw. Also has hydraulic valve lifters that auto adjusts valve clearance - you won't need to manually check/adjust your valves. Those were the selling points on why I chose a Vulcan myself.

Reliability is not an issue with either. If you plan to customize these bikes, after market parts are pretty limited.

I bought my Vulcan Meanie as my first bike. A lot of people here thought I was nuts starting with a 1500cc bike. I did buy it used, but also had quite a bit of dirt experience. So far, I've done very well and love its power. Only downside has been walking the bike. It's pretty heavy at 640lbs dry.

BugCountry · Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:55 am

I have the 650 custom and I've got about 2500 miles on it so far. It's a nice bike, but not very powerful. Yes, it can do 70 on the interstate but you'll really be buzzing the engine as it is geared lower than it should be IMO. For 55mph highway travel it does great. If I ever get another bike I'm just going to buy a victory with 6 speed overdrive.

flw · #6 Unread post by **flw** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:09 am

The other consideration is seat comfort. There are exceptions which is why you should always sit on it for 30 min. if possible but the bigger the bike the bigger the seat. But bigger is not always more comfortable.

There is a seat height sticky post here in the newbie section I believe that has most of the seat heights which you should check. Its not fun being on your tippy toes on a heavier bike.

IndependenceDave · Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:30 pm

I am new to riding myself and just bought a new v star 650 custom. I only have a few hundred miles on it but so far I love it. I have mostly been on back roads and a few smaller highways in the country so I have not had it above 65 mph. At 65 it seems to do fine but I can see where others say it could use another gear. As for getting around town I love it and have no problems keeping up with traffic. I will add that mine has Vance and Hines pipes on it but the mechanic at the dealership said that it does not make much of a difference in power.

BaldBudoka · Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:21 pm

Thans for all the help guys. I wish I could say I am any closer t makeing a choice now than when I posted this. I am taking the MSF this weekend and really wanted to be on a bike by the end of the month...but all the choices are driving me crazy. It's a good crazy, though!

new2cycles · Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:58 pm

I am new to riding and have been looking at the V-Star 650, I really like it a lot and I think from reading these posts and talking to riders, it is a very good choice.