New KAWA Cruiser

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Brent · #1 Unread post by **Brent** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:41 am

Any opinions on the new Kawasaki 900 CLASSIS. Is that too much of a bike for a new rider??

ejshotgun · #2 Unread post by **ejshotgun** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:12 pm

I haven't ridden this bike. But for what's it worth....
My first bike was a '76 KZ900 (had to tip toe to reach the ground, height challenged don't ya know).
I shouldn't have gotten such a large bike to start with, I thought at the time. But now that I've got decades of riding under my belt my thought is if you want this bike get it. If you haven't ever ridden before than take a good class. And take your time if you know some guys, you can trust who ride, go with them.
Just beware, their are 2 kinds of riders (I believe that this goes for the majority of riders, of course there are exceptions to all rules) those who have dropped their bikes and those who will drop their bikes (be it their fault or just a plain accident).
Go for the Gold!!!!

flynrider · #3 Unread post by **flynrider** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:47 pm

To be fair, the only think that the KZ900 and the Vulcan 900 have in common is 903cc of displacement. The KZ was built to deliver a fast punch of horsepower at the high end of the power band, while the V-twin delivers a lower dose of hp, and spreads it generously across the power band. Enginewise, the Vulcan is much more docile that the tweaky KZ.

Is it a good first bike? If you ask me, I'd say it's kind of on the large end of the scale, but that's if your asking me. Whether or not you can handle it, will depend more on you. If you've never ridden before, taking the MSF course will probably help give you a better idea of what you can handle.

#4 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:06 pm

It's good to see Kawasaki replacing that ailing and failing chain-driven 800 they've held onto for so long. This is clearly in response to the growing popularity of the Boulevard line of 800's. It looks like a miniature version of the 1600 Classic with the belt drive from the Vulcan 2000.

Now if they'd just figure out how to stuff that 2000cc engine they have into a revamped Mean Streak frame I'll be all set for a trade-in!

bennettoid · Fri Sep 23, 2005 4:24 am

I'll have to look into it.

If the price is right.....

funinaz · #6 Unread post by **funinaz** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 4:59 am

I've fancied this bike as well. Other than the press releases found on various sites, including this one, no other information is to be had. Even Kawasaki's own web site makes no mention of this bike!

I did call my local dealer to see if they had any more information. I was told that they might get some bikes in before end of year.

I agree with ZooTech. This is in direct response to the success of the Suzuki C/M50 series. Every review I've read places the Suzuki at the top of the list barely above the previous title holder the Vulcan 800. This is going to be a Honda vs. Toyota showdown.

Comparing the specs. of the Kawaski to the Suzuki C50, both bikes are now about on even par. Slight differences include: belt drive (Kawa) vs. shaft (suz), displacement (Kawa. 903 vs Suz 819). Both are fuel injected w/ advanced idleing technology. The Kawa will retail for ~$500 more than the Suzuki.

Until the bikes are shipped and people have had a chance to ride/review them, it'll be hard to comare them to other bikes in this range.

Brent · #7 Unread post by **Brent** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 5:29 am

Go look at the pics again. The first picture(silver) has the wheels of a 750 Vulcan whereas the other pics show spokes. The vulcan 750 has tubeless tires. So does this thing have spokes or not??

Brent · #8 Unread post by **Brent** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 6:09 am

Look at the pics again. The silver one on this site show wheels like the Vulcan 750 which has tubless tires whereas the other pics of the bike shows spokes. I WONDER WHICH IS CORRECT????

Brent · #9 Unread post by **Brent** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:06 am

I think I've got it. The silver one is actually a pic of the 2000. They just put the wrong pic in with the 900. It also have push rods on the engine, which I like. PUT EM ON THE 900 TOO.