It's the same song they've been singing since it was introduced in '02 when it won a shootout against ten other bikes, including the Warrior, VTX1800, and two Harleys (and that's before the increased displacement in '04). Anyone coming off a sportbike and entering the world of cruisers for the first time (like me) will have understandable concerns about handling and braking, and the Mean Streak quiets those concerns the first time you take it out. The wheels are shod with Dunlop ST220's in nearly the same size front and rear as the Honda ST1300. Up front you'll find an inverted front fork and brakes lifted straight off the ZX9R (also used on the ZRX1200). And lastly, it sells for $10,999.00 which is a bargain for this category.diggerv wrote:Here is a good article that compares a group of cruisers. The mean streak seems to lack the mean. If you just want a bike to putt around on it my meet your needs.
http://motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/ ... omparison/
In contrast, most of the reviews I have read regarding the Warrior state that it requires constant correction during turns - mostly due to the 200 rear tire. The reviews of the VTX1800 always praise the engine, but then go on to criticize the weight, suspension, and braking. (Just look at the very review you posted and you'll see what I mean)
These were the three bikes I considered in this category, and I bought the one that I felt was best for me. In fact, I passed up the deal of the century when Honda Northwest was selling '03 VTX1800's for $8000 brand new ('04 models were out and '05's were arriving). Yes, in the world of power cruisers, the Mean Streak shows up with less power than everyone else. Rather than updating the mill, Kawasaki built the Vulcan 2000 for bragging rights. But to dismiss it as a bike to just "putt around on" is unfair. Plus, the whole Vulcan lineup is easy to tweak for more power simply by eliminating its biggest shortcoming...the extremely narrow intake tract that runs between the cylinders. Kawasaki installed hotter cams and more compression in the Mean Streak, and then gave it the same drinking straw as the 1600 Classic and Nomad. In other words, I can use the $1500 difference between the Warrior and Mean Streak to buy an intake, TFI, and exhaust which will help close the gap in power.
And finally.....I'll end with this....to call it slower than the bikes in that comparison is the truth...but to call it slow period is silly. I can hit triple-digit speeds on any freeway on ramp. I'm not sure how much faster you're wanting to go, but that'll land you in jail quick enough.
