Vulcan 1500 vs. VTX 1300

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BubbaGump · #1 Post by **BubbaGump** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 5:01 pm

So I have my choice of bikes down to 2 options:

1) The Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
2) The Honda VTX 1300

The only major difference I can tell between these 2 bikes is that the Vulcan has FI while the Honda doesnt while it's also a bit heavier.

Any input as to the better bike and why? I know opinions are like "o-rings" around here - so lets here it!

ZooTech · #2 Post by **ZooTech** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 5:27 pm

In my opinion, the Vulcan edges out the VTX1300 for two reasons:

1) Fuel injection versus carbs

2) Hydraulic valve lash adjusters

Both bikes weigh and cost pretty much the same, and I think you get a little more bike for the money with the Vulcan.

BubbaGump · #3 Post by **BubbaGump** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 5:42 pm

ZooTech wrote:In my opinion, the Vulcan edges out the VTX1300 for two reasons:

1) Fuel injection versus carbs

2) Hydraulic valve lash adjusters

Both bikes weigh and cost pretty much the same, and I think you get a little more bike for the money with the Vulcan.

That's the funny thing! There is almost $4K difference! And what are hydraulic valve lash adjusters? Something I haven't come across before.

jjhotrods · #4 Post by **jjhotrods** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:36 pm

Well I am not super familiar with the valve adjusters but I do find the vulcan feel much more top heavy than the hondas. I recently was able to take a vtx for a test ride and it extremely well.

If those are you two choices I'd say go with honda. Thats my .02 cents.

One thing you might want to consider is the cost of accessories. Honda tends to be a little more pricey if you get genuine honda parts. I want to say the kawasaki's are a little more reasonable.

V4underme · #5 Post by **V4underme** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 1:53 am

BubbaGump wrote:
ZooTech wrote:In my opinion, the Vulcan edges out the VTX1300 for two reasons:

1) Fuel injection versus carbs

2) Hydraulic valve lash adjusters

Both bikes weigh and cost pretty much the same, and I think you get a little more bike for the money with the Vulcan.
That's the funny thing! There is almost $4K difference! And what are hydraulic valve lash adjusters? Something I haven't come across before.

Have you sat on both of them yet? One will speak to you louder, that's the one to get. The rest of the differences are minor, imo.

Hydraulic valve lash adjusters = less maintenance headaches down the road because the valves adjust automatically.

ZooTech · #6 Post by **ZooTech** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:13 am

BubbaGump wrote:
ZooTech wrote:Both bikes weigh and cost pretty much the same, and I think you get a little more bike for the money with the Vulcan.
That's the funny thing! There is almost $4K difference!

The MSRP for both bikes is $9,599.00 according to their respective websites. And I have seen leftover Vulcan 1500's going for much less. Where on earth did you come across a $4,000 difference in price?

Hydraulic valves are maintenance-free. The lash is adjusted automatically with oil pressure. The VTX1300 doesn't have them, so you'll be paying the stealership a lot of money to replace shims every so often.

nyrblue35 · #7 Post by **nyrblue35** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:54 am

in my opinion i have a hard time reading your posts because of that awful avatar!!!!!!

BubbaGump · #8 Post by **BubbaGump** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 6:45 am

ZooTech wrote:The MSRP for both bikes is $9,599.00 according to their respective websites. And I have seen leftover Vulcan 1500's going for much less. Where on earth did you come across a $4,000 difference in price?

Hydraulic valves are maintenance-free. The lash is adjusted automatically with oil pressure. The VTX1300 doesn't have them, so you'll be paying the stealership a lot of money to replace shims every so often.

Well up here the Vulcan is 11,600 and the VTX is 15K, so $3400 difference. The Vulcan doesnt have the windshield and saddlebags, so thats another $1500, but still 2K cheaper. Thanx for the feeback Zoo!

ZooTech · #9 Post by **ZooTech** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:11 am

BubbaGump wrote:Well up here the Vulcan is 11,600 and the VTX is 15K, so $3400 difference. The Vulcan doesnt have the windshield and saddlebags, so thats another $1500, but still 2K cheaper.

Oy vay! Why the big markup on the Honda? They're made literally ten miles up the road from me, and I thought Honda sold a lot of bikes in Canada.

Make that three reasons to go with the Vulcan over the VTX!

MotoF150 · #10 Post by **MotoF150** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:35 am

I would pick either the Kawasaki Mean Streak or the Honda VTX1800, the Honda 1800 is fuel injection and only $1000 more, around here dealers are selling new 2006 Honda VTX1300C's for $6999, and the VTX1800C for $7999. If you had a chance to test drive both the Honda 1300 and 1800 you would see a BIG difference in power and acceleration, the Mean Streak only has 52 hp but its a nice looking bike and it fits nice, looks good.