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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/

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.

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.

I agree with Zoo there. Just because it isn't a "muscle cruiser" doesn't mean it is just for putting around. 13 sec quarter miles are still pretty darn fast!

Hey Zoo,

If you'd ever had a bike accident where you ended up flying over the bars, you're mirrors would scare the hell out of you!

I've actually cut my thumbs on them many times already. They are as sharp as they look! I figure if I'm ever bike-jacked I can snap one off and stick it in the guy's jugular!

Oh man. I was looking at the picture of the two streaks next to each other and noticed that Zoo's mirrors looked a lot different but I thought it was just the angle the picture was taken at.

Hopefully, if you ever do highside, it will be at a nice steep angle upwards. Else you might just impale yourself lol.

Or just don't highside and it won't be a problem.

Very nice ride Loonette

ZooTech wrote:

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/

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.

The original poster was asking for opinions from Mean Streak owners, not just a regurgitation from some comparison article. I can dig up plenty of articles that praise the Mean Streak as well. So what.

One of the things that I love about my bike is the handling. The braking is smooth and extremely responsive. I can corner much tighter than I ever could on my Shadow Spirit 1100. I feel confident going on twisty dirt roads. I can pass big rigs on the highway at 90 with no effort - don't even need to downshift. I just zoom right on by.

I don't subscribe to comparison articles. I can judge that sort of thing on my own, and I guess it's just not that important to me who is the best/fastest/biggest. I read the specs on a lot of different cruisers for most of my information when I was looking for a new bike. Then I considered aesthetics and pricing. The Mean Streak just won out in the most categories for me. I didn't even test ride one. I tested out the seat height and bar reach, and that was it. And without me even trying to get or wanting it, the bike draws lots of attention - people compliment it all the time.

That said, it's pushing 10:00 AM, and it's gorgeous outside. The kids are in school - I'm gonna head out for a ride. See ya!

Cheers,
Loonette

Thanks Loonette, there is no comparision to the owner who has riden the bike many miles.

Loonette wrote:One of the things that I love about my bike is the handling. The braking is smooth and extremely responsive. I can corner much tighter than I ever could on my Shadow Spirit 1100. I feel confident going on twisty dirt roads. I can pass big rigs on the highway at 90 with no effort - don't even need to downshift. I just zoom right on by.

Precisely! To put it in context with the review that was posted, the Warrior is essentially referred to as squirrely, the Valkyrie and Magna are no longer around, the VMAX is uber fast but is still using the same underpinnings that it was 20 years ago (inadequate by today's standards), and I've read countless reviews on the VTX1800, many from past and present owners, that say it handles like a cement truck (and weighs nearly as much!). That leaves the VRod to take the title except for the fact that I can buy two Mean Streaks for the same price. I'll gladly ride in the back of the pack if it means I'm wearing the best binders in the group and possess the handling characteristics to avoid having to use them.

Sorry guys... I was just saying that it appeared a little slow... not to say that it was the slowest thing on the road... I'm sure it is a very nice motor cycle and everyone is looking for different things in a bike... that is why they make so many different models. Power cruisers are one thing and Cruisers are something else... With that said enjoy the ride! for me the price of the V-rod was well worth the extra cost. They are cheaper than you think.