Vulcan owners please respond

Message

nyrblue35 · #1 Post by **nyrblue35** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:27 pm

Ive been looking at the vulcan 900LT and the 1600 classic. This will be my 3rd bike with my first being an 800 marauder. i really like the fact that the 900 LT comes with all the add-ons i want but im just worried if it will have enough get up and go power when doing 2-up. Like most id rather have it and not need it then blah blah blah........My marauder lacked in that dept a bit and since kawasaki doesnt make an 1100 unfortunately this is what im gunning for.

Are they any members out there that have ridden/own a 900? can any 1600 owners chime in with their reviews/thoughts? i cant find anything bad on the web about the 1600 classic to be honest. i TRIED! i dont think the weight will be an issue as i was sitting on both bikes and although the 900 was def. more nimble, the 1600 didnt feel like a gold wing either(just guessing the wing is a big gorilla-of-a-bike). incase anyone was curious why i didnt mention the v-star since i said 1100 is because i prefer liquid cooling over air since at the moment its hitting in the 100's here!!! also the vtx 1300 is not possible because i want FI as well.

thoughts, ideas, comments and hate mail/letter bombs are welcome.

TIA

Bill

KingRobb · #2 Post by **KingRobb** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:59 pm

a. The gold wing is much heavier than it feels....a very well balanced machine.

b. have an 800 a vulcan....and it had plenty of power (would go a hundred pretty quickly) two up so i cant imagine the 900 lacking

c. I personally would get the 1600 anyway.... but more for the long haul comfort than power. why upgrade twice?

ZooTech · #3 Post by **ZooTech** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:56 pm

Tbonee has a Vulcan 900, so you might want to pick his brain regarding that bike. I haven't stolen it from him for a test ride yet so I don't know much other than it's supposed to have the same power as the V-Star 1100 Classic with 50lbs less weight. I think the belt drive definitely helps get the engine's power to the rear wheel much more efficiently.

If you're considering the 900 and 1600, don't discount the 1500 Classic. It's a lotta good bike for a pretty good bargain.

Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:48 am

My husband has a 1600 classic that I've taken for a couple of spins. Weight is definately not an issue, it's not even an issue with the wing which is more nimble than people give it credit for. The only complaint I had about the 1600 is the pillon seat is horrible, so we ended up upgrading it. The 1600 definately has the get up and go, but im sure the 900 and 1500 does also. It's just a matter of exactly how much power you want.

nyrblue35 · #5 Post by **nyrblue35** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:47 am

Sweet Tooth wrote:My husband has a 1600 classic that I've taken for a couple of spins. Weight is definately not an issue, it's not even an issue with the wing which is more nimble than people give it credit for. The only complaint I had about the 1600 is the pillon seat is horrible, so we ended up upgrading it. The 1600 definately has the get up and go, but im sure the 900 and 1500 does also. It's just a matter of exactly how much power you want.

good to know. i think i'm leaning more towards the 1600 classic or maybe even the 1500. like what was mentioned. why upgrade twice? i always factor in a new seat for a bike since most stock seats are crap. score another point for the 1600 because seats are still being made for the 900 and are not availalbe yet. cant go wrong with a mustang as ive seen before. gonna go to another kawasaki dealer today and see if they have a 1500 possibly to check out.

ZooTech, thanks for the reply. ill see if i can hit up Tbonee for some info.

Bachstrad37 · #6 Post by **Bachstrad37** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:36 am

I test drove the new 900 Vulcan and was quite impressed with the power of it. As for 2 up - not a problem. The belt drive really made a big difference in power delivery as Zoo said.

The 1500 Vulcan Nomad is highly touted. I'd get a gander at one of those if you can. Some riders complained about the stock seat position on the newer 1600 Nomad. For what it's worth, I'd strongly recommend both the 1500 and 1600 Nomads.

nyrblue35 · #7 Post by **nyrblue35** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:42 am

sat on a 1600 classic again today as well as the 900. Man, kawasaki did a good job at making the 900 really look big. it was actually sitting in the showroom right next to the 1600 classic in the same blue/silver color no less.
they look very similar in size to the naked eye, save for the bigger cylinders and front fender/forks.

saw a 1500 classic as well but im not into the the looks of the exhaust and the spoked wheels honestly although the 900 sports them. the addons are really nice for the 900 so i can excuse the spoked wheels.

the vulcan nomad 1600 would be awesome but i didnt want to spend that much money to be honest. It was definitely fun customizing my old marauder and i welcome doing that to the 1600 classic should i go that route. one thing i DID notice is the arch UP on the back of the stock seat on the 1600. thats actually VERY nice IMO .

goddammit, too hard of a decision! the silver blue..the red................man, i feel like a woman in a shoe store

ZooTech · #8 Post by **ZooTech** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:02 am

nyrblue35 wrote:goddammit, too hard of a decision! the silver blue..the red................man, i feel like a woman in a shoe store

So I take it you're buying both, then?

nyrblue35 · #9 Post by **nyrblue35** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:34 am

ZooTech wrote:
nyrblue35 wrote:goddammit, too hard of a decision! the silver blue..the red................man, i feel like a woman in a shoe store
So I take it you're buying both, then?

good call! sure if i had the money why not? might as well ask you Zootech what you are paying for insurance. its a bit high in NY for a big 1600 bike but i have to say that foremost insurance had the best rates at $636 for the year. thats with full coverage, well 50/100,000 liabilty, 500 dollar deductible and roadside. i left the other stuff out because it dont factor much in the overall cost. i was bummed again to find progressive not being the best rate but this is the 2nd time this has happened so maybe i shouldnt be surprised.

now will come the flood of posts saying how little you guys are paying for a 1600 bike.

ZooTech · #10 Post by **ZooTech** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:14 am

nyrblue35 wrote:might as well ask you Zootech what you are paying for insurance........now will come the flood of posts saying how little you guys are paying for a 1600 bike.

$400.00 per year for full coverage through Progressive.