Kawasaki Vulcan

This is my 7th bike in 30 years of riding. I give the Vulcan a 5 star rating. Like others, I too would love to ride an American made product that gives you the dependability that is offered in many Jap bikes. Many of my friends ride HD and I do like the style and look. But when it comes down to buying, I look for style, comfort, dependability, cost, you know get the best bang for the buck. I have never gone wrong with any KZ or Honda that I have owned. My new 900 Custom LT has everything. I added tach, has mustang seats and is very comfortable. Color is a red with silver/gold metalic trim. Nice look but more color choices would be nice. I did check out my spedo against the GPS and it is off about 3 mph at 45 and about 5 mph at 75. I had heard that it is common for the Vulcan to be off on the spedo a little bit. That was good for me last week when I was going to SD and met a HP in IA. I was about 10 over so that cushion saved me. I did not have the GPS on at the time so n... Read more

I own an '06 Classic LT. Best bike I've ever owned and ridden. I've owned Honda/Yamaha/Harley and driven Ducati, Suzuki...this is the sweetest ride of them all. My only suggestion is offer more color schemes. But as for the bike...I love it!

JUNK

What a bike! Will wallop any 1200 or less on the road!

Easy to handle, not complicated to operate, and for the 500 cc model, it is a very good starter bike, which will last you more than 1 season of riding. Good mileage, and can probably keep up with some of the sportier models when put to the test. Get ready for some good time riding, on a cruiser that is not such a lightweight compared.

I keep hearing all you “Metric Bike Bashers” referring to the Japanese bikes as clones. Fact is if it were not for the competition of the metric bikes, Harley would still be building crap! Harley did the same thing the metric bike manufacturers did. They went back to a style that was considered by many to be a “Classic Motorcycle” look. This style has never been owned by Harley Davidson, but was created by many manufacturers throughout the years. Indian made a “classic” style bike, as did many others. So to refer to the Japanese bikes as clones is in error. They are only doing what the consumer wants, building a good-looking motorcycle that the general public can afford. What really steam’s me is all the Harley riders that drive Japanese Cars! Even though I believe that the Japanese build better cars, I drive an American car. If I had to pay twice as much for that American car, then I may be driving Japanese instead. I looked seriously at Harley and even Victory when I went ... Read more

I've been riding a 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic for the past two years and what a wonderful bike. The best balance of any bike I've ever ridden. The ergonomics are perfect for short or long (4+ hours) rides and some simple add-ons like a sissybar for the newer types of travel gear and a detachable windscreen complete the whole package. I've recently added floorboards which are nice, but not really necessary. I commute on the highway at around 75 MPH for 34 miles each way and the bike is smooth. Because the 800 is not too heavy (520 lbs) it is also good for those intense twisty or curvey on and off ramps that always give you a thrill. I know I could always buy a bike with more power, but why. I get a true 50 MPG, I have enough power to pass SUVs and Volvos, and the reliabilty is beyond question. If this one ever wears out, I'll simply get another Kawi 800 or 900 to replace it. I'm a fan.

If you like the bike, buy it. Personally I feel the stock fenders and tanks on the Jap bikes look a little cheesey. Almost the Limburger or Roquefort variety. If you're going to copy the Harley Davidson Fat Boy, make it a good copy for pity's sake. The tanks all sit unaesthetically horizontal, the bobbed fender variety doesn't bob right, the factory colors are ALWAYS crap(I saw one in baby blue in a showroom!--who the hell would be caught dead riding a baby blue Harley?)! Bikes like the Fat Boy need no further alterations- they look good right out of the showroom and it's the only bike the Japs have truly envied as evidenced by all the clones- Suzuki Volusia, Kawasaki Vulcan Classic, Honda Shadow ACE(or rather the new VTX line), and the Yamaha V-Star line. Of all these, the Honda aftermarket reigns supreme in beautifying your ride. But how about coming out with one that's pretty right off the runway? Engineering is no contest, the Japs rule. Performance parts? There's always a large af... Read more

I had a '98 800. Smooth acceleration, wobbled a bit around 75, but evened out at 80. One of the most comfortable bikes I have ever ridden, even better than a custom Springer Softtail with a Corbin seat! The best bike I've ever owned!

I have a 2000 Vulcan 750. Great mid-size bike!! Smooth drive shaft operation - no dirty chain to worry about. Tach, Speed, Fuel indicators include in base model.