Kawasaki Vulcan? Anyone ridden one??

[dBuster_imp]

As I was out and about putting up fliers for the american legion riders brat fry we have going on in two weeks I came across a pretty sweet Kawasaki Vulcan. This dealership has two left overs, one from 2012 and one from 2011 and they are discounted big time as they are tired of passing the rent for the bikes on the showroom floor.

Just curious if anyone has ever ridden one, any input on the bike? Just looking at possibly another addition to the stable.

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[Randy B]

Which Vulcan? They made a few variants.
I rode one like this that my buddy owned for a few thousand miles. Easy ridding out on the road for sure.


He had a 2002 Vulcan Nomad that he replaced it with as his main bike.

[dBuster_imp]

Sorry it was the 2011 and 2012 classic, and the custom

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[redbirds_imp]

My wife had an '06 LT model. It was an "OK" bike. Reliable enough with typical cruiser vices of limited cornering clearance and so-so handling. She quickly lost interest in it and bought a V-strom.

[dBuster_imp]

Really, no cornering, or just a lack of the clearance like we have with the 1100?

Wonder if they made any enhancements with the newer models or made the handling any better.

[redbirds_imp]

Really, no cornering, or just a lack of the clearance like we have with the 1100?

Wonder if they made any enhancements with the newer models or made the handling any better.

I'm not knocking the Vulcan, it is a good bike for it's intended purpose. But like most cruisers the low stance and floorboards limit lean angles and because of the long wheel base, turn in is a bit slow with the tendency to feel like the bike is falling into the turn. It was a comfortable and steady bike out on the highway in it's element.

[Blockhead_imp]

I'm assuming you are talking about the 900? I had a 2011 900 Classic and a 2009 1700 classic.

In my opinion the 900 is a much better bike, very reliable. The 1700s have clunky transmissions and throttle lag issues. Both are great bikes for the price and plenty of after market goodies available. All in all I'm much happier with my CB1100 than the two Kawis I had.

[dBuster_imp]

So then the same issue that plagues this bike is also the same about any other cruiser with floorboards such as the Honda Intersate or Shadow, Yamaha V-Stars, any Harley bike, etc....

Typical cruiser and not a corner carver like the 1100.

Long wheel base indeed now that I look at the total specs. But the specs on the 1100 say it is only 58 inch wheel base but it sure seems longer than that... The Vulcan wheel base is a whopping 94 inches, or shall I say over all length.

The floorboards would not be an issue as the model I am looking at has pegs instead of floorboards... Actually there is one with the floorboards, a Classic but I am looking at a Custom, actually two of them, one green lantern green and the other black...

I'm assuming you are talking about the 900? I had a 2011 900 Classic and a 2009 1700 classic.

In my opinion the 900 is a much better bike, very reliable. The 1700s have clunky transmissions and throttle lag issues. Both are great bikes for the price and plenty of after market goodies available. All in all I'm much happier with my CB1100 than the two Kawis I had.

Thank you! Yes it is the 900 I am looking at. The Custom... However there is also a Classic there as well. Any input on the differences??? Other than the factory farkles?

I do like the stock bars on the Custom versus the wrist benders on the classic...

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Upon further looking the Vulcan is not really that much longer than the CB1100. Sure the wheelbase on the 1100 is something like 58.7 inches but the total length is something like 88.90 inches. The Vulcan has a total length of 94.7 inches which makes it just under 6 inches longer. The wheel base on the Vulcan is also 64.8 inches which is in keeping with the 6 inch difference.

Now the major difference is the weight. The vulcan is a hefty 610 pounds whereas the 1100 is a lightweight 540-550 pounds.

[ss2wheels_imp]

Dbuster, the Yamaha Vstar 1100's are really nice to ride, I dont know exactly what it is about them but I had one back in 2000 and I enjoyed it so much that I bought a 2008 not long ago.They are bargains in the used market and you may find some brand new 08 or 09 last year of production left over at dealers.

[Blockhead_imp]

DBuster, I have never ridden the 900 Custom, only the Classic. I am told the custom is a little more nimble in handling than the classic. If you're looking for a mid size cruiser the Vulcan is well worth the money if you compare it to some others. The riding position is pretty comfortable but I swear to you the first thing you will notice is that the stock seat is like a torture device, the most uncomfortable thing you ever sat on.....

That said, it felt like a definite upgrade in every aspect when I bought the CB....the reliability, handling and brakes are fantastic, plus it's a beautiful bike.