Vulcan S 650 or Vulcan 900 Custom?

[JerryHawk250]

So i got the New bike itch again. I think it has something to do with the cooler and nicer weather. I was out riding my Ghost yesterday and it was a little windy. I got pushed around a little when i would hit open area. I've been wanting to buy something bigger for a while and was hopping somebody would start importing a larger affordable bike. Even the CSC RE3-SG400 San Gabriel 400 was looking like a good option but at 400lbs. I think it would still be to light. I'm not really interested in the RX4 either as i don't need another off-road capable bike. I was looking at one of the local Kawasaki dealer that has a bunch of older 2020 stock left over that they are trying to clear out. I was looking at the Vulcan S 650 and The Vulcan 900 Custom. Both are very nice and comfortable bikes with low seat heights. I like the Vulcan S because it has lots of adjustments for different riders. They had three bikes set up with different seats and foot peg positions. I felt like Goldilocks and the three bears trying each one till i found the one that was just right. I think this is a no brainer but figure I'd ask everyone's opinion on what they think.
The 2020 Vulcan S weighs about 500 lbs and is rated @ 68 hp. 2021 is detuned to 60hp.
The 2020 Vulcan 900 weighs roughly a 100 lbs more and is only rated @ 51 hp and cost about $1000 more.
I took both out for a ride and the ride was almost identical with the Vulcan S feeling a little more comfortable. The power on the Vulcan S comes on very smooth and you can feel a huge difference in power over the 900. The weight of the Vulcan S feels perfect. Not too heavy and easy to move around but heavy enough so that i didn't feel the wind push me around. I found the 900 a little harder to maneuver around in tight places. As you can see i think i have my mind made up. The HP to weight to $$ rate , I think the Vulcan S is a win hands down. BTW i can pick up the Vulcan S for about $6500.

[DualSportDude]

I definitely agree, 650 S seems like the obvious choice. Even if weight, power & $ was the same, I would choose the 650 on looks alone. Being able to tweak the riding position is also a great thing.

[JerryHawk250]

I think Kawasaki failed at marketing on the 650 for not being a popular bike. Same engine as the Ninja and Versey 650. Lots of controllable power. You don't feel like it will get out of hand when giving it throttle. It took the curves effortlessly. The 650 would be a perfect beginners bike and you wouldn't out grow it as it's also a perfect intermediate riders bike as well. Or better yet a perfect bike for older guys like me that don't want to lug around a bike heavy bike. lol

[JerryHawk250]

Here's a picture of the one i'm looking at.

[herbie]

The engine in that bike is a hoot! Has plenty of power. I like the look of the bike in the pic, the only drawback for me is forward controls. You may like them though, hurts my hips for some reason. I say get it Jerry

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by herbie

The engine in that bike is a hoot! Has plenty of power. I like the look of the bike in the pic, the only drawback for me is forward controls. You may like them though, hurts my hips for some reason. I say get it Jerry

I was never one that really cared for the forward pegs until i got on the Vulcan S. With everything adjusted, the riding position was very comfortable. I only took a three mile ride but was very comfortable the whole time.

[J4Fun]

I have an '03 V-Rod with only 2600 miles on it for sale. And it's in N FL about the same price or a bit less!

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by J4Fun

I have an '03 V-Rod with only 2600 miles on it for sale. And it's in N FL about the same price or a bit less!

I can pick up all kinds of used bikes here locally but most are asking close to what a new bike cost. Finding a used Vulcan S around here is non existing and if i do find one it's usually all banged up. When i do find a good bike for the right price, they're usually sold before i can look at them. Besides for a few hundred more i can get a 4 year warranty.

[J4Fun]

I hear you JerryHawk, just in case someone else is interested it is nice! The difference it is older and twice the HP, but I understand age. I have contractions on my right hand creating my wants to sell. I also have a brand new Hawk DLX for sale too. I hope you get that bike that makes you Happy!!

[TxTaoRider]

I've never had much interest in cruiser type bikes (unless you include the VMax-but that's a different topic), but if I was going for that style, I think I'd have to get something with as much low rpm grunt as possible and didnt have to be revved to get around. For that it's hard to beat a large displacement engine.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by TxTaoRider

I've never had much interest in cruiser type bikes (unless you include the VMax-but that's a different topic), but if I was going for that style, I think I'd have to get something with as much low rpm grunt as possible and didnt have to be revved to get around. For that it's hard to beat a large displacement engine.

Oh yeah, the V-Max is a whole different animal. I've road a couple of them in the past. Scary power. There's a notch in the seat on the V-Max for a reason. It's to keep you from sliding off the rear of the bike.
The Vulcan S has more than enough lowend to mid range grunt. I'm not looking for stupid fast. I'm looking for something i can take on the highway and still be capable of cruising around town. The Vulcan S seems to fit that perfectly. I've been riding over 45 years and probably road every possible style of bike. The big cruisers are real nice on the road but too heavy to maneuver around in tight places. I'm getting older and past the stage of needing to have the most powerful and heavy bikes. Because of my bad knees and back is one of the reason I bought my Hawk in the first place to get back into riding after a debilitating back injury. I bought the X22R for the highway which worked out perfect but due to a bad wrist i ended up selling it. The Ghost is perfect little bike for around town and back road cruising but definitely not something i want to take on the highway for long distant. I do plan on taking some long trips along the coast. After riding both the Vulcan S and the 900 custom I found the Vulcan S was the most comfortable, lighter and had more power than the 900. As far as highway riding 70-75mph they felt about the same. I wish I knew someone local that had one so i could take it on a 100-150 mile trip just to make sure i would be happy with it.

[2LZ]

Between the two Kawalski's, I'd go with the 650, especially mentioning how you were blown around. The skinny 21" on front of the 900 will want to track all over the place. The fatter, smaller front wheel of the 650 will provide more stability. 21's are great off-road, but are more for looks on-road.
My wife's Victory Kingpin was far more stable on the road than my Uncle's Victory Vegas.

That said, buying from a dealer sucks. The "new bike giggles" are awesome and the smell of a bike dealer is great, but those loaded fees on the contract has a way of canceling all that giddiness.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Between the two Kawalski's, I'd go with the 650, especially mentioning how you were blown around. The skinny 21" on front of the 900 will want to track all over the place. The fatter, smaller front wheel of the 650 will provide more stability. 21's are great off-road, but are more for looks on-road.
My wife's Victory Kingpin was far more stable on the road than my Uncle's Victory Vegas.

That said, buying from a dealer sucks. The "new bike giggles" are awesome and the smell of a bike dealer is great, but those loaded fees on the contract has a way of canceling all that giddiness.

This dealer has a but load of leftover bikes as far back as 2019 models. From talking with the salesman it seems like they will negotiate anything just to clear out some old stock. Kawasaki will not send any 2022 models out until they do sell some of the old stock. All those hidden fees they were charging is biting them in the rear from all the lost sales due to those fees. When i went test drive the bikes i was just kicking tires but once i got home the new bike bug really hit. lol I'll be calling them this week to get the out the door price.

[david3921]

Yep, lots of familiar looking parts on that Kawasaki (look at my sig). Something to be aware of is that it's hard, if not impossible, to get a center stand for it. There are ones that were developed for the Versys/ERN6N but they are very spendy. I just solved it by getting a stand. It's also fun to play with the sprockets. It's almost mandatory to swap out the front 15T to a 16T on the Versus to calm it down. It also makes the Speedo accurate. I'm sure the ratio on the S is more cruiser friendly but a simple swap in the front can make it jump off the line if you are so inclined. The vibes from the twin are noticeable when new but smooth out with added miles and a switch to better oils. I noticed a huge change switching to Rotella at my first oil change. I'm sure you'll be happy with your purchase, hopefully with a good price from the dealer.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by david3921

Yep, lots of familiar looking parts on that Kawasaki (look at my sig). Something to be aware of is that it's hard, if not impossible, to get a center stand for it. There are ones that were developed for the Versys/ERN6N but they are very spendy. I just solved it by getting a stand. It's also fun to play with the sprockets. It's almost mandatory to swap out the front 15T to a 16T on the Versus to calm it down. It also makes the Speedo accurate. I'm sure the ratio on the S is more cruiser friendly but a simple swap in the front can make it jump off the line if you are so inclined. The vibes from the twin are noticeable when new but smooth out with added miles and a switch to better oils. I noticed a huge change switching to Rotella at my first oil change. I'm sure you'll be happy with your purchase, hopefully with a good price from the dealer.

Thanks for the info. That's good to know. I'm sure if i end up getting it i'll be looking at everything i can to make it even better. You know i can't leave anything stock. lol