Vulcan S 650 or Vulcan 900 Custom?

[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

[herbie]

Good for you Jerry, after all you’ve been through you deserve a new bike!

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by herbie

I checked my local dealer and they have 2021 models on sale at $6499. Seems like a good price for a nice bike, I may have to investigate this a little more

I was looking at the base model from the dealer that won't respond for around the same price. It's all the additional fees they stack on top that i was trying to get. The problem with the 2021 is that you will not be able to install any aftermarket tuning. The 2021 ECU's are locked and will throw non removable error codes. I know these bikes are known for having a twitchy low speed throttle and aggressive engine break and that the booster plug will smooth it all out. I won't be able to do the booster plug on the 2021.

[herbie]

I didn’t know that, you sure do your due diligence that’s for sure! That makes sense to go with the 2020 model

[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.

It looks like the Vulcan S comes with the same 15/46 sprockets. Did you have any issues with clearance with the 16 tooth? A 43 tooth rear would be about the same gear ratio with the 15 tooth front.

[Megadan]

As far as center stands go, I know T-Rex racing makes one specifically for the Vulcan S 650. It's a bit over 200 bucks, so price isn't too terrible. The center stand for my Honda is almost $300 alone, and the full kit is nearly 400.

Honestly, center stands are really only useful for trip maintenance (chain cleaning and roadside repairs when away from home). Otherwise, a basic paddock stand does the same job at home. I use the hell out of my pitbull stands for storage and maintenance.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Megadan

As far as center stands go, I know T-Rex racing makes one specifically for the Vulcan S 650. It's a bit over 200 bucks, so price isn't too terrible. The center stand for my Honda is almost $300 alone, and the full kit is nearly 400.

Honestly, center stands are really only useful for trip maintenance (chain cleaning and roadside repairs when away from home). Otherwise, a basic paddock stand does the same job at home. I use the hell out of my pitbull stands for storage and maintenance.

I'm not really concerned with a center stand especially on a heaver bike. I have a paddock stand for that.

[david3921]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

It looks like the Vulcan S comes with the same 15/46 sprockets. Did you have any issues with clearance with the 16 tooth? A 43 tooth rear would be about the same gear ratio with the 15 tooth front.

Nope, no issues. The chain is long enough to accommodate it without messing with any links. It seems like everyone was changing the front on the Versys...well, almost everyone. The wheely guys like the 15T. Some even go down to a 14T.

BTW, a 16T is the largest you can go on the front as it comes with a 520 chain. The best way to get the sprocket off is with an impact. For some reason they are super tight from the factory. There's a locking washer that needs to be flattened before accessing the nut.

[JerryHawk250]

Well i guess the dealer is in no hurry to sell a bike. I've emailed them twice and talked to them on the phone about giving me a total cost on the bike before i make another 60+ mile trip to the dealership. I would go elsewhere but no other dealers near me even have a Vulcan S. The only other one I found was a 2021 and awful color scheme.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Well i guess the dealer is in no hurry to sell a bike. I've emailed them twice and talked to them on the phone about giving me a total cost on the bike before i make another 60+ mile trip to the dealership. I would go elsewhere but no other dealers near me even have a Vulcan S. The only other one I found was a 2021 and awful color scheme.

Precisely why there's not a new DRZ400SM in my shop. They wont give you an OTD price. They want you in the booth to take a beating.