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#1 |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,651
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Vulcan S 650 or Vulcan 900 Custom?
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.
![]() 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.
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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#3 |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,651
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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
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel Last edited by JerryHawk250; 10-30-2021 at 08:43 AM. |
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#4 |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,651
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Here's a picture of the one i'm looking at.
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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#5 |
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Illinois
Posts: 864
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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
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2022 Venom KPR 200 Red- the fastest color 16t and 46t sprockets, NGK Iridium CPR8EAIX-9, aftermarket full exhaust system. Top speed 81GPS 2023 Venom SS3 KP mini 150– Nibbi carb, Nibbi air filter, aftermarket muffler, decat 2022 Venom Ghost chopper 250 1997 Honda GL1500 Goldwing 1978 Kawasaki KL250 https://youtube.com/@herbiesgarage681 |
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#6 |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,651
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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.
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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#7 |
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 342
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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!
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#8 |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,651
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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.
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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#9 |
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 342
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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!!
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#10 |
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Flower Mound Texas
Posts: 904
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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.
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2021 Tao Tbr7 - "Lucille" Mods so far- Brozz swingarm, 21" front rim (Bridgestone Tw302 rear/Dunlop D606 front tires), Digital gauge cluster, pz30b pumper carb, after market hand guards, aftermarket brake and clutch levers, round fold away mirrors, Fly handlebars shortened slightly, 13t front sprocket 2009 Q-link Legacy 250 1982 Suzuki GS1100ES - "Jolene" |
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#11 | |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,651
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Quote:
![]() 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.
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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#12 |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Volcano, Ca
Posts: 7,112
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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.
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"Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350 |
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#13 | |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,651
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Quote:
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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#14 |
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,040
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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.
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2012 Kawasaki Versys 1984 Honda Magna V65 2016 Rhino 250 2016 Tao Tao 125D |
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#15 | |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,651
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Quote:
__________________
2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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