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Any Kawasaki Vulcan 500 owners here?

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Gold Metal Flake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 08:22 PM
Original message
Any Kawasaki Vulcan 500 owners here?
Sure looks like the next bike for me. Any experiences?
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guitar man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-10-09 11:59 AM
Response to Original message
1. I haven't owned a Vulcan 500
But I owned it predecessor, the 454 Ltd, which is pretty much the same bike with slightly smaller displacement. I can tell you it was fun to ride and it was quick, really quick for a 450cc bike, more like riding a 750. :thumbsup:
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Gold Metal Flake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-10-09 02:09 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. The various reviews from websites/magazines and owners...
..mention that it pulls like the larger siblings and the Shadows, and they mention the lighter frame which I am sure helps. It really looks like a nice ride and a good upgrade from my '76 KZ400.
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guitar man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-10-09 02:44 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. the power will surprise you
I don't know if they toned down the power curve when they made it into the 500, but my 454 with my skinny ass on it would turn 1/4 mile times in the high 12s/low 13s. :evilgrin:
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david13 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-04-09 07:52 PM
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4. I just sold my Vulcan 750. It was super. You ought to love
the 500. Just remember, you may, ultimately want more power, and the 750 will give you 6 gears instead of 5. Oh, I just remembered, they discontinued the 750 and now it is a .. what .. 800 or 900?
750 was perfect for me.
dc
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Gold Metal Flake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-05-09 10:07 PM
Response to Reply #4
5. I ended up buying a Suzuki Intruder VS800
I am very happy with it.

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david13 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-29-09 02:44 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. Super. Beautiful. Your gas mileage will be great, and total
dependability. Don't forget the Suzuki forums, also Motorcycle Forum. For model specific info, etc.
dc
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Gold Metal Flake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-29-09 04:34 PM
Response to Reply #6
7. Intruder Alert!
http://www.intruderalert.com/index.cfm

As usual, don't venture into the general chat forums if you don't want to be greated by the standard issue bellicose minority with their Hannitized talking points. The on-topic forums are very good. Mileage has been right at 48. Adding Metzler 880s, one size larger each, has improved handling a lot. I like it more and more.
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david13 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-29-09 08:43 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. Yeah. I have the BMW
F800ST in gray. I just got back from Laughlin, Parker, Oatman, and some Route 66. Nice trip. Nice and warm. 3 days and 2 nights. I usually get 60 mpg. I didn't figure my exact on this trip yet, but the computer on the bike read 60 mpg and usually that is what I get highway.
854 miles in 3 days.
What's your longest trip so far?
I'm in Lomita. Where are you, Pasadena?
dc
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Gold Metal Flake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-29-09 09:21 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. I have not been riding long. My longest ride would be maybe 120 miles.
I'm in Canyon Country.
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