2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Preview

[trenttheuncatchable]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

If you could find a V-Star 950 in your price range, that's a more modern and nicer-looking bike than the 1100, IMO.

I am not against modern looking bikes, but I prefer old style looking cruisers, with the exception of mag wheels instead of wire wheels (unless I could put tubeless tires on wire wheels, which is usually an aftermarket option). I love the look of the 1940's Harleys.

I sat on a V Star 950, and (I don't usually say this) I found the seat height too low, though I might get used to it or figure out a way to raise the seat. I also like the dual rotors on the 1100. But the fuel injection on the 950 is nice.

My ideal cruiser would be: 800-1100cc (because these are relatively light bikes), fuel injection, water-cooled, tubeless tires, two discs up front, one disc in back, and a normal front wheel (for better traction during braking).

You'd think that wouldn't be hard to find, but I haven't found a cruiser with all these characteristics. They only exist in the larger cc's like a Mean Streak. Speedmaster is close, but air-cooled. M50 is close, but doesn't have dual front rotors and it has a drum brake out back. The 1100 V Star I'm looking at is close, but air-cooled and carbureted. I guess you can't have it all (without expensive mods).

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

"Yippee-Ki-Yi-That-Is-Not-Logical, Mother-F-Bomber!"

Yeah, but he'd make a heck of a US Marshal with that mind reading ability and the neck pinch.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Yo quiero Vaquero.

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

Yo quiero Vaquero.

Just like every Western out there nowadays - buncha' Gay Cowboys eatin' Chocolate Puddin'.

Sorry - for the SOUTHWestern, Western; "Vaqueros Homosexuales comer pudín de Chocolate"........

[Matt7even]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

You have actual evidence that other brands "sacrifice reliability or performance or standard features"? I'd like to see it. $16.5K is no bargain.

My point seruzawa is that your not going to find a NEW frame fairing, sport bagger with 6 gears, cruise control, (gear, temp, & charge indicator), AM/FM/MP3 audio system, hydrolic clutch, 20 gallon +storage, and 1700cc displacement standard anywhere else in the market for $16500.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Originally Posted by Matt7even

...sport bagger with...

Sport Bagger? Isn't that an oxymoron? Sorta like "Laws of Economics."

[SmokeU]

Too effing heavy.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by SmokeU

Too effing heavy.

That's so it hugs the road like nothing else.

[Matt7even]

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

Sport Bagger? Isn't that an oxymoron? Sorta like "Laws of Economics."

Haha. Agreed Kenneth, "Sport" gets thrown around very liberally in the motor vehicle market (hence the automobile version "the sport wagon" I should have added the suffix of truth and called it "sport-y" =)

[anrajala]

I can't understand this brainless craze about perfectly good cruisers being totally screwed up with oversize synthetic luggage and a fuggin ugly plastic fairings looking like props from cheap 70s movies. These things look like fat geezers dressed up in too-tight superman suits. Whenever I see them I feel deep embarrassment for them. I have started to believe euthanasia is the only solution.

- cruiz-euro