Used to have one
Written: Dec 17 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent Engine and Handling
Cons: Foot Pegs Out Front
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| lawman67's Full Review: 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 |
I owned a 1990 Vulcan 750, which even then was an older model. Actually this bike was introduced in 1985 as a 700cc, and raised to 750cc a year or two later, after that nothing much changed other than the colors.
I owned this bike for three years and finally sold it in 93 when I moved overseas and couldn't bring it with me. I have also owned a Honda CX500 Custom, Honda Nighthawk 650 (Shaftie) and a Suzuki GS850L, which all around was probably my favorite of the lot, but back to the Vulcan.
The most impressive part of this motorcycle is the engine, to which I might say I've never enjoyed a motorcycle engine more than I did the Vulcan 750's. It has decent power right off idle, but true to its DOHC design with 4 valve heads it likes to rev, and makes its best power over 5000 rpm, which is very un-cruiserlike, but that's not a bad thing. Ridden at low rpm and short shifted it behaves much like any 500cc cruiser would, making all the right noises and giving all the right vibes, but let this baby rev and you will find a motorcycle that cooperates willingly. Other 750 class cruisers are better at low rpm, but try to wring some real power from them and they gasp and weeze, not this bike.
The chasis is a mixed bag, offerin very solid handling and far more ground clearance than the average cruiser, but with an uncomfortable seat and a peg position that doesn't help with quick weight transfer. To put into perspective with its competition though, it handles better than almost any other cruiser other than the Harley Sportster, and is more comfortable than most. I had a Corbin seat put on mine along with a small windscreen (8" high, 4" wide) and put on soome flat handlebars and suddenly my Vulcan turned into a very comfortable short-range touring bike, with a 400 mile day not uncomfortable.
I guess what I really thought about the Vulcan was that it was a standard motorcycle dressed in sort of techno-cruiser clothes (the bike's high-tech appearance is definitly not a regular Harley-copy). The only styling element I didn't like were the side mounted air intakes which looked too cheap for the rest of the bike, other than that I liked the more modern appearance than other cruisers offere(ed). I also like the fact that unlike with other cruisers, I was not limitted to cruising.
I said earlier that I liked my Suzuki gs850 better, and there is only one reason for that, riding position. The Kawasaki had a better engine overall, got better mileage, and after calling Corbin, had a better seat as well, but the fact that my feet were out front took away some of the control that the Suzi allowed. That was in all respects a standard motorcycle, which is the type I like best. Were I to buy a motorcycle today there are a number of quasi-standards out there, but none of them shaft driven except the BMW, which would probably lead me to another Vulcan, unless I got that raise I keep wanting.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
lawman67
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 in Computer Hardware |
 - Top 200 |
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Member: Andrew F
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Reviews written: 208
Trusted by: 63 members
About Me:
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl but she doesn't have a lot to say.
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