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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
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| I feel like I am in a ping pong game. I have been looking at the stats on the VN900 and like what I see. I like the colors they come in. Blue has always been my favorite color. Finally the 2006 VN900 are slowly trickling out to the dealerships. I got to see one in person. If I could have put it up on it’s handle bars, I would have done it. I looked it over from all angles. I like the bike. The one I saw was black. So I did not peruse it further. Surfing the internet, I see where I can get a beige VN1600 for $800.00 more than the cost of a VN900. I want blue! My brother who owns a Honda 1300VTX says it is a no brainer. He says I should get the VN1600 and forget the VN900. I am 6’2” 300 +/- pounds. He says the VN900 will not get me up the hills in western Virginia. I find it hard to believe any motorcycle certified for the road would have a problem with a 7% grade at 60 mph. Donner Pass I 80 is worse! After reading the article about the twisties in southwest Carolina, I’d like to do them. “American Motorcycle Association” Anyone have any experience with twisties like those with your bike? Any other large people out there
Jeff |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
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| Hi Jeff,
I am 6-2 and weigh 230, I frequently carry a passenger who weighs about 130,I am kinda playing that weight on the down side,she could weigh a couple of pounds more. In the last year I have bought a new HD super dyna-glide custom, a new Boulevard C90t(1500cc),a Triumph America 800, and a Honda 919(4cylinder naked sportbike), and a used(2004,w/2000miles)ZZR 1200.I have owned seven bikes before that. I frequently ride twisty hills on the coast and get into the western Maine Mountains(Sugarloaf,USA; Saddleback, SundayRiver; 4000ft plus)and the Presidential Range in New Hampshire(which includes Mt. WAshington, highest peak in the east at 5000something.) Yes, you are right, the Vulcan will get you up the hills.In fact you will not be struggling to keep the speed limit up. You will have to drop gears, to fourth, I am quite sure and your RPMS will be up. My Triumph has dual cams and 62 rear wheel horses, this is more than my Harley. It does however have about 47lbs of torque, the Harley has about 87stock.Your brother probably meant that the 1600 would haul you around with a lot less shifting, and allow you to go up the mountains at 85mph+ if you choose. I think you need to be thinking about suspension types and scraping pegs/boards on the twisties. My Harley's stock forks are constantly bottoming out and I hit the pegs easily. The other bikes are not as susceptable to it.Hard to figure that one. The ZZR 1200 never scrapes and will go up the hills like the big sport tourer it is.Of couse it is not a cruiser.The Boulevard C90T is great, with lots of tourque but is not as good as the Harley when throwing it around in the twisties and corners(save the scrape of pegs). I guess what I am trying to say to you is that there is more to it than just cc's.If you have 15,000 dollars, get a Rocket III. I imagine that you may not have it.I never did.I just happened to come across money the last year. You may want to look for the best bike for the buck...the most overall bang for the buck. I have seen some real good deals on 2006 Vulcan 1500's. I think this is a good bike. It looks better than the 1600 when it comes to the radiator being hidden. It has the old school 150 rear tire instead of the 170 on the 1600...but you are paying for it.I like that the 1500 and 1600 have auto matic hydraulic valve adjusters. I prefer the shaft to the belt as I have both presently on bikes. The Kawis are all fuel injected which is the way to go if you plan on hitting some bigger Mts. down to low altitudes in the future. Your brother's 1300 isn't fuel injected and has less cc's than the bigger kawasakis, but I have ridden that particular bike and it is a nice bike. If i would give you advice, I wuold look at the bigger Kawasakis because you will be less tired at the end of trips from not having to shift anywheres as much. The 1600 weighs 31 lbs. more than the 1500 but has a .3 bigger fuel tank. I don't think those two items mean much as far as the two bikes are concerned. Ride the bikes you are interested in as you have certain needs that only you can identify.I don't think anyone is totally right or wrong in suggesting a bike. I think you will find what fits you and your budget best. Good luck! kevin |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
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| I'm 250 and my Blue vn900 has plenty of power to pull me thru the TN and NC mtns.
Tim |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
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| Comparing the 1300 Honda to the 900 lt Kawi, consider the 1300 is almost 100 lbs heavier, carbs and a heavy clutch lever. Both are excellanat machines, but I find more comfort on the 900.
JJ |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
Posts: -1,167, Visits: 2 |
| Jeff,
I live out near the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and ride my VN900 all the time in the mountains. I ride in elevations from 200 feet above sea level to 10,000 feet above sea level. I am 6'4" and weigh 230 lbs and I have NO problems climbing the mountain roads. I would think that the VN900 definitely would have NO problems getting you up those hills in Western Virginia. |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
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| Hey dude, if you are ever going to go two up (especially in the mountains) I'd go with the bigger bike....I've been thinking about the 900 for myself, but if money is no object he's right go with the big bike! That belt won't matter after you get on that big shat drive!
New Haven |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
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| | I weigh 290 and don't have any problems accelerating up and down the steep bridges in my area. I own the 900 classic LT and I love it. |
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