Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom, can it keep up with freeway speed? passing power? judge it yourself
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- Опубликовано: 7 мар 2022
- I've seen a lot of comments in vulcan 900 videos about the buzzing at high speeds, mine did buzz at first until I replaced the front tire(Dunloop) for a Shinko 777 they balanced it and that got rid of the buzzing.
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I just returned from a 600 mile interstate run between Utah and Idaho on my 2022 Vulcan 900 LT - everything stock. Comfortable riding for extended periods at 85 mph. Several distances at 95mph. I found the vibration to be minimal. Lots of hill climbs at 80 - 85 mph and some fairly sharp cornering, two rainstorms, plenty of truck passing etc. The bike is a champ. Think I'll keep it.
Really? Ive seen in many videos the vibration is bad at anything over 65 mph. It really handles that well? BTW did you keep it?
I live in northern Utah, approximately 15 miles south of the Idaho border. There are some awesome back country roads for cruising. I love the sound of your bike. Ride safe bro!!!
😎 and what was average mpg
Exactly my experience, no need for a bigger bike they are absolutely adequate. When a 900 first came out it was considered a huge engine bike, a super bike with an inline 4.
Bs, bs, and more bs! My 900LT buzzes very noticeably over 65 mph. This bike's sweet spot is in the 50-60 mph range. 85 mph for more than 15 minutes? "Several distances at 95 mph"? NOPE and NOPE!!! This is pure bullshit or else this guy is a glutton for punishment. The Vulcan 900 is a great cruiser on the twisties. Highway touring? Not so much.
Mine has 100 miles on it, bought it summer 2023...can't wait for idaho spring weather! Very nice bike all around.
Got the same exact bike in May of 2023. 2014 with 3400 miles on it for 6500 out the door. Absolutely love it!
That color is awesome! That sound is aftermarket!
Ages ago, I drove my friend’s Vulcan custom and preferred it over my Yamaha Stryker that I used to own. Much smoother, better gearing, and very quiet. All things I want from a cruiser.
Best damn video ive seen on the 900
I own a 2014 kawasaki 900 vulcan classic and I'm 230lbs and ride 2 up most of the time through country and interstates as well and I have no issues with power at all,,highway speeds 70mph easily or more if I want it,,great bike!
I had the same bike in orange… Really miss that bike, love that gas tank
I enjoyed that thanks. Looking forward to getting my licence.
Looks good sounds good if you get a chance to breakdown of what you’ve done so far on the bike keep the videos coming
Nice video. I have a 2008 v900 custom in that color. Watching this is almost like riding my own bike, haha. I put some 12" apes on mine but otherwise looks the same. I've has mine for three years now and I'd really like to do the pulley conversion to get those RPMs down a bit at 80-90. Thanks for making/posting this.
No need for pulley conversions it's not a harley so it will rev like that all day and night. Waste of money, the vibration isn't bad at all and the bike will do 100 mph all day long with no issue.
@@philtwowheels Total bs.
Wow! Great ride man! Im almost sold on this one.
5:08 Dont ya just love when you come to a complete stop on the freeway...for no apparent freakin reason! About learned that the hard way first time in cali, crazy.
I have a 2015 Vulcan 900 Custom. I’m 6’3” and weigh 220. It’s comfortable and definitely not underpowered. The only thing I would change is adding a 6th gear but I love it. It’s a great mid sized bike and sounds amazing with the Vance and Hines pipes. Very fun to ride.
I had a 2018 Vulcan 900 Custom. I am a die hard Kawasaki lover, and I did not want to go straight to the Vaquero as a first time cruiser. I had a hard time adjusting to it as I have only had sport bikes. I found it slow of course and it felt like it needed another gear. Those were the only issues with it I had. (Side note, I have owned a 600F3, ZX9R, two ZX7Rs, two Busas and a ZX14R. ) Getting older and wanted to make the jump to a cruiser BUT after a few months on the Vulcan all I wanted to do was add accessories like a batwing (it came with Kerker exhaust) with speakers, change the rear fender, the rear rim( did not like the solid rim at all). I felt like I wanted a Harley lol. But will never own one.
Kawasaki needs to come with a bigger CC bagless cruiser.
Sorry I disagree, they don't need a bigger cc bagless cruiser, the 900 is just fine for the open road, if you want to sit on 100 mph all day just take a damn car it's no fun on a cruiser bike. You only need a screen if you want to do high speeds, and then you may as well take a car. I've had heaps of fast bikes and found the 900 vn custom just fine for any type of riding, even two up she pulls just fine. All this big cc bullshit is just that, you just add more weight and more hassle riding the bike, a 900 IS a big bike always will be. The VN900 will sit on 70 - 80 mph all day and night without issue. If you think it's too much vibration you just aren't used to a jap cruiser because they don't rev like a sluggish harley, they rev much higher and can do it all day long. This is due to the different V angle. Same goes for Moto Guzzi which also rev high and fast unlike a harley, so a 1200 Moto Guzzi is a quick bike and able to do highway speeds all day.
Late response but they have a Vulcan mean streak that’s a 1600cc bagless cruiser.
If you want a harley save up for a harley. Japanese bikes cannot replace the feel of a harley. However, japanese bikes are pretty fucking sick. I'm also just saying japanese bikes don't fulfill a harley itch if you have one.
@@dadyking1210…I agree, they are two totally different beast, respectfully. I think the Vulcan series of bikes (Vulcan S/900, Vaquero, Voyager) give you that good old fashion American muscle cruiser bike feeling but with the reliability and nimbleness of Japanese engineering. It’s the best of both worlds, that why I love those Kawasaki cruisers so much! …And for half the price of HD or Indian!!!!
Especially in the used market, you can get these Kawasaki cruisers super cheap and spend the leftover on mods!
@@NubianStarr I have a vulcan 900B, its definitely just a cruiser and not close to a muscle cruiser. Kawasaki makes a mean streak 1500/1600. Vulcan is a slow bike for California, where I do my riding. I love it though. However, I got a 1976 Harley that i'm working on and once that's finished this Vulcan will be sold and I will buy another Harley or a cb750, xs650.
I love my 08 custom. I upgraded the front pulley and it smooth out the vibrations that comes on the stock bike.
What camera system were you using?
Genuine question, I’ve ridden sports bike my whole life from my first FZR400 to my last which was a ZX636, I’ve had three right offs (not my fault poor road conditions) my knees are shot - what’s it like coming from sports bikes to cruisers?
I have a 2009 custom but its basically the same bike.Its fine on the freeways.You do get some vibration at 70 mph or so.I put on some vibration dampening grips which reduced it by about 50 percent .
Took my LT ftom Vancouver to Sturgis with a passenger.
No issues whatsoever with keeping up with traffic.😊
Which exhaust is it?
I have a 2018 and mine starts "buzzing" after 80-85mph. 65-70mph is the sweet spot for cruising. Side note: I have those same mirrors. Great minimal size and cuts out that headlight glare.
Nice note for the mirrors, thanks mate!
Conciser Ivan's PCM refresh. It helps with some of the vibration and makes power delivery smoother.
@@iuyozx how in the world do you think an ECM flash changes vibration? Lol
@@VeritasEtAequitas yes lol
2020 Vulcan 900...Mine gives me that 'buzzing' at about 70.
I took it back to the dealer...had the tech's ride it at highway speeds.. He said it's typical for the Vulcan... "Made to run at high rpm.". Feel better..love the way it handles.
Honestly people commute with 250, 400, 450, 500, 650 cc's therefore if you cannot keep up with traffic that is a rider issue.
Nice video
Is it on linear, wide or super wide setting
I have a 2000 vn800a6
I made it a hardtail bobber build. Runs like a champ. I can outrun pretty much anything up to about 90
Man....seeing that fuel gauge sitting on empty just made my anxiety shoot through the roof...lol
It's not very accurate. I have a '21 of this bike and mine isn't accurate. When the gauge says 1/4 full, it's really 1/2.
@@iuyozx Thats good to know.
SAME I literally went motherfucker you on E
@@NEMOx47 HAHA
Mines broken. I just peak inside the tank occasionally
i love my 900 Custom
Great job,
Is this Fresno?
My 08 still runs like a champ.
Another gear and the vulcan 900 would be an awesome bike.
I've had a 06 Vulcan 900 Classic and a 2012 Suzuki C50T. The Vulcan seemed to rev high at 70 but man the C50T had plenty of gear left at 80.
I have the choice of a dark grey and white 2012 Vulcan 900 or a black 2018 Boulevard C50. Vulcan is $5k and C50 is $6k and both have under 4k miles. Im conflicted cuz Vulcan looks so damn nice and is cheaper but the C50 is newer and also looks great but a little nore money. You think the C50 has better highway performance than the Vulcan? That's important for me cuz im gonna be riding 80 miles of highway total round trip whenever I take it to work on nice days. Hard decision.
@TuggyPeppa After owning both, I would go C50 all day!!
@Forgotten Warrior OK, I appreciate your viewpoint on that and I am very much leaning C50 right now.
Have a Kawasaki vulcan 900 custom 2010 model. This is my first bike, and right off the bat - its got two issues that the internets does not talk about as much. You see a hint of it in the comments tho. One is the god awful buzzing engine at highway speeds. This is a decent backroads bike, but take it to the highway and anything above 55mph and over and this bike is clearly straining- with the engine buzzing excessive. It needs a 6th gear. The other is the lack of acceleration. Granted its not a sport bike, but I like a bit of pep even if its a beginner cruiser bike. On my 2nd ride on the bike giving it the beans, the power was definitely lacking.
I agree, but I think that’s what makes it the perfect beginner cruiser as most new riders really don’t need too much power. And for most beginners a 900cc may be too much.
I look @ the 900 as a “stepping stone bike” for most… much like a starter home, you will buy it, love it, fix it up but you will grow in time & eventually feel the need for more and move on.
Not sure how but I had my bike at 125mph. I thought they are governed to 115? First owner put cobra exhaust and pwrflo intake. Maybe he flashed the ECU. It's loud AF though.
I have a 07 VN900 custom and google claims it tops out at 99-105, well my speedometer reads 130 and I’ve topped it out at 130😂 so I’m guessing the previous owner must’ve taken the governor off it or something. Other than that my bike is bone stock besides the fact the previous owner debaffled it to make it louder
My 06 Meanie just took a dump, officially died on me, so I am picking me up for now for the meantime a 900 Vulcan tomorrow
Looks like Fresno to me nice bike is it big enough for us tall guys 6’3??
Yup, but better with 4” forward controls an 2” bar risers!
Of course it can! I dunno why people think it's a weak bike. That thing has plenty of power. And as for vibration, it's a motorcycle, it's supposed to vibrate. I always see Harley's vibrate hard just waiting at a stop light! 🤣
I have the 07 custom it would shake at 70 to 75 after that it was gone smooth I had mine aftermarket air cleaner exhaust fuel processor dyno the bike has way more power smooth lot faster love it
I'm debating theaw mods, ao far I have the Cobra Dragsters and that's it.
I had done the the same to the exhaust it was ok but at high speeds u couldn’t hear it now with aftermarket exhaust it’s nice no struggle smooth power responsive way way better
own a 2011 custom lots of power 0 to 140km/h.... bike needed a 6th gear kawasaki never addressed this issue. bike def vibrate your hands numb if you try to ride high speed for any length of time if you call 120 to 140 high speed... I don't. anyone own one and change the sprocket ratios to lower high speed rpm? did it make a difference?
I bought vibration dampening grips for mine Makes a huge difference
@@marcmaschal2897 I switched to royal purple oil this year and filled it to just below the full line on the eye glass has made huge difference in smoothness and vibration at high rpm
50hp sounds anemic. What say you? Is it a high rpm bike?
Most cruiser bikes in the 750-1000cc range are 45-55 hp.
i thought you were on the 99 then the 41
What exhaust are you running? Bike sounds good
mine sounds like that and it's a custom with stock exhaust lol
@@iconicxotics3689 my 900 sounds like a scooter at highway speeds. He debaffled his stock exhaust, saw it in previous video
Mine sounds same with vance & hines
I had one a while ago (a 2009) and it really needed, and lacked, a sixth gear for the highway. Anything over 70 and the engine got really loud and was begging for shift to a higher gear and its big enough for real highway cruising.
That's in your head. They'll run all day, every day that way with no I'll effects and beg for more. If you want a taller overdrive, change the final drive ratio. Nothing needs "more gears" than 4.
@@VeritasEtAequitas I ungraded to the 1700 Nomad which had the proper six speed gearbox.
"real highway cruising" lol, what does that even mean? This thing is more than capable of destroying any interstate effortlessly.
Good for long distance travels? meaning state to state
It can definitely do it… but would need a few mods to make it comfortable... The Kawasaki Vaquero is better suited for over the road riding... That bike is awesome!!!
@@NubianStarr Cool man I'll check it out
Would you consider this a possible bike for a beginner?
It's considered a mid size bike because of the weight, but it's doable.
I have a 2014 vulcan 900 custom. It's the bike I started riding on, and over the last 3 years of owning it. No complaints other than I wish it had a 6th gear.
Fresno ca 99 north
oh shit ya boy from fresno!
Yours seems to wanna speed wobble a lot. Might wanna look into that.
haven't feel anything like that, maybe you saw wobble on the ugly parts of the road?
Jazda XD
I like my little VN750. Totally different engine design (like Indian copied it). Almost 20 more HP than the 900's and less weight, but not so good for long distance.
Wow I didn't know that, what year is your vn750? I can only imagine having 20 more HP and less weight.
@@axolotlmoto My 750 is a 1995. The 700/750 had a production run from 1984-2006.
VN900 "The engine produces a maximum peak output power of 49.62 HP"
VN750 "66,0 hp/7500 rpm - basic
68,0 hp /7500 rpm after modifications. The 750's are a sweet bike and great bargain if you want something to scoot around town. They have awesome power to weight advantage.
She looks like she was having no problems with keeping up.
Late to the party , but got the 777, no buzzzzzz
Man this bike needs a 6th gear!
It really does need a sixth gear
Exactly. Itd be even better.
I bought a 2021 LT for $9199 off the dealer floor in order to get back into bikes after 35 years away from them. This was a very good move on my part - but it was not long and I realized there is a major issue with this bike - no 6th gear.
At 80mph, you are turning (hard to remember exactly) something on the order of 4300 rpm. That is nuts, the engine has plenty of power to be hauling you down the interstate at 80 doing something reasonable, like 3000 rpm.
I sold mine with 4400 miles on it this spring and picked up my dream bike: A 2006 Classic LT Vulcan 2000 with 19000 miles on it. Paid $4500 adn put $1500 into tires, front bearings, brake pads, bleeding of brakes. I also added an oil pressure gauge, tach and voltmeter. It too is missing 6th, but at least with it, the tach reads 2600 at 80mph.
I still had a hard time selling the '900, as it was a wonderful bike.
The RPM's are quite reasonable at the posted speed limit.
@@perrycalabrese3475 There are places in Texas with speed limits of 80 - that's in the area of 4300 on a '900. My '2000 chugs along at 2600 or so at 80. :)
I loved my 900 but I could not take over 4000 rpm on the interstate.
5.13 oh dear oh dear.
It will keep up, but its vibrating like a mofo!
eres mexicano? o porque la cuenta se llama así? XD
Excelent video!
Soy Mexicano
@@axolotlmoto preciosa la moto
@@epaulgr ahí humildemente
Kawasaki has the chance to make a vulcan 1700
They should compete with Suzuki M109R, since Suzuki and Kawasaki, has had a similar bike identical to each other back in the early 2000, i’m all for a 1700 cruiser from Kawasaki(and yes I know they have the vaquero )
Sure seems like plenty powerful enough.
My Vulcan 650 can run of freeway.. easily
it sounds like it needs another gear. like rpms should a little lower for freeway speeds. but I love how it sounds.
My guess is a 900 can’t keep up at freeway speeds. 😂😂😂
A different front tire don't change gearing ratio's. You ride less than 120km/h tacho, so aprox 110km/h real speed. That is just below the vibration zone.
I can't say anything about that since am not an expert, I do feel the buzzing got away and I had max the speed on this bike, 110 mph aprox.
@@axolotlmoto Mean the vibrations were front end related, not the typical 5th gear/cruising speed vibrations. 110mph? That is 177km/h? Never on a stock VN900. 165km/h max. To answer your question: keep up with 85mph freeway speed... no, you need a fiew mods.
@@corneilcorneil I have a stock VN900C and 110mph is what I have read on the tachometer idk if it's real or not, even at 165kmh/102mph is enough to keep up and pass traffic at freeway speed.
@@axolotlmoto "keep up" takes the whole time, not just to overtake. A stock VN900 is not able to ride 120/130kmh the whole time. Specialy not the Custom model because the pegs and narrow 80/90 tire. If you want to make the bike highway worthy, yiu need to get rid off the stock 32/66 pulley setup and add a fairing. Over the years, my Custom(i own the Classic also) changed fro a stock city mopet to a cruiser that is able to ride highways in a comfortable way without the typical high revving and vibrations. So, is the stock VN900 able to ride on the highway? Yes, but not for long. My Forza 300 is more able, and that is no joke.
@@corneilcorneil yes it can "keep up", you can ride at 120kmh for as long as you want, engine won't break on you. Would it be "confortable" to ride long distances? well that's a different story.
Po
Not if it is out of gas
You picked the worst color in existence...
Thank you
Love that color
no that color ia sick u are hater btw
What exhaust is that?