Goodbye Vulcan 500

SteelCityVROC · 07-04-2009

Well, in 1981 I vowed never to ride a motorcycle again after an accident caused by a "cage". By 2006 the urge was strong and at the suggestion of my wife I decided to get a small bike and see if I really enjoy riding after all those years. In the past 2-1/2 years I've had the time of my life on the little bike and put over 8,000 miles on it. Unfortunately its not practical for riding 2 up and my wife refused to ride with me because of it. I'd really like her to be part of my touring too. Today I went to the Kawasaki dealer in Lititz, PA to get my little Vulcan 500 inspected - and walked out with a brand new 2008 (leftover) Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic! I'm waiting for the windshield, backrest for my wife, and luggage rack to come in so it can be added. I realized the 500 cc was good enough as a beginner bike but for riding with my local chapter of the Southern Cruisers, I didn't quite have the bike I needed. I sure hope I made the right decision here.

Sun357 · 07-04-2009

Congrats! I love the colors on that thing!

~Fred

drivenrhythm · 07-04-2009

No question about it. If you made the choice of a bike to ride 2-up...it was the RIGHT choice. Have fun! Nice bike!

Badmedicine · 07-04-2009

Congratulations ! Great looking bike, hope you and your wife has a lot of fun with it.

redcap · 07-04-2009

Wow... great lookin bike and awesome color scheme! Congrats, I am sure that you will not regret it.

WOOHOO!

DelRider · 07-04-2009

Congrats on the new addition and regaining your wheels! You have certainly made the right choice IMHO. The 500 is great, but this is a whole different type of riding experience. Not fair to even compare them; apples and oranges, etc. Enjoy!

Don J · 07-05-2009

Bought the same bike last January.
Love it!

Munch · 07-05-2009

Nice...now I know what mine looks like as a non LT and in a 1600 size!

barry5k · 07-05-2009

Great choice. The color is a head turner for sure. The bike is heavier, but it'll handle like a dream!

SteelCityVROC · 07-05-2009

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. I can't wait for the driver and passenger backrests come in, as well as the windshield and luggage rack, hopefully all this week. I love the feel of the 1600 Classic but I guess I really didn't realize what a difference in riding on the highway w/o the windshield. I'll post an updated photo when I get the accessories put on.

Last night we decided to ride to the fireworks on the new bike and we found a spot only a motorcycle could park in right by the field. I think my wife is excited about this bike now.

LT_Rider · 07-05-2009

Nice lookin ride. I think you made the right choice of both the bike and your wife!

GrayDragon · 07-05-2009

Very Nice bike!

Oh and Pittsburgh to Lititz now that is shopping around for a bike.

Alf · 07-05-2009

She is a beauty congrats and ride safe. I am a sucker for the two tone color schemes that ons is especially nice.

darkwalker · 07-05-2009

Congrats!

SteelCityVROC · 07-05-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrayDragon

Very Nice bike!

Oh and Pittsburgh to Lititz now that is shopping around for a bike.

GrayDragon - I thought I updated my profile yesterday to "Lancaster" since we just moved back to EPA. I'd have never ever taken the 500 Vulcan on a 250 mile ride on the PA Turnpike, but now I look forward to it on the 1600 Classic. I'm surprised you ever heard of Lititz being you're in VF area.

anarkust · 07-05-2009

+ditto on the color scheme.

GrayDragon · 07-06-2009

Quote:

Oh and Pittsburgh to Lititz now that is shopping around for a bike.

GrayDragon - I thought I updated my profile yesterday to "Lancaster" since we just moved back to EPA. I'd have never ever taken the 500 Vulcan on a 250 mile ride on the PA Turnpike, but now I look forward to it on the 1600 Classic. I'm surprised you ever heard of Lititz being you're in VF area.

Born and raised PA"Dutch" and it's only about an hour away. Now Steel City.. thats the other side of the world!

SteelCityVROC · 07-06-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrayDragon

Born and raised PA"Dutch" and it's only about an hour away. Now Steel City.. thats the other side of the world!

To most native Lancastrians, yes, Pittsburgh is on the other side of the world. A big trip to the natives is they drove west of the Susquehanna or went to the Farm Show in Harrisburg.

DanL · 07-06-2009

I have to say, I love your choice of bike, as it's the exact same one I have! It is an absolute joy to ride too.

I haven't bought a windshield yet. Which one did you get? I'm looking around and will get one before fall. I usually leave it off during the summer as I like to feel the wind, but when it gets cold, it's nice to have one. I've been looking at the Rifle brand, they have some nice ones and they are decently priced. I had a Nat'l Cycle switchblade 2 up on my old bike and it was real nice.

Did you get a good deal with it being a leftover?

Fordtrucktough · 07-06-2009

Nice bike!! Hope ya'll have fun with it!

07-04-2009	#1 (permalink)
SteelCityVROC Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 225	Goodbye Vulcan 500 Well, in 1981 I vowed never to ride a motorcycle again after an accident caused by a "cage". By 2006 the urge was strong and at the suggestion of my wife I decided to get a small bike and see if I really enjoy riding after all those years. In the past 2-1/2 years I've had the time of my life on the little bike and put over 8,000 miles on it. Unfortunately its not practical for riding 2 up and my wife refused to ride with me because of it. I'd really like her to be part of my touring too. Today I went to the Kawasaki dealer in Lititz, PA to get my little Vulcan 500 inspected - and walked out with a brand new 2008 (leftover) Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic! I'm waiting for the windshield, backrest for my wife, and luggage rack to come in so it can be added. I realized the 500 cc was good enough as a beginner bike but for riding with my local chapter of the Southern Cruisers, I didn't quite have the bike I needed. I sure hope I made the right decision here. __________________ 08 Vulcan 1600 Classic Lancaster, PA - just moved from Pittsburgh Enjoy the ride

07-04-2009	#3 (permalink)
drivenrhythm You bought a WHAT?!! Extreme Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Grand Junction, CO Posts: 1,448	No question about it. If you made the choice of a bike to ride 2-up...it was the RIGHT choice. Have fun! Nice bike! __________________ Patrick aka "Bull" Never less alone than when alone. '08 V2K "Black Bull", '07 900 Classic given to my son. CMA member VROC #28846 ROG #697

07-04-2009	#4 (permalink)
Badmedicine Shhh...I'm Hunting :) Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,516	Congratulations ! Great looking bike, hope you and your wife has a lot of fun with it. __________________ Life is good, enjoy the ride.

07-04-2009	#5 (permalink)
redcap Highly caffeinated BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Idaho, USA Posts: 432	Wow... great lookin bike and awesome color scheme! Congrats, I am sure that you will not regret it. WOOHOO! __________________ 97 VULCAN 800 CLASSIC 07 HD SPORTSTER XL883 LOW

07-04-2009	#6 (permalink)
DelRider Certainly uncertain Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Delaware Posts: 106	Congrats on the new addition and regaining your wheels! You have certainly made the right choice IMHO. The 500 is great, but this is a whole different type of riding experience. Not fair to even compare them; apples and oranges, etc. Enjoy! __________________ 07 VULCAN 900 CLASSIC sold 09 HD FXD My Photos

07-04-2009	#2 (permalink)
Sun357 Livin the dream BTK Beginner Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Roseville, Michigan Posts: 90	Congrats! I love the colors on that thing! ~Fred

07-05-2009	#7 (permalink)
Don J Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Le Mars,IA Posts: 71	Bought the same bike last January. Love it! __________________ Don J Le Mars, Iowa '08 Vulcan 1600 Classic

07-05-2009	#8 (permalink)
Munch Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Triangle, NC Posts: 153	Nice...now I know what mine looks like as a non LT and in a 1600 size! __________________ '09 Vulcan 900 Classic LT VROC#28588

07-05-2009	#9 (permalink)
barry5k Into the Wind Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 638	Great choice. The color is a head turner for sure. The bike is heavier, but it'll handle like a dream! __________________ Barry 2007 Vulcan 1500 Classic 2007 BMW R1200RT

07-05-2009	#10 (permalink)
SteelCityVROC Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 225	Thanks everyone for the nice comments. I can't wait for the driver and passenger backrests come in, as well as the windshield and luggage rack, hopefully all this week. I love the feel of the 1600 Classic but I guess I really didn't realize what a difference in riding on the highway w/o the windshield. I'll post an updated photo when I get the accessories put on. Last night we decided to ride to the fireworks on the new bike and we found a spot only a motorcycle could park in right by the field. I think my wife is excited about this bike now. __________________ 08 Vulcan 1600 Classic Lancaster, PA - just moved from Pittsburgh Enjoy the ride

07-05-2009	#11 (permalink)
LT_Rider Living the Dream! BTK Intermediate Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 165	Nice lookin ride. I think you made the right choice of both the bike and your wife! __________________ Mark '06 Vulcan 900 LT Red/Black When you come to a fork in the road, take it!

07-05-2009	#12 (permalink)
GrayDragon Addicted to Mods! BTK Intermediate Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: VF PA Posts: 222	Very Nice bike! Oh and Pittsburgh to Lititz now that is shopping around for a bike.

07-05-2009	#13 (permalink)
Alf Alf not Elf BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,267	She is a beauty congrats and ride safe. I am a sucker for the two tone color schemes that ons is especially nice. __________________ When arguing with a idiot make sure he isn't... My bike 900 LT Red/Black.

07-05-2009	#14 (permalink)
darkwalker 2001 Vulcan 800 \m/ BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,604	Congrats! __________________ Happiness is a Vulcan 800 http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/damondarkwalker

07-05-2009	#16 (permalink)
anarkust Night Rider Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Corpus Christi, Tx Posts: 606	+ditto on the color scheme. __________________ '08 Vulcan 900 Classic - *"Jessica"*

07-06-2009	#19 (permalink)
DanL Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,345	I have to say, I love your choice of bike, as it's the exact same one I have! It is an absolute joy to ride too. I haven't bought a windshield yet. Which one did you get? I'm looking around and will get one before fall. I usually leave it off during the summer as I like to feel the wind, but when it gets cold, it's nice to have one. I've been looking at the Rifle brand, they have some nice ones and they are decently priced. I had a Nat'l Cycle switchblade 2 up on my old bike and it was real nice. Did you get a good deal with it being a leftover? __________________ 2008 Vulcan 1600 Classic- Blue/Black 2007 Vulcan 1500 Classic- Ocean Blue/Titanium The 1st State

07-06-2009	#20 (permalink)
Fordtrucktough Clutch Cadet BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ethelsville, Al Posts: 383	Nice bike!! Hope ya'll have fun with it! __________________ http://community.cruisercustomizing.com/fordtrucktough

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