Vulcan 800 Classic vs. Boulevard C50 - Page 3

Chuckster · 12-21-2005

Thanks Scruffy

Torques · 12-21-2005

I have 11,800 miles on my bike since brand new 15 months ago. No noticable wear, just took it to Kawasaki, valves didn't even have to be adjusted, chainwear and sprocket wear minimal.

WalterRC · 12-22-2005

I was in your same position 6 weeks ago. I got the C50.

For me the shaft drive, Fuel Injection, COmfortable seats, plus bigger fuel tank sold me. I commute everyday to work.

The C50 is a smoother ride. New Model, the C50 is comparable to the New kawa 900. Why would you buy an old antiquated model.

IMHO you should be deciding between the C50 or Vulcan900.

Just my opinion, get the C50, I love mine to bits.

Cheers

Walter

buellwinkle · 12-22-2005

WalterRC, makes sense, I'll check around today to see who has the color I want at the price I want and get it. I did like the Vulcan 900 I saw at the motorcycle show a few weeks ago with FI and belt drive but I don't want to be first with a whole new bike and not have the aftermarket and risk any reliability issues. Probably see you more on www.volusiariders.com

bross · 12-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by buellwinkle

What about chain maintenance? I plan on commuting about 1K miles per month (50% of my commute), will I have to replace the chain and sprockets every few months? Will I have to remove, clean, adjust the chain monthly? I know many bikers put 1k miles a year judging from the bikes that are for sale so they are not a good indicator.

Chain should last 25-30,000 miles with proper care. Don't over tighten it! I made that mistake with my Honda Shadow and stretched it so I had to replace it at 9500 miles.

I commute daily and average 12-13,000 miles a year on my bike. I found I was starting to not like lubing the chain as I would have to lube it every other day with the mileage I was putting on. Manual said every 800kms but I found it would be getting pretty dry and starting to kink around 600kms so I just started doing it every 500kms, which was every 2 days. I was using BelRay New SuperClean chain wax which was pretty clean, didn't fling off much as long as you applied it when the chain was warm. Maybe with a different lube or just good ol gear oil you could go further between lubing??? I'm sure some of the 800 owners can let you know what lube they use.

I always said I didn't mind looking after the chain when I rode a chain driven bike, but now that I have a shafty I wouldn't own a chain driven bike. I will only buy a shaft or belt driven bike now. My wife still drives a chain driven bike but she doesn't put the miles on that I do so I don't mind doing her chain. On trips we just lube it when we stop each night, and hers is a lot easier cause she has a center stand. I have 2 motorcycle lifts in the garage so they make it a lot easier to do your chain when you have to.

If you get the maximum mileage from your chain you're looking at 2 years tops and for me in Canada a chain and sprocket set cost around $350, so again with the mileage I was putting on, I started to factor in that cost when I went looking for a new bike.

Just my 2 cents.

buellwinkle · 12-25-2005

Went to a dealer that had both so I can really see them side by side (I saw the C50 and Vulcan 900 side by side at the show but not the 800). The larger tank, bigger speedo, overall more modern feel to the C50 and larger seat won me over. Picked it up this afternoon, pretty nice. The floorboards vibrate more than I want but acceptable, much less than the new rubber mounted Sporster I've ridden and a little more than the Fat Boy. More power than I expected out of it, specially after having owned an 883 Sportster before, feels more like the 1200.

WalterRC · 12-25-2005

Congratulations!!

The C50 is a sweet machine.

I hang out at http://www.suzuki-bikes.com with the same user name.

Never logged onto www.volusiariders.com before, but will check it out also.

Cheers

buellwinkle · 12-25-2005

The www.volusiariders.com is only for the VL800 (C50 and Volusia) so it's focused on one model and lots of neat stuff going on, specially someone going through a bobber conversion that will look fantastic. Also last time I check they were just short of 6,000 members.

Torques · 12-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bross

Chain should last 25-30,000 miles with proper care. Don't over tighten it! I made that mistake with my Honda Shadow and stretched it so I had to replace it at 9500 miles.

I commute daily and average 12-13,000 miles a year on my bike. I found I was starting to not like lubing the chain as I would have to lube it every other day with the mileage I was putting on. Manual said every 800kms but I found it would be getting pretty dry and starting to kink around 600kms so I just started doing it every 500kms, which was every 2 days. I was using BelRay New SuperClean chain wax which was pretty clean, didn't fling off much as long as you applied it when the chain was warm. Maybe with a different lube or just good ol gear oil you could go further between lubing??? I'm sure some of the 800 owners can let you know what lube they use.

I always said I didn't mind looking after the chain when I rode a chain driven bike, but now that I have a shafty I wouldn't own a chain driven bike. I will only buy a shaft or belt driven bike now. My wife still drives a chain driven bike but she doesn't put the miles on that I do so I don't mind doing her chain. On trips we just lube it when we stop each night, and hers is a lot easier cause she has a center stand. I have 2 motorcycle lifts in the garage so they make it a lot easier to do your chain when you have to.

If you get the maximum mileage from your chain you're looking at 2 years tops and for me in Canada a chain and sprocket set cost around $350, so again with the mileage I was putting on, I started to factor in that cost when I went looking for a new bike.

Just my 2 cents.

Chain wax, period, where I bought my bike, it is the world's largest volumn dealer, and yes, now I trust them, have been very up front with costs, etc., they will only use chain wax, oil is better with Teflon, but it is more sticky and wet and collects more dirt, so I do the wax treatment...

chopperdan6212 · 12-25-2005

Hey buell I have an 04 vulcan classic and I work 50 miles away from where I live so I do 1k every two weeks. That dosn't include my weekend riding with my club. I normally only lube my chain every 3k for me that once a month. I have had my bike since 02/04 and never had to adjust or replace any part of my chain system. Just the lube every 3k and even that it easy just use the PJ1 blue label chain lube. It's a spray and dosen't make a mess.

bluestringer · 12-26-2005

Why would anyone want to lube an o-ring chain? All you are doing is causing it to collect dirt which eats up the 0-rings. Just clean it about every oil change with some WD-40, and ride.

bross · 12-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestringer

Why would anyone want to lube an o-ring chain? All you are doing is causing it to collect dirt which eats up the 0-rings. Just clean it about every oil change with some WD-40, and ride.

The only reason I lubed the chain was cause it said to in the manual under normal maintenance. That and the fact that the chain would kink in about 600-800kms. If I lube it every 500kms, the links stay nice and loose and it's got this nice "rubbery" feel as you spin the back tire. Maybe different riding conditions?

Jerry Cutler · 02-25-2008

I use chain wax every 500kms or so. I put the bike on the jack, spin the rear wheel and spray from the inside out. I have not had to adjust (1 to 1 1/2inch deflection at mid-point) the chain in 9000 kms.

I just changed the rear sprocket to a 39 tooth, and had a good chance to check for sprocket wear. None! I looked at the front sprocket (but didn't take it off) any can't see much wear there either.

And I agree with Scuffy, a well set up (that is, Grampsized, K&N, jetted) 800 really hauls a$$.

Jerry Cutler · 02-25-2008

Scuffy,

Interesting idea to set chain tension at 1/2 factory spec. I thought about that, but can't help but wonder what that does to bearings loads.

stargazertony · 02-25-2008

Hi Jerry. Not to be a smart a$$ but do you realize you're replying to a thread dated December 2005? Over two years ago. Hopefully it doesn't take that long for messages to get to B.C.

ezryder · 02-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by buellwinkle

What about chain maintenance? I plan on commuting about 1K miles per month (50% of my commute), will I have to replace the chain and sprockets every few months? Will I have to remove, clean, adjust the chain monthly? I know many bikers put 1k miles a year judging from the bikes that are for sale so they are not a good indicator.

You are kidding right? Seriously, a properly maintained chain should go at least 20/25k miles. Lube it. Check tension periodically and adjust if nessesary, and you will get long life out of it. I use Maxima chain wax. Works great, and is not messy. I could never understand all of the fuss about chain maintenance. It is not all that bad with the modern o-ring and x-ring chains of today.

Uh oh, I just realized how old this thread is. My bad.

Jerry Cutler · 02-25-2008

Oops!

12-21-2005	#41 (permalink)
Chuckster Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 939	Thanks Scruffy __________________ 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic - *"Black Betty"*

12-21-2005	#42 (permalink)
Torques Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 704	I have 11,800 miles on my bike since brand new 15 months ago. No noticable wear, just took it to Kawasaki, valves didn't even have to be adjusted, chainwear and sprocket wear minimal. __________________ 2006 1600 Classic Ebony Cobra Slashdowns Power Commander III Scorpion

12-22-2005	#43 (permalink)
WalterRC Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 19	C50 I was in your same position 6 weeks ago. I got the C50. For me the shaft drive, Fuel Injection, COmfortable seats, plus bigger fuel tank sold me. I commute everyday to work. The C50 is a smoother ride. New Model, the C50 is comparable to the New kawa 900. Why would you buy an old antiquated model. IMHO you should be deciding between the C50 or Vulcan900. Just my opinion, get the C50, I love mine to bits. Cheers Walter __________________ Just bought the Suzuki C50T

12-25-2005	#47 (permalink)
WalterRC Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 19	Congratulations!! The C50 is a sweet machine. I hang out at http://www.suzuki-bikes.com with the same user name. Never logged onto www.volusiariders.com before, but will check it out also. Cheers __________________ Just bought the Suzuki C50T

12-25-2005	#50 (permalink)
chopperdan6212 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Harlingen, tx Posts: 18	Hey buell I have an 04 vulcan classic and I work 50 miles away from where I live so I do 1k every two weeks. That dosn't include my weekend riding with my club. I normally only lube my chain every 3k for me that once a month. I have had my bike since 02/04 and never had to adjust or replace any part of my chain system. Just the lube every 3k and even that it easy just use the PJ1 blue label chain lube. It's a spray and dosen't make a mess. __________________ http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/chopperdan6212

12-22-2005	#44 (permalink)
buellwinkle Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 13	WalterRC, makes sense, I'll check around today to see who has the color I want at the price I want and get it. I did like the Vulcan 900 I saw at the motorcycle show a few weeks ago with FI and belt drive but I don't want to be first with a whole new bike and not have the aftermarket and risk any reliability issues. Probably see you more on www.volusiariders.com

12-25-2005	#46 (permalink)
buellwinkle Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 13	Went to a dealer that had both so I can really see them side by side (I saw the C50 and Vulcan 900 side by side at the show but not the 800). The larger tank, bigger speedo, overall more modern feel to the C50 and larger seat won me over. Picked it up this afternoon, pretty nice. The floorboards vibrate more than I want but acceptable, much less than the new rubber mounted Sporster I've ridden and a little more than the Fat Boy. More power than I expected out of it, specially after having owned an 883 Sportster before, feels more like the 1200.

12-25-2005	#48 (permalink)
buellwinkle Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 13	The www.volusiariders.com is only for the VL800 (C50 and Volusia) so it's focused on one model and lots of neat stuff going on, specially someone going through a bobber conversion that will look fantastic. Also last time I check they were just short of 6,000 members.

12-26-2005	#51 (permalink)
bluestringer Rebel Rider BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Albany, Georgia Posts: 3,445	Why would anyone want to lube an o-ring chain? All you are doing is causing it to collect dirt which eats up the 0-rings. Just clean it about every oil change with some WD-40, and ride. __________________ ..... bluestringer 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI V&H Longshots VROC #13910 GAVROC #159

02-25-2008	#53 (permalink)
Jerry Cutler Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tsawwassen, B.C. Canada Posts: 37	I use chain wax every 500kms or so. I put the bike on the jack, spin the rear wheel and spray from the inside out. I have not had to adjust (1 to 1 1/2inch deflection at mid-point) the chain in 9000 kms. I just changed the rear sprocket to a 39 tooth, and had a good chance to check for sprocket wear. None! I looked at the front sprocket (but didn't take it off) any can't see much wear there either. And I agree with Scuffy, a well set up (that is, Grampsized, K&N, jetted) 800 really hauls a$$. __________________ 2005 Red VN800B VROC #25893 Older than dirt, but not dead - yet.

02-25-2008	#54 (permalink)
Jerry Cutler Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tsawwassen, B.C. Canada Posts: 37	Scuffy, Interesting idea to set chain tension at 1/2 factory spec. I thought about that, but can't help but wonder what that does to bearings loads. __________________ 2005 Red VN800B VROC #25893 Older than dirt, but not dead - yet.

02-25-2008	#55 (permalink)
stargazertony Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: May 2006 Location: Western PA Posts: 220	Hi Jerry. Not to be a smart a$$ but do you realize you're replying to a thread dated December 2005? Over two years ago. Hopefully it doesn't take that long for messages to get to B.C.

02-25-2008	#57 (permalink)
Jerry Cutler Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tsawwassen, B.C. Canada Posts: 37	Oops! __________________ 2005 Red VN800B VROC #25893 Older than dirt, but not dead - yet.

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