Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic CT vs Suzuki Boulevard C50T

[andrushok]

Hi Everyone
It is happend, I decided to buy a new bike after 25 years. I found a lot of changes during this period: no kick-start now, no oil in gasoline, no magnete, each bike has a battery... Hopefully I have Internet. I found 2 models which are closed to my wishes. Kawi Vulcan looks like better (and expensive =/), but I am not sure for 100%. Could you help me please, is Vulcan really better. One more reason I posted this question on Kawi forum is I found a lot of reviews for Suzuki and just a few for Kawi. So, I am asking you as expirinced guys, what is the really better in Kawi (Of course, you can post some negative things, it will be very helpful too =))

Thakns a lot for your help to push me on the right choise =)

[Lone_Rider]

Originally Posted by andrushok

Hi Everyone
It is happend, I decided to buy a new bike after 25 years. I found a lot of changes during this period: no kick-start now, no oil in gasoline, no magnete, each bike has a battery... Hopefully I have Internet. I found 2 models which are closed to my wishes. Kawi Vulcan looks like better (and expensive =/), but I am not sure for 100%. Could you help me please, is Vulcan really better. One more reason I posted this question on Kawi forum is I found a lot of reviews for Suzuki and just a few for Kawi. So, I am asking you as expirinced guys, what is the really better in Kawi (Of course, you can post some negative things, it will be very helpful too =))

Thakns a lot for your help to push me on the right choise =)

I too was looking as those two bikes as options. I do not remember at this point the exact specs on the Suzuki. What I do remember from doing my research is that the Kawi Vulcan 900 had all the bells and whistles and was the only bike to have all of them. "What bells and whistles?" you ask? Here are a few things that I thought were important enough to lean more towards the Kawi:

1.) Both liguid and air cooled
2.) Fuel injected
3.) Front and rear disc breaks
4.) 900 CC engine
5.) Belt drive
6.) Nice looking LCD on gas tank (this of course is less crucial)

Also, the more subjective opinion that the Kawi looks better than the Suzuki Boulevard line of bikes. If I remember correctly, the Vulcan 900 Classic was selling for $7200 and the Suzuki Boulevard C50 was selling for $6900 in my area.

Although there are only a few reviews online for the bike, in every one that I have read the author has raved about the bike. If you check out this forum as well, you will see a lot of happy people as well. From what I read, everyone here tells it like it is. If there were anything to be unhappy about these guys would be the first to tell you. Some of the complaints you will find are things like the seat is not as comfortable as it could be and accessories and after market parts are not widely available yet. In my opinion while I am sure that these things are true, they are easily remedied. Everyone loves the ride, feel, fit, and finish of the bike.

In fact, the dealer told me that Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki are going to have to really step up their game and offer a bike that can compete with the Kawi in the same price range. Honda and Yamaha are notorious for not re-designing / updating their bikes. Since they do not do so often, there is no need to retool so in theory this is how, for example, Honda can keep it's costs down.

Just some food for thought. Good luck with your decision and your purchase.

[andrushok]

Thanks a lot. I am reading the reviews from this forum. It is enough for making some decision. My opiniom Kawi is better, but I have to sure. Of course, each dealer can talk everithing, it does not matter. We have to have our own head =)
Thanks again.

[CHAINSAW]

Lone Rider named everything that made me buy the 900LT,.. that and looks. The kawi just looks so much better then then suzuki. Im 100% happy with my purchase.. and just waiting on more accessories to come out to spend more money on my baby.

[rodcville]

I just bought a 900 classic over the C50 Just felt right. I debated the 2 for a month and rode both. I haven't looked back. I'm very glad I chose the 900. I would add to Lone Riders list the 5.3 gal gas tank. And I thought too that when riding the lay out of the Instrument cluster was easier to read at a glance. One other thing to consider cosmetic wise the C50T comes only In a Charcoal grey ( I think but maybe black too)and the 900 LT has it in in blue/grey and red/black. I chose the classic over the Lt because I like the lines of the classic unbroken and decided I'd rather add the windshield I want and choose the saddlebags I'll place on my bike. The seat is stock either way you go so I figured eventually I'll replace it with something more comfortable. Oh the windshield I want will be one that I can take off quickly and probably only use it for long trips the same with the saddlebags.

[Idaho]

Although I did not have the C50, I do have an M50 which is basically the same. I like my M and I am still glad that it was my first bike. The Kawa 900 was not available for me to choose from at the time. With 4000 miles on my M50 now I can say this: no problems, not one. Would I buy one again? It would be a little harder to decide. And this is why: One thing I REALLY wish is that my M had is a disk brake in the rear and dual disks on the front. That alone could be the deciding factor for me (except for the belt drive). A bit more power is always nice but 100cc is just not gonna make much difference. The C50's have been out for a while now and there are probably more accessories available now, but the 900's will catch up soon. The belt drive????...I like this idea on a larger bike, but at this point there seems to be a fair amount of whinning coming from it and its owners. I am just not convinced that on a bike in this price range that a belt drive is a good idea. For me, looks had a lot to do with it...I like that style of rear fender, some don't... Good luck.

[VulcanRev]

I have had my 900LT for just over a week. I looked at/test rode/got opinion from the wife & now wouldn't look back! The 50's a nice bike, and I looked carefully at it - wanted it's shaft drive, but wouldn't sacrifice on the rear drum vs. disc. I think the tank is what threw me the most (for the Hon and the Suz)-the tank combined with the "feel" of the 900LT sold me. It's stinkin' blazin hot here in the NW right now, only got 360 miles on the bike, but even on the first ride home from the dealership I knew I made the right decision! The 2-tone paint and 2-year warranty are nice options too!

[relli]

+1 to all above. i too chose the 900LT over the c50T

[Aquaman95]

The C50 can also get a bit buzzy at freeway speeds and you can't do anything to bring the RPM's down because of the shaft drive. With the 900 you could at least change pulley ratios at some point.

[msa1956]

Before I bought my V2K, I owned a 05 C50. I would own one again if I wanted that size bike. One with the Shaft it is more maintenance free. It corners really well and it Looks good and Has really good Power. I looked at all the bikes in its price range and the research I did I took the C50 over any other bike. But thisis a decsion you have to make. You can go to this Forum website on Suzuki's if you would like and read there to. http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...a-c50-getaway/

[JacksonW]

It's a personal choice, and any bike's better than no bike. The Zuk is a nice ride. My choice was originally an 1100 Yamaha. Was ready to go to the dealer when the rumors of the 9's started surfacing. Admittedly a little partial to the Green, coming from a Z900 and Z1000 LTD. Glad I waited. Felt the 9 had more to offer in what I was looking for. Aside from the obvious that you can read on other threads, was at a poker run a couple of weeks ago. My buddy from work has the Zuk, Vance & Hines, jetted, and K & N. His brother-in-law was riding a stock 1100 Yamaha. Spanked em both throughout the course of a 150 mile ride. Take your time and decide what's right for you!

[stocksj]

Hi just bought my Vulcan900 Classic yesterday after doing a good bit of research and I love this bike! Rode it 35 miles home yesterday from the dealer. There is some whining noise I think from the belt drive and the seat needs upgrading/replacing. Otherwise this is a great bike. I'm changing from a Concours and threre is no compare. You don't see few if any used Vulcan's for sale at dealerships, while there are a lot of Honda's waiting for sale.

There have been 2 article in magazines over the last month reviewing the 900 Classic and the LT. Both got great marks.

[andrushok]

Yes, sure. I am doing this choise that right now. Could I ask you a few more questions, basically related to the process of purchase ?

Usually, when I buy a car I am trying to have the discount as much as possible. This is a theatre, this is a performance. Dealer gives me one price, I give less, stay and go away, dealer catches me and says that he (may be she) has to talk with the manager abut additional discounts ... You know. I hate this process, it takes a lot of time, but I play my role as well as possible. There are a lot of dealership around, I can find other car anytime. Is it the similar with bike purchase? Or do I need to pay exactly MSRP? I found a few "discounts", but all of them are related to get good credit. It does not work for me.

But to have a bike is not enough. I also need helmet, groves, shoes, etc. Could you recomend some internet resources (or some popular stores) for that, please?

I sorry, maybe my questions are stupid. I am really newbie here.

[JacksonW]

Search the threads. There were quite a few regarding purchase prices on the 9's. FYI, back in February, I did my research and came up with what I thought would be my high and low limits. At that time they were taking so-called orders on the bikes and the prices were below MSRP. I paid $6999.00, ($7646.00 OTD) in Ohio back in April. Have heard of better, and a few worse. I was satisfied. Maybe some of the folks who just purchased can enlighten us as to whether things have gotten better price wise.

[stocksj]

I paid $800 under list price from a dealer special on the internet. Plus got a 20% discount on accessories.

[rodcville]

Originally Posted by stocksj

Hi just bought my Vulcan900 Classic yesterday after doing a good bit of research and I love this bike! Rode it 35 miles home yesterday from the dealer. There is some whining noise I think from the belt drive and the seat needs upgrading/replacing. Otherwise this is a great bike. I'm changing from a Concours and threre is no compare. You don't see few if any used Vulcan's for sale at dealerships, while there are a lot of Honda's waiting for sale.

There have been 2 article in magazines over the last month reviewing the 900 Classic and the LT. Both got great marks.

I have 355 miles on my 900 and have never heard any whining noise.

[rodcville]

Originally Posted by JacksonW

Search the threads. There were quite a few regarding purchase prices on the 9's. FYI, back in February, I did my research and came up with what I thought would be my high and low limits. At that time they were taking so-called orders on the bikes and the prices were below MSRP. I paid $6999.00, ($7646.00 OTD) in Ohio back in April. Have heard of better, and a few worse. I was satisfied. Maybe some of the folks who just purchased can enlighten us as to whether things have gotten better price wise.

I paid $7129.00 OTD but again mine is a classic not LT. MSRP was $7299.00

[andrushok]

Originally Posted by rodcville

I have 355 miles on my 900 and have never heard any whining noise.

I found some review which is getting some claims about whining noise ... =/

[andrushok]

One more thing shaft vs belt. Probably it is significant. What do you prefer? I read a few reviews (comparisons) on this aspect and decided that shaft drive is better. Do you have some comments for this case?

I did the comparison: http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en...e2=24450&go=Go

You can take look there

[budro40]

I have had my 900 classic since May and i love this bike .It is by far the best mid size bike on the market today. The c-50 might be a capable bike but 100 extra ccs, dual disc brakes , huge tank,great price,multple color choices,and yes BELT drive (a wonderful feature on a mid size bike)make this a no brainer.Now if you can wait a little while, yamaha has their new 1300 coming out and honda will have a rumered 900 vtx coming soon. But if you are like alot of us new Vulcan 900 owners you what to ride now .Good luck in your search and welcome to the forum.