1500 Classic (FI) returns for 2008

Grumbler · 06-18-2007

Kawasaki now has the 2008 1500 Classic on their website. It's $9,699 and only available in Ebony for that model year.

When the 1600 Classic first debuted in 2003, I thought that it would result in the eventual demise of the 1500 Classic, yet it's still available 5 years later.

I'd like to think that the demand is still out there for a retro-styled cruiser (looks like a "Fatbob" Shovelhead) which is why it's still being sold.

KURT · 06-18-2007

I keep looking at other rides, (just because it`s fun to look) but I still like
the 1500 the best. I looked at a lot of bikes b4 I bought my 1500.
I have 13,000 miles on it. It seems to run better every time I get on it.
Happy Trails!,
Kurt

**Spok** · 06-18-2007

i'm happy to see the 1500 in the line still. I love the 1500, think its the perfect bike for many and is a very proven design.

koboko · 06-18-2007

i love the 1500 design too, i just wish it came with dual front brakes

**Spok** · 06-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by koboko

i love the 1500 design too, i just wish it came with dual front brakes

+2 on that. the only thing that i really don't like is the just adequate brakes on the 1500, a 2nd front disc would go a long way to fix the issue

KURT · 06-18-2007

+3 On The Dual Disc Brakes Up Front.
Kurt

BamaBob · 06-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spok

i'm happy to see the 1500 in the line still. I love the 1500, think its the perfect bike for many and is a very proven design.

I'm with you, Dave!!

G · 06-18-2007

the VN1500 is a great bike & deserves to remain in the line up for 08 , but Kawi dropped them in OZ in 02 / 03 . the 1600 classic replaced the 1500 in OZ , great bang for your $$ the 1500 is ..

bluestringer · 06-18-2007

The 1500 is great, I think it will be around for a while longer. You guys talking about the brakes, remember the one disc on the front is bigger than the 2 on the 1600 giving it about the same stopping power.

Alf · 06-18-2007

Was talking to my dealer about when he figured Kawasaki would discontinue the 1500. He told me he hoped never he said he sells five 1500s for every 1600. Had nothing but good things to say about the 1500.

**Spok** · 06-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestringer

The 1500 is great, I think it will be around for a while longer. You guys talking about the brakes, remember the one disc on the front is bigger than the 2 on the 1600 giving it about the same stopping power.

does the extra disc and pistons and pads help any blue? i'd think that the extra contact patch of the 2nd set of pads would increase your stopping power

i know the dual discs on my V2k are stout...that beast really comes to a stop

bluestringer · 06-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spok

does the extra disc and pistons and pads help any blue? i'd think that the extra contact patch of the 2nd set of pads would increase your stopping power

i know the dual discs on my V2k are stout...that beast really comes to a stop

Not sure. But from what I understand, the stopping surface is not that much greater, so the power is about the same. Though it does seem the dual disc would be better.

koboko · 06-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestringer

Not sure. But from what I understand, the stopping surface is not that much greater, so the power is about the same. Though it does seem the dual disc would be better.

you raise an interesting point blue, but either way i think the 1500 is lacking in stopping power. i primarily ride solo & am quite a lightweight, & the front brakes just don't cut it. For 2-up i'm already considering something with better stopping power, hard to give up the 1500 though! don't really like looks of the 1600 as much (i like less pointy rear fenders and more traditional looking lights). i have considered the boulevard c90t, looks a lot like the 1500, would be interesting to test ride and compare the two.

**2WheelFun** · 06-19-2007

The 1500 is an awesome bike! I really miss mine.

Grumbler · 06-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by koboko

don't really like looks of the 1600 as much (i like less pointy rear fenders and more traditional looking lights).

While the 1600 is an excellent motorcycle, am less than enamored with that more modern and generic metric cruiser styling. The 1500 is old skool in comparism. Sure, mag wheels would be nice, but spoke wheels are far more traditional and captivating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by koboko

i have considered the boulevard c90t, looks a lot like the 1500, would be interesting to test ride and compare the two.

My bud rides a 1500LC which is virtually identical to the C90 albeit with carbs rather than FI. His gas mileage and gas capacity isn't as good as mine. It's a longer and wider bike with bigger wheels/tires. More of a stuporslab droner than a backroads boogie board. It has dual cranks rather than the single crank of our rides which results in a different exhaust note.

However, keep an eye out for the forthcoming C109 Classic. Not sure when it debuts, but here's a link with clickable pics:
2007 Suzuki Boulevard C109, M109RN, & M109RZ Motorcycle Cruiser Models

SilverEagle · 06-19-2007

The 1500 is THE template of Kawa's success in the initial line of large displacement cruisers. The 1500 is an absolute kick a$$ engine.

**Spok** · 06-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverEagle

The 1500 is THE template of Kawa's success in the initial line of large displacement cruisers. The 1500 is an absolute kick a$$ engine.

at one time, the kawi 1500 was the largest production v-twin on the market

ontwowheels · 06-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by koboko

i love the 1500 design too, i just wish it came with dual front brakes

Hmmmm, we went to dual front brakes several years ago...03 I believe.

vulcan500rider · 06-19-2007

[quote=Grumbler;709756]My bud rides a 1500LC which is virtually identical to the C90 albeit with carbs rather than FI. His gas mileage and gas capacity isn't as good as mine. It's a longer and wider bike with bigger wheels/tires. More of a stuporslab droner than a backroads boogie board. It has dual cranks rather than the single crank of our rides which results in a different exhaust note.
QUOTE]

My gas mileage on my C90 is right about 32mpg but most get 40 or above - my gas mileage is always about 10mpg lower than anyone elses on any bike I've ever had. I guess I like getting from one red light to the next in as little time as possible. The tank on the c90 is smaller than most at about 3.7 gallons mainly because the tank is under the seat.

lebur2 · 06-19-2007

I Have Had Two 1500 Classics The First A 1996 Sold With 92,000 Miles No Problems. The Second One Which I Still Have And Bought A Year And A Half Ago Has 29,000 Miles On It . Am Planning A Trip To Sturgis And The Then To North West Montana. In Aug. The 1500 Is Like The Energizer Bunny It Just Keeps Going And Going

06-18-2007	#1 (permalink)
Grumbler '01 1500 Classic FI BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 791	1500 Classic (FI) returns for 2008 Kawasaki now has the 2008 1500 Classic on their website. It's $9,699 and only available in Ebony for that model year. When the 1600 Classic first debuted in 2003, I thought that it would result in the eventual demise of the 1500 Classic, yet it's still available 5 years later. I'd like to think that the demand is still out there for a retro-styled cruiser (looks like a "Fatbob" Shovelhead) which is why it's still being sold. __________________ -=Grumbler

06-18-2007	#3 (permalink)
Spok RIP Deron - 1400Pilot Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Washington Posts: 34,534	i'm happy to see the 1500 in the line still. I love the 1500, think its the perfect bike for many and is a very proven design. __________________ In Memory of Deron Harden - 1400 Pilot. You are missed.

06-18-2007	#4 (permalink)
koboko Still On The Kickstand Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chicago west burbs Posts: 34	i love the 1500 design too, i just wish it came with dual front brakes __________________ 2004 Vulcan 1500 Classic 1982 Suzuki GS650E (sold)

06-18-2007	#9 (permalink)
bluestringer Rebel Rider BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Albany, Georgia Posts: 2,995	The 1500 is great, I think it will be around for a while longer. You guys talking about the brakes, remember the one disc on the front is bigger than the 2 on the 1600 giving it about the same stopping power. __________________ ..... bluestringer 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI V&H Longshots VROC #13910 GAVROC #159

06-18-2007	#10 (permalink)
Alf Alf not Elf BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,729	Was talking to my dealer about when he figured Kawasaki would discontinue the 1500. He told me he hoped never he said he sells five 1500s for every 1600. Had nothing but good things to say about the 1500. __________________ When arguing with a idiot make sure he isn't... My bike 900 LT Red/Black.

06-18-2007	#2 (permalink)
KURT OPEN ROAD IS CALLING BTK Beginner Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rockford IL. Posts: 60	I keep looking at other rides, (just because it`s fun to look) but I still like the 1500 the best. I looked at a lot of bikes b4 I bought my 1500. I have 13,000 miles on it. It seems to run better every time I get on it. Happy Trails!, Kurt

06-18-2007	#6 (permalink)
KURT OPEN ROAD IS CALLING BTK Beginner Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rockford IL. Posts: 60	+3 On The Dual Disc Brakes Up Front. Kurt

06-18-2007	#8 (permalink)
G Ride Naked .. Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,607	the VN1500 is a great bike & deserves to remain in the line up for 08 , but Kawi dropped them in OZ in 02 / 03 . the 1600 classic replaced the 1500 in OZ , great bang for your $$ the 1500 is ..

06-19-2007	#14 (permalink)
2WheelFun the "fun old" guy Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albion, Washington "Pacific Northwest" Posts: 30,372	The 1500 is an awesome bike! I really miss mine. __________________ *KING KAHUNA* *2007 V2K LT* ****PICS** 2007 Brute Force 650i **PICS** I love the smell of SeaFoam in the morning**

06-19-2007	#16 (permalink)
SilverEagle Banned Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 4,065	The 1500 is THE template of Kawa's success in the initial line of large displacement cruisers. The 1500 is an absolute kick a$$ engine. __________________ (((R.I.P Deron - 1400Pilot, You left a big hole)))

06-19-2007	#19 (permalink)
vulcan500rider 2006 Suzuki C90 BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Beautiful Uptown Long Beach Posts: 1,872	[quote=Grumbler;709756]My bud rides a 1500LC which is virtually identical to the C90 albeit with carbs rather than FI. His gas mileage and gas capacity isn't as good as mine. It's a longer and wider bike with bigger wheels/tires. More of a stuporslab droner than a backroads boogie board. It has dual cranks rather than the single crank of our rides which results in a different exhaust note. QUOTE] My gas mileage on my C90 is right about 32mpg but most get 40 or above - my gas mileage is always about 10mpg lower than anyone elses on any bike I've ever had. I guess I like getting from one red light to the next in as little time as possible. The tank on the c90 is smaller than most at about 3.7 gallons mainly because the tank is under the seat. __________________ 2006 Suzuki C90

06-19-2007	#20 (permalink)
lebur2 skeeter Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CEDAR RAPIDS ,IOWA Posts: 10	I Have Had Two 1500 Classics The First A 1996 Sold With 92,000 Miles No Problems. The Second One Which I Still Have And Bought A Year And A Half Ago Has 29,000 Miles On It . Am Planning A Trip To Sturgis And The Then To North West Montana. In Aug. The 1500 Is Like The Energizer Bunny It Just Keeps Going And Going

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