2007 Vulcan 1500 Opinions

[dannyg40]

Ok heres my story,
Had a bunch of bikes al my life and I think I got rid of them cause I outgrew them. Such as KZ750's a KLR 650, and older bikes around the same size. I sold a KZ 750 last year hoping to get a KZ1000 this year but they are 30 years old or so now and people are starting to want $3000 + for them and i dont feel like spending that much money and a lot of time in the garage working on them. Plus I never ever had a V-Twin cruiser and I think I got rid of the other bikes cause none of them were ever able to strap on some saddlebags to carry a few things. Im not looking to drive cross country, but got the idea to forget about the 30 year old bikes and look into new ones. Guys I know have them V-Star 1100's and that would be an ideal size bike for my city of chicago cruising but they are old technology manual valve adjustment simple bikes. Plus i dont know why but I have a serious issue with buying a new bike with no fuel gauge. I had bikes die on my several times while switching to reserve at 60 MPH. After looking at VTX's, V-Star 1300's, Boulavards, and all major brands of cruisers, the darn Vulcan is the only bike I like and to me at least looks the best. I went today to look at a 900 Classic but the dealer didnt have any left. He has both colors of the 2007 Vulcan Classic 1500 that he will sell me for $8589 whichever color I want. Thats including taxes, freight & Prep. Its in indiana Im in illinois so I would have to get the plates, and pay a 2% difference in taxes to illinois. About another $270 out of my pocket. He can get me 6.9 fixed financing. The good thing is its a dealer I dealt with for years close by with all my Kawasaki's I owned and they are pretty good. I think the guy is giving me a great deal. I dont need such a big bike but then again I got tired of my other bikes having to shift 4 gears to get to the next stop sign here in chicago. ( Chicago side streets have 4 way stop signs at just about every corner ). I have 4 years to work before I retire, and I might be needing a new car soon since mine has 150,000 miles on it, but man I love the Vulcan 1500 Tough decision I have to make. If I got a deal on the 900 should I get that ? Or do you think I would eventually get the feeling I should have just bought the 1500 ? I will have payments of about $185 for 4 years so I dont want to get tired of the bike or feel like I should have just bought something bigger. Im not used to such a big heavy cruiser like the 1500 is. But she is a beauty. Is the 1500 that bulky to maneuver ?
Any input would be greatly appreciated........

[Jake '53]

I was looking at the Vulcan 900 and Vstar1100 last fall before I bought the 1500. I ride to work most days in traffic, on surface streets and put 2400+ miles on it over a week going to Red Lodge, about 1000 of that on interstates. The longish wheel base took a little getting used to in tight manuevering but after about 8 months I'm pretty comfortable with it. It's got a proven record and personnally, I don't think you're going to beat it in the cruiser lines for versatility.

[Shield]

My 1500 is my first bike and I am very happy with the size. I have only had my m/c lic for a year and am still learning. I don’t think you will have any problems w/ the 1500.

[Shield]

A lot of members have the 900s and seem to love them. If the bike fits you well, you might want to consider waiting for your dealer to get some in. The 900 could save you a grand or more and a little less on your monthly payments. There seems to be a ton of aftermarket products for the 900.

[Alf]

If you plan any kind of extended touring on the interstate go with the 1500...

[yooper cruiser]

I like the 900, never been on a 1500.
But I'm one that watches my pennies-900 is less expensive and I'm getting 56 mpg.
btw, the kawasaki's have gas gauges but they aren't very accurate, though they are consistent.

[david8200]

Hi Danny,
Welcome to the forum. You will enjoy it here and I beleive either bike will do what you need. Like the post above I have the 900lt and have never rideng anything larger as this is my first bike. I have just retired and bought my bike in dec and have put 5400 miles on it and love it.
Again welcome to the forum.

[vulcan500rider]

If you're looking to buy another bike that you'll outgrow, get the 900. If you want a bike to last for a while, get the 1500.

[Blooze]

Originally Posted by vulcan500rider

If you're looking to buy another bike that you'll outgrow, get the 900. If you want a bike to last for a while, get the 1500.

+1.....

I love my '07 1500. I looked at the 900 initially, but figured I'd have to change the seat and the bars, both of which I hated, so there was the difference in price between the 900 and 1500 for me. I got about the same deal on my 1500 as you're looking at and thought it was pretty good.

No problems cruising in town or rolling down the highway at 80 mph. I thought the weight was going to be a bigger issue than what it really turned out to be. After a couple months on her I feel pretty comfortable with it.

[dannyg40]

Thanks Blooze and Vulcan500rider,
I was going to take a ride to a dealer tomorrow (sunday) thats open on the north side of the city about 30 miles away to sit on the 900 and see how it is. If I liked it I would just have my local dealer get me a 900. Im not going to go, Im gonna stick with the 1500. Dont get me wrong the 900 is a great bike with all the reviews i have read, but I think you guys are right. Im better off getting the 1500 and not having to have any doubts afterwords. Plus I been watching to many movies on you tube with the 1500 and they sound great with a good set of pipes.

[Classic]

Originally Posted by dannyg40

Is the 1500 that bulky to maneuver ?
Any input would be greatly appreciated........

At first it's a bit of a load but you'll get used to it and the weight tends to add to stability in crosswinds so it's useful. I've had mine for three years, have over 34,000 miles on it and couldn't be happier. Probably the best money I ever spent. Just last month I rode it with two other guys out to South Dakota and back where it did splendidly thw whole way. Nearly 4,000 miles round trip and the only complaint I had was I could have used a larger gas tank which the newer 1500 Classics have. Mine is 4.2 gallons since it's carb'd while the FI bikes (what you're looking at buying) are about 5.2. When I finally wear this one out, if it's possible to do so, I may just get another one.

[bluestringer]

Originally Posted by david8200

Hi Danny,
Welcome to the forum. You will enjoy it here and I beleive either bike will do what you need. Like the post above I have the 900lt and have never rideng anything larger as this is my first bike. I have just retired and bought my bike in dec and have put 5400 miles on it and love it.
Again welcome to the forum.

Thread hijack....

David, rode through your neck of the woods today on my way to Warner Robins. Saw someone on what looked like a 900 fueling up at Striplings in Warwick......was that you?

Just to keep this on subject........yes, the 1500 is a great bike, handles very well at low speeds and in traffic, and it can't be beat on the big roads, except maybe by the Nomad.

[Shield]

Originally Posted by dannyg40

Im gonna stick with the 1500.

Sweet. Your gonna love it.

[david8200]

Originally Posted by bluestringer

Thread hijack....

David, rode through your neck of the woods today on my way to Warner Robins. Saw someone on what looked like a 900 fueling up at Striplings in Warwick......was that you?

Just to keep this on subject........yes, the 1500 is a great bike, handles very well at low speeds and in traffic, and it can't be beat on the big roads, except maybe by the Nomad.

Hi Dennis,
It wasn't me, wish it had been. I have been in Albany all week staying with my mom while my sister and her family took their vacation. I will be returning home late this afternoon. We have put our place at the lake up for sale and will moving back to Albany/Leesburg.
Hope we will be able to get together for some rides.

[cboutfit]

Danny, welcome to the forum, or should I say the family because that is what you are getting in to, you wont find another forum like this it is great, every one that I have met from here is wonderful and and give you what you need. (not that way Gene)

As for the 1500 you will love it.

[mattoid1]

I've had a 1500 for four years, nice bikes. It takes a pretty good side wind to bother them, and the only truck that really moved it on the road was a pickup and trailer loaded like the one in the opening of the Beverly Hillbillies. That did some strange things to the air behind it! The bigger tank on the new ones is a plus. 20,000 miles, no problems. I have HK Kickers on it, and would not recommend them; too loud. IMO

Dave

[2WheelFun]

You will not regret buying the 1500 as it's a very well behaved motorcycle with alot of power and the handling is superb in town and on the highway.

IMHO...ALWAYS buy the bike you want...not the one you wish you would have bought.

Welcome aboard!

[david8200]

^^^^^^^^^^+10000

[Lobocop]

The 1500/1600 is a proven bullet proof engine. Have had two over the years and they are nice, have power and are reliable, but as others have said ... get the bike that suits you and be happy.

Currently I have a 900 and a V2K. I ride my 900 much more then I do the V2K, but that is my preference ... they are both good bikes!

[stevebtx12]

Welcome Danny, and great choice in bikes. Be sure to post up some pics after ya pick it up...