Last questions for 900 & 1500 Classic owners

[dannyg40]

Hate to bug you guys again. Last questions I promise. I just hateto make the wrong decision when I go to the dealer Wednesday. I took another look at the 900 Classic today and really like it. It feels right. I know I will get used to the 1500 pretty easy but a 1500 is overkill for my driving needs. Just wondering about the 900. I saw plenty of movies on the net with great guys like you taking movies of your rides. Im just wondering about the shift points with the 900. The 3 dealers I went to all had the "break in" stickers on the tanks on the 1500 classics. I see if recomends not shifting into 5th gear or something at 61 MPH. Cant remember the other shift points. How is the gearing on the 900's ? Anyone know off hand what the owners manual recommends for the 900 ? Just trying to get an idea what RPM range the bike is in in different gears. I like the 900 but would hate to have to keep shifting and be in 5th gear at 40 MPH.

Thanks Guys
Im waiting for my dealer to call me back with an OTD price for the 900. Would $6800 be a good price OTD for an 07' 900 Classic ?

[fastball]

$6800 would be a very fair price for a new 900, considering thats $550 below MSRP.

Yes, the 900 shifts into 5th at a lower speed typically, but I ride daily on the interstate with traffic and have no problems. The 900 has all the power for "round town" riding anyone needs. I do baby my ride however.

Treat her nice and she'll let you ride her forever.

[Classic]

If the 900 is what fits best and doesn't give you buyers remorse, then get the 900.

You'll get better gas mileage from the 900, aftermarket support is very good for such a new motorcycle and it will only get better.

The 1500 will cruise interstates more smoothly and it's 100 pound weight difference will make it less sensitive to crosswinds. The 1500 will sound better with aftermarket pipes than the 900. I'm guessing the 1500 is more easily serviced by the owner and there's tons of info out on the net for the bike. If you've ever been to Gadgets page for the 1500 series bikes you know what I mean.

It all depends on what you need and what you want to see in your garage for the next few years.

[cdnielson]

900 shift points are not bad at all. I shift it very much the same as other bikes I've ridden. For the break in period, sure, I was a bit more careful. You can (and I do) shift into 5th at 40. But When accelerating onto the freeway I don't shift into 5th until 65 or 70 sometimes.

[Ryguy]

Don't be sorry for asking questions, that just helps you determine what bike is right for you. This place is made for asking questions. Pick the bike that feels right to you. Don't be pushed into something by someone else. If you like the bike and it fits right. Buy it.

You do however have to post pics of the new machine when you get it.

[dannyg40]

Classic,
Before work this morning I looked at Gadgets 1500 page. Really great information. Been on the phone all afternoon. Dealer called me back, he made a slight mistake with the price of the 900. Best he could do was $7049 which still is pretty good. Thing now is....... $1600 more for the 1500 but the insurance for me here in Chicago is crazy ! State farm who I have for my house and van quoted me $668 a year for the 1500 and $531 for the 900 for full coverage for the year. Insurance dont do summer use only policys here no more. Dealer hooked me up with a place in Texas that they deal with and they gave me a proce of $443 for a year ! Big difference. I didnt ask about the 900 Insurance, I forgot. I was expecting some crazy price for the 1500 and it caught me off gaurd. The dealer been pretty good to me and he is off tomorrow so I will stop in and see him Wednesday. The 900 he could get it in 3 days, the 1500 is still sitting in the crate waiting for me to tell him to get it ready........

[bluestringer]

Forget what the manual and the stickers say about shift points, they are way too low. On the 1500, I don't shift into 5th until about 70-75. I have went up to 65 in 2nd before the limiter hit. The Vulcans like to rev, granny shifting doesn't work very good with them.

[bagya]

Those shift points are mostly for break-in and that goes by quick. I don't have think twice about hitting 75 in third (if needed--or wanted ). I think what Classic said is all true. I have a 900 and I sometimes think I want bigger. But for what, just getting myself into more trouble? I seem to have a speed gremlin when riding and I hit 100 indicated way too often as it is, why push it. The 900 melows out & gets smoother over time, although still somewhat buzzy at higher speeds.

[Blooze]

Originally Posted by dannyg40

Classic,
Before work this morning I looked at Gadgets 1500 page. Really great information. Been on the phone all afternoon. Dealer called me back, he made a slight mistake with the price of the 900. Best he could do was $7049 which still is pretty good. Thing now is....... $1600 more for the 1500 but the insurance for me here in Chicago is crazy ! State farm who I have for my house and van quoted me $668 a year for the 1500 and $531 for the 900 for full coverage for the year. Insurance dont do summer use only policys here no more. Dealer hooked me up with a place in Texas that they deal with and they gave me a proce of $443 for a year ! Big difference. I didnt ask about the 900 Insurance, I forgot. I was expecting some crazy price for the 1500 and it caught me off gaurd. The dealer been pretty good to me and he is off tomorrow so I will stop in and see him Wednesday. The 900 he could get it in 3 days, the 1500 is still sitting in the crate waiting for me to tell him to get it ready........

My State farm agent quoted me nearly $1000 year for my $1500, and I've got 3 cars and a homeowners with them for 10+ years. They could care less about MC's. I went with Dairyland of TX and it was a little under $400 a year for better coverage than State Farm.

And I say go for the bike that really does it for you. Either one will be a great ride.

[USAF SSgt]

I pay $109 per year full coverage

[idmtchris]

I ride my 900 classic on the freeway everyday and have no problem keeping up or pulling away from traffice. Shifts points during break in--don't worry about it, just ride you'll be fine. 7049 OTD is a very good price. The 1500 is shaft driven and the 900 is belt driven, I think I would prefer the belt over the shaft, extra maintainance costs. Cons about the 900, seat and no 6th gear.

[Ryguy]

Check Dairyland and progressive, their rates were really competitive when I shopped. I am with progressive but I only run Liability on my bike

[budro40]

I have have Cobra longs, air kit ,and f2000r and it helped a lot with the vibes at 75-85mph .And my 900 looks and sounds as good as any 1500 out there.It all comes down to does the bike fit you and will it perform the task that you ask it to do.If you have any worries about wanting to move up to more cc's in the near future i would recommend you get something with a bigger engine.Dont get me wrong i love my 900 but we have seen a few guys that had buyers remorse around here.

[bagya]

+1 on the progressive liability only. 1st year rider and was about $200/yr.

[BamaBob]

First, let me say they I feel sure the 900 is a great bike, but I KNOW the 1500 is (I owned one). Personally, and I admit I am biased, I would buy a 1500 Classic. It is all the bike anyone would ever need, IMO. Having said that, take your time, weigh the pros & cons of each bike, see which fits you the best as far as riding position, staddle, leg position, etc. (although I doubt there is much difference in the 2). Then buy the one that YOU want. NEVER BUY A BIKE ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES CAUSE IT IS YOU WHO WILL BE RIDING IT.

And $6,800 for the 900 sounds like a pretty fair deal to me.

Good luck!!






http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb112&pp=ZN

[gonzosc1]

the shift point on the stickers are not the point at which you shift. the are the max speed for each gear during the break in.
it says 60mph in 5th gear, that mean don't take it over 60 mph in 5th gear.
the break in is in two parts. the first 500 miles don't go over 60, then the next 500 miles don't go over 80 I think it was.
there are two different lines of thinking when it comes to break in.
you either follow it, or you don't...and thats it.
some feel that break in is a myth and some follow it by the book.
you must choose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

[Shield]

Danny,
I have Drive/Progressive for my 06 1500, $216.00 full coverage. You do not have to use the same insurance as your car and house. I checked with my Allstate agent first and he told me to use Progressive for my m/c.
Progressive was able to beat dairyland for me.
Good luck

[Woody61]

Get the one you want but if your trying to be practical use the 80% rule.Whichever bike fits your needs best 80% of the time that's the one you go with. They are both great bikes but the only advantage I see in the 1500 over the 900 would be if you plan on doing a lot of hwy driving. If you plan on hitting the open road alot go with the 1500 otherwise the 9 should get the job done just fine.

[j13]

Originally Posted by dannyg40

Classic,
but the insurance for me here in Chicago is crazy ! State farm who I have for my house and van quoted me $668 a year for the 1500 and $531 for the 900 for full coverage for the year. Insurance dont do summer use only policys here no more. Dealer hooked me up with a place in Texas that they deal with and they gave me a proce of $443 for a year ! Big difference. I didnt ask about the 900 Insurance, I forgot. I

I am in the SW burbs of Chicago, and my full coverage on the 900LT is only $184 a year with Foremost (part of Farmers Ins). Might want to give them a call.

-Jeff

[stevebtx12]

+1 - I agree with Woody. Good luck with your choice, and post up some pics when ya get it...