Do I need an Owner's Manual if I already have the Service Manual?

Humbucker · 09-21-2007

I just bought a secondhand 2003 Vulcan Classic 1600cc bike. When I went to pick up the bike, I asked the seller if he had the Owner's Manual, he told me that he didn't but he did have the Service Manual, which was pretty cool since that's worth a lot more money.

I noticed that at the beginning of this Service Manual there's a section titled "Periodic maintenance", is this basically what I would find in the "Owner's manual"?

I'm just wondering if there's any point in ordering the Owner's Manual when I've already got this Service Manual? Is there something in the owner's manual that I might be missing?

Ruger · 09-21-2007

I don't have a 1600, but the service manual I got for my 900 has all the things the owners manual has except there are some really simple diagrams showing where the warning lights are and what they mean. I wouldn't think it would be necessary to get the owners manual unless you could get one for a really good price, and just wanted to have it.

RDap98 · 09-22-2007

Service Manual trumps Owners Manual.

N3FOLN3FOL · 09-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDap98

Service Manual trumps Owners Manual.

Since you already have the service manual for the bike, the owner's manual can be considered obsolete in your case. The only thing that you might be missing are important safety tips and/or maintenance tips and how to take good care of your bike in the years to come. Other than that, I really think that you will reference the service manual more often. Congrats on the new acquisition of the new ride.

freightshaker · 09-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humbucker

I just bought a secondhand 2003 Vulcan Classic 1600cc bike. When I went to pick up the bike, I asked the seller if he had the Owner's Manual, he told me that he didn't but he did have the Service Manual, which was pretty cool since that's worth a lot more money.

Service manual on eBay, $7 delivered. Not a lot of money...

Humbucker · 09-22-2007

Thanks a lot for chiming in everybody. BTW, I had found the Owner's Manuals online from anywhere between $30.00-$50.00 shipped, I'll have to check out this one on ebay for $7.00! I wonder if they will ship to Canada though.

Thanks again.

freightshaker · 09-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humbucker

Thanks a lot for chiming in everybody. BTW, I had found the Owner's Manuals online from anywhere between $30.00-$50.00 shipped, I'll have to check out this one on ebay for $7.00! I wonder if they will ship to Canada though.

Thanks again.

They say worldwide, Here is a link
eBay Motors: KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 CLASSIC SERVICE & REPAIR MANUAL (item 320159217189 end time Sep-23-07 10:30:56 PDT)

Desmond57 · 09-22-2007

I must have missed something? Why would Humbucker be looking for a Service Manual when he already has it. I thought he was looking for the OWNERS Manual.

But to the original point. The great thing about the little owners manual is that you take it with you & keep it with the bike. Any problems with the bike you have it there a a reference. I would try and get one even if I had (which I do) the Service manual. I tried getting a duplicate copy of mine online. Not so easy.

The service manual is easy to find, the owner's manual much harder.
ebay is a good source to find one. If I were in your shoes I would setup a specific search on ebay for:
Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 owner* Manual
From that I found:
eBay Motors: 2002 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic Owners Manual (item 7991689777 end time Sep-24-07 15:21:24 PDT)

But again, is a ready reference on hand with you on the bike worth $20, I think so, you might not.

Crystalship1 · 09-22-2007

Dude... why would he need two service manuals???

Quote:

Originally Posted by freightshaker

They say worldwide, Here is a link
eBay Motors: KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 CLASSIC SERVICE & REPAIR MANUAL (item 320159217189 end time Sep-23-07 10:30:56 PDT)

freightshaker · 09-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystalship1

Dude... why would he need two service manuals???

Well bubba, I went on the post that said he would do better off with the service manual since it covers the owners manual as well. True he can't carry it unless he printed it out or carried something that is capable of reading PDF files like a handheld or laptop.

Crystalship1 · 09-22-2007

Ahhh.... gotcha there, Vinny. You didn't read the original post. I understand now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by freightshaker

Well bubba, I went on the post that said he would do better off with the service manual since it covers the owners manual as well. True he can't carry it unless he printed it out or carried something that is capable of reading PDF files like a handheld or laptop.

RichLockyer · 09-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by freightshaker

Service manual on eBay, $7 delivered. Not a lot of money...

It's also not a legal copy.

freightshaker · 09-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystalship1

Ahhh.... gotcha there, Vinny. You didn't read the original post. I understand now.

Well, I saw one thing, read the other then replied to the other & forgot the thing. So then, the thing is the thing I forgot, the other was another that became the thing or something or other. Got it now?
Now that that's straight, who's Vinny?

Crystalship1 · 09-24-2007

Apparently it's a S/A from New York that calls people "Bubba".

Quote:

Originally Posted by freightshaker

who's Vinny?

09-21-2007	#1 (permalink)
Humbucker Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 65	Do I need an Owner's Manual if I already have the Service Manual? I just bought a secondhand 2003 Vulcan Classic 1600cc bike. When I went to pick up the bike, I asked the seller if he had the Owner's Manual, he told me that he didn't but he did have the Service Manual, which was pretty cool since that's worth a lot more money. I noticed that at the beginning of this Service Manual there's a section titled "Periodic maintenance", is this basically what I would find in the "Owner's manual"? I'm just wondering if there's any point in ordering the Owner's Manual when I've already got this Service Manual? Is there something in the owner's manual that I might be missing?

09-21-2007	#2 (permalink)
Ruger Poser Proud® Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,454	I don't have a 1600, but the service manual I got for my 900 has all the things the owners manual has except there are some really simple diagrams showing where the warning lights are and what they mean. I wouldn't think it would be necessary to get the owners manual unless you could get one for a really good price, and just wanted to have it. __________________ 2006 VN900 Classic The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it. - Dudley Moore

09-22-2007	#3 (permalink)
RDap98 2007 VN2000 BTK Expert Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 508	Service Manual trumps Owners Manual. __________________ RDap 07 Vulcan 2000 Standard VROG - 541 VROC - 23400

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09-22-2007	#6 (permalink)
Humbucker Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 65	Thanks a lot for chiming in everybody. BTW, I had found the Owner's Manuals online from anywhere between $30.00-$50.00 shipped, I'll have to check out this one on ebay for $7.00! I wonder if they will ship to Canada though. Thanks again.

09-22-2007	#8 (permalink)
Desmond57 2007 VN900 LT BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montclair, New Jersey Posts: 143	I must have missed something? Why would Humbucker be looking for a Service Manual when he already has it. I thought he was looking for the OWNERS Manual. But to the original point. The great thing about the little owners manual is that you take it with you & keep it with the bike. Any problems with the bike you have it there a a reference. I would try and get one even if I had (which I do) the Service manual. I tried getting a duplicate copy of mine online. Not so easy. The service manual is easy to find, the owner's manual much harder. ebay is a good source to find one. If I were in your shoes I would setup a specific search on ebay for: Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 owner* Manual From that I found: eBay Motors: 2002 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic Owners Manual (item 7991689777 end time Sep-24-07 15:21:24 PDT) But again, is a ready reference on hand with you on the bike worth $20, I think so, you might not.

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