07 900 custom vs. 06 1600 classic

[AdrianVall]

So I'm in a bit of a dilemma.

I just went into the dealership where I got my 900 custom from (brand new) and I was looking around at the bikes they had cause I've been thinking of upgrading to a bigger bike, and they had a new 06 VN1600 classic for sale at $8,300 cause they are trying to get rid of it. I guess its been there for a while now. Now, I've been wanting to get a larger bike and have been thinking about it for a couple weeks now, and this oppurtunity arrises.

Now, don't get me wrong.. I love my 900 custom, but I just don't like how it rides highway at higher speeds. And the extra weight of the 1600 would be a bit nicer, as I get blown around sometimes pretty bad with my 900.

So my question is, what is everyones opinions? Should I go for the 1600, or should I stick with my 900.. How does the 900 compare to the 1600 as far as the ride goes and handling?

Thanks!

Cheers,
Adrian

[c_law23]

you havent had it very long have ya?!

just kidding, to each their own and i think you have it pretty accurate, if you are looking for a smoother highway ride then im sure that youve hit the nail on the head

[V2KCruiser]

I had an '03 1600 Classic and it was definitely a smooth, solid ride at highway speeds. I rode it around on some pretty windy days and it was a solid as a rock, even in strong gusty crosswinds.

[Flboy]

I really like my 900 Custom, but I can tell you.. if I were to ride the highway much, I'd want a bigger bike. I mostly ride around town and on state roads. That being the case, I think the 900 is just fine.

[uncle-wiggly]

I have a 06 900 Classic that I love, but wanted something for the superslab. A couple weeks ago I picked up a 07 1600 Nomad, didn't sell the 900, I couldn't do it. The 1600 feels like it is just above an idle at 75 mph in 5th gear. The weight is nice on the highway, very stable. I will keep my 900, but if I could only have one bike it would be the Nomad. That sounds like a good deal.
Good Luck

[brent4a]

Went from a C-50 to the 1600 classic. Best choice i ever made !! I say do it especially if you do any amount of highway riding. I have had them both in the mountains on the twisties and i still like the 1600 alot more.

[skewterdewd]

So, how much slabbing do you do compared to in-town?
The 1600 is for sure the better mount if you're doing lots-o-miles, but it's also a much heavier piece. You'll feel the extra weight for awhile until you get used to it, but I'm guessing if you move up, you'll never look back.

Good luck!

[RichLockyer]

So, how much slabbing do you do compared to in-town?
The 1600 is for sure the better mount if you're doing lots-o-miles, but it's also a much heavier piece. You'll feel the extra weight for awhile until you get used to it, but I'm guessing if you move up, you'll never look back.

+10,000

Both are awesome bikes, and the 900 holds it's own on the highway (there are a couple of 800 class bikes in my RC and they do just fine), but a common complaint on the highway is "buzziness" and concern about the high RPM.
This doesn't seem to bother the ladies... I think they like a buzziness

[AdrianVall]

I don't do a fair amount of highway riding. I live right next to a major highway, so if I'm going anywhere far, I take 95.

I love the way my bike handles when I'm just cruising around town, but for those windy days and highway, I just keep wishing I had something bigger and heavier.

Here in south Florida, we've been having some very windy days and I was a bit hesitant riding my bike as the wind was just bullying me around. I'm going to be going to daytona for the biktoberfest and I'd hate to have to ride the 900 all the way up. The combination of the buzzing and the random gust of winds blowing me around slowly starts to make for an uncomfortable ride.

I guess it sounds like I've already got my mind made up.. haha, so I'll try and go for it and see what happens.. if it doesn't work out, then I'm sure I'll still be happy. I love my bike folks, so don't get me wrong. The 900 custom is an incredible machine, just wish it was a bit heavier and sometimes wish it had a 6th gear!

Cheers,
Adrian

[stevebtx12]

I'll agree with other posts here, it depends on what type of riding you mostly do. But, the 1600 is an easy to ride bike and handles great around town and on the highway. Get what will make you happy...

[CruisinPiper]

I loved my VN800, but since I got the 1600 I haven't missed the 800 for one minute. It IS a bit heavier but I got used to that in no time, and I actually feel comfortable riding on the highway now.

[Ojisan]

I gotta say I have to keep away from the stealerships, every time I go in I usually ride out with something else.

I upgraded to the the 1500 classic from the 900 just because I love to do long rides on the superslab.

Riding buddy of mine has the 1600 classic and in less than a year he has 22K on the odo. His comments are "I love to keep up with the Harleys".

I am slowly developing a case of "Nomaditis" HELP!!!!!!!!!

[Bigguy2x]

Don't know about the 900 but I moved up from a 750 ACE to the 1600 Classic and after about 2 days riding I decided that the 1600 handled just as well if not a little better in town and 10 times better on the highway. YMMV

[Deeppurple52]

We have both a 1600 and an 800. They are both very good bikes but as different as apples and hand grenades. The 800 (or 900 in your case) has that small bore smoothness while the 1600 is thumpy. My wife rides her 800 everywhere including relatively long (2000 mile) road trips and she will log 20,000 miles on it this year. It may require more rpm to get the job done but it keeps up with my 1600 unless I am really wicking it. The 1600 is awesome. I have ridden nearly everything from Honda, Star, Yamaha, Victory and H-D and nothing IMHO compares to the 1600 for overall performance and value. My wife is looking for a 900 but decided lastweek that she wants to go bigger! She is small, 5'5", 115 but has also ridden most all of the competition. She has no problem riding my 1600. Range is very important to her so she will probably go with a 1600 or a really nice FI 1500.
The 1600 has all the power you should need so air mods, etc. are not really necessary. Range? If you see my earlier post, I went 262.9 before refueling this week. I average about 43-44 and see 50 on the road depending on conditions. I ride pretty hard but not abusively and the 1600 will get the job done no matter who you are riding with!
In defense of your 900, I have ridden several and find it to be one of easiest bikes to ride. You can't lose either way.

[plasma blue]

Well I will tell you this, my 900 is now much smoother than it was on hwy. after about 3,000 miles things became a lot smoother. I have a 33 tooth pulley, not the stock 32 or 34 Scootworks pulley. Can't comment on the wind though.

If it were me I would get that new1600 for $8300. thats a good price. I wish I knew that my wife was starting to enjoy riding I would have gotten a bigger bike. The 900 is OK but we are both big enough for a much larger bike. My other bike she was only on the back for a total of about 4 minutes.

If you can afford to keep both that would be nice!

[SilverEagle]

The 1600 is a very good all round bike, cast wheels is a breeze to keep clean. The engine is good for slow riding, fast riding and everything you want to do. Over all it has more flexibility, the 900 has all the power you need for city and highway.....but buzzing comes from several 900 owners after a while on the innerstate

I still miss my blue 04 1600

[jesse web]

Been a VN 900 Custom owner I would say go with the 1600 now that the oportunity is there. I love my 900 but when I hit the highway it makes me wonder why I din't get a bigger one. Well, the main reason is because I loved the looks of mine over the bigger ones. My kawa dealer is also a suzuki dealer and I did like the M109R but it was nearly twice as much and been a newbe on the motorcycle world I didn't want to risk it. But better days are yet to come!