804 mile ride on 900

[Deeppurple52]

I picked up my wife's new ('06, 2072 miles) 900 Classic in San Francisco yesterday and headed out on the highway toward Phoenix. Here's what I learned. First, I am not a big guy, so, if you are, results may vary. Second, I ride a 1600 so I am prejudiced toward a big bike with lots of grunt.
1. The bike has really nice power. I cruised most of the way at 80-85 with absolutely no problem. At that speed, the bike still had plenty of roll-on power and I used it more than once! I hear members continually ask whether they can take their 900 on a road trip. Answer: No problem.
2. Maybe it is my size, but I had no issues with the stock seat.... no monkey butt, pain, etc. 13 1/2 hours in the saddle did not produce the horror scenario I had anticipated. This must be an a*s-specific issue.
3. Buzziness? I searched the rev band for a spot that would irratate me but didn't find many. Rolling on power on my 1600 produces a lot of thumpy commotion. The 900 just continued to rev without protest. My hands, feet or butt did not tingle or go to sleep. I have owned several bikes that would shake you to pieces, this one doesn't. It is much more calm than our 800.
4. The fuel guage is.... well, it sucks. When the guage shows "E" there is still more than 2 gallons in the tank. This will be corrected shortly.
5. Primary whine in 1st and second gear is annoying. But... it is the nature of the beast so it is what it is.
6. Handling. I cut across the high desert through Palndale to avoid LA and had lovely 40 knot winds out of the west all the way past Palm Springs, about 200 miles. With a direct crosswind it was sporty but not much different than my 1600 and certainly better than the 800. The additional mass works well.
7. Gas. $4.09 most of the way across CA. My worst leg (riding too fast and lots of wind) was 45.7. I slowed down to as close to 75 as I could maintain for one leg, 197.8 miles and got the best mileage, 54.37. Overall average for the 803.9 miles was 48.96. Not bad for the fairly rapid pace.

I was pleasantly surprised at how good of a road bike it is. With my 105# wife in the saddle it will be even better! I have to say that I really enjoyed the trip. The bike droned along effortlessly at 80 for long periods and did not appear to be affected by the high mountain passes. I didn't check top speed. I ran it up to 100 on the speedo several times and there is a no-s*it 8% speedo error. I suspect it will do a corrected 105.
My wife rode it to work this AM. Her comment? "It cruises along at 80 really great! Now I can keep up with your bike."
Get out there and ride!

[predfan2001]

Good to hear. Alot of posts here would lead you to believe a 900 can't hardly be riden over 70-75 mph. I've not been on the open road much so far but plan on a few 100-200 mile trips this summer.

[Deeppurple52]

pred..... Probably 500 of the 800 miles were at 80 or better. I settled on the speed where I felt the bike was happiest. At 80 it isn't straining or protesting, she just hums along. I was very pleased.

Average speed for the trip was 59.48 mph. That includes all of my rest stops and an hour+ break in Blyth to recharge myself.

[CycleDude]

I routinely cruise my 900 at 75-80 (indicated) on my commute to work. It has never left me wanting for roll-on power for passing maneuvers.

[Deeppurple52]

C-dude... I have to agree.

[skipsaxe]

I agree with what's been said. I took two four day trips with my wife last year and did not feel at anytime under-powered to stay with highway traffic. Even through the mountains in Vermont I could easily climb with the two of us and luggage.

I believe sometime we just have "CC Envy".

[Ryguy]

Great review DP. I rode my brothers 900, though lacking power compared to my V2K for obvious reasons, I was suprised at how well his 900 performed at that 75-85 MPH range. He had aftermarket Cobra long shots on it and that was it for mods. No windshield made it a bear to ride long distance on, but the bike will run VERY easy at 80 MPH all day long.

[Colorado900]

It's kinda funny when you think about it but 20 years ago, nobody would have doubted the road worthiness of a 900 cc bike. Now, in the world of bigger is better, a 900 is not good enough. After many miles up and down the interstate and up and over mountain passes, the 900 has performed exactly as requested.

[jesquire]

Now, rip those stock pipes off and put some louder ones on there so your wife can be a poser too. Oh, wait, I forgot, you're the poser hater. My bad.

[800AJAY]

I have to agree with everybody. I've had my 900 Custom for about 2 weeks and 200 miles and I'm just really impressed with this bike. I had both an 800B and 800A models and the 900 feels like it is an 1100 compare the 800's. Kaw really hit it right with this bike. And the ride(suspension) is really about the best I've ever experienced with the possible exception of the 1500 Classic I owned. It'll take bumps with very little shocks to the body. The last few years I did what everyone tends to do in motorcycles and that is get bigger and bigger. But for my riding, which is basically just local to where I live(no long cross country stuff), I just didn't want to have the weight of the bigger bikes to manhandle anymore. From the last bike I had which was 690 pounds dry the weight reduction of the 140 lbs feels really good. Also have to agree with how the bike behave is heavy crosswinds. I thought with the lighter weight it would get blown around. Just isn't so. And that great gas mileage is just a bonus.

[cmptrmn.1]

Yep. The 900 is a pretty good all around rider. And it does seem like the seat is *ss specific. I have no problems.

[900classic]

Thanks for the review. I haven't had the chance to take the bike on any trips longer than 200 miles but I am sure that it would handle exactly how you described. The 900 is a great bike.

[Deeppurple52]

jesq.... You Jayhawk poser. Don't be pasting your head on that guy holding the trophy!

[N3FOLN3FOL]

Great review. I already knew that the 900 will not let you down. You made the effort to ride 800+ miles to California and I'm glad that everything worked out as planned. Your mpg report is great. This time of the year, my worst mpg is 46 running 80+ on the interstate. Congratulations.

[phantomlord2k]

I was convinced of my 900LT after a 2500 mile trip to Florida and back. Mostly Interstate with no problems cruising at 80mph all day long. Would't be concerned of any road trips now...Looking forward to doing Daytona again sometime soon.

[spitfire9]

Had my custom up to 95 indicated yesterday. She ran great but I was really hunkered down over the bars. Took a quick glance at speedo and sanity came back quick!

[briggs07]

Glad to hear the 900 worked out for you! Wish it would of been the same for me or i wouldnt have got my harley. I have to agree, that 1 UP riding the 900 is a great bike, even on the highway at 75+ i could go all day. But 2 up its like a completely different bike, and its even more pronounced to me now that ive been cruising on the highway with a motor between my legs almost twice the size and a fairing.

2 up MY 900 could hardly do 80, me and my girlfriend are under 330lbs combined weight so i dont feel that we were over loading the bike in anyway. But it will certainly be a great bike for your wife! Being that shes 105lbs that things gonna fly!

[vn2kbob]

Very nice write-up, DP! Glad you had a safe trip back. The 900 must be a great bike as the dealers I've been to are saying that is what they sell a lot of--that and the Ninja 250. Way cool! Bet your wife will enjoy her new bike a lot!

[c_law23]

nice review! couldnt agree more, i love my 900...well except for the seat

[gabelawcdn]

Originally Posted by Colorado900

It's kinda funny when you think about it but 20 years ago, nobody would have doubted the road worthiness of a 900 cc bike. Now, in the world of bigger is better, a 900 is not good enough.

You're dead on, Colorado900!

I told my dad I bought a motorcycle - he asked me what it was and now many ccs - when I told him 900 he said "That's a HUGE motorcycle - how are you going to handle something that big as a relative beginner?!" When I told him I'd done a lot of research that that this was considered a good "mid-sized" cruiser with a low seat perfect for a woman rider, he was shocked.

When he last owned one, in the 60s, a big bike had 250 ccs....