2008 Mean Streak vs Boulevard M109R

[vn2kbob]

Originally Posted by Solidgun

I got quoted for these two bikes at a local dealership and I am trying to make my final decisions. But I don't see any substantial information on the 2008 Mean Streak. I don't see them on the road, nor do I see detailed reviews. Posts here couldn't be found on this bike in detail.

Is the 2008 Mean Streak not a desirable bike? It looks really nice (not the red one, but the black&red special one)....but no enthusiasm for this bike could be found among popular forums.

Please let me know if you have additional information on this bike.

Thank you in advance.

Oh my gosh, my Son just bought one a few months ago. He has ridden my VN2K a lot, my 1600 Classic a lot and after owning his Special Edition '08 Meanie, he'll never have another bike. He has the jet hot coated V&H pipes, PCIII and a Baron's air kit. Mercy does this sucker run strong. But the kicker is the handling, braking and mileage. Oh yes, forgot to say, he had a chance for the 109 too. He is so pleased with his choice. You won't be sorry either.

[Guitar7272]

I love my 07 SE meanie - nuff said

The power is plenty for me, it handles great in the twisties and it's breaks are lifted from the zx-14 (or 10, I forget) so it stops on a dime.

[Flash]

Its like Kawi's version of the VRod

[jaseman]

Originally Posted by Guitar7272

I love my 07 SE meanie - nuff said

The power is plenty for me, it handles great in the twisties and it's breaks are lifted from the zx-14 (or 10, I forget) so it stops on a dime.

ZX-9, if I remember correctly.

[dinoSnake]

Originally Posted by jaseman

ZX-9, if I remember correctly.

ZX-9 indeed.

[Guitar7272]

Originally Posted by jaseman

ZX-9, if I remember correctly.

Originally Posted by dinoSnake

ZX-9 indeed.

Thanks for the clarification - late night last night

[lh4x4]

I've had many different brands. I've come to respect the well thought out models that Kawasaki offers. Nothing radical, but well built, styled, durable and great handling.

[reddagon]

Originally Posted by jaseman

I would say the Meanie is definately the better choice then. Maybe not the perfect choice, but much better then the 109. It's gonna be more user friendly to the less-experienced rider.

I'll probably catch some flack for this, but I might also recommend looking at something like the 900 Custom. Similar look to the Meanie, but less power and weight, making it more managable. Just my personal opinion though. Your gonna get what you want, and at least you already have a basic knowledge of how to ride.

I ride an 07 black/red special. I love it. it handles great for a bike this size. or any other size. I am a harley rider but i fell in love with the meanie, still got the harley, but the meanie is great. It handles curves very well, but it can get u in trouble because of the ground clearance. The bike is very stable at high speed, yet it is fun just putting around. If you ride safe, and know your limits, this is a great bike. Just be aware that by 'cruiser' stadards, this is a very fast bike. fuel milage sucks, 30 something, but ya can't put a price on fun baby. Gas tank is supposed to hold 4 1/2 gal. not sure about that. I hope this helps. I would buy it again, after rideing over 3000 miles. by the way, my 03 superglide has 60,000 miles on it. I like to ride. BE CAREFUL, IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE. P.S. i hate the word cruiser ride easy

[reddagon]

[quote=reddagon;1116809]I ride an 07 black/red special. I love it. it handles great for a bike this size. or any other size. I am a harley rider but i fell in love with the meanie, still got the harley, but the meanie is great. It handles curves very well, but it can get u in trouble because of the ground clearance. The bike is very stable at high speed, yet it is fun just putting around. If you ride safe, and know your limits, this is a great bike. Just be aware that by 'cruiser' stadards, this is a very fast bike. fuel milage sucks, 30 something, but ya can't put a price on fun baby. Gas tank is supposed to hold 4 1/2 gal. not sure about that. I hope this helps. I would buy it again, after rideing over 3000 miles. by the way, my 03 superglide has 60,000 miles on it. I like to ride. BE CAREFUL, IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE. P.S. i hate the word cruiser . also , the stock pipes aren't loud, but they sound and look great. they have a low rumble that lets you know there is somrthing lurking in there. This one doesn't have to be loud to sound good.

[rod2625]

Why don't you call the folks at Beartooth Kawi? They are in Red Lodge, not that far from you and they also ship. Tell them you are a forum member and see what they can do.

[Guitarosaur]

Y'know... I was in love with the M109 for about a week. My dealership finally got one in (read "put together"), and I took it down the road. My butt was asleep within two minutes. Something about the seat/frame geometry just doesn't fit me. Yeah, it goes like stink! But it doesn't fit me nearly as well as the Meanie. I also lucked into talking with an M109 owner today- he bought the only orange one in town... It's been in the shop six times in four months, and he's disgusted with the overall quality. I'd heard nothing but praise for the M109 before today, but this guy says he just can't keep the bike running. I haven't heard any negatives at all about the Meanie, but I've got my ear to the ground. I'm looking for a bike after 20 years without one (1984 V65 Magna), and I'm pretty sure the Mean Streak is just right for me.
Best of luck- thanks for the forum!
Mark

[accord_guy]

Originally Posted by Guitarosaur

Y'know... I was in love with the M109 for about a week. My dealership finally got one in (read "put together"), and I took it down the road. My butt was asleep within two minutes. Something about the seat/frame geometry just doesn't fit me. Yeah, it goes like stink! But it doesn't fit me nearly as well as the Meanie. I also lucked into talking with an M109 owner today- he bought the only orange one in town... It's been in the shop six times in four months, and he's disgusted with the overall quality. I'd heard nothing but praise for the M109 before today, but this guy says he just can't keep the bike running. I haven't heard any negatives at all about the Meanie, but I've got my ear to the ground. I'm looking for a bike after 20 years without one (1984 V65 Magna), and I'm pretty sure the Mean Streak is just right for me.
Best of luck- thanks for the forum!
Mark

I agree. I sat on a used one and something just didn't feel right.
It was more like a 2-wheel space ship.

[Evil_Streak]

I bought my 2006 Meanie a few years ago because of peer pressure, being a sport bike guy. By this year I had only put 900 miles on it. I started riding it again about a month ago and am really glad I didn't end up selling it. I put on new pipes (Bub Jug Huggers), PCIII, Kuryakin Hypercharger, ISO grips and am MUCH happier with it. It has the pull that I wanted out of a big bike, and is great in the twisties. On top of everything else, it looks great.

[Old Gray Beard]

Got an 04 meanie and the acceleration and top end issues can be resolved
The M109 is a real looker at at distance really thought I might want one when I first saw the pics and the first time I saw one on the Road close up it sort of lost it's appeal.

[chad1043]

Evil_Streak,
You should check out my Meanie on my Blog... We have a lot in common...

Chad

[Old Gray Beard]

Originally Posted by chad1043

Evil_Streak,
You should check out my Meanie on my Blog... We have a lot in common...

Chad

Nice
I had the heads ported and polished, high compression pistons and did the cams, of course intake and exhaust.
Did that when I first got it big difference from stock.
The meanie while not my main ride is a lot of fun

[Evil_Streak]

Originally Posted by chad1043

Evil_Streak,
You should check out my Meanie on my Blog... We have a lot in common...

Chad

Chad,

Nice ride. Of course, we put a lot of the same parts on so i'm slightly biased. Here is a link to my pics on myspace, and I have a before and after video on there as well. MySpace

[Trashman900C]

Originally Posted by Solidgun

I bought ZX-6R to learn how to ride a motorcycle .

how bout the C109R?

[Cletus]

I always was interested in motorcycles and only got around to it in Jan 2006 at age 51. I Began on a GS650 and drooled every time I visited Motorcycle Mall in Belville, NJ, over the Meanstreak and Classic. I was introduced to the M109R there and it swayed my salivation for a while, so much so the wife went out of her way to get me an M109R T-Shirt at the time.
In the end, I decided that I've waited too long to get into this hobby to buy so much plastic, with such little aftermarket dressings as is the case with the M109R. Also, After waiting this long, I wanted something that looked and felt like an honest to goodness Motorcycle and not a Star-Wars shuttle. So the choice gravitated back to Meanstreak, Classic or Nomad. I ended up with my fully dressed 1600 Classic and I am happy as a "Pig in Mud" <LOL>. The Meanie gets my attention equally, although I've never ridden one. I would love to ride the M109R though, Just for the heck of it.

[Trashman900C]

Originally Posted by Cletus

with such little aftermarket dressings as is the case with the M109R.

ive seen plenty of sweet M109's around here done up with some nice aftermarket stuff.......300 tires, custom fenders, etc.....