500/750/800/900cc

[moparman]

And if you are REALLY good, you can pull in the clutch, pull the key out of the ignition, pop the gas cap open, put the key back in, start it back up, and take off again, BEFORE you completely stop. Yes, it really can be done and I have, along with a couple others on this forum, seen it done, while traveling at 70+, on the freeway,.... and even in the dark!

I figured out why mine doesn't do that. The rubber seal is gone that the tank vent seals against when you close the cap.

[Lazydog]

Originally Posted by jwick716

The last time I rode a bike was 20 years ago (Ninja 600) I am looking at riding again getting a Vulcan 750. What I am looking for is advice if this is a good bike for someone who has not rode for awhile or should I go for the smaller 500 model.

Thanks

Hi jwick716. I too have just come back to the riding world after being away for 20 years on the 3rd of August. I was also thinking about what choice I should make coming back and settled on the VN750. I have to say I am very happy with my choice. The 750 is a great bike and I would do it again if I had to.

I have my self on the fast track to getting back into the grove again. Already put 500+ miles on my 2005 VN750 and it goes in the shop tonight for the 600 mile checkup.

I would ask the dealer to take one out for a ride to see if it is the one for you.

[The Vol-can]

Originally Posted by moparman

And if you are REALLY good, you can pull in the clutch, pull the key out of the ignition, pop the gas cap open, put the key back in, start it back up, and take off again, BEFORE you completely stop. Yes, it really can be done and I have, along with a couple others on this forum, seen it done, while traveling at 70+, on the freeway,.... and even in the dark!

I figured out why mine doesn't do that. The rubber seal is gone that the tank vent seals against when you close the cap.

Hey, MoP, maybe you should change your nick to The Flash, after all those gyrations! (and I assume you put the bike in neutral early in the process, or else your right arm is way longer than your left...)

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by Penguin

Hey, MoP, maybe you should change your nick to The Flash, after all those gyrations! (and I assume you put the bike in neutral early in the process, or else your right arm is way longer than your left...)

Actually Penguin it's me he was talking about. an 70mph is how fast I was going when I got it started again. We were cruising at around a 100mph most of the 110 mile trip before the turn off on two lane. I almost forgot about giving a fix on here for the problem. I'll dig up the link in the morning

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by 02vn8a

Sounds good. Thanks to all. I'll watch for the post tomorrow.

Her you go O2 . Rw has plenty of tips to help any of you 800 riders. He got all these mods from different 800 riders over the years an has started this site to get all the info in one place.http://www.angelfire.com/ak5/russwolf/bikes.html look around his site he pretty much has answers to all your questions. For you 750 riders heres a link that will have alot of the answers that your looking for as well.http://ourworld.cs.com/Moonmist115/vulcanwebsite.html

[02vn8a]

Thanks a bunch!!

[LES]

I Have A Freind With A 2001 Vn 800a That Pops When You Let Off The Throtle And Seems To Have A Constant Miss Under Acleration Does Any Body Have Any Ideas About This He Has 2 Inch Drag Pipes On It

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by LES

I Have A Freind With A 2001 Vn 800a That Pops When You Let Off The Throtle And Seems To Have A Constant Miss Under Acleration Does Any Body Have Any Ideas About This He Has 2 Inch Drag Pipes On It

The popping with just the drag pipes is due to the epa cr*ap. Go to the above mentioned site (russwolf) an down load the directions on how to remove them. If after removing that he still has a miss on accelleration ,come back here an we'll get the jetting figured out. You only want to tackle one thing at a time , so you know what you did to fix it. One other question you might ask him ,is whether or not he or whoever installed the pipes did a rejet to the carb. That kind of info is handy to know ahead of time when someone is ready to play with the adjustments on the carb.

[LES]

thanks for the info im sure that his will help I was at a loss i did not know what to do but i think that his will help out if not ill be back thanks once again. I know that you are a kawasaki man do you know of were i could get inf on vstar 1100s thanks once again if so email me at lsf*a*gan@netscape.net of cours loose the *** on the email.

[stiehler]

Hey,

I've only driven a dirt bike twice in my life (and not very well) but I really like the style of cruisers. I've heard that a cruiser is not a good bike to learn on. Anyways, i'm trying to save up for a 500ltd because it seems easy to learn on and looks really good. Is this a reliable first bike? What is the best way to learn to ride one SAFELY and without dropping the bike? Also, i'm having a very difficult time trying to find a kawasaki dealer that actually carries a 500. Every time I go in and ask to look at one they say that they are sold out and they try to tell me that i'd be much happier on an 800. I know they just want my money =) Is there anyway to special order it online through kawasaki??? Thanks for any input.

[moparman]

Personally, I would wait on getting a new one. Find an inexpensive used medium-sized bike and play awhile until you get used to it and want a bigger one. (It won't take long.) THEN go to a dealer (I know of a great one in Red Lodge MT ) and find a nice 800 or bigger.
As for learning? Find an MSF course near you and take it. You will be very glad you did.

[2pyrs]

Just got back from the dealer today. Had trouble with my 05 KZ 800 classic Back fire when cold and hesitation when warmed up. Started with high test when I picked it up new, after a couple tanks of gas is when it started to give me trouble. Dealer gave me stuff to pour into my tank with regular gas fill up and told me kz’s run better on regular gas, high test bad for the vavles.
2pyrs

[Spookyb4]

On my wife's 500 LTD, I removed all the epa junk. Made the coasters from 1/8 alum. plate. Put these on the motor and still getting the backfiring after letting off the throttle. I did leave the reed valves in the ports. Was afraid of messing the gaskets up trying to get them off the reed valves. Thought maybe the 1/8 plate was to thin. I doubled them up and still the same problem. Have access to 1/2 alum. plate to make more but the stock covers are not very thick.

[MotorcyclMadMan]

Hello All,

I am a new bike rider (2000 Vulcan 800 Classic) and not too familiar with bike maintenance. After reading some of the posts on here about gas mileage with city driving, I was wondering why my mpg seems so low. I am driving to and from work about 5 miles each way, never getting above 45 (sad I know) and noticed that I am only getting 26-27 mpg. The bike seems to be running fine (I do have Cobra Pipes, if that makes any difference) Does this seem to be on the low end for city driving? (I haven't done any long hwy drives, so I don't have info on mpg for that...still a newbie and working my way up to higher speeds). Any recommendations would be helpful.

Also, I've noticed that I have to go to reserve with about a gallon left. Does this seem about right to the rest of you?

thank you very much for your replies.

[moparman]

Originally Posted by MotorcyclMadMan

Hello All,

I am a new bike rider (2000 Vulcan 800 Classic) and not too familiar with bike maintenance. After reading some of the posts on here about gas mileage with city driving, I was wondering why my mpg seems so low. I am driving to and from work about 5 miles each way, never getting above 45 (sad I know) and noticed that I am only getting 26-27 mpg. The bike seems to be running fine (I do have Cobra Pipes, if that makes any difference) Does this seem to be on the low end for city driving? (I haven't done any long hwy drives, so I don't have info on mpg for that...still a newbie and working my way up to higher speeds). Any recommendations would be helpful.

Also, I've noticed that I have to go to reserve with about a gallon left. Does this seem about right to the rest of you?

thank you very much for your replies.

That does seem a little low but I am getting near that with my 01 800 when I just do little short trips,etc. I get over 50 mpg though on real trips (even at 80+indicated MPH!) now that I removed the epa crap, Grampsized, and rejetted the bike. It already had V&H Cruzers on it and all the combined mods work great together.
As for the reserve, I thought it was only a half gallon but I have been known to be mistaken. I am just glad it HAS a reserve....

[rwrighter]

Originally Posted by MotorcyclMadMan

Hello All,

I am a new bike rider (2000 Vulcan 800 Classic) and not too familiar with bike maintenance. After reading some of the posts on here about gas mileage with city driving, I was wondering why my mpg seems so low. I am driving to and from work about 5 miles each way, never getting above 45 (sad I know) and noticed that I am only getting 26-27 mpg. The bike seems to be running fine (I do have Cobra Pipes, if that makes any difference) Does this seem to be on the low end for city driving? (I haven't done any long hwy drives, so I don't have info on mpg for that...still a newbie and working my way up to higher speeds). Any recommendations would be helpful.

Also, I've noticed that I have to go to reserve with about a gallon left. Does this seem about right to the rest of you?

thank you very much for your replies.

I have gotten as high as 50 mpg with my 2003 VN 800A, but I usually just cruise country roads and average 42-45 mpg. Like Moparman, my bike has V&H cruzers, and carb has been rejetted.

As far as reserve... I can only add about 3 gallons or less after switching to reserve, so mine has at least a gallon left in the tank also.
Ride Safe!

[bruin]

How much do new front forks run for the 800 model? Mine are bent and may need to be replaced. I can't find a price for them anywhere on the net.

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by bruin

How much do new front forks run for the 800 model? Mine are bent and may need to be replaced. I can't find a price for them anywhere on the net.

Go here www.ronayersmotorsports.com an look them up on the micro fisch (or something like that) you won't need all new shocks an down tubes .Depending on what part is bent, just buy that part an rebuild the shock .

[MotorcyclMadMan]

Originally Posted by stiehler

Hey,

I've only driven a dirt bike twice in my life (and not very well) but I really like the style of cruisers. I've heard that a cruiser is not a good bike to learn on. Anyways, i'm trying to save up for a 500ltd because it seems easy to learn on and looks really good. Is this a reliable first bike? What is the best way to learn to ride one SAFELY and without dropping the bike? Also, i'm having a very difficult time trying to find a kawasaki dealer that actually carries a 500. Every time I go in and ask to look at one they say that they are sold out and they try to tell me that i'd be much happier on an 800. I know they just want my money =) Is there anyway to special order it online through kawasaki??? Thanks for any input.

Stiehler,

I'm a new rider also and just purchased an 800. After doing a motorcycle training class (I would really recommend taking one if you haven't. You'll learn quite a bit) I was a little overwhelmed with the size of the 800 when I first got on it (I actually bought the bike before taking the class). I really thought I had bought too big of a bike and should have gotten something smaller. After riding around about a month, I'm very pleased with my purchase. If you can afford the 800 and you plan on doing quite a bit of highway driving, go with the bigger bike.

[eglass64]

2.69 out here for 87.