500/750/800/900cc

[sourdough]

OK! I have to make a decision! I like all the Kaw 800s and can't make up my mind which to buy. Tell me what is good or not so good about each. When the sales people see comeing(again) they go over and start talking to someone else and appeared to be tied up till I leave. Do you think maybe I should wait till after the first of the month when I will have had my Sept. bath?
Thanks, Sourdough

[rwrighter]

Originally Posted by sourdough

OK! I have to make a decision! I like all the Kaw 800s and can't make up my mind which to buy. Tell me what is good or not so good about each. When the sales people see comeing(again) they go over and start talking to someone else and appeared to be tied up till I leave. Do you think maybe I should wait till after the first of the month when I will have had my Sept. bath?
Thanks, Sourdough

I think which 800 to buy is just a matter of your personal preference. Do you like the looks of the bobbed rear fender & the 21" front tire on the A, or the full fenders & wider 16" front tire on the Classic? And last but not least the retro style of the Drifter with floor boards instead of pegs, and I believe it has rear disc brakes where the others have rear drum brakes. They all have the same 805cc engine, and there is less than a 50lb weight difference between the 3.
Good Luck, and post pics of the bike you decide to buy!
BTW, the bath might help.....LOL

[BRlawman]

Originally Posted by rwrighter

I think which 800 to buy is just a matter of your personal preference. Do you like the looks of the bobbed rear fender & the 21" front tire on the A, or the full fenders & wider 16" front tire on the Classic? And last but not least the retro style of the Drifter with floor boards instead of pegs, and I believe it has rear disc brakes where the others have rear drum brakes. They all have the same 805cc engine, and there is less than a 50lb weight difference between the 3.
Good Luck, and post pics of the bike you decide to buy!
BTW, the bath might help.....LOL

Then again, they may take whatever you offer just to get you out of the dealership!LOL

[Ed Cregger]

I would run lower octane fuel ONLY if there is no indication of difficulty. High octane fuel is safe to run. Carbon deposits are removable, requiring only man-hours and new gaskets.

A lower octane fuel that is causing problems will shorten the life of your engine. Carbon deposits will not. Damage from too low of an low octane fuel can require a rebuild, or a new engine. I would rather err on the safe side if I did not trust my ability to detect signs of preignition/detonation.

Ask a motorcycle mechanic that you trust for their opinion. Show up with a little low octane fuel in your tank and have them give you their diagnosis, if you do not trust yourself to make the proper diagnosis.

Going with the owners manual's recommendations is by far the safest path. Since they made the engines, they should know what is good for them.

Frankly, in many cases, the savings in running low octane fuel is lost by the fact that a fair percentage of low octane fuel is not gasoline. It is additives that do not contribute that much power per gallon. Many times, higher octane fuel contains less additives and makes more power per gallon, not counting the effects of the higher octane. At least this is how it was explained to me by a petroleum engineer. I'm not an expert in this field.

Dual spark plug equipped (per cylinder) bikes should have zero problem burning higher octane gas. But, this is theoretical, just like the carbon build-up scenario in 800 engines.

There IS a difference in this regard with two-stroke engines, but that is not what we are talking about - is it? Nope.

If you disagree with me, let's please talk about it. That is what forums are for.


Ed Cregger
---
V.R.O.C. #17052
AMA #73846
A.R.S. NM2K
---
Vulcan 800 Classic, 2005
Honda CB-360, 1974
Yamaha YR-1, 1968

[bluestringer]

Originally Posted by Ed Cregger

I would run lower octane fuel ONLY if there is no indication of difficulty. High octane fuel is safe to run. Carbon deposits are removable, requiring only man-hours and new gaskets.

A lower octane fuel that is causing problems will shorten the life of your engine. Carbon deposits will not. Damage from too low of an low octane fuel can require a rebuild, or a new engine. I would rather err on the safe side if I did not trust my ability to detect signs of preignition/detonation.

Ask a motorcycle mechanic that you trust for their opinion. Show up with a little low octane fuel in your tank and have them give you their diagnosis, if you do not trust yourself to make the proper diagnosis.

Going with the owners manual's recommendations is by far the safest path. Since they made the engines, they should know what is good for them.

Frankly, in many cases, the savings in running low octane fuel is lost by the fact that a fair percentage of low octane fuel is not gasoline. It is additives that do not contribute that much power per gallon. Many times, higher octane fuel contains less additives and makes more power per gallon, not counting the effects of the higher octane. At least this is how it was explained to me by a petroleum engineer. I'm not an expert in this field.

Dual spark plug equipped (per cylinder) bikes should have zero problem burning higher octane gas. But, this is theoretical, just like the carbon build-up scenario in 800 engines.

There IS a difference in this regard with two-stroke engines, but that is not what we are talking about - is it? Nope.

If you disagree with me, let's please talk about it. That is what forums are for.


Ed Cregger
---
V.R.O.C. #17052
AMA #73846
A.R.S. NM2K
---
Vulcan 800 Classic, 2005
Honda CB-360, 1974
Yamaha YR-1, 1968

If you are running premium in the 800, you are asking for trouble. The 800 uses regular gas, premium will carbon up the rear jug and could cause piston, valve damage. Go to the Wolf and read up. http://www.angelfire.com/ak5/russwolf/ Also check with the 800 owners on VROC. www.vroc.org.

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by Ed Cregger

I would run lower octane fuel ONLY if there is no indication of difficulty. High octane fuel is safe to run. Carbon deposits are removable, requiring only man-hours and new gaskets.

this is theoretical, just like the carbon build-up scenario in 800 engines.

Ed you don't know what the he*ll your talking about when it comes to the 800 ,an thats all I've got to say about it. Do like Blue told you to do an go to the above sites an read up on your 800 .You might just learn something , an if you don't I'm glad its your bike an not mine that has to have man-hours an new head gaskets .
Good luck

[Ed Cregger]

Originally Posted by Brian Donnell

I Live in Atlanta and it SUCKS !!!!!! We can't wait, 5 more sememsters and my wifes going back to school will have paid off and we can put our house up forsale and get out of the South, unless you're talking about the Beach then it's a WHOLE DIFFERENT SOUTH ! I was born and raised in Lewis Delaware and spent ALL my summers as kid at Cape Henolopen.When you're born and raised right at the ocean you spend your whole life(or at least I do) trying to get back. Delaware has all of 3 Counties and I LOVE the place, it's home and I miss it !I loved swimming in the ocean until that ****ED "JAWS" came out when I was a kid !

I spent fifty of my years just a bit north of you in Salem County, NJ. I understand the culture shock you are experiencing. The wife and I moved to Fort Oglethorpe, GA (just south of Chattanooga, TN) a short while back. The culture shock is substantial, but not something to worry about.

I miss the cheesesteaks, subs, pizzas and instant service at our wonderful Department of Motor Vehicles the most. Of course, I miss my friends and what little family I left there. Frankly, the milder winters are a good reason to stay where I am. Also, for bike riding, there is lots of new territory to explore here, other than the bland swamps of the Delaware Valley.

I hope that you and the wife are happy wherever you go.

[Ed Cregger]

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

Ed you don't know what the he*ll your talking about when it comes to the 800 ,an thats all I've got to say about it. Do like Blue told you to do an go to the above sites an read up on your 800 .You might just learn something , an if you don't I'm glad its your bike an not mine that has to have man-hours an new head gaskets .
Good luck

And you do not know how to read. Reread the first sentence in my previous post.

I said it was okay to run low octane fuel UNLESS your engine protests.

Then go to Russian Wolf's website and read where he says that all engines are different and just because your neighbor's bike runs on low octane does not mean that yours will. That was the point that I was making.

Ed Cregger

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by Ed Cregger

And you do not know how to read. Reread the first sentence in my previous post.

I said it was okay to run low octane fuel UNLESS your engine protests.

Then go to Russian Wolf's website and read where he says that all engines are different and just because your neighbor's bike runs on low octane does not mean that yours will. That was the point that I was making.

Ed Cregger

Your right ED ,I don't know how to read because I thought this was the 500,750,800 thread. Thats why I told you that you don't know what your talking about ,when it comes to the 800 an burning high octane fuel. I don't need to read RW's site because when I have a question I just call him on the phone, besides some of his info was supplied by yours truly (sprocket change an rpm's) You might want to watch for some pics of me doing the valve adjustment on the 800 that will be added this winter to his site ). What I'm getting at is burning low octane fuel is what you need to burn in the 800 period, an your right about other bikes needing to burn higher octane fuels ,but we're talking about the 800 in here at this moment an not other bikes . You might read up on Rw's site a little more yourself an you'll see where he talks about the 800 an carbon build up,due to higher octane fuels.

[Ed Cregger]

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

Your right ED ,I don't know how to read because I thought this was the 500,750,800 thread. Thats why I told you that you don't know what your talking about ,when it comes to the 800 an burning high octane fuel. I don't need to read RW's site because when I have a question I just call him on the phone, besides some of his info was supplied by yours truly (sprocket change an rpm's) You might want to watch for some pics of me doing the valve adjustment on the 800 that will be added this winter to his site ). What I'm getting at is burning low octane fuel is what you need to burn in the 800 period, an your right about other bikes needing to burn higher octane fuels ,but we're talking about the 800 in here at this moment an not other bikes . You might read up on Rw's site a little more yourself an you'll see where he talks about the 800 an carbon build up,due to higher octane fuels.

You still don't get it. I didn't say to run high octane fuel. I said to run low octane fuel unless your engine protests. Get it? We are not disagreeing.

I don't know Russian Wolf, so I don't know how reliable his information is, although it appears to be on target. Anyone can put up a website, start a motorcycle business and accumulate followers. Those things alone, or in aggragate, does not mean that the person doing these things actually knows anything of value. I'm new here, so I'm not prepared to kiss the ring just yet. On the other hand, having over forty years of experience of operating, modifying and repairing engines of all types, I tend to lean upon my own experience before trusting someone else that I do not know.

Don't be so eager to make someone else look bad. You jumped the gun on this one.

Personally, I would rather be friends.

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by Ed Cregger

You still don't get it. I didn't say to run high octane fuel. I said to run low octane fuel unless your engine protests. Get it? We are not disagreeing.

I don't know Russian Wolf, so I don't know how reliable his information is, although it appears to be on target. Anyone can put up a website, start a motorcycle business and accumulate followers. Those things alone, or in aggragate, does not mean that the person doing these things actually knows anything of value. I'm new here, so I'm not prepared to kiss the ring just yet. On the other hand, having over forty years of experience of operating, modifying and repairing engines of all types, I tend to lean upon my own experience before trusting someone else that I do not know.

Don't be so eager to make someone else look bad. You jumped the gun on this one.

Personally, I would rather be friends.

Your right Ed . After rereading a couple of your post ,I can see that your generalizing while talking about octane ratings an I'm talking about the 800 an higher octane fuels. As far as RW's web site go's it's made up of alot of info from other vroc'ers over the years an if you choose not to believe everything you read concerning the 800 thats fine by me , it's your choice , but the majority of the info is right on when it comes to the 800 so do what you want with the info. Your right about being new to this site an not kissing the ring ( knowone asked you too) on the same note don't expect everyone else around the site to agree with you an your knowledge either(you have to prove it like everyone else does) My intentions were not to make you look bad an if thats the way you feel I'm sorry, and if you feel I jumped the gun then it's only because I might of misread your post concerning high octane an the 800,but thats how this topic got started in the thread in the first place.

[bluestringer]

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

Your right ED ,I don't know how to read because I thought this was the 500,750,800 thread. Thats why I told you that you don't know what your talking about ,when it comes to the 800 an burning high octane fuel. I don't need to read RW's site because when I have a question I just call him on the phone, besides some of his info was supplied by yours truly (sprocket change an rpm's) You might want to watch for some pics of me doing the valve adjustment on the 800 that will be added this winter to his site ). What I'm getting at is burning low octane fuel is what you need to burn in the 800 period, an your right about other bikes needing to burn higher octane fuels ,but we're talking about the 800 in here at this moment an not other bikes . You might read up on Rw's site a little more yourself an you'll see where he talks about the 800 an carbon build up,due to higher octane fuels.

While we are talking about gearing and rpms. I have a question. As you know Woody, I have changed to the 18t front, and now I'm thinking of changing the rear to a 40t. But I ride 2up a lot and was wondering if going to the 40 rear will lug my 800 too much on take off. I am still running the stock air box, with debaffled stock pipes, epa junk removed and pilot screw out 2 and 1/2 turns.

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by bluestringer

While we are talking about gearing and rpms. I have a question. As you know Woody, I have changed to the 18t front, and now I'm thinking of changing the rear to a 40t. But I ride 2up a lot and was wondering if going to the 40 rear will lug my 800 too much on take off. I am still running the stock air box, with debaffled stock pipes, epa junk removed and pilot screw out 2 and 1/2 turns.

The few times I've ridden with the wife on back ,the 800 does ok taking off. You will notice the extra weight (don't tell your wife I said that )right at the start but it goes away within the first 10 ft. (once your moving) after that you won't notice a difference. Being your still running the stock pipes an intake it might be a little more of a problem though. It just depends on the weight involved(again don't tell your wife that I called her extra weight) if I was you I'd probably wait until the chain an sprockets need to be replaced to do it anyway. How many miles have you got on the 800 now Blue? Being you live farther south than I will be ,I was just wondering how much you get to ride in the winter months. I'm looking forward to being able to right quite a bit more during the winter than what I'm use to up here in montana.

[Ed Cregger]

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

Your right Ed . After rereading a couple of your post ,I can see that your generalizing while talking about octane ratings an I'm talking about the 800 an higher octane fuels. As far as RW's web site go's it's made up of alot of info from other vroc'ers over the years an if you choose not to believe everything you read concerning the 800 thats fine by me , it's your choice , but the majority of the info is right on when it comes to the 800 so do what you want with the info. Your right about being new to this site an not kissing the ring ( knowone asked you too) on the same note don't expect everyone else around the site to agree with you an your knowledge either(you have to prove it like everyone else does) My intentions were not to make you look bad an if thats the way you feel I'm sorry, and if you feel I jumped the gun then it's only because I might of misread your post concerning high octane an the 800,but thats how this topic got started in the thread in the first place.

Not a problem, Woodchucks. Take it easy like a woodpecker with a headache. <G>

Ed Cregger

[bluestringer]

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

The few times I've ridden with the wife on back ,the 800 does ok taking off. You will notice the extra weight (don't tell your wife I said that )right at the start but it goes away within the first 10 ft. (once your moving) after that you won't notice a difference. Being your still running the stock pipes an intake it might be a little more of a problem though. It just depends on the weight involved(again don't tell your wife that I called her extra weight) if I was you I'd probably wait until the chain an sprockets need to be replaced to do it anyway. How many miles have you got on the 800 now Blue? Being you live farther south than I will be ,I was just wondering how much you get to ride in the winter months. I'm looking forward to being able to right quite a bit more during the winter than what I'm use to up here in montana.

I'm 210, my wife is about 125, don't tell her I told ya. I will probably wait at least until I need another rear tire. Right now I'm not planning on doing anything to the intake and I like the debaffled stock pipes, so I may just leave it as is. I have right at 10,000 miles, that since last October. I ride all year here in South Georgia. Commute to work on it everyday. There will be a few days in winter that the temps get too cold, but not many. You do have to watch out for the afternoon T'storms in the Summer though. I don't mind the rain, it's the wind and lightning I don't like.

[johntammi]

Hello, Newbie here. I'm looking into buying the 800a soon and just getting some reviews on the bike. Either the 05' or 06'. I'll use it to commute to work when warm enough this coming fall and winter and also for pleasure. I live in cincinnati and hope to be able to ride some winter days. What's the coldest you guys ride in? How does the 800 hold up as a good bike? I'll be on here more often, I got to run off to work right now.
Thanks

[johntammi]

Ok, I'm back and have read all of the forums. Sounds like the 800a is a nice bike and has plenty of power for my 240 lbs. If I yank the epa garbage, will this void my warranty? I hope to have my 800a soon before winter hits !
JB

[Xlr8n]

Originally Posted by johntammi

Ok, I'm back and have read all of the forums. Sounds like the 800a is a nice bike and has plenty of power for my 240 lbs. If I yank the epa garbage, will this void my warranty? I hope to have my 800a soon before winter hits !
JB

Not to muddy the water with more choices, but have you checked out the new 900 coming this month?? Looks like it will be a popular model. There's a few pics and a description on a link in the streetbike section.

[Scruffy]

I'm way beyond happy with my 800A, except for the windshield. No biggie, spring will be here soon enough. As for cold weather, I've ridden in -10 F. A mite "brisk", but manageable. However, that was on an aircooled bike. And I was about 11 years younger than I am now. Snowmobile clothing is your friend, Carhartt arctic weight won't even cut it on a bike in sub-zero temps.
-Scruffy

[johntammi]

I went and saw the 800a today, dealer said it was an 06'. Very nice, now my only obstacle is me wife. The coldest I rode my quad in at 50mph was 22 degrees. I figure I can ride the bike at 55mph down to 30 degrees with the jacket I have now. Back to the bike, seemed to be very comfortable seat. The shadow 750 seat was hard. Oh well, I'll let you know how it goes convincing the wife, I did sell my quad so I need a new ride, right? Oh, is this bike going to take awhile warming up in say 40-50 degree weather?
thanks,
JB