Honesty and insight wanted

[cmdrstp]

I know this is a Kawasaki forum. But, I am sure of getting an honest answer. Who makes the best cruiser (900cc+ class)? Why does Kawasaki beat the likes of Harley Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Honda, etc. I am looking for quality and reliability (even years down the road) at a price that won't make you s*#@! What are things to look out for with other brands and even Kawasaki. I honest am looking at the Vulcan 900 Custom. I just want the advice you'd give your brother. Honest, unbiased opinions. Thanks. Stephen.

[Occitiger]

Quality, my experience (which is limited) has lead me to believe that HDs are a better quality, they don't seem to have as much plastic and seem to have more chrome. None of that stopped me from buying my Kawasaki.

Reliability - it's debattable. I know guys with over 50k miles on their 'hogs' and they haven't had a single issue. These guys are religious when it comes to taking care of the bikes though, and they ride like they have sense.

Price - well, you can say that HD is more expensive, but they come with more also. equal bike to equal bike they are more expensive, but they also seem to be more in demand.

What do you want to do with the bike?

[cmdrstp]

Weekend cruising in the Adirondacks. With a lot of highway speed (55 mph max) use. Maybe 100 mile rides.

[BamaMike]

I think that most leading bike makers are fairly comparable as far as reliability and quality go. Most all of them make a good product that will last for many thousands of miles if well maintained. To me it comes down to preference and bike to rider fit. Many will say that certain manufacturers are junk, but it just ain't so.

So, just pick a bike that fits you and your wallet and start riding.

[keith_stepp]

Who makes the best cruiser (900cc+ class)? Why does Kawasaki beat the likes of Harley Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Honda, etc. I am looking for quality and reliability (even years down the road) at a price that won't make you s*#@! What are things to look out for with other brands and even Kawasaki. I honest am looking at the Vulcan 900 Custom. I just want the advice you'd give your brother. Honest, unbiased opinions. Thanks. Stephen.

Well, this is not an easy question to answer. There are basically 4 things to consider from an economic perspective: purchase price, maintenance costs, cost to own/operate (taxes, insurance, and fuel), reliability, and resale value.

None of the Japanese bikes come close to holding their value like a Harley. Harley has greatly improved their product so that it is quite reliable. Harleys are relatively inexpensive to maintain and have similar costs of ownership. What is more, after market bolt ons are way cheaper for a Harley. Really, the only down side to a Harley is the initial purchase cost. That said...

Japanese bikes typically out perform their equivalent Harley competition in every category. And let's face it, an 883 Sportster is a pathetic excuse of a bike. Then, Japanese bikes are a lot cheaper and if you buy used, you can get into a really nice Japanese bike for about 1/2 the cost of an equivalent Harley. No exaggeration there.

As far as choosing between Japanese bikes goes... I really do not see a significant difference in terms of quality and performance. So, it tends to boil down to what suits you in terms of style and comfort.

For me, I was looking for specific mechanical features: fuel injection, water cooled, belt drive, under 1000cc's, and a bagger. That narrowed the list way down.

[Trashman900C]

Well as far as I know, Kawasaki is the only one that makes a 900cc. I think Honda is a 750 HD makes an 883, not sure about suzuki or Yamaha.

Do a search on the Kawasaki 900. They have their quirks as all machines do. But the 900 is a fantastic machine.

I have had 4 Kawasaki's now. Each one of them have been excellent machines!!

he said 900+cc's........
Star just came out with a 950 also............

[serphi]

Liquid cooled, 900cc, great price, belt drive, very high quality, well made, and lots of accessories to choose. I got mine in Feb of 08 and did some research Suzuki was 805cc shaft driven, liquid cooled but I did not like the way it was made (welds and overall not very clean lines). V-Star 1100 very nice bike, more power, but also more money. You also have new V-Star 950 air cooled, nice lines. Hondas are very expensive and not as nice lines as Kawi and if you want to ride a vibrator in style get HD, (HD is all about an image)

[Badmedicine]

If you like the 900 Custom, don't think you could go wrong with one, I have always had good luck with Kawasaki, I think the stock seat sucked, but other than that great bike, a lot of times I don't even shift into 4th till 80mph indicated on speedometer so cruising 50-75mph for 100miles would be no problem, heck I could probably stand the stock seat for 100 miles, thats only 1/2 tank fuel! I do have a Harley on order because I wanted a larger Custom style bike, it will have it's work cut out for it though to be a better bike than my 900 has been It will be interesting to see which one is in the garage the most.

[Trashman900C]

I do have a Harley on order because I wanted a larger Custom style bike, it will have it's work cut out for it though to be a better bike than my 900 has been It will be interesting to see which one is in the garage the most.

what'd ya order?

[bloodbarber]

best thing to do is ride all of them. i did it before i bought my 900 custom.
Yamaha, hd, Kawasaki and for the money in my opinion you can not beat the custom

[pb641]

If my calculation is correct, this question has been posed 1.3 trillion times since the first of the year. Seriously go look at threads in the HD v. Metric theme with various terms, and you will have enough reading for a month.

In the end, you'll go Kawi.

But, if you must, buy an HD, THEIR gear, THEIR image, THEIR attitude.

[RichLockyer]

he said 900+cc's........
Star just came out with a 950 also............

First year bugs to be worked out.
Same for whatever Honda replaces the 750 with next year.

The 900 has been around since '06 (and 2-3 recalls).

I'll betcha' $20 that the V* 1100 and Shadow 1100 are both gone next year.

[cmdrstp]

"But, if you must, buy an HD, THEIR gear, THEIR image, THEIR attitude."

That's exactly where I don't what the decision or advice to be based on. No stereotypes. Just an honest, personal evaluation as to why most of you chose Kawasaki, Harley Davidson, Yamaha, etc.

I understand that it ultimately comes down to what "fits" me. But, what sets Kawasaki apart? What makes the others a less appropriate choice in terms of mechanical, quality issues?

"this question has been posed 1.3 trillion times since the first of the year"

Do I get a door prize for being 1.3 trillion and 1?

RichLockyer! That's the direction I was thinking. What are the bikes that have the design and quality that time has proven? Is the Vulcan 900 Custom one that has a solid reputation? I am looking for solid reliability.

Thanks for all giving their insight. It is appreciated.

[Badmedicine]

what'd ya order?

09 FXSTC Softail Custom, Flame Blue Pearl & Pewter Pearl, suppose to be here in December, seems like forever Maybe it will come in early

[Constrictor]

In my opinion, Kawasaki doesnt "beat" any of the other brands you mentioned. There are many people here who own a Kawasaki and another brand, or previously owned another brand and moved to Kaw, or started with Kaw and moved on, but stayed on this board.

The point is that every manufacturer makes something for everyone. I chose the Mean Streak because of the combination of price, styling and ergonomics. At the time, I wanted a Road Star Warrior because of its power and looks, but I hated the way I fit on the bike, and it was over $2000 more, so I passed.

You'll find pros and cons about every bike. Most of the people on this forum that bought a Kawasaki bike bought it because it met more of their criteria at the time than another bike.

There are good and bad things to be said about all bikes by all models. You will never find the "perfect" bike. My best advice for you is to learn as much as you can before you buy, be honest with yourself about what you REALLY want (i.e. dont buy just for an image), and if you can, go for a test ride!

[Badmedicine]

"But, if you must, buy an HD, THEIR gear, THEIR image, THEIR attitude."

That's exactly where I don't what the decision or advice to be based on. No stereotypes. Just an honest, personal evaluation as to why most of you chose Kawasaki, Harley Davidson, Yamaha, etc.

I understand that it ultimately comes down to what "fits" me. But, what sets Kawasaki apart? What makes the others a less appropriate choice in terms of mechanical, quality issues?

"this question has been posed 1.3 trillion times since the first of the year"

Do I get a door prize for being 1.3 trillion and 1?

RichLockyer! That's the direction I was thinking. What are the bikes that have the design and quality that time has proven? Is the Vulcan 900 Custom one that has a solid reputation? I am looking for solid reliability.

Thanks for all giving their insight. It is appreciated.

In my opinion, the 900 Custom is a lot of bang for the buck! If you like that style bike, it can be next to anything out there and hold it's own on looks, it is easy to maneuver around, has adequate power, great fuel range, is just a fun bike to ride, the fun factor is way up there It is a great bike around town, and a very good bike on the highway at legal highway speeds. The only failure pattern I've noticed is with stators that some have reported going out, but that seems fairly common with a lot of bikes. I have had no problems with mine. Just change the oil, do the scheduled maintenance and ride.

[09Vulcan500]

...Japanese bikes are a lot cheaper and if you buy used, you can get into a really nice Japanese bike for about 1/2 the cost of an equivalent Harley. No exaggeration there.

.

Well, I don’t own the 900, but if we are going to compare the H-D 883 the Kaw 900 this is where I chime in. Have you ever ridden an 883? No loss of power in it. Plus, can your 900 be upgraded to a 1200 for less then $500? And cost? Some people just refuse to do the math.

Vulcan 900 Classic - $7499

Sportster XL883L - $6999

Vulcan 900 Classic LT - $8799

Sportster XL883C - $7999

So now that we cannot argue price anymore, lets talk quality. Keep in mind this is just my opinion, and what I have felt and dealt with. Again, I don’t own the 900. I have a 500, but still here it go’s.

Test rides / Buying experience - Could not test ride the Kaw. Had to buy it before I could find out how it was. Got to demo ride a Sporty no problem. Kaw dealer gave me very little info on the bike…he made me feel like a profit not a customer. H-D dealer spend ½ going over the bike with me before he would even give me the keys.

Warranty - I’ve pretty much been left flapping in the wind twice with the Kaw. H-D, in and out no questions asked. I had the same problem with both bikes. The front brake was squealing very early on. H-D fixed under warranty. Kaw told me it wasn’t a warranty issue. Kaw said I had to do my on brake work, or PAY them to do it. Keep in mind that these brake are brand new and are not squealing from normal wear from a lot of miles. Kaw brakes started squealing like a stuck cat at 200 miles…1000 miles later, they haven’t quit. Even after I had the bike “serviced”. H-D actually called me 2 days after my first service and asked me how it was riding!!!

Quality - It’s been said, Kaw is full of plastic. In my opinion it makes for a lighter bike and a cheaper feeling ride. H-D has very little plastic, heavier bike = more sold ride. This kind of go’s back to the whole test ride issue. If I was able to test ride the Kaw (any Kaw) I might not have bought one.

Value - Oh, and theres a reason that "you can get into a really nice Japanese bike for about 1/2 the cost of an equivalent Harley". My ‘09 Vulcan that I bought last June has dropped in value so bad that I can only get less then half of what I paid for it. If taken care of an H-D will dang near hold it’s original value.

I’ll be honest. I bought a Kaw 500 because it was cheap, and I wanted a bike. I was/am so disappointed that 1 month after I bought it, I went out a bought the H-D. LOVE the H-D. I still ride the Kaw, but mostly it has turned into a work bike.

[NIGHTHAWK1]

I'v owned 4 Honda's and one Kawi, which I currently ride. I'm one of those guys that goes big. Not because I'm big, I just like the feel of a bigger bike. My last ride was a '96 Shadow Ace. It was decked out with every piece of aftermarket chrome I could find. I bought it from a friend, paid $2500 with 18k miles. I sold it two years ago for $3500 and 32k miles. I wanted a bigger bike my wife and I could ride all day. I bought a used '03 Nomad with 16k for $7200, two years ago. The deals for used imports are out there. On the other hand, I went to look at used HD's for twice the price.

[1stbike4me]

Harleys are relatively inexpensive to maintain and have similar costs of ownership.

A guy that I work with recently bought a taillight for his 883 (HD). He spent $100, thats really what the HD stands for $100. I priced one for a 2009 VN900 classic LT and it was only $80.

[1stbike4me]

I dont have my own experience with Harley's, but a couple guys that I work with own Sportsters. Since I started riding my VN 750 back in March of this year I havent had any problems with my bike, but both of them have had to do repairs on their bikes. One had trouble with a ground wire. The other had issues with leaks. I have another friend who's dad grew up with Harley's, and she said that anytime him and his buddies took their Harley's out for they had to hire a mechanic to ride with them. I am not trying to pick on Harley, this is just what I have been told. Yes Harley's do hold their value, but I dont know about you, but I buy a bike to ride not to resell. Something that you might want to consider would be to take a look at the recals for whatever bike you might choose.

Also just for your info Yamaha has come out with a V Star 950 for 2009. Go to there web site and check it out.