Chrome side covers for Vulcan 1600 Classic? Yea or nay?

Humbucker · 01-25-2009

I was wondering if chrome side covers on my 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic would be too much chrome, if such a thing exists. In your opinion, do you think that that would be too gaudy? At first, I thought that it would be over the top but the more that I'm trying to envision this, the more I think that it might be worth it. FWIW, I know that a lot of Harleys have this area all chromed-out.

I've yet to see a picture of a 1600 Classic with these chrome side covers on, I did a search but came up with nothing.

I found a partial image at J&P Cycles' website but it only shows a tight shot of the covers.
Kawasaki: 04-08 VN1600, Suzuki: 05-06 M95 Boulevard J&P Cycles®

This website states that these covers are for the 2004-2008 models but mine is a 2003. Did they make a mistake by not including the 2003 model year or did Kawasaki make some kind of change in the side covers after 2003?

Sierra Vulcan · 01-25-2009

IMHO I don't care for the chrome side covers, and I love Chrome! The covers throw off the balance of the paint job.

Classic · 01-25-2009

REFUGIO · 01-25-2009

Naw......Too much for me

Humbucker · 01-25-2009

So..............my first hunch was right after all.

Thanks for helping me with this decision guys.

*pitchinguy* · 01-25-2009

I dunno guys, I kinda like em on my black 1600. Different strokes keeps this old world interesting ya know.

With bags.

Without bags.

skewterdewd · 01-25-2009

nyet.

mhanbor · 01-25-2009

For me it depends on the color of the bike. I don't think I will put chrome side covers on my 1600 (red & silver), but i would if it was black. Black and chrome can't be beat. Pitchinguy's bike looks good with the chrome covers imo.

MadCruzer · 01-25-2009

I saw some chrome covers on on a Green Nomad, I thought it looked great. He also had a trunk and a Batwing fairing.

captain Rando · 01-26-2009

I thought about them bu in the end I decided no. They just look like you took a body part of the bike and chromed it. Now the ones on my friends 2003 1500 Classic look great. They remind me of the oil tank on a Harley. See pic.

S.D.Willie · 01-26-2009

i have them and they look great. make that part of the bike look awfully nice, i dont think its overkill. installing the one side was kind of a beeyotch though. worth it in the long run.

Deeppurple52 · 01-26-2009

If you want them, get them. Our opinion doesn't count. For me it is chrome don't get you home.

Humbucker · 01-26-2009

Yeah, I know that I have to make up my own mind but you guys have actually been a huge help with those photos. I was searching all over for pics like these the other day and couldn't find one single pic.

After seeing these photos posted here, I think that I'll leave my bike stock. Not that these two bikes don't look good with the chrome side covers but I guess that I prefer it stock after all. Again, thanks to everybody who posted!

Chase550 · 01-26-2009

I vote no...I considered them for my 1500 but I decided to paint the side covers to match the tank...In my opinion that is what should have been done right from the factory...I don't know what they were thinking leaving them black....unless it was on a black bike..

Just my .02

JFeisty · 01-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase550

I vote no...I considered them for my 1500 but I decided to paint the side covers to match the tank...In my opinion that is what should have been done right from the factory...I don't know what they were thinking leaving them black....unless it was on a black bike..

Just my .02

I'm right there with you on that one. Why, oh why don't they paint the side covers on the 1500's to match the rest of the bike? That big black spot just doesn't look quite right unless, like you said, it's on a black bike.

01-25-2009	#1 (permalink)
Humbucker For the love of chrome! BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 420	Chrome side covers for Vulcan 1600 Classic? Yea or nay? I was wondering if chrome side covers on my 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic would be too much chrome, if such a thing exists. In your opinion, do you think that that would be too gaudy? At first, I thought that it would be over the top but the more that I'm trying to envision this, the more I think that it might be worth it. FWIW, I know that a lot of Harleys have this area all chromed-out. I've yet to see a picture of a 1600 Classic with these chrome side covers on, I did a search but came up with nothing. I found a partial image at J&P Cycles' website but it only shows a tight shot of the covers. Kawasaki: 04-08 VN1600, Suzuki: 05-06 M95 Boulevard J&P Cycles® This website states that these covers are for the 2004-2008 models but mine is a 2003. Did they make a mistake by not including the 2003 model year or did Kawasaki make some kind of change in the side covers after 2003?

01-25-2009	#2 (permalink)
Sierra Vulcan Carbon Based Life Form BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: One of the most beautiful places on Earth. Posts: 1,179	IMHO I don't care for the chrome side covers, and I love Chrome! The covers throw off the balance of the paint job. __________________ I will keep my Freedom , Money and Guns; you can keep the "Hope & Change".

01-25-2009	#3 (permalink)
Classic Ahhh Crap BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southwest PA Posts: 2,054	Nay __________________ Steve 2003 1500 Classic VROC 11660 RB 139

01-25-2009	#4 (permalink)
REFUGIO Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: REFUGIO, TEXAS Posts: 1,355	Naw......Too much for me __________________ 2008 VULCAN 1600 NOMAD

01-25-2009	#6 (permalink)
pitchinguy I miss Deron. Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 8,747	*I dunno guys, I kinda like em on my black 1600. Different strokes keeps this old world interesting ya know.* *With bags.* *Without bags.* __________________ *LIGHT ENGINEER Todd's Body Paint Team* *Black 1600w/apes* aka Scooter

01-25-2009	#5 (permalink)
Humbucker For the love of chrome! BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 420	So..............my first hunch was right after all. Thanks for helping me with this decision guys.

01-25-2009	#7 (permalink)
skewterdewd Team Zissou BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 2,115	nyet.

01-25-2009	#8 (permalink)
mhanbor Enjoy the ride Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Oregon Posts: 342	For me it depends on the color of the bike. I don't think I will put chrome side covers on my 1600 (red & silver), but i would if it was black. Black and chrome can't be beat. Pitchinguy's bike looks good with the chrome covers imo. __________________ Mike H. 2007 1600 Classic

01-25-2009	#9 (permalink)
MadCruzer Nomad Rider BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Atlanta Area Posts: 408	I saw some chrome covers on on a Green Nomad, I thought it looked great. He also had a trunk and a Batwing fairing.

01-26-2009	#10 (permalink)
captain Rando Vegas Vulcan BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 996	I thought about them bu in the end I decided no. They just look like you took a body part of the bike and chromed it. Now the ones on my friends 2003 1500 Classic look great. They remind me of the oil tank on a Harley. See pic. __________________ Randall 2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic

01-26-2009	#11 (permalink)
S.D.Willie Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,349	i have them and they look great. make that part of the bike look awfully nice, i dont think its overkill. installing the one side was kind of a beeyotch though. worth it in the long run. __________________ 2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic 2009 Yamaha FZ6 http://bikepics.com/members/nyrblue35/

01-26-2009	#12 (permalink)
Deeppurple52 Deeppurple52 BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,003	If you want them, get them. Our opinion doesn't count. For me it is chrome don't get you home. __________________ Enjoy the ride! 2002 Honda ST1100 1996 BMW R1100RT 2004 1600 Classic 2006 900 Classic

01-26-2009	#13 (permalink)
Humbucker For the love of chrome! BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 420	Yeah, I know that I have to make up my own mind but you guys have actually been a huge help with those photos. I was searching all over for pics like these the other day and couldn't find one single pic. After seeing these photos posted here, I think that I'll leave my bike stock. Not that these two bikes don't look good with the chrome side covers but I guess that I prefer it stock after all. Again, thanks to everybody who posted!

01-26-2009	#14 (permalink)
Chase550 POSER?? Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 172	I vote no...I considered them for my 1500 but I decided to paint the side covers to match the tank...In my opinion that is what should have been done right from the factory...I don't know what they were thinking leaving them black....unless it was on a black bike.. Just my .02 __________________ 2005 Vulcan 1500i Classic 2008 Vulcan 900 Custom 2005 Brute Force 750

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