Some insight about my \95 VN1500-A
Hello everyone..
Just found this great forum and joined tonight !
I have a '95 Vulcan 1500-A.. nearly stock. I changed out the std. rear fender to a "B" style softtail, and used the unitized "B" seat cushion from the same model year..just to make things a bit different, but its also in my opinion a more comfortable ride.
I bought my 'baby' in 1999 and now have over 50k miles on the odometer, 2 rides from NH to USA/west coast and back, 1 ride from NH to Key west Fla. and back, and another to El Paso Texas from NH and back, Canadian Maritime circle route, plus many many New England week-end round-abouts in the last four years.!
Top speed for me on this 1500-A has been a bit over 115 mph which I timed in South Dakota over a flat, measured 5 mile run timing each mile in succession and averaging.
I have just completed a 6.5 K-mile run from NH to Fla. then west to the Mississippi river, then up the west bank to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Manitoba, Upper Michigan around Lake Huron, across Ontario and Quebec and home to New Hampshire. At speeds of 65 to 70 mph I averaged nearly 45 mpg, but at faster highway speeds of 80+ to 85+ mph the milage drops off quickly to 35 or less. Always using 87 Octane on the RON+MON/2 method.
In my experiences touring with this ( terrific ) bike, I have used Dunlop tires, Michelin tires, Metzler ( my favorite in rain ) and now Avon. I have never gotten more than 7000 miles from a rear tire ( Michelin ) and as little as only 4000 ( Dunlop ). Since I never change one tire without changing the other also, I dont record front tire life, but have noticed that both the Bidgestone and Dunlops seemed to wear unevenly on the front, either right side or left.
I changed the oil and filter as soon as I brought the bike home the first day to AMSOIL 20W-50 and have used only this product ever since. Now at 50 k miles, and having just returned from that 6.5 k mile trip, I have still to burn any significant amounts of oil. and change out regularly at 8000 mile intervals. I do NOT use additives of any kind.
Although this bike engine sounds like an old Singer Sewing machine at hwy speeds of 80 mph or more ( sometimes slower ) , and although the the transmission 'clunks' from gear to gear going up ( but not down ), it remains in absolutely tip-top condition !
For the fellow who's thinking of or has already bought an older 1500-A, these are the observations of a fellow who already owns one, has ridden his extensively, and could not be more delighted with any piece of afforable motorcycle machinery. A real Japanese engineerring coup !
By the way guys ( moderators )... Thanks for letting me in. I'll try to contribute what I can.
...very best regards to all KAWA/Vulcan Forum members.!
Ernie in NH
ps: Also have a vintage '79 KAWA 440-A in showroom condition! Love that machine as well, and have taught tens and tens of young people to ride on it, without ever having a single fall.