[Da Ova Cussa]

Went to a Kawa dealer today to look at the 1600 Classic, Rode there on my 800A and talking to the salesperson for a long time about different bikes and he says that the 800A would actually be quicker in a short race than a 1600. and that the 1500 is quicker than the 1600.

What do ya'll think ?

 

[tnhunter]

Sure. The 800 is lighter and should do very well against the 1600 in a short race. There are 500 sport bikes that would blow all the cruisers away. Short distance racing and quickness usually isnt the things cruisers are built for.

 

[PickYourPockets]

Absolutely. An 800 (especially one piped and jetted) would be much faster off the line and probably to about 60mph. It's considerably lighter. Once you hit 3rd gear though, that pounding in your ears won't be your heart but rather the sound of the 15/1600 coming up on your a$$.

 

[bikeaholic]

re

yep- the 1600 was not built for 0-60 times :grin:

get ya fro a roll though :twisted: but thats not racing :wink:

 

[bluestringer]

Yea, and the Vulcan 500 will smoke them all to about 55, then it's bye bye mini V. :smile:

 

[Spok]

so, what say you 1600 riders about the comment that the 1500 is quicker? can this be true, even in the fast color?

 

[Da Ova Cussa]

so, what say you 1600 riders about the comment that the 1500 is quicker? can this be true, even in the fast color?

I dont know ... Maybe because the 1500 has a slightly shorter stroke and is
probably lighter, maybe the gearing too... Interesting info...


So cool, we all agree the 800A is not only the best looking Vulcan its also quickest to 60 !!!

(Just kidding......, sort of)

 

[centerpunch]

I read an article not too long ago the stated the 1600 had 5% more hp and 10% more torque than the 1500. That makes it faster in my book. I ran against a 500 with my Nomad. He was going balls to the wall and was in third gear when I was still in first. I could not pass him until he hit 4th and I shifted to second but he could never pull away.

I owned an 800b and it was not faster than this Nomad. If you mod the 800 and leave the 1600 stock it will pull away. But in my opinion the two bikes are completely different. The 800 is awesome around town but not as good on the road because it turns a lot of rpms at higher speeds. It handles traffic and a lot of shifting very well. The 1600 is best on the open road and at cruise it is the best. The big twin has more vibration at low rpms and is not as fun in city traffic. I sold my 800b to a good friend so I will hit him up for a head to head challenge to prove my point.

This is just my opinion, you know you always think what you own is the best.
DJ

 

[Knightrider]

Not only is the 800 the best looking and quickest, but the best balanced bike of the Kawasaki cruiser line as well.

 

[jukief]

I loved my 800, but the rpms were just too fast at high speeds. It felt like it was straining. My 1500 probably won't win any speed records, but I'm not into riding for speed (otherwise, I'd own a sportsbike). My husband's bike is super fast, but when it comes to long rides and comfort, I can outlast him any day. I love the way the 1500 handles at high speeds. Lots of power and no straining.

 

[jimkalfakis]

I read an article not too long ago the stated the 1600 had 5% more hp and 10% more torque than the 1500. That makes it faster in my book. I ran against a 500 with my Nomad. He was going balls to the wall and was in third gear when I was still in first. I could not pass him until he hit 4th and I shifted to second but he could never pull away.

I owned an 800b and it was not faster than this Nomad. If you mod the 800 and leave the 1600 stock it will pull away. But in my opinion the two bikes are completely different. The 800 is awesome around town but not as good on the road because it turns a lot of rpms at higher speeds. It handles traffic and a lot of shifting very well. The 1600 is best on the open road and at cruise it is the best. The big twin has more vibration at low rpms and is not as fun in city traffic. I sold my 800b to a good friend so I will hit him up for a head to head challenge to prove my point.

This is just my opinion, you know you always think what you own is the best.
DJ

I agree with CENTERPUNCH> Any 800 guys wanna go? "Just Bring It" :evil:

 

[Scotty Luv]

...This is just my opinion, you know you always think what you own is the best.
DJ

No...I KNOW it's the best. :twisted: hehehehe J/K :wink:

Scott

 

[Guest]

Went to a Kawa dealer today to look at the 1600 Classic, Rode there on my 800A and talking to the salesperson for a long time about different bikes and he says that the 800A would actually be quicker in a short race than a 1600. and that the 1500 is quicker than the 1600.

What do ya'll think ?

I don't ride with any 800 owners usually so have no personal experience there. I can believe it's "possible" though as some of the small criusers (baby Sportster, 800 Intruder/Maurauder) do turn in respectable 0-60 mph times than a similar big bike...they usually start to be overtaken pretty quickly by the bigger engines after that though.

I have ridden with and beaten a couple of 1500s in informal street races. Meanwhile, tell your salesboy to get his 1500 and meet out here on the road. We'll see whether his is faster than my 1600 when he's looking at the back of my leather jacket, getting farther and farther away, as I pull away; 0-60, quarter mile, or whatever.

Okay...actually I was too lazy to do a search of various reviews written on the 1500 and 1600s over the past few years to try and collect any performance data. I also know a lady that rides a 1500 and she's usually well out front of me...she's a fairly aggressive rider in the twisties though (she's got more sport bike time than me and rides hard). I've ridden both 1500s and 1600s though and think it's probably a close race...

pms

 

[woodchucks800]

Went to a Kawa dealer today to look at the 1600 Classic, Rode there on my 800A and talking to the salesperson for a long time about different bikes and he says that the 800A would actually be quicker in a short race than a 1600. and that the 1500 is quicker than the 1600.

What do ya'll think ?

Swap out the gearing to 16/48 an the 800 will probably beat both of them to about 80 or 90 but keeping the front end on the ground at take off might be fun. By the time I'm doing 80 if you haven't caught up it's to late ,you've already had enough time.

 

[woodchucks800]

I agree with CENTERPUNCH> Any 800 guys wanna go? "Just Bring It" :evil:

Well after all Jim,Your the big dog ,I would hope you could beat an 800 thats half your size. But if you didn't what would be your excuse?

 

[Crue]

Well I went from an 800 Classic to a 1500 Mean Streak and i know my Mean Streak is faster. It pulls like a frickin' train. Now I'm no small guy, (about 285lbs), and I'm sure that had something to do with it. My 800 was no slouch mind you and I had it up to 185 kph with a friend who was running a Sv650. I backed off the throttle at that speed while he kept pulling away. He claims hego it up to 225 kph. Next year we'll have to match my Meanie up against his GSXR600

 

[woodchucks800]

Well I went from an 800 Classic to a 1500 Mean Streak and i know my Mean Streak is faster. It pulls like a frickin' train. Now I'm no small guy, (about 285lbs), and I'm sure that had something to do with it. My 800 was no slouch mind you and I had it up to 185 kph with a friend who was running a Sv650. I backed off the throttle at that speed while he kept pulling away. He claims hego it up to 225 kph. Next year we'll have to match my Meanie up against his GSXR600

Crue,you just had to drag the meanie into the 800 vs 1500/1600 mix. didn't you? All bets are off. you'll beat all of them , well maybe not a V2K (LOL) :grin:

 

[bikeaholic]

re

this 1500/1600 stuff is a good question,cause i've never thought they were
capable of running with us :twisted: but the more yall talk about this there
may be something to it! who is going to volunteer to settle it?
i'll see if i can find one and collect some data

 

[ispeed77]

who is going to volunteer to settle it?

like you even have to ask THAT question :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

[1400pilot]

I have owned both , first bought a 2004 800 classic, rode it for 2 months and after a trip to the Rockies, went into my dealer and traded it for a 1600 Classic, loved the 800 for around town but on long trips just wasnt comfortable enough, the 1600 is perfect fits both worlds well and on long trips is the best. They are both great bikes and it should come down to what fits the owner better, what does it matter which is quicker, isnt the whole idea of a cruiser is to cruise, not race, I am all for fast performance, but comfort is a plus also.

Just my .02$ worth