[Fly_by]

Being a very happy owner of a 900LT, I think I can ask this question. The overwhelming majority of 900 owners on this forum appear mildly to very happy with their 900's. Despite it's shortcomings, it's a very good motorcycle.

But, the question is, what percentage of 900 owners are members of this forum? Are there unhappy owners that just do not post in fear of being flamed?

I wish there was a way to poll all owners on satisfaction and get a real view of the machine. I'm not at all sure the results would be any different. But I would like to know!

How about you guys (and gals).

 

[ZeroPunch]

If they're that unhappy they will most likely trade and no longer be unhappy unless they are just unhappy regardless what motorcycle they own.

 

[A2rider]

We don't care what you ride, just ride!

 

[CalPaul]

:-D I hardly post, but love my 900 lt. I had to replace pipes, lower pulley, grips, mirrors and get a gel seat cover to love it, though!! :biggrin:

 

[Cruz]

No one told me about any short comings with the bike, what gives?

I'm loving the bike and no problems here.
Haven't noticed anything, not even the troubles that have been posted here.

Does that make me a bad person?

 

[Ruger]

There are a number of people that post on here about not liking the 900 for all sorts of reasons, but the majority seem to love their 900s. I really haven't seen anyone get flamed for complaining about a bike, and most people on here don't care what you ride.

 

[RichLockyer]

Keep in mind that generally, people who are happy with their purchases (and aren't nerds) typically don't seek out internet forums.... or maybe they do, but they do to gather information prior to purchase.

On an internet forum, a very small problem might look like a major issue, but in the big picture, it might be a problem with 3% of vehicles, but due to people with problems looking for help, it may appear to be a widespread problem.

It's actually the opposite of traffic engineering... a traffic engineer should assume that for every citizen that calls him to report a problem, there are 3 more who didn't bother. OTOH, he gets almost no calls complimenting his work.


It is very easy to look bad or get a bad reputation on the internet, and it is very hard to repair that.

IOTW: Vulcan's in general are good stuff!

 

[TVoyagerXII]

Keep in mind that generally, people who are happy with their purchases (and aren't nerds) typically don't seek out internet forums.... or maybe they do, but they do to gather information prior to purchase.

On an internet forum, a very small problem might look like a major issue, but in the big picture, it might be a problem with 3% of vehicles, but due to people with problems looking for help, it may appear to be a widespread problem.

It's actually the opposite of traffic engineering... a traffic engineer should assume that for every citizen that calls him to report a problem, there are 3 more who didn't bother. OTOH, he gets almost no calls complimenting his work.


It is very easy to look bad or get a bad reputation on the internet, and it is very hard to repair that.

IOTW: Vulcan's in general are good stuff!

Dang it, Rich, stop with the texting. It took me 10 minutes to figure out what OTOH and IOTW was.

 

[RichLockyer]

Dang it, Rich, stop with the texting. It took me 10 minutes to figure out what OTOH and IOTW was.

Sorry, too many years being a SysOp and hanging around on FidoNet... since about '88.

 

[MrClean]

Ya it has a shortcoming, when riding in cold weather I get on my hoodie, overall, facemask, helmet, inner gloves, outer gloves, travel the 30 minutes to work and realize that I haven't brought my key card. Then, as I come to work 2 hours before anyone else comes here, I have to drive the 30 minutes back, pick up the card off my desk and drive the 30 minutes back.

I'm not complaining mind ya, it still makes the trip fun, but I lost an hour of ot this way.

I guess its not the bikes fault that the message 'Don't forget your Key Card' isn't painted on the speedo plate.


People usually complain but rarely compliment. I would imagine most 900 users are quite happy with the stock configuration and haven't even thought to look online for modification or help. I wouldn't have thought to look for a site except I was told about the nines group at a Ride and along with running/visiting/moderating some model airplane forums I had thought about motorcycle internet sites. Many people ONLY use the internet for news and weather and lets face it, porn.

What, you can get other stuff on that thing?

 

[pat0021]

To me the only real short comings of the bike is it needs 6th gear and a seat. I would still changes things to personalize the bike like I have already done, but that isn't a short coming.

One of the best features to me is the big gas tank. Its great being able to go 200 miles on a tank of gas, instead of 100 to 120 on a lot of bikes.

 

[Granny]

I got my classic before I even thought there might be a forum. My bike is still stock even the seat and I have had it for nearly 9 months now. When my bum gets sore, i get off an have a break for a few minutes. I love my bike but will admit some times think I should have got bigger but not often. It is a great bike and I am very happy with my choosing it.

 

[Fishstick8]

Sorry, too many years being a SysOp and hanging around on FidoNet... since about '88.

Boy that takes me back to my SysOp/FidoNet days. Good times. I remember having a dish on my house to receive as many FidoNet groups as possible. Guess that puts me in the nerd category for this forum. I do ride though so that helps out a little bit.... :wink:

 

[traderjaxx]

Still haven't got IOTW?? OTOH FWIT, never was good at that stuff..

 

[Aifwikir]

The only short coming I see with my 900 Classic is ,,,,, I don't have enough time for riding!!

Aif

 

[D_H_TX_900LTC]

To me the only real short comings of the bike is it needs 6th gear and a seat.

+1
These are the only two things I dislike, and I don't dislike them that much. My Kawi Gel should cure one of them, if I get it before I become too old to ride anymore. It really is a great bike.

 

[Fly_by]

Buncha great replies and observations here! Some of which I hadn't considered.

My general experience these days is that most unsatisfied customers don't complain....they just go elsewhere. Which kinda solidifies that the 900 is a great bike. There don't seem to be many on the used market.

What I perceive to be a shortcoming may not matter to someone else. And vice versa! So the single ones that concern a lot of people may be very few!

The seat (now replaced with the Kawasaki gel) and the need for 6th gear are probably at the top of my list. Other minor issues bother me from time to time. The difficulty of checking the oil level for one. Non canceling turn signals, for another. The speedo & gas guage error, also comes to mind. Difficulty in reading the clock (anything on the digital display) at certain speeds.

Does that sound like I'm unhappy with the machine? Yeah, probably. But, I'm not. Most of these are just things I think could and should have been done better.

Overall, I don't think I would be happier with any other bike. When all things are considered, IT IS GREAT! Powerful enough, fast enough, big enough, great balance and handling. Not to mention that they are beautiful machines.

My question was based on wondering if there was something that was very important to someone else that hadn't been noticed (or we didn't care) by the 900 lovers on this forum.

Thanks for all your replies!

 

[Coastie]

I love my 900 Custom. When I started looking for a first bike, I started with the M50, as it looked really good. I then changed my mind to the Star 1100, which a friend of mine has. As I was doing a lot of comparison shopping, another friend suggested I look at the Kaw 900. After matching the 1100 to the 900, the Kaw had everything I really wanted (FI, belt, liquid cooling) for $1000 less msrp. How can I go wrong?
The only things I would change or have are the seat (got gel) and the pipes (eventually). As for minor annoyances like checking the oil, I bought an inspection mirror from Sears.
I would not trade my ride for another bike. I love the looks the custom gets, especially the front wheel.
Thanks for listening and keep the shiny side up.

 

[CheriAnn]

I love my 900LT!!! I know the seat is an issue, but it seems to be on all their bike models!

The only "complaint" is that it needs a sixth gear!!!! :smile:

 

[CootoronScooter]

I don't think the 900 has any short comings if you think about it. It is what it is. I think it does what it's designed for very well which is to be a mid-sized cruiser. Thanks to this forum and reading reviews on the bike I knew exactly what type of bike the 900 was and what it could do. I'm very pleased with my 900 Custom for 95% of the riding I do it's perfect. So much so if I ever get a larger bike (probably some sort of touring bike) I hope to be able to keep my 900.

Personally I don't think it's a good bike for the super slab touring I think a bigger bike would be in order for long hauls on the super slab. I think changing the pulley's are some good options for those wanting to keep the 900 and run 70-80 on long hauls.

I guess what I'm saying don't get a 900 and expect it to cruise like 1600 out on the highways. I don't see this as a shortcoming I see it as being a 900. JMO