25th Sep 2005, 23:08

I have to say having owned more than 30 different bikes since 1980 (including a Harley) that my Kawasaki 1500 Fi Vulcan Classic is the best alround package your money can buy.

I've been touring around Thailand for 7 years & my baby just purrs. She's powerful, comfortable, sturdy as a rock, pretty & reliable.

I love all bikes & respect all opinions of the riders. Yes the new Harley's are getting better, pretty as ever, more reliable, more refined. But hey the Vulcan has been that for years!. Check the statistics. Buy a secondhand Harley?... If you have money to burn go ahead. But PLEASE try the classic f1 first. You can thank me later. xx.

15th Oct 2005, 21:58

I have a 1996 Vulcan Classic 1500.

I added a V&H 2 into 1 Pro Pipe and a Kuryakin Hypercharger. This helped it stay lit above 10,000 feet and added throttle response.

I paid much less than half of a comparatively aged HD and am very happy with the tone, looks, ride and reliability of this bike. I am with the other fellow who won't criticize purchasers of other brands, but am puzzled by those who are critical of us who decide to save $$ by buying a great motorcycle like this. I don't ride to live, but I sure do enjoy riding.

13th Jul 2006, 14:36

I recently bought a 05 1500 Classic Vulcan after years of riding a Road King, FLH, and two crotch rockets.

While I liked the "idea" of riding a Harley, it is very nice to ride a bike that I know is going to start when I press the button, and get me to where I am going.

There is a very good reason that "HD" stands for not only Harley Davidson, but also Hundred Dollars. I am not knocking the Harley's out there, but could not bring myself to spend 3 times the money to get the same ride.

11th Aug 2006, 20:40

Yeah, I agree, HD are Way Way over priced, considering that most of the ones I've seen were stalled on the side of the road. Also, talking about maintenance, those rattle traps need tuning, and tightening at least 4 or 5 times a year, the Japanese bikes go and go and go... true pride in there workmanship, I must say.

22nd Oct 2006, 06:58

I have been a loyal Harley owner for 35 years. But last year I got laid off from my job, lost most of my toys, including my wife, and had to sell my Harley's.

I recently got a new job, doesn't pay the same, but the urge to ride a new bike was biting me. Talk about sticker shock!!! I basically cried when I went to the Harley dealer. Then I wised up and went to a Kawasaki dealer and saw the new 2007 1600cc Vulcan. It was loaded with accessories, and was almost $20k cheaper then a comparable Harley. Shame on you Harley Davidson!!! No wonder people don't buy American anymore. The little guys can't afford them.

So, I like to ride, and will ride anything. I bought the Vulcan, love it, and will never go back to a Harley even if I win the lottery.

12th Feb 2007, 00:49

I ride an '06 1500 classic Fi and just love the bike. Heck of a lot of motorcycle for the money (got mine at the end of year for 2000.00 under MSRP). If what you need is Tribal acceptance and biker status, and you can afford it, buy a Harley (my son-in-law pays as much per month for his Harley as he does for his new Jeep). If what you need is a sweet cruisin' ride for an affordable price, you can't go wrong with the Vulcan. Does everything a Harley will except draw young women (not why I ride anyways - the old lady would "let daylight through me ;>).

"Keep the rubber side down"

9th Jan 2008, 20:15

My first bike was a Kawasaki KZ440. Bought it my first year in the Army. Rode it for 2 years and sold it. Eighteen years later I decided to buy a bike as a retirement present to me after 20 years of service. So, I got me a brand new 2002 Vulcan 1500FI.

This has been the best one of the best investments I have ever made. It's extremely reliable and virtually maintenance free. Less than 5 years old and I have put over 36,000 miles on it.

So far, just regular oil changes and basic tune ups. Will ride it until it disintegrates...

6th Sep 2008, 15:12

I posted the original review on my Vulcan 1500 SE. It has held up fine for the last few years. I just bought some new rear shocks, a coolant reservoir, and a windshield. When I was young and dumb I used to swear I'd never lower myself to having a windshield on a bike. Age has a way of breaking down a man's false pride. Also, as for the chicks, most of them don't care whether it's a Harley or not and can't tell the difference anyway.

28th Sep 2008, 03:57

I am picking up a 96 Vulcan 88 for 900 bucks. It needs a battery, carb cleaning, and the front brake has no pressure.

Is it true you can use Sportster carb parts for rebuild?

My friend's 98 V-Max clutch loses pressure pretty quick after bleeding it. The master cylinder looks OK. What else would cause it to go flat, but hold pressure for a few miles?

17th Nov 2008, 20:18

I bought a '91 Vulcan 1500 last year with 46000 miles. I've put on another 5,000 trouble-free miles on this comfortable, powerful cruiser.

I have owned at least 15 road bikes in the past, including a Harley. This one is definitely my favorite, and seems that it will run forever.

12th Nov 2009, 23:47

To 22nd Oct 2006.

My wife left me for someone else, so I married a girl that is 16 years younger and better looking, and she likes to ride with me on my 2007 1500 Vulcan, that I bought for $4000. With 5K on it.

Life is good my man.

My best friend has an older HD, he is always turning a wrench on it, all I turn is the key..

I love the heck out of this bike.

12th Jul 2010, 03:45

In the winter of 2004 (July in Australia), I purchased a 1996 Vulcan 1500 SE 88 in bright yellow with 13K on the clock. It now has 23k.

Problems? A bad coil wire, 2 batteries (due to prolonged storage in Oz while I was overseas) and a new tire. It is always a calming time when I ride. Love it.

Past bikes - KV 74, 2 x KH 400, Vulcan 750, LTD 440, Honda Interceptor 750 (the worst of the lot). Have looked at new Vulcans over the years, but really like the '96 SE 88.

12th Nov 2010, 00:31

I own a 4 speed 1988 1500 Vulcan, and have owned and raced bikes for many years.. these are great bikes with plenty of pull and effortless cruising power.. at 38,000ks it's still like new; no oil leaks.. I bloody love it.. (straight cut pipes) what a wonderful noise they make!!!

Ian New Zealand.. Birdlings Flat Art Gallery.