So, I've been an owner/rider of a 2008 VN900LT for 3+ years now. Love the bike. But, as a big dude (6'2" and 350#), it has no oompf left at interstate speeds, or if I have a passenger. So, I'm looking to go either to a 1700 or a 2000. Would rather have the 2000.
I know (obviously) the 2000 has a larger engine. Thus, more power.
What I'm curious about is: What are the other differences? Is the 2000 physically taller? Longer? Wider? I know it is heavier. Does it have any other features that the 900LT doesn't have?
Never owned a 900, but every bike I have test ridden has left me wanting. The V2K just has tons of torque. No screaming chicken, *****, or Victor/Victoria has come close. I'm a big guy also ;-)
I went from a Suzuki Boulevard C50 for similar reasons, not enough ham with senior management on the backseat. Can't speak for a V900, but in my case I didn't feel like there was that significant of a learning curve with the beast. I'm nowhere near your size (5'11", 200) and although it's a load to push around on the shop floor or parking lot, it's nothing I can't handle. The law centre of gravity keeps the balance nicely, but it is a bit heavier in the front with the stock wheels. Not even noticeable at highway speeds, just at Walmart.... Lol. Nothing that would prevent me giving a full endorsement.
I went from a Suzuki Boulevard C50 for similar reasons, not enough jam with senior management on the backseat. Can't speak for a V900, but in my case I didn't feel like there was that significant of a learning curve with the beast. I'm nowhere near your size (5'11", 200) and although it's a load to push around on the shop floor or parking lot, it's nothing I can't handle. The law centre of gravity keeps the balance nicely, but it is a bit heavier in the front with the stock wheels. Not even noticeable at highway speeds, just at Walmart.... Lol. Nothing that would prevent me giving a full endorsement.
I found that swapping out the front wheel for a 3.5x18" wheel lightened the load significantly. It is my understanding that the VN1600 and VN1700 models are a direct swap. The HD touring models 09-Present are the same axle and rotor size, but you have to make spacers and shave down the caliper mounts a little
How much work was it to get that Harley wheel to fit? I'm looking at this for my '05 v2k http://denver.craigslist.org/mpo/5587235308.html Also, what's a good price for a front wheel? After riding my old man's vaquero and remembering not all bikes are so beastly to maneuver I think it's time for a narrower front tire.
Yup, the V2K seat is utter rubbish, along with the rear shock. Everything is perfect. Once ya sort those two issues, ya sorted.............................just ride
I have heard that they are, but I cannot confirm. I say find a VN2000, park your VN900 and start comparing the two. The V2K feels heavy off the stand, but it goes away once you start riding.
I have heard that they are, but I cannot confirm. I say find a VN2000, park your VN900 and start comparing the two. The V2K feels heavy off the stand, but it goes away once you start riding.
We'll, at the end of the day you still need a bigger bike. The V2K is the largest v-twin made from the factory and you can find them for a good price. Your other options are the Triumph Triple or a Boss Hog.... Both good bikes.
I beg to differ ^^... OK from my own experience because I had a 900 for 2 years and my current V2K for 3 now. For me I'd never go back to the 9.
I honestly could care less about the mpg. Lol its a 2000 who cares what it gets.
Handling? Meh. Tell you what once you've ridden the 2000 for some time it's just as nimble as the little guy. Heck even HD'S seem nothing to ride at low speeds.
Forget the 9 and find yourself a V2K and never look back.
I'm 6' knocking at the door of 290 and feel super comfortable. Can stretch out while riding too.
The 2000 is a monster of a bike but at only 5'11" and 145 lbs I love it and almost hate riding anything with a smaller engine. It'll be worth the switch.
The 16 and 1700s are a straight swap. The HD touring models 09-Present are a little work. Here is a step by step. Derek Meigs on Facebook had to only grind down one caliper mount for his 19" HD wheel, Rocnrol took his HD wheel to a machinist and had them shave down the rotor mounts. There's more than one way to skin a cat...
Price for that setup looks good to me. I found a similar deal. Have not tried to swap out the rear wheel, have DS tire and it's not seen with my current setup.
Yes, the saddles are different. The 9 has a one-piece, the V2K is two-piece. They sit about the same height stock, handle roughly the same except for the added weight of the 2K. The 2K is longer, slightly wider, and they get about the same distance per tank. Tanks are about the same size, and we fuel up at about the same point, 210 miles give or take.
Wife rides a 9, I ride a 2K. Hers has a lowering link now. Her 9 has one more tooth on the front pulley, a custom front wheel and mag rear (went tubeless some time back), I have one tooth more on pulley and euro gears.
Many parts swap between them. Passenger floorboards, saddle-bags (I think)... There is a list on the forums somewhere.
for my 2 cents. i am 6'0 and 400lbs i sit mostly comfortable on my v2k i dont care of the mustang seat i have much but still ive road it on a 3000 mile round trip in a week and cant complain. now what i will say is slightly annoying is it still feels a little bunched up at 6 foot. the highway bars are too far foreword to get a good foot rest on them and the floor boards are a touch too close for me to be comfortable for long stretches that being said im still fairly comfortable with it. just on the long hauls my legs get a bit cramped exspecally trying to straddle the huge tank it has. i kind of wish they would have put a taller tank rather then a wider tank on it.
really the only fault here id say is the width of the tank other then that the bike is a amazing piece of machinery . it has all the power in the world in the low to mid range gears but 5th leaves me wanting more. even 2 up 1st -4th i cant hardly tell a power drop off.
as for my complaints a lot of is is self inflicted. the seat i could change out. im sure i could find a better set up for my highway bars and if my nee's wernt trashed im sure i wouldnt notice the tanks width as much. i recommend the vn2000 to any one who is even remotely thinking they want more power. its a beast but its also easy to handle. ive road few bikes that are as well balanced .
a lot of bigger bikes sacrifice handling for size but the vn2000 handles corners extremely well for me. but being as big as i am id light ot find a heavy duty shock and perhaps try to raise the right height a touch. if i remember right they bikes are only rated for a 190lbs driver which i find really freaking weird.
i am 6'0 and 400lbs the highway bars are too far foreword to get a good foot rest on them
. it has all the power in the world in the low to mid range gears but 5th leaves me wanting more. even 2 up 1st -4th i cant hardly tell a power drop off.
if i remember right they bikes are only rated for a 190lbs driver which i find really freaking weird.
1) You can get offset highway pegs that will adjust your pegs to virtually any position so please look into your options, they certainly do not have to be adjacent to the highway bars.
2) 5th leaves you wanting more? It accelerates like a rocket as long as you are not below 70 mph, and basically is just above idle cruising in that zone. Mine was still accelerating hard as I cleared 125 mph when I backed off.
3) Rated for a 190 lb rider is weird? I'm 195 with gear. Not trying to be rude but a 400 lb rider is not an average scenario. If the suspension were rated for a man of your size it would send my spine through my skull on any bumps. A factory spring option would be interesting however for all our size differences.
Well, it looks like I may be, indeed, moving on up to a 2000. Found one in my old hometown, and will be heading up there next Thursday. If all goes well, I'll be trading in my 2008 900LT on a 2008 2KLT. Same paint scheme, even!
Rear only, preload and dampening, however the factory shock is pure junk. Under dampened and over sprung and still bottms out. Dump ot for a decent after market unit, different bike for the better.....waaaaaaaaaaaay better.
Next question: Does the 2k suffer from "crappy stator syndrome" like a lot of other Vulcans do? I had to replace the stator on my VN750 *and* my VN900LT.
Ah...thanks! Yeah, I had to get the R/R relocated on my old '89 VN750 as well.
From reading that link, it looks like you had a spare bracket lying around. Any idea of a bracket that'd fit well that can be ordered from someone / somewhere? Just in case...
I'm not all that mechanically inclined, but I can do wiring / soldering work.
I tip the scale at 290#, wife plus accessories plus gear add another 200#. Plenty of room to stretch out. Corbin dual tour seat, freedom performance pipes, EuroGears, no fuel controler of any kind, bike takes off when I twist the throttle, cruises nicely on the interstate. I do have an air ride system, used to bottom out on train tracks.
i really like that seats look. you happen to have a link to the part to scope it out? i have a mustang seat with a removable backrest and the metal mount in the seat has no padding and is always jamming my tail bone. i also thought about doing the eurogear swap because from what i understand it opens up your power range in the gears a good bit.
Yup,u qualify as not tiny,nice pics like the trunk,like to c the new v2k
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Kawasaki Vulcan Forum
712.7K posts
67.9K members
Since 2008
A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, Vulcan 1500, Vulcan 2000, Vulcan 500, Vulcan 1600, Vulcan 900 and all other Vulcan motorcycles.