The only weakness I have noticed has been in design. The 2009 Vulcan has two grease nipples on the bottom of the frame. I have sheared one off going over a construction zone temporary water line bump. Kind of like a speed bump built to protect the temporary line. Pretty sure that is where contact is made, cause I was not aware when it actually occurred. Other than that has been a great bike with about 36,000 KMS on it.
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2009, 900 Vulcan LT Classic Modifications
Modulating Headlight
Flashing Tail Light
Wolo Bad Boy Air Horn
Kick-back Risers
Custom GPS Holder
The only weakness I have noticed has been in design. The 2009 Vulcan has two grease nipples on the bottom of the frame. I have sheared one off going over a construction zone temporary water line bump. Kind of like a speed bump built to protect the temporary line. Pretty sure that is where contact is made, cause I was not aware when it actually occurred. Other than that has been a great bike with about 36,000 KMS on it.
That is a design weakness, but it's not insurmountable. With the grease zerks on, give it a shot of lube, then remove the zerks and replace them with some stainless steel button head hex head screws. Keep the zerks and the next time you feel the need to add some grease, it's an easy job to remove the button head screws, replace the zerks, shoot some grease into the swing arm pivot, take out the zerks and put the screws back in. It's not like you have to do this very often. Sure beats the hassle of trying to remove a broken off grease zerk!
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"Don't sweat the small stuff---it's all small stuff"
Besides stator, what are other weaknesses you have noticed on the 900?
It's hard to really find fault with this bike. If I had to name any one thing I guess I would like either a 6th gear or lower r's at the 65 - 70 mph range. But with that said, I had the same issue with a 2000 Wing that I had, always searching for that 6th gear. There are a of posts on this topic but both the pulley swap or larger rear tire both seem to have some drawbacks. I guess the Kawi engineers have built it the way it needs to be, and it's they're not all that far off.
Well the 'cons' of the bike are totally subjective and really depend on what you want to do. There are not many, it's a fantastic bike. For me? Lower revs on the highway would be nice. I remedied the cruddy seat with a good aftermarket one.
Not all stators fail early. I tend to think there might have been a 'bad batch', because lots of people go a really long time without replacing them. As far as reliability, these are rock solid. Look through the 900 forums. You aren't going to find threads about timing chain slack, compression tests failing, or any sorts of other major engine failures. Yet, there are LOTS of these machines with 50k miles + on them. 'weak' doesn't describe this bike. There are reasons why some of us really love them, and reasons why others don't like them. But they are certainly rock solid reliable machines.
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"8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
2006 Vulcan 900 Classic LT "Couch-a-Saki/Mini-Bagger" Fire and Steel Highway Bars w/ pegs, Mustang seat, Harley-Davidson King TourPak, Shark 600W stereo, Rick's Stator, and more to come!
2011 Honda Shadow Aero 750 (Wife's) Memphis shades windshield, and one happy new rider!
Member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association
VROC: 34661
Patriot Guard Rider
The only negative I have with my 09 Custom is the front tire.
To me it's just too narrow. It seems to look for road grooves to slip into.
I'll swap it out for something a little wider on the next tire.
Other than that, I love this bike!
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The world is a pool table,and all the people in it are either stripes or solids. You alone are the cue ball.”
The only negative I have with my 09 Custom is the front tire.
To me it's just too narrow. It seems to look for road grooves to slip into.
I'll swap it out for something a little wider on the next tire.
Other than that, I love this bike!
Stick a classic front wheel on there!
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"8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
2006 Vulcan 900 Classic LT "Couch-a-Saki/Mini-Bagger" Fire and Steel Highway Bars w/ pegs, Mustang seat, Harley-Davidson King TourPak, Shark 600W stereo, Rick's Stator, and more to come!
2011 Honda Shadow Aero 750 (Wife's) Memphis shades windshield, and one happy new rider!
Member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association
VROC: 34661
Patriot Guard Rider
Weak points
2008 Kawasaki Vulcan VN900 Classic LT
2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT
Linear Mode
