Weak points

[big worm]

well you could always gain 100lbs... or fill the saddlebags with lead.....

[Romans5.8]

Originally Posted by mdsimon80

Aleco the problem is not reliability. The two basic weaknesses are "no sixth gear, and the weight of the bike. I ride 80% hyway and am always looking for another gear, next the bike is light weight, you will get blown allover the road on windy days. If you drive highways go 1300cc or more.

I have a problem with the 'cc' rule. It's really no measure, there are so many variables. The 900 is so much heavier AND bigger than some bikes that are actually bigger engine wise than it is.

I guess I don't notice getting blown around except in severe wind, but on my wifes bike (750 honda) I surely do. That bike is 1/3 the weight and feels 1/3 the size, yet it is 84% the displacement of the VN900!

Don't disagree with the gearing thing. Although it's not necessarily a 6th gear, so much as a lower gear ratio. Lots of 5 speed bikes rumble along on the highway. Doesn't bother me, but I could see how it might bother others.

[SteveJB]

Ok, I've got to agree with Romans on all 3 points. Ignoring weight for a moment, @ 6'0"I don't fit comfortably on a V-star 1100. My knees interfere with the handle bars, but I've got bags of room on my 9er. So you can't go by cc's for size either.

Although there have been times I've had to lean into the wind, I've never felt like I was being pushed around on the road. This is the heaviest bike I've owned but I never really felt pushed around on anything but maybe my TwinStar 125.

The 6th gear thing really puzzles me. Maybe it's because this is the only V twin I've owned. I've ridden distances @ 80+ mph and never felt like the engine was straining to keep up. I admit I occasionally shoot for 6th gear, but when I had a 6 speed I was constantly shooting for 7th. Heck, I look for 6th when I'm doing 40mph through town. If I had a 10 speed I'd be looking for 11th!

The stator is the only problem I've had in 30k miles. That fried at 21K but it was a simple and affordable repair; if you don't go OEM any way.

The only thing about this bike (07Custom) that I would say is a weakness is the seat. I did all right on the stock seat but my wife couldn't ride 10 minutes on the back. Of course the Custom is really set up as a solo (she had never ridden with me before I bought this bike) so I can't speak to the Classic seat. It certainly looks more comfortable than mine. But it seems like most owners replace that one too.

[mdsimon80]

Originally Posted by mdsimon80

Aleco the problem is not reliability. The two basic weaknesses are "no sixth gear, and the weight of the bike. I ride 80% highway and am always looking for another gear, next the bike is light weight, you will get blown allover the road on windy days. If you drive highways go 1300cc or more.

A picture can say more than words. In the plains of this vast country "Nebraska/Missouri Valley Iowa" are areas where the wind always blows, sometimes 30mph +. Its two lane highways out here and semis coming the other way. These bikes aren't cheap, for a little more get a bigger bike if the highway is your ride.

[Chas63]

Interesting thread here. I'm a long time Harley rider and currently have a 2005 Electra Glide Classic. I plan to keep it and perhaps buy a 900 Classic LT for part time use (long story).

Anyway, the Vulcan 900 seems (based on what I've read on this forum) to be about what I'm looking for in a second bike. I've also been wondering what problems, if any, typically occur with the 900 once it gets 20K or more miles on it. This thread seems to indicate that there are few, if any, problems associated with moderate to high mileage Vulcan 900's.

My EGC has 33K miles on it but it had 23K miles on it when I bought it. I've had zero problems with it. I just put a new set of tires on it which was kind of expensive, but I don't mind doing routine maintenance or replacement of parts that you expect to wear out. I just don't like having those huge unexpected repair bills. Fortunately, I've had none and had none in my 8 or 9 previous Harleys.

So I gather that a 2009 Vulcan Classic LT in decent shape with 8K to 10K miles on it shouldn't be anything to be concerned about as far as purchasing it....... assuming it's priced right, of course. Any guestimates as to what an 09 with say 10K miles would be worth?

Thanks.

[histguy]

Originally Posted by Bill Braske

My only real complaint was that at cruising speed (60-70) the speedo needle kinda covers part of the numbers on the clock. Not much of a complaint, but it's really all I've got.

I have to agree. I picked up one of these clocks to 'replace' the digital one. Fits perfectly between the handlebar risers and is very very well made.

http://store.valueaccessories.net/Ch...BlackFace.aspx

[Romans5.8]

Originally Posted by Chas63

Interesting thread here. I'm a long time Harley rider and currently have a 2005 Electra Glide Classic. I plan to keep it and perhaps buy a 900 Classic LT for part time use (long story).

Anyway, the Vulcan 900 seems (based on what I've read on this forum) to be about what I'm looking for in a second bike. I've also been wondering what problems, if any, typically occur with the 900 once it gets 20K or more miles on it. This thread seems to indicate that there are few, if any, problems associated with moderate to high mileage Vulcan 900's.

My EGC has 33K miles on it but it had 23K miles on it when I bought it. I've had zero problems with it. I just put a new set of tires on it which was kind of expensive, but I don't mind doing routine maintenance or replacement of parts that you expect to wear out. I just don't like having those huge unexpected repair bills. Fortunately, I've had none and had none in my 8 or 9 previous Harleys.

So I gather that a 2009 Vulcan Classic LT in decent shape with 8K to 10K miles on it shouldn't be anything to be concerned about as far as purchasing it....... assuming it's priced right, of course. Any guestimates as to what an 09 with say 10K miles would be worth?

Thanks.

Should be able to get it around $5k.

As far as issues, if anything, the Stator fails on some around 15-50k miles (More on '06 and '07 models though). It's an expensive repair, BUT, if you do it yourself, it's under $200. It's not very hard to do.