Why so popular

[Graybush]

Originally Posted by seniorbiker

When choosing the Vulcan 900, did anyone compare it to the Yamaha Star 950? You give up water cooling, but you gain 50cc. Just wondering because I am shopping for this size bike.

I seriously considered the 950 but didn't get it. Every time I sat on one it felt too top heavy. I'm sure I could have gotten used to it quickly and loved that bike but I don't have any regrets about getting the Vulcan.

[SpinDog]

Originally Posted by seniorbiker

When choosing the Vulcan 900, did anyone compare it to the Yamaha Star 950? You give up water cooling, but you gain 50cc. Just wondering because I am shopping for this size bike.

Both are excellent bikes. The V Star 950 is a slightly more detailed; little details like a boot to cover the clutch cable at the lever etc., little things like that. The Vulcan is a little more stripped down but does have a fuel gauge, which the V Star does not. Also the 900 has a lower center of gravity which makes it feel like a much lighter bike and as a result much easier for low speed maneuvers, this is probably one of the best attributes of the 900. The 900 is of course water cooled; that’s a personal preference thing, both bikes perform just fine. Performance wise their pretty closely matched. The V Star has a slightly more sensitive throttle but not overly so. Both are great bikes. The V Star 950 Tour does have some nice leather hard bags and nice chrome options as well.

[Romans5.8]

Both bikes are good, see what fits you better. You won't notice a 50cc difference, (It's actually less than that, VN900=903cc, Star 950=942cc) and cc's are a myth! Okay, not entirely, BUT, plenty of smaller engines produce more power than plenty of bigger engines.

The VN900 produces more horsepower and torque than the star, though you aren't likely to be able to tell the difference in power. Just see what fits better.

[SWVA_08V2k]

I remember reading on here that some one tried or purchased for their significant other, a 950 and complained about the foot board scrubbing easy.

[Romans5.8]

Originally Posted by SWVA_08V2k

I remember reading on here that some one tried or purchased for their significant other, a 950 and complained about the foot board scrubbing easy.

I read in a review that it had the worst lean angle and worst handling/turning ability in it's class, with the best lean angle going to the H-D Sportster (the model without forward mounted controls)

[SWVA_08V2k]

Originally Posted by Romans5.8

I read in a review that it had the worst lean angle and worst handling/turning ability in it's class, with the best lean angle going to the H-D Sportster (the model without forward mounted controls)

I would not imagine that a bike manufacture would make them so bad you could not handle a turn at a reasonable speed though. I mean I feel my V2K has a shallow lean angle but when I do scrub I am going at a rather "Spirited Rate". If I am with others I just have to cool the jets a bit and they will have have to give me a few extra minutes.

[Romans5.8]

Originally Posted by SWVA_08V2k

I would not imagine that a bike manufacture would make them so bad you could not handle a turn at a reasonable speed though. I mean I feel my V2K has a shallow lean angle but when I do scrub I am going at a rather "Spirited Rate". If I am with others I just have to cool the jets a bit and they will have have to give me a few extra minutes.

You're right, if you need the harder lean angle.. then go with a sportbike! Cruisers have a different skill set and in order to obtain it, they have to trade off other things!

[AZPoseur]

If I remember correctly, the Vstar had a longer stroke, so more torque and better gas mileage, while the Vulcan is a short stroke engine, making it more responsive and more able to put out the horses at higher rpms. If I am incorrect about any of that I can take it.

[ErnieC]

Originally Posted by SWVA_08V2k

I remember reading on here that some one tried or purchased for their significant other, a 950 and complained about the foot board scrubbing easy.

I scrub mine when coming out of a parking lot that makes me take a sharp turn to enter traffic at a high speed

[CaptKurt]

I test rode a VStar 650 shortly after buying the 900 and felt that the handling was significantly worse on the VStar. I find the 900 to be very nimble on the curves.

Eventually every bike is going to scrape in a lean...its a function of how far off the ground the controls are and how far out they stick.