I see in the latest issue of Cruiser magazine that the 1700 Classic has been discontinued for 2013 (and for who knows how long). Very sad to see that. I came so close to picking one up last year, but ultimately opted for something else...but I still really, really like the model and in my mind it fit a gap in Kawi's lineup that the Mean Streak left behind several years ago. But I do understand that my preference for a clean/naked big-cc cruiser isn't the market's preference, that most when they get up to that size and price-point want more of the bagger/touring options. Still, for me the news was disappointing.
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( Used to have: ) '08 Vulcan 900 Custom: *Passion Red *Mustang One-Piece Vintage Seat *Hard-Krome 2.5" Strippers with Smartpartz Hard Kore Baffles *Cobra Short Sissybar, Pad & Insert *Leatherworks 312 Chopper Bag *Small/Med. Windshield
I see in the latest issue of Cruiser magazine that the 1700 Classic has been discontinued for 2013 (and for who knows how long). Very sad to see that. I came so close to picking one up last year, but ultimately opted for something else...but I still really, really like the model and in my mind it fit a gap in Kawi's lineup that the Mean Streak left behind several years ago. But I do understand that my preference for a clean/naked big-cc cruiser isn't the market's preference, that most when they get up to that size and price-point want more of the bagger/touring options. Still, for me the news was disappointing.
Not to worry if you are a Classic Fan!
The 1700 Classic has not been discontinued for 2013!
Cruiser Magazine has simply released premature/incomplete info...like they seem to do every year.
They also didn't mention the new Goldwing F6B or the new Suzuki C90T Black-Bagger and probably several other new or carried-over models.
Glad to hear that it is not discontinued! I love my Classic as well as the other models in the 1700 group. I think Kawasaki did a fine job with these models.
The 1700 Classic has not been discontinued for 2013!
Cruiser Magazine has simply released premature/incomplete info...like they seem to do every year.
They also didn't mention the new Goldwing F6B or the new Suzuki C90T Black-Bagger and probably several other new or carried-over models.
But it wasn't that they just didn't mention or list it, it wasn't just the omission from the Buyer's Guide...they expressely state on page 12 that "...Kawasaki has dropped the Vulcan 1700 Classic for 2013, though the rest of the Vulcan 1700 line remains..." That's pretty cut-and-dry. It may be wrong, if you have information that they don't, but it's not premature or incomplete...they're very clearly stating it's gone. I hope you're right, though, and they're wrong. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
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( Used to have: ) '08 Vulcan 900 Custom: *Passion Red *Mustang One-Piece Vintage Seat *Hard-Krome 2.5" Strippers with Smartpartz Hard Kore Baffles *Cobra Short Sissybar, Pad & Insert *Leatherworks 312 Chopper Bag *Small/Med. Windshield
But if you click on the 1700 Classic picture the info it displays states 2012; clicking on the other cruiser models shows 2013. Along with the article quote I provide above, this would seem to go to affirm that it's been discontinued for 2013.
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( Used to have: ) '08 Vulcan 900 Custom: *Passion Red *Mustang One-Piece Vintage Seat *Hard-Krome 2.5" Strippers with Smartpartz Hard Kore Baffles *Cobra Short Sissybar, Pad & Insert *Leatherworks 312 Chopper Bag *Small/Med. Windshield
The market really is shifting to mid size cruisers. I think there is a big influx of new and returning riders and the mid size cruiser fits that bill.
That's good new for H-D, since they still make a clean big displacement bike (Softail), but I am surprised, guess it wasn't selling well. I don't recall the price point differences but, I suppose that one thing that may have killed them is the fact that for a little bit more, you can get hard bags and electronic cruise control, and a good looking windshield, on the Nomad.
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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!
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