I think that will be a good starter bike for you. It's a good all around bike and very dependable. Once a 900 was a big bike. Today they are considered midsize. I'm 5'9/ 190lbs and I got back into riding after 25 years on Vstar 1100 and I'm glad I didn't go any smaller. Halfway through the first summer I wished I'd gone bigger. Ended up moving to a Nomad 1600 3 years later and I love it.

 

Welcome to the forum
Northern is right. That 900 should be a great starter bike for you.
At first it will seem big and heavy. After a few weeks you will get more comfortable. After a few months you'll wish you had gone bigger.
But you are taking the right path

 

Absolutely right, I have a 2000 Classic LT and would not want to go smaller. Riding this makes me feel like a real man.
Good luck.

 

I started on a 900 and still have it 12 years later. I suspect given your size you will be looking to get a bigger bike before to long so don't invest too much money modify the 900 if you get it.

 

I'm 6'4" 230 and ride a 900. The bike is not small. Its the same size as Harley's FLSTC (Heritage Classic). If you follow the shift points in the manual the bike will feel very tame. If you let it eat up into the high rpms the power really comes out and its a fun bike. I think you will be be happy with it for the foreseeable future.

 

CONSIDERING A 2019 VULCAN 900 CLASSIC LT
Hello All of the Vulcan world! I’ve recently started looking to purchase a motorcycle. This will be my first bike and I’m a bit concerned that maybe the Classic LT May be a bit big to start with.

Ok, what ELSE are you considering besides the VN900. Give us something to compare it to. What are your choices besides the VN900.

I wish we had a STICKY here for this one question as it seems to come up more than you would think.

The (insert your year model here) 50HP Kawasaki VN900LT is the same motorcycle mechanically that Kawasaki sells new today. It has been in production, unchanged since 2006. Does that tell you anything? The downsides of the LT model is tube-type tires. A real bummer to fix on the hi-way. Upside is that it has a large frame so big boys can ride it. The Custom Model has even more legroom than the plain or the LT model.

Pros:
1. The Kawasaki VN900 series motorcycle has seen a long unchanged production run which has the side benefit of a better than average parts supply and after-market accessories availability..
2. The motorcycle is reliable as an anvil, gets good fuel mileage, and has large tank for extended range.
3. The CUSTOM model has tubeless tires for faster/easier tire repairs/replacement.
4. Insurance rates for this motorcycle are lower than most due to its long production run, and it is not a particularly quick or fast motorcycle.

Cons:
1. The engine is a "higher-revving" V-Twin that vibrates more then some folks are willing to tolerate. You will never mistake this motorcycle for an ultra-smooth running 4-cylinder.
3.Front pulley torque needs to be properly lubricated and torqued from time to time to eliminate expensive output shaft wear that requires expensive case-splits to repair. This is EASY to do.
4. The motorcycle is neither fast nor quick.
5. The motorcycle weighs 600 lbs which may be a little much for some.
6. You can spend thousands of dollars on aftermarket pipes, air intakes, tuners, etc, and it will still just make 63 Hp tops. If you want more, just get a different bike starting off.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I love my 900. I’m older and don’t need my much power. But you are a big fella and would suggest a larger bike. I always say after buying a bike or a boat, after you get used to it, you want bigger. Don’t concern yourself with the larger bike to start. Time and practice will overcome any issues. Bigger is better.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I love my 900........But you are a big fella and would suggest a larger bike.

I love my VN900 too, but, I am thinking...Hayabusa for this guy...yeah...a 'Busa.

 

I agree this is the place to start. Especially if you are buying used the investment isn’t that high. If I keep riding I’ll get something bigger I can tour the highways on and keep this for backroads. I’d like to Have my V65 Sabre back but that seems unlikely. Best compromise to me as a sport/touring bike that had endless torque and speed. Maybe I’m missing it so far but I haven’t seen a bike like that around now.

last point for me is when I looked at the specs on the larger Vulcans they aren’t that much more powerful🤷🏽‍♂️

 

last point for me is when I looked at the specs on the larger Vulcans they aren’t that much more powerful🤷🏽‍♂️

No, as far as hp, they aren't that much more powerful. But there is a huge difference in the torque and the ability to cruise easily with a passenger and luggage. I went to a bigger bike and until I get too old to ride one that's what I'll have. Mine will cruise at 75 as easily as it will at 50, loaded or not. And the additional weight, while a con for city riding, is a big plus at highway speeds. I get having a smaller bike if it suits your needs and you're happy with it, but I enjoy riding for miles on the highway so for me this is the ideal bike. It's all relative to what you want.

 

I just got a Vulcan 800 Classic after a 40 year lapse. I'm doing well with it, but I'm only 185lbs. At 300lbs you should do well with a Vulcan 1500 Classic.

 

You will most likely be wanting to upgrade very, very soon. You are a big guy so don't buy new just yet. Buy a used 900 of any model year for a good price and see if you are happy with it. I started out on a 900 after a 10 year hiatus on cruisers. Bought a 2014 900 with 4000 miles for $4,300 OTD. When I traded it in 3 months later, I got $4,000 for it and the Voyager for about $13,500 otd. The problem with the 900 is that if you want to do highway miles, prepare for numb hands and butt after a 30 minute ride at 70. At 75 to 80, it is screaming at probably close to 4500 to 5000 rpm's. I've heard people say that they have had their 900 to almost 100 mph. That was not my experience. Stock, my 900 LT would do about 85 mph, literally. On the ride home the day I bought it, I was going into a 20 mph South wind and at times, going up a decent hill it would slow to 73 or so and that was it. Wide open in 5th gear..... Your money, your choice but there's a ton of good used ones for cheap and they are all the same from 2006 to now.

 

Hi I agree with tourer 900 will be way under powered for you and you would be upgrading soon. I'm 6.2 225 and rode my 900 for 6 years b4 upgrading to my voyager. I wish I would have done it right away. I liked 900 for back roads but it's not the bike for freeway or long trips imo. By the time i put a bigger tire on back and the different sprocket on front to reduce buzz and then took a bath on selling it...don't get me wrong 900 is a great bike but it shows its strength
around town.

 

Of interest I am going to sell my 2017 Vulcan 900 Classic LT with 1500 miles, bought new last year, still in dealer warranty and new condition for $5500. Call or text (406) 471-1743 for info. Shipping is pretty cheap these days. Jim

 

What area are you in ?

 

Kalispell, Montana in northwest Montana. The bike is in pristine condition and has recent service. Send me you email address and I will forward some nice pictures. Accessories include engine crash bars with highway pegs attached, leather case on windshield, lower wind fairings, friction cruise control, saddle bag liners, and more. It is well equipped. I turn 80 this year and time to hang up the spurs. If you pick a company to ship I can handle that from here. Or, it is a great time of the year to fly out, tour Montana a bit and ride you new bike home. It has about a year of factory warranty left also. My home number is (406) 837-1001. Jim

 

Sorry, my direct email address is jcash1@bresnan.net. Jim

 

I got my license after a Harley riding class in 2017. I am 5' 5" 170 lbs. Promptly went out and bought a Vulcan 650. Sold it 2 months later (for almost what I paid) and 575 miles on it to move up to the 900 LT. Absolutely the correct decision. You are much bigger than me so you will be just fine. Will take you no time to get used to it. Love this bike.

 

Hey I am 6'1 430lbs my first bike is a 96 vulcan 1500 its a lot of bike and I would recommend taking time to ride around your neighborhood thats what I have done paced my riding class and everything just get comfortable with it it will be a good fit for you.

 

I consider this bike as an ideal "entry" and "exit" level.I have been riding for more than 15 years, first one Vulcan 800 , then Vulcan 1500, Concours 1400 and after an accident (not on the bike) I broke my left arm in pieces, I thought I won't ride again but I could not wait for and just bought a 2010 Vulcan 900, I am impressed how easy you can ride it, it is not a big one, it is mid-size, but enough to me. I really recommend this bike, only complain is not having a 6th gear, other than that it is a great option. There a lot of options in the market with plenty of accessories and upgrades instead of buying a new one, model year after year remains the same, just differences in colors. I am 5'11" and 200 # , when riding with my wife, both 350# not issues, very responsive and reliable bike.

 

I'm 5'10, 200 lbs and I ride a 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Nomad. This bike is a easy bike to ride. I'm not trying to tell you what to do but my advice is ( you need a bigger bike, you won't be happy with a small bike with your size and weight. I realize that this may be your first bike but again, you won't be happy.)
All bikes are intimidating when you first start riding. This only lasts for a very short period. Once you get on the bike, and get over being intimidated you like other's will be o.k..

 

 

 

Nice bike !! Mine is 2006 with only 00108 yep only one hundred eight miles. Got sick shortly after I bought it. Been in the garage. All this time.

 

I agree you should go bigger. I hadn’t rode in 30 years and got the 900. It’s fun on the backroads but I wouldn’t take it on any trips. In a very short time I got used to riding again and like many no 6th gear is a drag. I should have done better research because my last bike was a V65 Sabre and I like the sport touring style. I just stumbled onto the Concours and it’s the modern cousin to the Sabre. I’m going to buy one of those because I can take it across the country or on the backroads.

I bought my 900 LT used OTD for $4100 with 11k miles, so I definitely recommend not buying new If you buy anything.

Heck, I guess mine is going to be for sale too - unless I keep them both. Can’t believe I didn’t see the Concours before I bought. But, being honest with myself, that would have been too much out the gate. Having the 900 has allowed me to ease back into the saddle.

I don’t think you can go wrong with the Vulcan if you want a cruiser, I’d just get a bigger one. Good luck!

 

I am in the same boat as the OP, except weight is 220 and height is 5' 11". Locally, there are several 900s for sale, Custom, Classic and LT. Most have about 14k - 20k miles....one has less than 1000.

Have not made a decision yet, but this thread has been helpful to me too.