- Great value
- Well-detailed classic styling
- Standard equipment makes the bike touring-ready
- Ergonomics are a bit compact for touring
- Some driveline noise & harshness at lower speeds
- Makes all the right moves, but lacks personality
- MSRP: $8,649
- Warranty: 24 months
- 903cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, SOHC 4-valve per cylinder V-twin
- 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork, Uni-Trak swingarm
- Front brake: Single 272mm hydraulic disc with two-piston caliper, Rear brake: 242mm hydraulic disc
- 5-speed transmission, belt final drive
- Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel frame
- Fuel capacity: 5.3 gallons
- Dry weight: 595.4 lbs
- Seat height: 26.8 inches
Touring bikes tend to be premium propositions, and cruisers outfitted with aftermarket touring accessories can get even more expensive. Kawasaki offers an affordable solution with their 2008 Vulcan 900 Classic LT, a cruiser converted to touring duty with an adjustable, optically correct acrylic plastic windscreen, a touring seat with a passenger seat backrest, and leather saddlebags.
The Vulcan is powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 903cc V-twin mated to a 5-speed transmission. The rear wheel is driven by a belt, not a chain, for ease of maintenance. Though it's more of a big middleweight compared to its big-displacement counterparts (like the 1,312cc Honda VTX1300T), that's not necessarily a bad thing; with a dry weight just under 600 lbs, the Vulcan's 150 lb + weight advantage makes it more maneuverable and easy to ride.
But there's no confusing the Vulcan with a run-of-the-mill beginner bike, as it's still somewhat heavy to lift off its sidestand and manage at low speeds (though handling improves dramatically at higher velocities.) Ergonomics, at least for my 5'11" frame, were surprisingly compact for such a relatively big bike, and the touring seat could have been softer over the long haul; it's not a tiny seat, but a bit more real estate and/or better cushioning would help on long rides. Relatively far apart handlebars lend the bike a touch of personality, though the powertrain's relative harmlessness makes the bike a bit innocuous overall.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT does many things right, and at $8,649 it's a excellent deal. A competent bike with a lot going for it, the Vulcan's only missing feature is a bit more character; with a touch more personality, it would be the touring bargain of a lifetime.
>>Click here for a Photo Gallery of the 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT<<
