Honda VTX 1300 S or Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT?

infrared41 · 01-31-2012, 12:45 PM

Currently, I ride a Shadow 750 A.C.E. I want something bigger and better for two-up riding. Over the winter, I've been looking for a new bike. It's come down to a 2006 VTX 1300 or a 2007 Vulcan Classic. I really like both bikes.

The VTX is a little more expensive and it's also a year older. The Vulcan is newer and a little cheaper but it's also a bit smaller than the VTX. The mileage is about the same on both bikes.

I'm looking for input from folks who ride either one of these bikes. I'm not asking for which one is better etc., they're both supposed to be good bikes.

I'm just curious about how they ride, if there are any maintenance issues, etc. I figure the best place to look for that kind of information is from people who actually own these bikes. Thanks in advance for any input.

mikee · 02-01-2012, 02:46 AM

Go with the VTX. Great bike. I have one in my garage along with my Victory. In my opinion I think Honda puts out a better product over Kawasaki but again that's just my opinion. Do what feels best for you. Mike

EntropyFx · 02-06-2012, 12:02 PM

I ride a VTX 1300, amazing bike, never had any problems with it. Starts right up no problem, they do tend to run pretty cold-blooded, have to choke it out a while on cool mornings. My brother-in-law rides a Vulcan 900, he likes it quite a bit as well. As far as I know he has had no problems with his Vulcan. Though my VTX1300 will blow it away any day, doesn't seem to have anywhere close to the power and we are both big guys.

OTD · 02-06-2012, 01:32 PM

I've never ridden the Vulcan, but I'll tell you what I didn't like about my VTX.
1. Stock seat sucks, I got used to it but my wife coulbn't go more than 100mi. w/o stopping.
2. No low fuel light or fuel guage.
3. Vibration in bars at speeds over 65. It's not terrible but when your hands are as messed up as mine it's an issue.
4. Speedometer is off about 10% by design.
5. Floorboards drag with any level of spirited riding. Since you're looking at an S this won't apply to you.
6. The choke/enrichener is a POS.
I know this is kinda picking, the bike is great for one-up and short to medium rides.

infrared41 · 02-09-2012, 02:01 PM

I'm leaning heavily towards the VTX. It's just bigger (I'm 6' 3") and it seems to "fit" me better when I sit on it. The VTX is really comfortable while the Vulcan feels "short" for lack of a better term.

Power isn't really an issue for me. As long as my bike can do the speed limit, I'm happy. Mostly I want something bigger for the size difference from my Shadow.

Not having a fuel light or gauge isn't a big deal either. With my Shadow, I just reset the trip mileage when I fill up and calculate that way.

I ride like a grandmother (my accident is responsible for that) so there won't be any spirited riding.

The fact that I already ride a Honda is an influence as well. My Shadow has not had a single issue in three years.

I'd still like to get some input from a Vulcan rider.

Dadinator · 02-09-2012, 11:00 PM

Ride a Vulcan. 2000, not 900. Sorry.

As big as you are, you may want to consider a bigger bike.
Up to you. I have the 2000 and am smaller than you.

It's a great bike.

3 trouble free miles with 24500 miles.

Good luck with your decision.

OTD · 02-10-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infrared41

I'm leaning heavily towards the VTX. It's just bigger (I'm 6' 3") and it seems to "fit" me better when I sit on it. The VTX is really comfortable while the Vulcan feels "short" for lack of a better term.

Power isn't really an issue for me. As long as my bike can do the speed limit, I'm happy. Mostly I want something bigger for the size difference from my Shadow.

Not having a fuel light or gauge isn't a big deal either. With my Shadow, I just reset the trip mileage when I fill up and calculate that way.

I ride like a grandmother (my accident is responsible for that) so there won't be any spirited riding.

The fact that I already ride a Honda is an influence as well. My Shadow has not had a single issue in three years.

I'd still like to get some input from a Vulcan rider.

I can see that with your size why you like the VTX. Some smaller folks complain about the bars being too far forward. The 1300 had plenty of power even two up. I thought it had a pretty low center of gravity for the size of the bike.
Good luck

cardinal sin · 03-08-2012, 05:25 PM

I currently ride a Kawasaki VN1500 Mean Streak but have owned a VN750 Vulcan and a VN800 Classic in the past the 750 was great but had problems with carb icing and the 800 was hopeless, it was gutless and ground down on both sides when cornering, consequently I went everywhere in a shower of sparks. My last bike was a Honda VTX1800 which was superb, it was quick and manoeverable for such a big bike, the build quality was second to none. I had to get rid of it due to the weight, I have a back problem and the dead weight was proving too much for me especially when we were two up with full camping kit on board, I was always afraid that I would drop it in a field somewhere and not be able to pick it up! My advice (for what it's worth) is go for the Honda. I really regret getting rid of mine.

infrared41 · 03-14-2012, 09:40 AM

I went with the VTX 1300. So far, I couldn't be happier with it. I need to get a new windshield bit other than that, it's a really great bike.

OTD · 03-14-2012, 12:58 PM

Congrats, Nice bike!

infrared41 · 03-14-2012, 06:11 PM

Thanks. I had it out all day today. Wow. What a ride. Unfortunately, whoever had before me must have been about a foot shorter than I am. That windshield is set perfectly to beat holy hell out of me when I ride. I've already picked out a 21" Memphis Shades to take it's place.

So if anyone is interested in a slightly used 19" Memphis Shades Sportshield with the quick change mounts, I've got one I'll let go cheap.

rcmike · 05-07-2012, 12:18 AM

Anyone got thoughts on the 2010 honda vtx1300 sabre ? dealer has a couple brand new that are just making me think about getting one. I got a new 09 shadow 750 spirit shaft drive about 3 months ago but just thinking i needed something a little bigger.

WJMDT · 06-24-2012, 11:11 PM

Congrats on teh new ride! Hope you continue to love it!

Kiwi Steve · 07-06-2012, 08:41 PM

Nice looking bike, like that colour and you got the sidebags and sissybar thrown in too by the looks of it. Should be big enough for two up, and yet not too large.

01-31-2012, 12:45 PM	#1
infrared41 Motorcyclist Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 10	Honda VTX 1300 S or Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT? Currently, I ride a Shadow 750 A.C.E. I want something bigger and better for two-up riding. Over the winter, I've been looking for a new bike. It's come down to a 2006 VTX 1300 or a 2007 Vulcan Classic. I really like both bikes. The VTX is a little more expensive and it's also a year older. The Vulcan is newer and a little cheaper but it's also a bit smaller than the VTX. The mileage is about the same on both bikes. I'm looking for input from folks who ride either one of these bikes. I'm not asking for which one is better etc., they're both supposed to be good bikes. I'm just curious about how they ride, if there are any maintenance issues, etc. I figure the best place to look for that kind of information is from people who actually own these bikes. Thanks in advance for any input.

02-06-2012, 01:32 PM	#4
OTD Ole Hamburger Hands Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Norman OK Posts: 5,007	I've never ridden the Vulcan, but I'll tell you what I didn't like about my VTX. 1. Stock seat sucks, I got used to it but my wife coulbn't go more than 100mi. w/o stopping. 2. No low fuel light or fuel guage. 3. Vibration in bars at speeds over 65. It's not terrible but when your hands are as messed up as mine it's an issue. 4. Speedometer is off about 10% by design. 5. Floorboards drag with any level of spirited riding. Since you're looking at an S this won't apply to you. 6. The choke/enrichener is a POS. I know this is kinda picking, the bike is great for one-up and short to medium rides. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by OTD; 02-06-2012 at 01:38 PM..

03-14-2012, 12:58 PM	#10
OTD Ole Hamburger Hands Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Norman OK Posts: 5,007	Congrats, Nice bike! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-24-2012, 11:11 PM	#13
WJMDT Verified Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pflugerville, TX near Austin Posts: 40	Congrats on teh new ride! Hope you continue to love it! __________________ Wes 2011 Victory Cross Roads

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02-01-2012, 02:46 AM	#2
mikee Newbie Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 4	Go with the VTX. Great bike. I have one in my garage along with my Victory. In my opinion I think Honda puts out a better product over Kawasaki but again that's just my opinion. Do what feels best for you. Mike

02-06-2012, 12:02 PM	#3
EntropyFx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 217	I ride a VTX 1300, amazing bike, never had any problems with it. Starts right up no problem, they do tend to run pretty cold-blooded, have to choke it out a while on cool mornings. My brother-in-law rides a Vulcan 900, he likes it quite a bit as well. As far as I know he has had no problems with his Vulcan. Though my VTX1300 will blow it away any day, doesn't seem to have anywhere close to the power and we are both big guys.

02-09-2012, 02:01 PM	#5
infrared41 Motorcyclist Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 10	I'm leaning heavily towards the VTX. It's just bigger (I'm 6' 3") and it seems to "fit" me better when I sit on it. The VTX is really comfortable while the Vulcan feels "short" for lack of a better term. Power isn't really an issue for me. As long as my bike can do the speed limit, I'm happy. Mostly I want something bigger for the size difference from my Shadow. Not having a fuel light or gauge isn't a big deal either. With my Shadow, I just reset the trip mileage when I fill up and calculate that way. I ride like a grandmother (my accident is responsible for that) so there won't be any spirited riding. The fact that I already ride a Honda is an influence as well. My Shadow has not had a single issue in three years. I'd still like to get some input from a Vulcan rider.

02-09-2012, 11:00 PM	#6
Dadinator Verified Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KY Posts: 82	Ride a Vulcan. 2000, not 900. Sorry. As big as you are, you may want to consider a bigger bike. Up to you. I have the 2000 and am smaller than you. It's a great bike. 3 trouble free miles with 24500 miles. Good luck with your decision.

03-08-2012, 05:25 PM	#8
cardinal sin Motorcyclist Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: County Durham, England Posts: 13	I currently ride a Kawasaki VN1500 Mean Streak but have owned a VN750 Vulcan and a VN800 Classic in the past the 750 was great but had problems with carb icing and the 800 was hopeless, it was gutless and ground down on both sides when cornering, consequently I went everywhere in a shower of sparks. My last bike was a Honda VTX1800 which was superb, it was quick and manoeverable for such a big bike, the build quality was second to none. I had to get rid of it due to the weight, I have a back problem and the dead weight was proving too much for me especially when we were two up with full camping kit on board, I was always afraid that I would drop it in a field somewhere and not be able to pick it up! My advice (for what it's worth) is go for the Honda. I really regret getting rid of mine.

03-14-2012, 09:40 AM	#9
infrared41 Motorcyclist Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 10	I went with the VTX 1300. So far, I couldn't be happier with it. I need to get a new windshield bit other than that, it's a really great bike.

03-14-2012, 06:11 PM	#11
infrared41 Motorcyclist Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 10	Thanks. I had it out all day today. Wow. What a ride. Unfortunately, whoever had before me must have been about a foot shorter than I am. That windshield is set perfectly to beat holy hell out of me when I ride. I've already picked out a 21" Memphis Shades to take it's place. So if anyone is interested in a slightly used 19" Memphis Shades Sportshield with the quick change mounts, I've got one I'll let go cheap.

05-07-2012, 12:18 AM	#12
rcmike Verified Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: d/fw, Texas Posts: 21	Anyone got thoughts on the 2010 honda vtx1300 sabre ? dealer has a couple brand new that are just making me think about getting one. I got a new 09 shadow 750 spirit shaft drive about 3 months ago but just thinking i needed something a little bigger.

07-06-2012, 08:41 PM	#14
Kiwi Steve Master At Arms Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mackay, Queensland, Australia Posts: 191	Nice looking bike, like that colour and you got the sidebags and sissybar thrown in too by the looks of it. Should be big enough for two up, and yet not too large.