How to use motorcyle clutch and throttle on vulcan 650 for beginners

[@username-mark]

This is a video you didnt think you needed until you watched it. As an older guy ( 60 ) looking to get my first bike i would have thought all clutches were thw same.

[@firstinlastout]

Right? Would you recommend this bike for a 6'2 300 lb Rider like myself?

[@username-mark]

@firstinlastout best thing to do is go sit on it and see how it feels. You can adjust the back shock if need be.

[@firstinlastout]

@@username-mark I can adjust anything on a bike or a car, but I don't want to have to pay for it. I want to buy something that I won't have to do any mods on. Been there, done that , with my Camaro Z28 and SS in the past. I hate modding.

[@username-mark]

@firstinlastout the back shock has either 5 or 7 settings that can be adjusted. 5 I think.

[@firstinlastout]

@@username-mark oh yeah, rebound only. No compression setting though . Amazing that a Teewing XTR electrical scooter, that can go 65 mph, it cost $3,300 has both compression and rebound adjustment settings for its rear shock. But a Kawasaki Vulcan doesn't😖

[@StitchJones]

49(almost) 50 here. I just got a 2019 Vulcan S used. When you mentioned the dent in your tank, I totally relate. I dumped my bike in the parking lot of the dealer when I picked it up. I was so embarrased. This video was very helpful! Thank you!

[@bikerbeliever8169]

No problem it is a great bike especially as a first bike that you won't get tired of.

[@firstinlastout]

Do you recommend this bike for a 6'2 300 lb Rider like myself? Thanks

[@coldtek573]

Truly appreciate you making this video, just bought my very first bike, Vulcan S

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Awesome, it's a good bike still enjoying mine years later.

[@jordanleach1747]

Thank you brother, I will say its easier knowing how to drive a manual car is definitely helpful! I appreciate the detail you went through and releasing the clutch, I recently tried riding my sisters bike and she kind forgot to tell me that I didn't have to account for the weight of the bike like you do with a car. So next I try riding, I will heed your advice and remember what you said. Thank you and God bless, and Be SAFE my brother!

[@firstinlastout]

JESUS IS COMING!

[@pwalders]

As a new guy learning to not stall every time I go out, some of the stuff you talk about I have witnessed my self. I thought the jerkiness in the lower gears was me just being bad with throttle control(as I think that’s why I stall at take off) good video and thank you!!

[@bikerbeliever8169]

No problem man yes there's definitely a jerkiness there to the throttle we just have to learn to adapt to.

[@eliziocantio1111]

Man this help me take off so much smoother.. thank u!

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Your welcome I'm glad to hear that.

[@smilinkyle]

Coming from a 2012 Yamaha FJR1300 I'm not used to the amount of play in the throttle on my 2021 Vulcan S. Thanks for shedding some light on what to look for and do.

[@bikerbeliever8169]

no problem any time

[@robertf3397]

Good video, good info! I'm a new rider, just got a '22 Vulcan S a few weeks ago. I have trying to be smoother on take-offs (from a stop), and have been wondering about the "jerky" throttle. Wondered if it was me or just how the bike is. This vid really helped! Thanks!

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Your welcome thats great to hear no problem

[@zachrat9083]

I love this bike so much. I put some saddle bags & a cs racing exhaust on it. It is my designated harley killer 🤣. Couldn’t have chosen a better first bike. Even now with more experience, it is even more fun lol Edit: You should do a rev matching video on it. It was a little harder for me when I was learning with the quiet stock exhaust.

[@bikerbeliever8169]

This bike is hard to rev match on compared to my other bikes. I'm not 100% sure the cause. Either the delayed throttle or that I feel like I have to pull the throttle back more on this bike than on my other bikes for the same amount of revs/blip. On my other bikes I can literally just blip the throttle exactly like it sounds like it should be a blip. On vulcan I have to hold on to throttle longer and hold or and twist little further so not much of a blip but more of a prolonged blip or twist of the throttle. Also it could be that on the vulcan the throttle is heavier the twisting motion. I still do it normal riding bit when getting on it more I struggle getting good accurate rev match on vulcan. Lol sorry that's my long technical analysis if it made any sense. My Guzzi and Husky blip are easy and match revs just right and smooth.

[@zachrat9083]

@@bikerbeliever8169 I always arrived at a similar conclusion. It just needs to be blipped a bit harder and it does fine. I’ve also held the throttle longer & that honestly sounds fine too, but may put to much wear on the clutch not sure. It drove me crazy when I was learning how because I knew I was doing it right, but I had to be so dramatic & intense with it to make it sound how others did it. Getting a different exhaust helped me a ton hearing it a bit better.

[@bikerbeliever8169]

@@zachrat9083 yes it can be done, I think the husqvarna 701 blips so easy it kinda spoiled me so when I go back to ride Vulcan I have to reset myself some.

[@firstinlastout]

That's awesome, would you recommend this bike for a 6'2 300 lb Rider??

[@zachrat9083]

@@firstinlastout Dude when I started riding the bike i was exactly 6'2 300lb haha. I am 220 now and still riding the same bike. Just make sure the dealer orders the extended reach seat and adjusts the front pegs.

[@3lemental]

Aww yes. Thank you for the video.

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Hey no problem your welcome

[@firstinlastout]

Thanks for doing this video. I appreciate it. Question for you, I'm 642 and 300 lb. Will this be a good fit for me? I live in Miami florida, where is there is just flat terrain. I do not plan going on the highway with it. Thank you👍

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Yes, absolutely

[@firstinlastout]

@@bikerbeliever8169 thank you for the reply

[@VeioooOOO]

Thx buddy, helps a lot. Will get my bike and ride it home 300 miles after 10 years from ridding my first bike.

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Honestly if you take your time and are patient, shouldn't be a problem.

[@Lupotkd]

The Vulcan S 650 is my first bike. First learning. Specs say to shift into 2nd around 9mph, 3rd around 15mph, and you are in 6th by 34mph. When I tell riders of other bikes that, they are surprised. I find I need to shift to 2nd before I complete my turns and I don’t gun it. What are your thoughts? Do you shift mid turn? Are you in 6th by 35mph? Thanks for feedback.

[@bikerbeliever8169]

I think I'm not in 6th til like 55mph. I do go to second to corner because it's smoother than being in first gear on the vulcan. The throttle is snatchier that many bikes. When just cruising on the vulcan you can figure 10mph for each gear, give or take, if you want it to be smooth rise with less engine bucking. The motor gets way smoother over time though and will do better in lower revs with less bucking.

[@firstinlastout]

Awesome, would you recommend this bike for a 6'2 300 lb Rider like myself?

[@Lupotkd]

The Kawasaki Vulcan S is modular. You can set it for taller riders like yourself. Order it that way new or purchase the seat and shorter shift rod you need after market for used. I’m shorter and it’s perfect but I’ve seen videos of 6 footers saying it is fine. Only thing is, it is known for uncomfortable seats after about an hour. Consider an aftermarket seat (Corbin) for longer distances.

[@firstinlastout]

@@Lupotkd thanks. Is the Corbin seat for tall riders though? I Can't find any information about that

[@roguevisual2245]

Im a new rider and I just got the vulcan 650. When you do you sharp turns in a low gear, do you normally use the clutch and the throttle or do you also use the rear break to adjust your speed? Ive been trying a few different ways since its a little jumpy in 1/2nd gear. I didnt have the problem on the bike I took my MSF class with.

[@bikerbeliever8169]

I do both at different times. Either technique can work, if the bike is new though it won't be as smooth and will buck more easily until got few thousand miles on it. So using the clutch is good for smoothing out the throttle at low speeds/rpms.

[@firstinlastout]

Awesome, would you recommend this bike for a 6'2 300 lb Rider like myself?

[@slowlylightning7634]

My Vulcan S is from 2019 and i have the Number from the Gears in my Display integrated, from wich year is yours ?

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Ours was a 2016 I believe. They added the gear display in 2017 I think.

[@slowlylightning7634]

@@bikerbeliever8169 oh okay, maybe it can be so.

[@firstinlastout]

Awesome, would you recommend this bike for a 6'2 300 lb Rider like myself?

[@abelgonzaslez2103]

THANKS I AM FIXING TO BUY A BIKE AND WILL DO ,

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Right on!

[@jb1605]

That clutch is hard for me such a grabby clutch grabs so hard on mine I’ve driven manual cars/trucks think I’m going to practice in a parking lot

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Nothing wrong with practice. The friction zone on lot of modern bikes/cars has gotten really small to where it is either on or off, just matter of being as smooth as you can coming off the clutch allowing bike to start rolling and giving just enough throttle to get you going before coming fully off the clutch. It takes practice, but everybody has been there and everybody has had to learn and it is different operating it with your hand vs a pedal in car. Just different feeling even though it does the same thing.

[@21bum]

At what speed limit do you decide to start shifting to different gears?

[@bikerbeliever8169]

I dont really use a speed limit, I just go by where the motor is happiest when riding. For cruising the vulcan is good between 4k and 6k rpm, but pulls easily all the way up past 9k rpm. If I had to guess that is going to be 10 to 15 mph per gear, but thats not what I would go by. If your a new rider get a feel for the bike and you notice it will shutter and shake when them revs start dropping meaning you need to go down a gear and obviously you can tell when the motor is really revving high, cause it'll be singing really loud you know you are probably way to high in the rev range for normal cruising.

[@everarreola7705]

Nice video, quick question what front indicators are you using maybe a small clip just to see them up close

[@bikerbeliever8169]

cheap but very effective and the drl thing is pretty kool as well www.amazon.com/dp/B07SZDDZFJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_6ZGSF78W4R0BH6VMSPPA

[@everarreola7705]

@@bikerbeliever8169 thanks for the link and the heart also ride safe my friend

[@johnd9031]

Good explanation.

[@clairebelle8389]

Hi, what’s your groovy little gear indicator screen?

[@bikerbeliever8169]

www.amazon.com/dp/B01LW6L5FZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_R2E8ZC4GNKJ8S4Z9WQG8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 easy install, just figuring out where to tuck the wire is the only tricky part but no really

[@bikerbeliever8169]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081Q6W84Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 oh yeah this is the holder I have it on as well

[@clairebelle8389]

@@bikerbeliever8169 thank you, that’s great, I appreciate your reply

[@saltysoup4634]

I noticed this bike came with an adjustable clutch and brake lever system. What number are you using for yours?

[@bikerbeliever8169]

I dont know this is whatever my wife had it set on which is probably 1 or 2 for smaller hand tighter grip pull. These levers are aftermarket though not standard.

[@firstinlastout]

Awesome, would you recommend this bike for a 6'2 300 lb Rider like myself?

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Extended reach seat and forward peg position. Eventually buy an aftermarket seat for longer rides. Yeah I think would be fine.

[@firstinlastout]

@@bikerbeliever8169 thanks

[@firstinlastout]

@@bikerbeliever8169 thank you.

[@xShadowXscarx]

The bike has an engine. The words engine and motor are not interchangeable. Engines are completely different than motors. Please learn the difference.

[@firstinlastout]

Oh geez. Thank you Mr Know It All

[@xShadowXscarx]

@@firstinlastout You’re welcome