Meteor 650 Vs Vulcan S 650 - Which is the best midweight Cruiser?

The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 viruses the Kawasaki Vulcan S 650. A full test and review. Which bike would you choose?

[@ZXspectrum..]

The Vulcan looks much better from all angles with a Café screen on it and more modern options for luggage etc, it then looks better than the meteor imo. Meteor wins on sound (soul), but other than that the Vulcan wins in all other areas. Including a bullet proof engine and reliability.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

It's not just the sound. It"s the character. Like the Vulcan is too good and refined. Too perfect, and therefore no character. But in all aspects it fits me better. It will be a better bike for me in the distant future. 🙏

[@jlrutube1312]

I don't think the reviewer understood the Vulcan S. He said it didn't feel as powerful. But he was riding it in the low rpm range. The Vulcan has a sports bike motor and makes it's power in the somewhat higher rev range. He was simply running it at such low revs he couldn't feel the power. It has a very different motor than the Enfield. Also he said it shook between 2 and 3 thousand rpms. That's because, for that motor, you are lugging it. He just didn't understand the bike. It isn't your typical cruiser.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

You are absolutely right. It’s a racing bike engine in a cruiser motorbike. The bike did everything I wanted it to do, and more. But compared to the old cruisers of 30 years ago (one of which I still own) it just didn’t have that cruiser feel. And it was the owner, who totally understood the bikes rpm, who said it lacked a bit of soul. But a motorbike with cruiser looks, the Vulcan is very impressive. 🙏

[@Wolfgang-the-Gray]

These are the two bikes I'm considering getting so this comparison is much appreciated. Due to a high school soccer injury, i can't ride long on a bike with a lot of handlebar vibration. My brother's Harleys put my throttle hand to sleep in minutes. I think the Vulcan's motor is smoother (when not lugging) & that equates to longer rides for me. They do both look beautiful though & Super Meteor has MUCH better colors than the Vulcan.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I was under throttling the Vulcan. I’m not used to such a high revving bike. And it was only at low revs and low speed I was getting the vibration. Tomorrow we plan to make a video. Meteor 650, Vulcan S 650 and Rebel 500 set up and compare. 🙏

[@markchalupsky2336]

I ordered the belt drive system from Robert today for a Royal Enfield 650 Meteor. He will ship Monday. It will be a few months before I order the RE 650 Meter, but my plan is to uncrate the bike and have the belt installed immediately as well as sides bags, back bag, bigger floorboards, handle bar USB etc. Then I will have a Kawasaki 650 S and a Super Meter 650, both with belt drives! I also have a Honda Forza 350 for driving around Pattaya

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Nice one. Let me know if ever you are cruising in the North of Thailand 🙏

[@freddy9210]

There's so much to like about your channel 😊 Comparison video like this is so helpful in knowing them.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank you Freddy. Much appreciated 🙏

[@petersteen4014]

That's a very fair review Teacher T. The Kawasaki wins it on efficiency, the Super Meteor on emotion - btw, I owned a similar NV400 when I finished my volunteer stint in Cambodia - it cost US$1800 and, when I sold it 3 years later, I got the same price. Furthermore, I had Hagon progressive fork springs uprated for a Suzuki GS500F and it made all the difference on these sub-standard roads.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thanks Peter. Yes I’m looking forward to the Hagon shocks 🙏

[@fabfafa]

For me the meteor wins with the look and caractère.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Me too at the moment. 🙏

[@robverheij561]

Personally, I think the SuperMeteor 650 is much nicer and looks more like a motorcycle, sorry.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

It does 🙏

[@jonathanadams4456]

I have a 2023 Vulcan s with 2k+ miles. And while I love it it's kind of an ugly duckling compared with the super meteor. It looks like the motorcycle version of Christian Bale's Batman if that makes any sense.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@jonathanadams4456 but the ride is so much more comfortable. Change the Alien head light, put a decent exhaust on and I'd be tempted to swap. But as wise people day, better to want what you have instead of have what you want 😂😂

[@apexxxx10]

*“Much nicer”?!?*

[@markchalupsky2336]

Yes, I have talked with Robert and I will order my belt system for the RE SM 650 soon!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Great news. Hope you like it as much as I do 🙏

[@leswatson8563]

Hi guys. I thought your assessment between both bikes was spot on. Although I'm riding the 650 Royal Enfield Super Meteor, originally I was intending to buy the 650 Kawasaki Vulcan. But none were in stock! I wouldn't swap my bike now but my grandson has just bought the 650 Vulcan. He loves it and the fact his bikes overall performance is better than mind. But his Volcan is his first bike. Best wishes to you from England and I'm looking forward to your next vid 👍.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

They are both great cruisers. You can’t go wrong with either one. It has to be a personal choice. But the Vulcan was a much easier to ride bike for me. I’m 55 now. In the next 5 years it may have to be a Vulcan because of weight and height issues. I’m currently visiting UK at the moment. Visiting family. Struggling with the rain in Cornwall and missing my bikes 🙏

[@peternguyen4969]

I love this video! I will consider SM650 once it arrived Vietnam market.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank you 🙏 I hope you get them soon. That is a long wait.

[@darrickkeels6387]

I think Kawasaki's Vulcan S is not made to have the look and feel of a classic/traditional cruiser. It's not an Indian, Harley or Royal Enfield. The Vulcan 900 Classic, Vaquero, or Voyager all have V-Twin engines, a low rumble, and an overall classic styling. They are designed to appeal to an older audience. I was sport bike shopping and the Vulcan S caught my eye while I was sitting on a ZX-10R lol!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Agreed. It’s a cruiser stance with a racing engine. I took the bike out again this weekend. 3 owners. Honda Rebel 500 vs Vulcan S 650 vs Meteor 650. We swapped bikes on a round robin. Next Friday’s video 🙏

[@scottbieber1731]

Great Review, Thanks

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thanks to you Scott 🙏

[@joshuathomas8529]

Two minutes into your video and you already confirmed that I made the right decision to buy the Super Meteor. At 6 foot 2 I am fully fat footed on my Super meteor, pushing it backwards is an easy task. I was unable to look at a Vulcan before I bought my Super meteor, I did look at Honda Rebels and they were to short for me.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

100% you made the right choice. Wish we was taller🙏

[@Rayraysplums]

I can flat foot the super meteor and im 5,7.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@Rayraysplums my inside leg is only 28 inches. That's my problem.

[@mistermusik]

Right on. 2019 Vulcan S owner here. I'd prefer belt drive and would make the conversion, if a quality kit were available. The fan does blow the heat off the engine right at my legs, which is what I'd expect from an air-cooled bike. I sat on a Super Meteor at a dealership. It is NOT merely a Meteor with a 650 jammed in. I found it too wide and heavy for the engine size and power. But I also agree that the Kawasaki does not feel all that powerful, probably because the numbers you cited were only achieved at the 7000 rpm range. Never felt the need to rev that high. The Super Meteor certainly has soul, but I commute almost daily on my Vulcan and I have to say that soul only goes so far. The Vulcan S simply has so many more refinements and conveniences, I'll stick with it. Thanks for the comparison. I'd like to recommend comparing the Vulcan S to the Honda CTX, as they are both modernized cruisers, and the Super Meteor to the Honda Shadow Aero 750, as traditional cruisers.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I did love the Vulcan. It ticked all the boxes for me. Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into it. Did you mean Honda CMX?

[@mistermusik]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand No, CTX. It's somewhat older but it's a modernized cruiser like the Vulcan S. I believe it comes in 700 and 1300cc, with a DCT option. CMX is the Rebel line.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@mistermusik I had to Google it. Wow. What a great looking cruiser. Haven’t seen one Iin Thailand, but found one on market place really cheap. I may have to get it. 2014, but only 17,000 km with panniers attached 😂🙏

[@ace100hyper3]

Cool comparison. I would prefer Super Meteor, it just looks cooler.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank. It does 😂🙏

[@teamrambocat]

Hey Teacher, got my SM 650 yesterday. It feels like a sports bike compared to my steed.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Welcome to the club. Yes I had that feeling also. I higher revving engine. Took me about a month to get used to it. Now I don’t notice it at all. An Interceptor engine. Which was a racing bike originally back on the day. I hope you get to have some long trouble free rides to get used to the new wheels. Choc dee🙏

[@teamrambocat]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand Thank you and Choc dee

[@user-zu6ir6kj5g]

I always imagined Kevin McCloud would drive a Morris Minor - never would have thought he was into bikes.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Ha ha ha. Been a biker for 40 years now. As well as designing and building 3 houses 😂🙏

[@user-zu6ir6kj5g]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand Three houses? Wow! You must be his half-brother then. I've only designed and built one - that was quite enough (at least I got it right first time....)

[@michaelreid2329]

Soul!? Wins out for many motorcycle riders, it can be what gets us out even on an overcast day. I'm looking forward to your review of the Hagon units: i can't tell how dissapointing were the OEM units on my test ride, and i don't undersyand how RE dropped the ball on that aspect. No heated grips i can sort of understand ( but not really on a touring capable motorcycle as their "top" model) but shit shocks today, no way.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Sometimes shake rattle and roll is good for soul. The Vulcan felt too clinical. Too perfect. But the rear shocks on the meteor are proved to be rubbish after riding the meteor. My previous complaints are justified. 😂

[@lnk4328]

Initially thought the same about the rear shocks. Have found that with them set on position 3 (of 4) and 36# air pressure in both tires they are comfortable for now with my 170# (plus gear) weight.

[@michaelreid2329]

​@@Teacher-T-ThailandI've now watched your Hagon shock review, thanks. What are your thoughts comparing the Hagons to the Vulcan now?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@michaelreid2329 ohhh the Vulcan still better. The offset mono shock worlds well. But the Hagon make my bike rideable at last. No more biting my tongue off if I accidentally place it between my teeth when riding 😂🙏

[@simonellis778]

Great video - thank you! I've been waiting for your comparison. May I ask how tall you are? AND - if you had ridden the Vulcan before the Super Meteor would you have bought the Vulcan instead? Thank you so much for your videos.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank you. I'm 5ft 8. But have a short inside leg of 28 inches, which is why I struggle on the Meteor.

[@simonellis778]

I'm the same height. Thank you. Would you choose the Vulcan over the Super Meteor now? Thank you so much for your reply

[@vulcan3198]

​@@Teacher-T-Thailandat 5'7" with identical bike, you & I have the same problem. But I got around it wearing thick soled boots. Now I can easily flatfoot💡

[@markchalupsky2336]

I have a Kawasaki 650 S and had a belt put on it last year. While I love the look of the SM 650, the Kawasaki is a much better bike for all the reasons you stated. Having said that I’m in the process of buying a Super Meteor 650 in the next 2 months. I will have a belt put on it out of the box?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I love my meteor, but I fear as I get older, the Kawasaki would be a lighter more easily manoeuvrable bike for me. One for the future. 650 Meteor belt drives are only available after market at the moment. Please look at my other videos ,🙏

[@mr.solitude3352]

When you live at a place that has highways, the Vulcan S is a FAR superior bike. Bikes don't have souls; it's the rider that adds the soul ingredient to the bike after the ignition is turned on. I also had the Vulcan S' siamese twin, the Versys 650. Same engine, just tuned differently. You can't beat Japanese quality motorcycles, period. P.S. You have to respect a bike manufacturer who builds a bike with the ability to configure it for short to tall people. That says something about Kawasaki's respect for its riders. My 36" inseams would not feel comfortable on any RE bike.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

36" wow. Well jealous with my limited 28". It's the 180 degree engine that loses the soul for me. Apart from that, the Vulcan is a far superior bike in every way. Japanese efficiency at its best 🙏

[@strangeguest]

Thats Different between Fiber made bikes and METALS MADE BIKES (RE) RE have a different taste of riding and royal feelings while riding RE.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

The RE does feel like a proper motorbike it’s true. 🙏

[@waynecameron4911]

A good comparison but I am older and prefer to do all of my own maintenance so ohc with shim valve adjustment is not for me

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

It’s great that you can. 🙏

[@jlrutube1312]

Which has shim and which doesn't?

[@mwchangmoto]

Supermeteor 650 look modern and promising

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Classic modern 😂🙏

[@rogerharris8557]

Hope the Hagon rear shocks for the Super Meteor is all positive ?🤔

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Will order them this week, while visiting UK. Another 2 weeks or so before I return and make a video 🙏

[@joshuadsouza7778]

On a hot summer day in traffic which bikes engine heats up more? Which bike engine heat is more bearable as a daily commuter?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Water cooled bikes in my experience always run hotter in slow traffic. The Vulcan did run hotter to me. 🙏

[@nelsonwilbury656]

Hola Recuerdo que en principio pense en la Vulcan S, pero luego vi la promoción de la SM 650 y me enamore la SM, por que traía escape a cada lado y se veia mas clasica. Ahora tambien la diferencia de precios aca en Peru ahora son cerca de los 4 mil dolares. La SM Celestial Blue ( la mia) viene con doble asiento, parabrisas y respaldo para copiloto. La Vulcan solo un asiento, sin parabrisas, claro que lo puedes instalar,pero es costo adicional. Olvidaba algo, creo que la Vulcan tiene más HP que la SM. Saludos

[@scottbieber1731]

On the Vulcan S there are 3 seat options short, medium and tall! The Vulcan he reviewed today has the short seat! As far as the wind screen that owner did buy one for that bike but he took it off because the wind was going over the screen and hitting him in the neck and pushing his helmet all over the place!

[@nelsonwilbury656]

@@scottbieber1731 hola; si tienes razón; 3 posiciones o tipo de asiento, muy bueno. En mi caso era el mediano. Pero me refería al asiento del copiloto. Acá a Perú solo llega con el asiento de piloto; el de copiloto lo compras aparte. Saludos

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

That's a big price difference. Not so much in the UK. I hope you are enjoying your RE in Peru! Thanks for watching.

[@ramanchowdhary]

Super meteor much apeel

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Indeed. A very beautiful bike,the Meteor 650. 🙏

[@mrtrek64]

So why am I watching super Metor videos after owning my nre Hunter 350 after 4 weeks? As much as I love my Hunter it's becoming clear to me I'm going to out grow this bike quite fast.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

It's the start of the addiction ,😂🙏

[@coco-fm7iy]

super meteor650 vs shotgun650 ?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Already done sir: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXPSn2yubriVoaM 🙏

[@coco-fm7iy]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand fantastic!!!

[@robverheij561]

R E S M 650 IS THE BEST!!!!!!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Yes sir 😂🙏

[@S00rabh]

Wait, Vulcan is like 1.5 times the price of RE. Its alsmot 2 times the price.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Depends on your country. And because available since 2015, some great second hand bargains to be had 🙏

[@S00rabh]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand it is not a fair comparison in that case. A new cheap bike vs an old expensive cheap bike. Although the most import point was covered. Kawasaki lacks soul. It just looks and feels like another bike.

[@markchalupsky2336]

Not true, they cost almost the same and you could find a used Kawasaki for 100,000 baht

[@markchalupsky2336]

I believe the Kawasaki S has its own soul- a modern day soul.

[@S00rabh]

@@markchalupsky2336 oh that's really nice if it's the same price. Unexpected to be honest.

[@BobfmBali]

It's a head over heart matter. The Kwak wins hands down however I for one would not give the Kwak more than 1 look as it just has no soul. If you don't look back or want to go outside and look at your bike then it just hasn't invoked the passion inside 😮 and it never will. Better to buy a bike that knocks you off your feet when you first see it rather than 1 that ticks all the boxes.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

555 love to logic Bob 🙏

[@markchalupsky2336]

I respectfully disagree! I want the bike that handles the best, is most comfortable, has a bullet proof engine with some zip, and is backed by a proven company. What soul are you talking about. See a doctor!

[@markchalupsky2336]

Hog wash!

[@BobfmBali]

You mean the Kwak doesn't win 😋

[@jotoportillo7128]

Meteor 650 has all the edges vs vulcan 650. Vulcan is 180 degree crankshaft while metoer is 270 which is the best even with the 360. Vulcan is ugly, meteor is nice looking cruiser....vulcan is far behind from meteor 650

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

The Vulcan wins everything, but not our heart 😂🙏

[@Empty25647]

The vulcan doesn't sound classic.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Or feels it sadly. Great bike otherwise. 🙏

[@uweyaa]

Kawasaki looks ugly👎

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I'm not a fan of the headlight it's true. 🤣

[@uweyaa]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand Look at exaust!

[@alexrennie7483]

only a mother could love that look. was my conclusion before i bought my RESM..... it's all about the journey not the destination

[@markchalupsky2336]

The reality is the Kawasaki is the better bike even if it doesn’t have a soul! Ha ha ha

[@markchalupsky2336]

@@alexrennie7483 It should be about the best ride and best engine--that is the Kawasaki S

[@angtithi]

Fuel affects & looks make me choose Royal enfield.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

It’s all personal preference. Both great unique mid cruiser style bikes 🙏