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

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Күн бұрын

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@markchalupsky2336 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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

@leswatson8563 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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 🙏

@markchalupsky2336 7 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

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

@petersteen4014 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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

@ZXspectrum.. 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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. 🙏

@fabfafa 7 ай бұрын

For me the meteor wins with the look and caractère.

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

Me too at the moment. 🙏

@peternguyen4969 7 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

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

@86ngohiennh 2 күн бұрын

Ở Việt Nam khônh biết có bán không

@joshuathomas8529 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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

@Rayraysplums 7 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

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

@teamrambocat 7 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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

@jlrutube1312 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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. 🙏

@mikthe2004 2 ай бұрын

I test rode a Vulcan before I bought my Super Meteor. At around 80kms and over the Vulcan vibrated a lot!! It really put me off! Other riders I know complained of the same thing. He mentions it at 8:45, but I wasn't sure where the vibration was coming from. Engine, body or handlebars? But it was quite bad. It's the main reason I bought the Super Meteor. It's a beautiful looking bike!! Very classic! I got the Celestial Red with the good pillion seat, and Windscreen. Everybody always comments on what a beautiful bike it is.

@Teacher-T-Thailand 2 ай бұрын

To stop the vibrations on the Vulcan you have to keep it high rev all the time. It's basically a racing engine from the Ninja. Which is the only downside to the bike. High revs don't really make relaxed cruising. 🙏

@mikthe2004 2 ай бұрын

@@Teacher-T-Thailand Yeah, but it's a pretty big downside!! I bought my Super Meteor to cruise, and I love it, and my girlfriends love the very comfy rear seat with the little back rest!!

@Wolfgang-the-Gray 4 ай бұрын

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 4 ай бұрын

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. 🙏

@HalfCrazy520 Ай бұрын

On the comment about 'soul': My refrigerator is perfectly functional. It keeps things cold and it makes ice too, but I have no love for it. It's an appliance. Some motorcycles are appliances. They do everything you want a motorcycle to do and they do it well, but they don't stir emotion. Some motorcycles have a certain 'character' that elicits an emotional connection to the machine. You smile at the sound, the pulse of the engine... when you ride it you FEEL something that you would struggle to explain. Example: My friend had a 2nd generation Yamaha V-Max making well in excess of 220 rear wheel HP. He also had a 1983 Harley FXR with upgraded brakes and suspension and an engine making 125 HP. My bike was apart, waiting for the cylinders to be re-sleeved, so we rode together a few days and we would trade back and forth between his two bikes. The V-Max was fast. Really, really fast. However, I didn't enjoy riding it. The FXR, on the other hand, was fun to ride, despite its quirks. It had character... a simple elegance of sorts... it stirred my emotions. I looked forward to riding it. Just some thoughts.

@Teacher-T-Thailand Ай бұрын

V-Max. What a monster. And a death trap. Yes, you have to feel the bike. Become one with it. Glad you found yours. I’m still looking for mine, but the Meteor 650 is 90% there with my modifications. Still looking for perfection 🙏

@HalfCrazy520 Ай бұрын

@@Teacher-T-Thailand " *Glad you found yours* " I didn't say what my bike was. I'm not sure perfection exists, but I've been close with my Victory Kingpin that made nearly 100 more HP than your Meteor and felt like it was carved from a solid block of metal. Left Lane... kzbin.info/www/bejne/apjHgaSprM6hZqc Right now, I've been eyeing the Shotgun from RE.

@freddy9210 7 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

Thank you Freddy. Much appreciated 🙏

@ace100hyper3 5 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 5 ай бұрын

Thank. It does 😂🙏

@markchalupsky2336 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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 ,🙏

@scottbieber1731 7 ай бұрын

Great Review, Thanks

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

Thanks to you Scott 🙏

@mistermusik 5 ай бұрын

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 5 ай бұрын

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 5 ай бұрын

@@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 5 ай бұрын

@@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 😂🙏

@waynecameron4911 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

It’s great that you can. 🙏

@jlrutube1312 7 ай бұрын

Which has shim and which doesn't?

@gerardoperrusquia6203 3 ай бұрын

I recommend you switch the exhaust for racing rhino they will improve sound and increase 20 0/0 power

@Teacher-T-Thailand 3 ай бұрын

Yes, I saw and heard them up close for the first time this weekend. They are top of the list 👌🙏

@nathanruben-tv5lf 2 ай бұрын

I never buy first releases in anything. Manufacturers learns their mistakes and correct, upgrade the product in years to come. Kawasaki has been perfecting this cruisersfor some time.

@Teacher-T-Thailand 2 ай бұрын

Good logic. As you say, always faults on first models.

@slawomirkulinski 19 күн бұрын

Seat height is a good news for Vulcan. My wife was trying my Super Meteor and she can't reach the ground.

@Teacher-T-Thailand 18 күн бұрын

He’s the low seat option would suit even the shortest of riders. A major plus for the Vulcan 🙏

@strangeguest 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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

@darrickkeels6387 4 ай бұрын

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 4 ай бұрын

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 🙏

@DougBrown-h1n 7 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

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

@DougBrown-h1n 7 ай бұрын

@@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....)

@bikermc 7 ай бұрын

Supermeteor 650 look modern and promising

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

Classic modern 😂🙏

@michaelreid2329 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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 6 ай бұрын

@@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 6 ай бұрын

@@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 😂🙏

@treetopsleeper 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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

@treetopsleeper 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

@@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💡

@rogerharris8557 7 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

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

@joshuadsouza7778 5 ай бұрын

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 5 ай бұрын

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

@mr.solitude3352 4 ай бұрын

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 4 ай бұрын

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 🙏

@nelsonwilbury656 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

@@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 7 ай бұрын

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

@mrtrek64 6 ай бұрын

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 6 ай бұрын

It's the start of the addiction ,😂🙏

@robverheij561 7 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

It does 🙏

@jonathanadams4456 5 ай бұрын

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 5 ай бұрын

@@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 4 ай бұрын

*“Much nicer”?!?*

@corneilcorneil 2 ай бұрын

As a Vulcan fanatic, i don't like the 650S since it is no Vulcan at all. Kawa call it so, but it has zero Vulcan dna if you line them up, you will see what i mean. Even the 400 is a "bigger" bike. It is a Ninja with forward mounted controls and sound like a angry lawn mower because the 180 degree engine.

@ed.t.hansen6499 3 ай бұрын

there is no choice in some countries for seats; you buy and import them from USA only and it costs 2-3x as much to get them to your country. Why is kaw all over supportive of accessories. ??

@Teacher-T-Thailand 3 ай бұрын

That’s probably why Scott keeps the low seat when he”s a tall rider😂🙏

@antichairman4073 3 ай бұрын

i like kawasaki also the K the 11

@Teacher-T-Thailand 3 ай бұрын

👌🙏

@S00rabh 7 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 7 ай бұрын

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

@S00rabh 7 ай бұрын

@@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 7 ай бұрын

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

@markchalupsky2336 7 ай бұрын

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

@S00rabh 7 ай бұрын

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

@부군코코 5 ай бұрын

super meteor650 vs shotgun650 ?

@Teacher-T-Thailand 5 ай бұрын

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

@부군코코 5 ай бұрын

@@Teacher-T-Thailand fantastic!!!

@robverheij561 5 ай бұрын

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

@Teacher-T-Thailand 5 ай бұрын

Yes sir 😂🙏

@ramanchowdhary 4 ай бұрын

Super meteor much apeel

@Teacher-T-Thailand 4 ай бұрын

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

@jotoportillo7128 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

The Vulcan wins everything, but not our heart 😂🙏

@BobfmBali 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

555 love to logic Bob 🙏

@markchalupsky2336 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

Hog wash!

@BobfmBali 7 ай бұрын

You mean the Kwak doesn't win 😋