The Kawasaki that puts Sportsters to SHAME! 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom Ride Along!

[@Lee-70ish]

Great run through. Picking up a used Custom Special tomorrow 12,600 on the clock All black with red head covers . This will be my last bike after 50 odd years of riding so getting close to hang up the skid lid time Wanted a reliable power plant foot forward cruiser that was low to mount as Ive got degenerative hips. Just want to add a small black 13inch tinted fly screen and found an extra thick (38mm) black D crash bar with splay pegs fitted. Post covid I'll be looking forward to clocking up the miles around our UK coastal roads then the Scottish 500 Which is epic for cars or bikes.. Safe riding everyone🖖

[@jonesywagga]

I got a 2010, with lots of extras, the most fun bike, so reliable never given me a problem, I love it to bits

[@jonesywagga]

@CakeSulli nothing that comes to mind, I’ve replaced a battery that’s it

[@gregh2880]

I bought that same bike (2008 Custom 900) last October, as a brand new rider. While shopping my criteria was 1) it had to work for me as a new rider and 2) I did not want to outgrow this bike in 6 months time. I had quite a few people tell me to get a 400 or 500cc bike, but I knew I would outgrow those bikes. After 9 month owning the VN900, I still love this bike! It works for me very well. I can easily keep up with any other riders on much bigger bikes (cc's), and the reliability of these Vulcans are second to none. Note, my bike came with custom exhaust, the Hard Krome American Classics II matte black. It looks and sounds "sick" as my daughter would say. I also pulled the Vulcan gas tank badges off, so very few people have any idea what I'm riding!

[@marcmaschal2897]

Like what you said until you mentioned you pulled the badges off.Why ? Nothing wrong with driving a Kawasaki Vulcan ( I have a 2009 )

[@gregh2880]

@@marcmaschal2897 - just to be different, not shame at all. It's kind of cool to see people come up to my bike a look it over, still not knowing what the heck it is! ;-)

[@philnorman5912]

@@gregh2880 I keep the Vulcan badges on . I'm proud of it.

[@Voltomess]

I got a hard time deciding between classic 900 and Vulcan S 😖😖😖😖

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

how is the vulcan treating you? Also do you have any exhaust videos posted? I would love to hear those pipes

[@byrrdiescales2838]

Just bought a 2015 Vulcan 900 classic. Great video

[@erickyauco]

I just bought an 07’ of these. Same candy fire red color. Paid $3,300. Picking it up Saturday. Can’t wait to ride this thing. Thanks for the review.

[@teekay8134]

I have a 07 and love it👍👍

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

nice find! How is the Vulcan treating you?

[@erickyauco]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx so far so good. I absolutely love it. It had 21k miles on it and I put about 1,500 this summer. No issues whatsoever. At the moment I have no desire to buy anything bigger than a 900cc. Took my wife (5’ 6” and about 145-150 lbs) for a few rides and I could barely tell she was back there.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

@@erickyauco yeah and these are super nimble. So even if they are slower you can make it up in the twistes

[@TheTriplelman]

soon as you buy a bike, 1st thing - GET A HORN - the mini mouse horns SUC get a 140dec. horn LOUD!!

[@jbrib2450]

Had mine new since 2007. Still nothing like getting on it and cruising backroads and highways. Took it from Chicago to Wisconsin dells last year. Just cruises beautiful at 85 90 mph with me on it and im 275. Very low maintenance

[@Scottirish93]

Awesome video, where did you find those mini floorboards with the extenders?

[@Scottirish93]

Any adapters needed to purchase as well?

[@guitarskooter]

They are Kuryakyn Swingwing Footpegs. I've got them on mine and love them. When closed they are more comfortable than pegs, and you can still have an angled stance unlike floorboards.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

No clue they were on the bike when we got it

[@thomaslemond5913]

Just got a new 2019/AWESOME BIKE LOVE IT/220LBS,PULLS ME LIKE A BABY/RIDES AND LOOKS AWESOME! LOVE IT!

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Congrats on the new ride!

[@thomaslemond5913]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx Thank You ✌️

[@elijahclark6093]

Just bought a 2k19 900 custom as my first bike. 5k miles and around 8 grand. Really cant wait to put some miles on it. Very glad I went with the Vulcan over the others I was looking at

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

What color is your bike?

[@elijahclark6093]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx it's the only color the custom came in that year. Black and grey with a little touch of orange accents. It gets a lot of compliments.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

I haven’t seen that color in person but it looks like a very trick looking bike in photos

[@elijahclark6093]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx it really is a great looking bike. For the price I think they really knocked it out of the park

[@seanpaul4896]

just got a 2007 vulcan custom and i absolutely fell into love with it

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Nice! Congrats on the new bike? How’s it holding up?

[@artmercado1735]

do you have any carb or heat issues after the debaffle?

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

No clue, this bikes long gone

[@letsride8327]

I have the same bike. I've been riding it for 5 years without any problems. The only time it was in the shop was for the 15K valve check.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Anything done to your bike as far as exhaust/motor/intake/fuel management?

[@letsride8327]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx Nope, it had a windshield, sissy bar and custom grips when I bought it. I changed the stock seat to a Mustang.

[@lionelhowell4972]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx I'm 6'1 is this a good fit for me?? my VTXc does not fit my LEGS!!!

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

I've ridden the heck out of my Classic. Same bike, different front wheel from the Custom. 55 mpg at interestate speeds with Cobra pipes. 40k miles. There's a guy well over 150k miles and still going.

[@itayigoredema6380]

Great bike. Got 1 in my garage. Classic bike

[@0Rthx]

adding cobra swepts with cobra intake and pcv next week on 18 custom 900. hopefully to get atleast 10 whp out of it on dyno lol, decided to keep the bike and tweak a little instead, perfect work commuter and back road cruiser. Need to find descent 2 up seat now, seems nothing much to choose from out there, whats the foot peg part# nice 2 in 1 design.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Not sure on the part number for the peg, they were on the bike when it came in

[@DevilishBf]

I owned one of these at one point and loved it but it was maybe a little too heavy for me at first. I'm wondering if I should get another one or maybe a yamaha bolt or maybe something else. Thoughts?

[@joshmorgan794]

The Vulcan 650s would be a good option

[@rancidmilk8824]

@@joshmorgan794 Wouldn't the vulcan 750 be another good option?

[@joshmorgan794]

@@rancidmilk8824 sure I don’t see why it wouldn’t be .. personally I never found the Vulcan 900 that heavy but I’ve been riding for years

[@ryansmith9797]

Where did you get the pegs

[@UncleRobsGarage]

Bought a 2009 4 years ago after owning a harley. I'm definitely getting another 900 vulcan.

[@MrGchiasson]

I'll be riding my new Vulcan 900 custom this summer! First road trip....the beach!

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

How was that beach trip?

[@just-dl]

man, I rode with you all the way back to shop. nice bike. thanks for the tour! I'd like to lay hands on a newer 900, but, that one looks lovely. And, I'm sure the pricing/insurance would be favorable going a little older, too. All the best!

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Thanks for watching! The 900’s really are great machines, either way you’ll be happy!

[@just-dl]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx thanks!

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

They're mechanically the same for the whole run, just fyi.

[@imrelentless97]

Oh classic L. PA beautiful back roads i now live in FL. Let me tell you i now live in a state where owning a bike would be wise, cause i can ride all year round. I plan on getting one of these they look like fun. I used to have a yamaha R6. Im done speeding around hitting 150mph. Time to he responsible and actually enjoy crusing on highways

[@JohnnyRebKy]

They are best bang for the buck. If they made the 900 back in 2003 I would have bought one as first bike instead of a 883. I was 19 years old . Back then we had the Vulcan 800 and I liked the Harley better . The Vulcan 800 was also small . The 900 is about the size of a HD softial so you get a bigger comfy bike without having to pay for a big engine . The Harley softial is 1500cc and up and cost more . The 900 has plenty of power and roomy enough you wont outgrow it in a year when you wanna ride longer or 2 up. The Sportster and Vulcan 800 you might as well forget long trips and 2 up

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Almost identical dimensions to a FXDWG, yeah. They're a mid sized engine in a full cruiser frame.

[@sshamon72]

I keep going back and forth between this bike and the Yamaha Bolt. I just can't decide. I like them both.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Two very different riding positions, both great bikes, personally I prefer the Vulcans lower more stretched out riding position

[@jet0577]

Same here

[@VirgilKawasaki]

I'm in the same position. I really like both.

[@exexpat11]

The Bolt went to directly copy the 883 with all of the ergonomic faults of the 883 (small postage stamp seat, knee knocking on breather, cramped leg position). The Vulcan exceeds the XL1200 as far as comfort. Bolt 40HP. Vulcan 50HP.

[@budredden818]

I have both

[@darrenjackson9094]

I have the same type of mirrors, But I need to use an adapter to get the right size...Did you? If not what kind are they?

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

these mirrors came on that bike so we wouldnt have known

[@Coyote-wm5op]

I’ve heard the 900’s are very reliable and durable. Mine has 35k miles and I’ve only done regular maintenance and replaced one shim which is the easiest rocker arm design you could ask for

[@dalecarpenter8828]

So why cant they get the rear fend right ! Why is the a*s always sticking way up in the air ! With a mile between the tiny rear wheel !

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

dale carpenter they have to ensure that there’s more then sufficient travel, that way in the event of heavy suspension compression there’s no contact between the body and the wheel. Lowering kits are cheap and readily available for nearly any bike. That way if something happens the owner is at fault instead of the manufacture

[@RogerBuffington]

Do any Vulcan 900s have ABS?

[@AtheerDawood-bt9wr]

Can it handle a passenger, 310 lb in total?

[@exexpat11]

Pros and Cons. Pros - The look, bullet proof engine, fuel capacity, nice seat. Cons - Low Power. Not as many accessories. Not much in the way of power upgrades. Does it beat a Sportster? Yes and No. They are nice little pocket cruisers and beat the heck out of Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha as far as a cruisers. The Vulcan line 800's and 900's have been on the road for over twenty years.

[@vicmanjw]

I agree with those points, after 70 mph it’s not enjoyable . My old Vulcan did not care for the highway

[@ryansmith9797]

@@vicmanjwI can hit 90 and and it still wants to go more very stable

[@johnmars3923]

Grate riding bike. I owner one for 8 years !!!

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Which model do you have?

[@donhenderson5100]

We have a 2005 Kaeasaki Nomad that we bought new. Looking at the 900s now. Nomad is a great bike, but it's heavy. At 63 years old, we need something a bit more nimble.

[@duaneplumiii1484]

Is this air cooled or liquid? New to bikes and looking at this same bike

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

liquid cooled

[@just-dl]

I want a 900 custom. Blacked out. I can live with stock pipes, too. (Not to say my drill won’t be used!) 😇

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Kawi actually did a 900 custom special edition. All blacked out everything (except the pipes) but it was. Killer looking bike

[@just-dl]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx I think I've seen it; at least I saw a black beauty that I'd be glad to ride! But, I'm not set on all black; I just don't like chrome. (Yeah, I know. I just opened myself up to public execution speaking against the holy chrome....) ;-)

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

I live by the saying “chrome won’t take you home”

[@thomaslemond5913]

Love my Vulcan

[@ericoswald5222]

She sounds great 👍

[@LeeKirkman88]

My father has the Yamaha xvs1300 stryker. And that puts them to shame too. Its real low on the back end.

[@johnviegas496]

Hi all, l live in South Africa and l have and ride one the same color 2008 "Cherry red" Custom. Baffles are also out, with minor cosmetic and mechanical as improvements. The worst thing that happened was coming off a side walk and cracking the stater motor( kind of expensive here, so l and a buddy repaired it}. Happy cruising ride safe for all in 2021....

[@Vasudeva108.]

What I like about the 900 is the 5 gallon fuel capacity nice

[@donavan4387]

Those foot pegs are slick! Definitely gonna look into those.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

did you end up going with a set of these then?

[@donavan4387]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx nope. Just kept everything stock. Ended up selling the bike.

[@JW-bw8nj]

@@donavan4387 Did you sell it for a different bike? If so, what did you get?

[@donavan4387]

@@JW-bw8nj I sold it and haven’t purchased another bike yet. I will in the near future. Thinking about going back to sport bikes

[@shelbyvernon9892]

Just picked one of these up. 2009 with only 4k miles on it.

[@donweaver1600]

Great bikes keeping mine just sold my vtx 1300 to heavy and handles like a pig.kwak Vulcan handles well easy to push about and simple to maintain and enough torque to pull 2 easy .Only thing is that missing extra gear .

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Yeah you definitely reach for that 6th gear a few times

[@dj-wp6qy]

anyone whoo sees this, can the vulcan custom do a front wheel change with a classic front tire?

[@Daniel-xc4pq]

Idk

[@dangunn6961]

I had a 1982 suzuki gs 750 would go zero to sixty in 3.3 seconds. Fun bike.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Those GS bikes were game changers!

[@marcoduvall4404]

I love mine! :)

[@ubaldo24v81]

Should I buy one for 1800$, in really good condition it’s a 07

[@teekay8134]

He'll Yeah...get it before I find it because I have one a day will definitely buy it for $1800...👍

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

yes, i hope you bought this

[@KEVROREACTS]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx I bought one around the same time for $1650, it has a couple dents in the tank and missing a couple plastic covers where the wiring goes in but other than that it runs perfectly. I just wish i didn't have to remove the battery every winter lol

[@filoIII]

You said it'll walk away from an 883 and 1200 Sporty. That 900 will outrun the 1200?

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Probably not. But it will run with a 93 c.i. FXDWG and take most pre-M8 baggers until freeway speeds.

[@tylermartinkus1107]

But can it do a wheelie?

[@majestictwelve3709]

What about as a first road bike? 25 years on dirt bikes but zero "on road experience"?

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

You’ll have no issues with a Vulcan 900

[@exexpat11]

Vulcan would be a piece of cake to ride. Nice, relaxed, and comfortable.

[@mauserwinchester]

It's a Kawasaki, enough said.

[@benbendingrodriguez5572]

Bought the 2020 Vulcan Classic LT last year. I would say it's not a good highway bike. Only 5 gears so your revs are very high going 70-80 mph. It also vibrates pretty good at anything above 55 mph. Also with the throttle maxed in 5th there are times when it struggles to get up to 90 mph if there's an incline on the highway. But I still enjoy the bike for country rides. Another thing I don't like is all the plastic on the bike.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Have you looked into the pulley swap

[@Giitzerland]

breathin' hard there, buddy :(

[@michaelb.42112]

Kawasaki > Harley Davidson

[@Donfleebie1]

They’ll sell a boat load of these since Harley dropped the Iron Head Sportster!

[@marcmaschal2897]

I have one ( 2009).Such a great bike.Beautiful lines, fun to ride and heres what makes it better then a HD...affordable. I bought my used 8 yrs ago for 4k with 12000 miles on it.Basic maintenance cost.Doesnt break down like a Harley..BTW dude in the video.Why you wearing short pants ? Lame

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

When I ride outside of work it’s always jeans/most of the time a jacket too. When I ride at work for these videos I wear whatever I’m wearing to work that day

[@rugershooter5268]

Obviously you never owned a Harley, otherwise you'd never made that unknowledgeable comment

[@joshmorgan794]

@@rugershooter5268 let’s be real hd breaks down more often than normal

[@rugershooter5268]

@@joshmorgan794 obviously you never owned a Harley, otherwise you'd never made such an unknowledgeable comment

[@joshmorgan794]

@@rugershooter5268 Nan and pop did for years and it was nothing but trouble

[@michaellawrence5492]

Any bike that is your first bike to ride is your starter bike. What style you bring of riding makes the bike preform. What the bike brings to the rider is nothing more than a challenge to adapt and recognize your limits using it. It should go with out saying every bike has limits. You however must learn yours with any by you apply your self too. Funny I seen a man who for decades rode a 700lbs bike then for the first time 75lbs mini and crashed, Ha!

[@ponponvel]

Just got mine 2 weeks ago . 2013 with 9001km

[@marcmaschal2897]

Congrats.Youre going to love it.Had my 2009 for 8 yrs.Great bike..

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

hows the vulcan holding up??

[@roosterinmarari]

82 ft lbs of torque...doesnt sound right...are you sure about that? Everywhere else I've seen its, 53-58 ft lbs of torque..unless yours is modified? don't attack me KZbin this is a real question lol

[@Ichibuns]

I wish it had 82 ft lbs. It would be a rocket ship of a cruiser

[@Imsaved777]

That gas ⛽️ needle is definitely on empty.

[@uttersqueeze]

I'm not sure 82 lb/ft is an accurate number.

[@rainsynth]

yeah, things like that seamed tank are so impressive

[@spookydog6959]

👍

[@pjamese3]

Kur-ya'-kyn. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Pet peeve. It's like saying "clips" instead of magazines.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Lol it’s no biggie, thanks for watch!

[@richeemills8533]

This bike will probably beat a 883 sportster but couldnt touch the 1200.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Bet

[@MrNutsyben]

So try the VN1600 ^^

[@richeemills8533]

@@MrNutsyben That's a whole different story. A Mean Streak against an 883 or even the 1200 would not be a fair fight.

[@carolinasmoke5047]

A Sportster 1200 vs Ninja 650 or Vulcan S 650 would be a better race imo. All three would smoke a Vulcan 900.

[@alexgarcia3900]

Lmao trying to defend a Harley. Make a similar comparison. I could just say zx6r would smoke that and it's a 600. Stay i your lane.

[@MrJoeblofromidaho]

900 cc is never a starter bike. Very bad advice there.

[@thedurbec9591]

That's what I started on did great still have it

[@mylocator]

put the baffles back.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Agreed. I’d personally spend the money for some freedom pipes. Did you see our video on them for the Vulcan?

[@davidefland1985]

Sportster is top heavy

[@jimbookholt8400]

Over the last 50 years I've owned many "metric blkes". Yes they were all reliable. But my advice is to buy one a couple of years old as the resale value will drop like a lead weight. Every one targets the Harley but in the end I believe the HD will still be a better value. Also leave the stock pipes on the Kawasaki. With loud pipes they sound like crap.

[@peteallen82]

I don’t think you owned a vn or you would know the hd is crap in comparison.

[@geraldscott4302]

Sportsters depreciate like a rock. That's how I was able to buy three of them. You will lose an absolute FORTUNE buying a new Harley. If anything they depreciate faster than Japanese bikes. The problem with Japanese bikes is that they have no sound and no feel. No character, no soul. Only pre M8 Harleys and vintage British bikes have those things. But from a financial perspective, Harleys only have value if you buy them used, from a private seller, for about 1/3 the price of a new one, which includes thousands of $$$ in bogus dealer fees.

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Yeah, all vehicles lose value fast. Kawasaki would still be more bike for the money. And I disagree on sound. Cobre speedster longs, and my chapter tells me they love how it sounds compared to most of the other road kings with Rinehart, etc.

[@Giitzerland]

lot's of torque! horrible hp, about 10% shy of what it should be for a 900cc twin, that being said it's plenty of fun :)

[@jamesshooshan691]

What is up with your breathing

[@dalecarpenter8828]

that was a real bad 0-60 !

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Shewww

[@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154]

Controls and mirror mounts look cheesy

[@da2696]

Its cool and everything. But why do you avoid Protections ?` ... You dont care about your life?

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Protections as far as?

[@shanechambers9529]

That intro music is WAY too fuckin' loud

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

*slowly adjust volume level on viewing device*

[@carldeelena8998]

Not touching a Sportster 1200....😆

[@victorvaughan67]

This is a 900, so who cares about a 1200?

[@theapparition90]

@@victorvaughan67 he said it would “walk” a 1200

[@HDR20]

I had a vn 800 and used to embarrass 1200 sporties. I ride a RoadGlide special now so not just bashing HD just speaking truth

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

i really think it would

[@evilwestsidefan9249]

My Vulcan 800 can run with any stage 1 Harley less the XR1200 which is basically their fastest bike now that the V-Rod is gone.

[@MrJoeblofromidaho]

Handle bars are hideous

[@davehendricks7023]

Riding with shorts lmao.

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

Commenting about somebody else riding in shorts on KZbin lmao

[@davehendricks7023]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx hey it's your legs man but if you were around my club you would get you feet stomped. Wear proper fucking riding gear.

[@robertrichardson2344]

Rip off copy of a Harley FXSB breakout

[@SiegfriedsMotorwerx]

actually this bike was out before the breakout...and the Japanese breakout killer is the Yamaha Raider, which was also out before the breakout.

[@robertrichardson2344]

@@SiegfriedsMotorwerx look at any Harley soft tail then and say it’s not a copy

[@Voltomess]

When you buy jeans from company X does someone tells you these are crap and rip off copy of jeans from company C? please give me a break this is a CRUISER they all need to look almost the same with only a little difference here and there that's how it is same with cars so shovel your HD bs deep in your ass and next time think before you say something. Jeez some people are really stupid especially HD fanatics.

[@robertrichardson2344]

@@Voltomess and some people seem really jealous cos they can’t afford the real thing

[@kingkrimson8771]

Haha your lack of knowledge is tragic!

[@rugershooter5268]

80ft/lbs of torque???????? Hmmm Kawasaki says 58 But don't believe treadmill numbers anyway I've had 02&04 883's '14 900c 1/4 mile would be close 900 higher top end, put 110lb passenger on and 883 wins no problem 900 handles easier, not better........weight distribution better(also less) which helps with rear tire longevity, 883 rear last almost twice the mileage 900 50mpg 883 60mpg both running 60mph........ I'd take the Harley...I don't know how the fuel injected model will do Your idea the 900 will shame a Sportster is purely a lack of knowledge 2020 Kawasaki $8500, Harley $9000

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

I've got 25,000 miles on my rear tire with a 900 and hard bags, and still legal tread to go. 55+ mpg at interstate speeds riding bar to bar with my chapter, on Fuelly with receipts to prove it. Gets 60+ mpg at 55-60 mph, and yes it will take an 883 no problem, except in handling due to the weight. Keep talking, I don't care. I know what all my bikes do and don't.

[@mckrokstrom]

Yea, and they look like shit too, so how cool are they? Nobody can or will touch Harley, ever

[@kingkrimson8771]

"Murica!!

[@rokkimason4199]

I'm a kawasaki guy.

[@tylermartinkus1107]

But can it do a wheelie?

[@MrJoeblofromidaho]

Handle bars are hideous

[@donweaver1600]

But comfortable