Great Starter or Aging Baby Boomer's Bike!
Written: Jul 23 '05
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Pros: Lightweight, powerful, great seat, smooth, maneuverable and affordable.
Cons: Small gas tank, shift all 6 gears by 40 mph!?
The Bottom Line: Smooth, light, maneuverable, @45 mpg, powerful for two cylinders. Smaller gas tank is annoying. Why do I have to be in 6th gear by 40 mph?
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| realityck's Full Review: 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD |
Fact: I'm 50 years old now and know enough to not repeat my past. I'm also a 5'6", 120ish lb. female whose idea of a workout is kicking a tennis ball for her dog. The last bike I had was an '85 Honda CB650 and it was great for me while I was in my 30s. I test drove a Honda 600 LTD but with today's common forward pegs, I felt very uncomfortable stabilizing it. The Harley 880 was too bulky. The Kaw Vulcan 500, however, was the right match. My requirements: no forward pegs, affordable, easy to handle, light, smooth, good on gas, power when I need it. I use it to make lengthy drives on major highways including into pothole-ridden NYC. I've hit a curb that could've taken me down on a larger bike but it was no problem on the 500. I made @150 degree turn down hill (!) and could do it. I love the bike.
A neighbor down the street @ my age with a slightly heavier build bought the Vulcan 150. I think that's a waste of money (but, I'll have a buyer when I'm ready to move up). I had a Honda CB250 (and test drove the 250 Honda Shadow) and know the smaller bikes just don't have the power needed when a car starts moving into your spot in your lane on a highway (that's why I moved from the 250 to my 650 originally).
I highly recommend the bike. I have issues with the lack of aftermarket gear but that's what backpacks are for now. I like the narrow bike as it fits my build but the drawback is a smaller gas tank so I visit the gas station a little more often than I was used to. Yes, there's a larger aftermarket tank but it's not worth it.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 3900.00
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2003
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Epinions.com ID:
realityck
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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