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“When you fancy a change from the vanilla facet of biking then a Metric Cruiser just like the VN900 might be among the best locations to start out.”
WORDS: Steve Cooper PHOTOS: Mortons Archive
Not everybody needs or wants out-and out-speed. For a lot of sports activities bikes are merely an excessive amount of and, when you’re not into transcontinental stuff, an journey bike presumably isn’t what you’re after. There was a time when ‘manufacturing unit customized’ bikes have been the topic of ridicule, derision and mockery, however occasions and attitudes change, thankfully. If the laid-back fashion of a giant cruiser appeals however you don’t need the value penalty of a Milwaukee motor, check out the Kawasaki VN900.
Background
The VN900 owes its existence to a bit of American protectionist laws. Ronald Reagan’s Nineteen Eighties administration slapped a forty five% tariff on imported bikes over 700ccs within the naive expectation that it’d drastically impact Japanese gross sales – again in Japan the factories merely constructed 699cc variations of their outdated 750s! Initially the VN was offered because the VN700 till the tariff was rescinded in 1986 and the bike renamed Vulcan on the identical time. From there a veritable raft of vastly profitable VNs or Vulcans have been made by Kawasaki. Arguably it’s the V twins which can be the ‘true’ VNs, however there’ve additionally been 400-650 parallel twins dropped into the vary in some markets.
The bike
Arguably, the VN900 is the perfect of the bunch from the vary and presumably the exemplar of the entire Metric Cruise scene if we’re being sincere right here. Not one of the style are sylph-like wraiths however regardless of an all-up weight of 281 kilos it handles higher than you would possibly anticipate. When you really feel its appears are considerably subjective you’re most likely trying within the improper bazaar – the VN900 is bang on for the market place it’s offered into. Admittedly, among the manufacturing unit customs are on the improper facet of well mannered style however this one rocks its appears. If there may be such a factor as restrained style inside this scene it’s embodied right here. These bikes are as a lot about styling as they’re anything and the bike is each fantastically detailed while remaining decidedly understated. The engine finning and cylinder head covers are a murals; the tank, seat, rear guard would have been present winners a decade or so in the past; the rear suspension system is exquisitely engineered to appear like a tough tail… the detailing simply goes on and on. The extra you look the extra you see because the saying goes, and you start to understand that this isn’t some rapidly thrown collectively ‘make them low cost, bang them out quick’ motorbike.
The place some producers may need used the minimal of know-how and class on a ‘Harley clone’, Kawasaki went the other means. The highest-end runs 4 valves in every cylinder head actuated by way of a chain-driven cam. The motor is liquid cooled for effectivity and calmness; a pair of twin throttle gas injectors hearth within the juice; and there’s a belt ultimate drive for final transmission smoothness. The over bore/stroke sq. motor could ‘solely’ provide some 50 horses at 5700rpm however there’s 52lb-ft of torque obtainable at simply 3700 revs, making the bike very easy to hustle – it’s greater than able to making respectable progress!
Regardless of being a ‘fake chopper’, the bike handles nicely for its weight and measurement. Rider suggestions is reassuringly optimistic in nearly each side of possession. In case your benchmark for brakes is six-pot whatevers then you definitely’re prone to be dissatisfied, however for a metric cruiser they’re good. Consolation is a relative idea however as soon as once more the Vulcan appears to come back out nicely when set alongside its friends
Residence servicing is eminently potential which retains possession prices down, and riders report gas consumption figures of some 60mpg when cruising on a gradual throttle and motorway speeds. The later fashions are fitted with a 21-inch entrance wheel which some really feel will increase the experience stability, however that doesn’t indicate the sooner 16-inch wheel fashions have been/are something lower than planted on the highway.
Kawasaki likely made the suitable adjustments to the body’s geometries. Metric Cruisers may be an acquired style however pattern a Vulcan and chances are high you’ll be smitten – they are surely slightly good.
Lineage and Legacy
From the 1985 VN700 the V twin ran in 750 type till 2006 with quite a few updates and revisions. A refined progress in bore measurement delivered the 800 model which ran from 1995 -2006 earlier than a rise in piston stroke produced the 900 right here. 2002 noticed the arrival of the long-awaited, big-capacity Vulcan within the guise of the VN1600, constructed to tackle larger-capacity Harley Davidsons. These have been on sale from 2002-2008. 2004-2010 witnessed the arrival of the supposedly final Vulcan 2000 which was quoted as delivering some 140+lb-ft of torque! It’s the 900 that has remained on sale since in lots of markets.
Why you may want one now
Finally, driving bikes just like the VN900 is a completely totally different expertise from a number of what many would possibly name mainstream motorcycling however that genuinely relies upon upon your perspective. When you fancy a change from the vanilla facet of biking then a Metric Cruiser just like the VN900 might be among the best locations to start out. Massively dependable, a confirmed design, cheap mass/measurement for the style and with a bucketload of torque. Fashionable with out being gauche; subtly understated but not boring; rock-solid dependable and apparently timeless appears; there’s actually little a few VN900 to not like.
Typical Costs
Later fashions from a seller are within the £6200 to £8000 bracket so we’ll swerve these. Imports with NOVA paperwork in respectable situation appear to start out simply north of £3000; topping out at round £4500 for one thing distinctive.
Lots of VNs are tricked out with equipment however that doesn’t imply the bike is essentially price extra, so negotiate accordingly. There’re a good quantity with sellers round £5500 on low mileage in wonderful situation and that’s the place we’d be trying. A cheeky sub 5k money provide ought to see you cruising residence in fashion.
Faults and Foibles
1. FINAL DRIVE
The rear drive belt must be in A1 situation so discount arduous if it appears in in the least worn. Transmission noise can come from improperly tensioned belts.
2. CHROME
It must be in tip-top situation to justify good cash. Replating is now getting extraordinarily costly.
3. CHOICES & OPTIONS
Kawasaki has provided a number of variations so gen up on which fashions had what and don’t pay an excessive amount of for normal fitments!
4. OIL PUMP
Clicking from the engine might be a loud oil pump. It’s a identified however unusual problem. If it’s affected, stroll away.
5. CLUTCH
Poor or noisy gear part could also be resulting from improperly adjusted clutch and/or worn plates.
6. ELECTRICS
Alternator stators can fail; outdated batteries may cause charging points; regulator/rectifier have been identified to fail.
Abstract
The Kawasaki Vulcan VN900 could be very most likely the agency’s most rounded Metric Cruiser and fairly presumably among the best of its sort. With respectable brakes, enough energy and a high-end construct high quality, it simply outclassed a few of its market rivals.
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