Kawasaki vn900 custom, worth a look?

**geoffc** · 27th November 2014, 20:24

Hi guys
Looked at a Kawasaki vn900 custom today. Liked the look of it & plan to take it for a spin tomorrow. Have had VTR1000F now for years and thinking of maybe going the cruiser style in my more mature years. ;-) Your thoughts on this machine are appreciated. Cheers :thumbs:

**Maha** · 27th November 2014, 20:33

Marty (jafar) use to own a vn900, he would be the one to contact and ask.
>>http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php/7844-jafar

**nzspokes** · 27th November 2014, 20:56

I own a VTR also and had been looking at this Vulcan.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=811949245

Not to replace the VTR but as a more suitable pillion bike. But now thinking more of a ST1100/1300.

I heard the Vulcan's dont handle so well for a cruiser. This is hearsay as I have not ridden one.

**mossy1200** · 27th November 2014, 21:03

I think look at this deal before committing to a VN.
Just a good deal on the mid size cruiser.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-731173693.htm

**T.W.R** · 27th November 2014, 22:27

Worked on a couple of different VN900s years ago that suffered premature failures...one had glazed it's bores ( which was found to be due to sitting idling for excessive amounts of time) it was a Drifter. And a Nomad came in with cooked coils not long after...both bikes were sub 20k.
Pretty slow/ dull responsive things to ride.
A Mate had a 1600 Meanstreak that was 10 times the bike of the 900 apart from the stupidly placed forward controls...too far forward to the point the wind pressure would lift your feet off them in a stiff headwind or giving it a nudge. bugger-all ground clearance too

**AllanB** · 27th November 2014, 22:56

Not uncommon for any brand big twin cruiser to glaze it's bores. Not the bike it's the first owner lugging a fresh motor around in it's early life. Let it spin. Bed those rings in.

Kawasaki Vulcan is well proven, you like it buy it.

**Maha** · 28th November 2014, 12:47

Originally Posted by nzspokes

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=811949245

The bike in that TM link needs a thread all of it's own..... jokes and humour should do it.

**nzspokes** · 28th November 2014, 12:57

Originally Posted by Maha

The bike in that TM link needs a thread all of it's own..... jokes and humour should do it.

Tassels etc would have gone before it left the driveway. Main appeal was the pillion seat ergos. I have no desire to own a cruiser but if it is the best pillion bike then would get one.

With a new seat the VTR is quite good.

**Maha** · 28th November 2014, 14:26

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Tassels etc would have gone before it left the driveway. Main appeal was the pillion seat ergos. I have no desire to own a cruiser but if it is the best pillion bike then would get one.

With a new seat the VTR is quite good.

Pillion peg extensions on the VTR = job done.

**AD345** · 29th November 2014, 11:26

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Tassels etc would have gone before it left the driveway. Main appeal was the pillion seat ergos. I have no desire to own a cruiser but if it is the best pillion bike then would get one.

With a new seat the VTR is quite good.

If you want a great pillion bike you could do a hell of a lot worse than this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-814204374.htm

Great handling, outstanding comfort and they get along pretty well

**peg** · 5th December 2014, 20:12

Originally Posted by T.W.R

Worked on a couple of different VN900s years ago that suffered premature failures...one had glazed it's bores ( which was found to be due to sitting idling for excessive amounts of time) it was a Drifter. And a Nomad came in with cooked coils not long after...both bikes were sub 20k.
Pretty slow/ dull responsive things to ride.
A Mate had a 1600 Meanstreak that was 10 times the bike of the 900 apart from the stupidly placed forward controls...too far forward to the point the wind pressure would lift your feet off them in a stiff headwind or giving it a nudge. bugger-all ground clearance too

Hmmm... Neither the Nomad or the Drifter were ever produced with a 900 motor in them. The Drifter was either 800 or 1500, and the Nomad came in 1500, then 1600, then 1700 flavors. I've owned 800, 1500, and now a 1700, and they've all been excellent bikes.

The 1500 and 1600 Nomads are about the roomiest cruisers out there - the Voyager is a little more cramped.

**T.W.R** · 5th December 2014, 21:35

Originally Posted by peg

Hmmm... Neither the Nomad or the Drifter were ever produced with a 900 motor in them. The Drifter was either 800 or 1500, and the Nomad came in 1500, then 1600, then 1700 flavors. I've owned 800, 1500, and now a 1700, and they've all been excellent bikes.

The 1500 and 1600 Nomads are about the roomiest cruisers out there - the Voyager is a little more cramped.

800 or 900 doesn't matter....same shit different wrapper

You realise there was a drifter kit available at the inception of the 900 aye
And you forgot to mention the VN2000 that was the only genuinely solid one of the whole bunch

**peg** · 14th December 2014, 20:09

Originally Posted by T.W.R

800 or 900 doesn't matter....same shit different wrapper

You realise there was a drifter kit available at the inception of the 900 aye
And you forgot to mention the VN2000 that was the only genuinely solid one of the whole bunch

Drifter kit for the 900? Nope. It only ever came as Classic or Custom... And I thought we were talking about Nomads or Drifters - the VN2k was neither

**Tazz** · 14th December 2014, 20:57

Originally Posted by AD345

If you want a great pillion bike you could do a hell of a lot worse than this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-814204374.htm

Great handling, outstanding comfort and they get along pretty well

Seen this? http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=827740