'06 Vulcan 1500 Classic vs '05 Suzuki C90T - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

krige · 03-05-2006, 08:08 PM

Hello All!
I'm a new member here and I have a question to all those who ride C90T.
After getting married I've decided that I need a bigger bike to be able to do touring together with my wife. We went to dealerships and did some research. And finally we found that there are two bikes that fit my size (I'm 6'5) and our budget:
1. '05 Suzuki C90T
2. '06 Vulcan 1500 Classic

Suzuki comes with windshield, backrest, saddlebags, lightbar and engine guards.
Kawasaki bike is just plain bike without all the accessories, but it is a bit cheapers as well. So, basically if I buy Vulcan and put backrest, saddlebags and windshield on it the price for both bikes is going to be the same.
I really cannot decide which one to go with, they both have pros and cons such as:
Suzuki has a really small gas tank (15 litres) and it has monoshock (which i personally don't like)
Kawasaki on the other hand has much bigger tank, but I read that these models had some problems with engines and transmissions.

I'm totally confused and need some advice from those who owned one of these bikes. How comfortable are they? How good are they for long rides? How good/bad is fuel consumption? How reliable are they?

Thanks a lot!

cjjtulsa · 03-05-2006, 08:32 PM

Both are great bikes, but there are a few differences. For one, I'm not sure if Suzuki uses the mechanical valvetrain in the C90 like they do on the C/M50s. If so, that's a big minus. Kawasaki uses a hydraulic set up on the Vulcan 1500s, and that means no maintanence every so often (read that tearing into the top of the engine to adjust the valves). As for trannies, I haven't heard of any problems with the Kaw transmissions; in fact, my Marauder (Mean Streak) shifts much smoother than my M50 ever did. The Vulcan engine problems I think you are referring to were due to a plastic oil pump gear that frequently failed on the early 1500s; Kawi did a recall on those and have since been using a metal gear (I think 2000 was the last year for the plastic?). In my opinion you can't go wrong with either, but I'd almost lean towards the Vulcan. Just my 2¢.

krige · 03-05-2006, 08:59 PM

Thanks for the comments! As far as i know '05 C90T has hydraulic valve lash adjusters. Also it has dual front disc brakes vs. single disc on Vulcan.

Uechi Kid · 03-06-2006, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjjtulsa

Both are great bikes, but there are a few differences. For one, I'm not sure if Suzuki uses the mechanical valvetrain in the C90 like they do on the C/M50s. If so, that's a big minus. Kawasaki uses a hydraulic set up on the Vulcan 1500s, and that means no maintanence every so often (read that tearing into the top of the engine to adjust the valves). As for trannies, I haven't heard of any problems with the Kaw transmissions; in fact, my Marauder (Mean Streak) shifts much smoother than my M50 ever did. The Vulcan engine problems I think you are referring to were due to a plastic oil pump gear that frequently failed on the early 1500s; Kawi did a recall on those and have since been using a metal gear (I think 2000 was the last year for the plastic?). In my opinion you can't go wrong with either, but I'd almost lean towards the Vulcan. Just my 2¢.

I agree with cj 100%. I lean toward the Vulvan. Just my 2¢.

MagnumForce · 03-06-2006, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uechi Kid

I lean toward the Vulvan. Just my 2¢.

Huh?

Hope it's a typo.

tlwisner · 03-06-2006, 09:58 AM

Kawasaki Nomad 1600. If you really want to tour, the Nomad is setup much better than the C90T. The locking hard bags, front and rear crashbars, lowers, passenger floorboards - all nice items along with the dualie exhaust allowing the bigger better hardbags. 5.3 gallons of fuel, self cancelling turn signals, air adjustable rear shocks. The Nomad is on the shortlist for my next bike in a few years.

If you want to tour, the Nomad is a great deal - it's ready to go.

I would like to see the C90 with 250,000 miles. That rider has been one busy SOB!

tlwisner · 03-06-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night_Wolf

I have a pic of his odo with a little over 200,000 miles on it

I met a guy from Fla who put 100,000 before selling his for a Harley using automotive oil

He's riding his C90 over 100,000 miles a year - that is hard core!

Which motorcycle oil is best? The oil that is changed regularly.

tlwisner · 03-07-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night_Wolf

Before the C90 there was the LC1500 and it's been around since 98 or 99 and that is the bike I was talking about. Same bike except the C90 has FI. Either way the guy is piling on the miles every year

Sorry, I was weak and wanted to give you some <insert four letter word for poop, and it's not crap>.

Neither Suzukis or Kawasakis suffer from a bad quality reputation, I've known too many guys with high mile Concours bikes and my friends on LC1500s keep rolling on too.

kennewick58 · 04-23-2008, 10:34 AM

I looked em all over and did the test rides. I found that the C-90 fit me best and I am 5-10. Great low end and plenty of accell. If your looking for a great touring bike you need a Gold Wing, best bar none. For short jaunts on a cruiser you might want to get off in a hundred miles. So The C-90 has more than enough. The low mass set up of the C-90 tank is nice.

Both are great bikes and low maintenance. Oh by the way I looked for a low mileage 06 C-90 and saved 5K.

blackie1491 · 04-27-2008, 12:12 AM

Check date on posts, this is 2 years old!!!

hammersfan · 04-29-2008, 08:24 AM

I wonder what he ended up getting

Gadget142 · 04-29-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackie1491

Check date on posts, this is 2 years old!!!

Good Eye !

stumpman · 05-17-2008, 06:54 AM

I had a 1500 vulcan nomad it was a great bike also had a 1500 intruder which is now replaced with the C90 and liked it ok and tried HD now I have a 1600 Vulcan and like it fine (besides the HD it was a full dresser so it was comfy just a HD though) LOL. Out of all the 1500 nomad was the best ride and most comfortable also had self canceling blinkers where the suz didn't not sure if the C90 does now or not it's not a big thing just a plus to have.

03-05-2006, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
krige Newbie Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	'06 Vulcan 1500 Classic vs '05 Suzuki C90T Hello All! I'm a new member here and I have a question to all those who ride C90T. After getting married I've decided that I need a bigger bike to be able to do touring together with my wife. We went to dealerships and did some research. And finally we found that there are two bikes that fit my size (I'm 6'5) and our budget: 1. '05 Suzuki C90T 2. '06 Vulcan 1500 Classic Suzuki comes with windshield, backrest, saddlebags, lightbar and engine guards. Kawasaki bike is just plain bike without all the accessories, but it is a bit cheapers as well. So, basically if I buy Vulcan and put backrest, saddlebags and windshield on it the price for both bikes is going to be the same. I really cannot decide which one to go with, they both have pros and cons such as: Suzuki has a really small gas tank (15 litres) and it has monoshock (which i personally don't like) Kawasaki on the other hand has much bigger tank, but I read that these models had some problems with engines and transmissions. I'm totally confused and need some advice from those who owned one of these bikes. How comfortable are they? How good are they for long rides? How good/bad is fuel consumption? How reliable are they? Thanks a lot!

03-06-2006, 09:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Joined: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	Kawasaki Nomad 1600. If you really want to tour, the Nomad is setup much better than the C90T. The locking hard bags, front and rear crashbars, lowers, passenger floorboards - all nice items along with the dualie exhaust allowing the bigger better hardbags. 5.3 gallons of fuel, self cancelling turn signals, air adjustable rear shocks. The Nomad is on the shortlist for my next bike in a few years. If you want to tour, the Nomad is a great deal - it's ready to go. I would like to see the C90 with 250,000 miles. That rider has been one busy SOB! __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create Last edited by tlwisner; 03-06-2006 at 10:02 AM.

04-23-2008, 10:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
kennewick58 Newbie Joined: Apr 2008 Bike: 2006 Suzuki C-90 Posts: 5	I chose the C-90 I looked em all over and did the test rides. I found that the C-90 fit me best and I am 5-10. Great low end and plenty of accell. If your looking for a great touring bike you need a Gold Wing, best bar none. For short jaunts on a cruiser you might want to get off in a hundred miles. So The C-90 has more than enough. The low mass set up of the C-90 tank is nice. Both are great bikes and low maintenance. Oh by the way I looked for a low mileage 06 C-90 and saved 5K. Last edited by kennewick58; 04-23-2008 at 10:36 AM.

04-29-2008, 08:24 AM	#11 (permalink)
hammersfan U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2008 C90 SE Location: Ajax ,Ontario ,Canada Posts: 1,233	I wonder what he ended up getting __________________ Ride Safe Hammersfan

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03-05-2006, 08:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
cjjtulsa Third gear and cruising Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2004 Marauder 1600 Black Location: Collinsville, Oklahoma Posts: 507	Both are great bikes, but there are a few differences. For one, I'm not sure if Suzuki uses the mechanical valvetrain in the C90 like they do on the C/M50s. If so, that's a big minus. Kawasaki uses a hydraulic set up on the Vulcan 1500s, and that means no maintanence every so often (read that tearing into the top of the engine to adjust the valves). As for trannies, I haven't heard of any problems with the Kaw transmissions; in fact, my Marauder (Mean Streak) shifts much smoother than my M50 ever did. The Vulcan engine problems I think you are referring to were due to a plastic oil pump gear that frequently failed on the early 1500s; Kawi did a recall on those and have since been using a metal gear (I think 2000 was the last year for the plastic?). In my opinion you can't go wrong with either, but I'd almost lean towards the Vulcan. Just my 2¢.

03-05-2006, 08:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
krige Newbie Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	Thanks for the comments! As far as i know '05 C90T has hydraulic valve lash adjusters. Also it has dual front disc brakes vs. single disc on Vulcan.

04-27-2008, 12:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,333	Check date on posts, this is 2 years old!!!

05-17-2008, 06:54 AM	#13 (permalink)
stumpman Seat Tester Joined: May 2008 Bike: 01 Yamaha Roadstar 1600/ 05 Yamaha FZ1 Location: NE,FL Posts: 52	I had a 1500 vulcan nomad it was a great bike also had a 1500 intruder which is now replaced with the C90 and liked it ok and tried HD now I have a 1600 Vulcan and like it fine (besides the HD it was a full dresser so it was comfy just a HD though) LOL. Out of all the 1500 nomad was the best ride and most comfortable also had self canceling blinkers where the suz didn't not sure if the C90 does now or not it's not a big thing just a plus to have.

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