Boulevard S50 or Kawasaki Vulcan 750? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

coreystinson · 05-17-2006, 09:14 AM

Am considering a new bike in the 750cc-800cc range. I have sort of narrowed it down to the Boulevard S50 or Kawasaki Vulcan 750.

For those of you who comparison shopped these bikes, or know a lot about both of them, tell me why I should choose the S50 over the Kawasaki?

I must say that I like the look of the S50 a little better, it looks sharp in that 2006 light blue! However, the Kawasaki seems to be a better value with all of the stock instrumentation.

Any comments as to why the S50 would be the winner in this comparison?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Corey

DrBob · 05-17-2006, 09:31 AM

I have owned two Intruder VS800s (S50), and been very happy with both. My 1996 went 135,000 miles before it finally broke something serious. I bought another one in 2004, and it turned 40,000 trouble-free miles in one year before being retired in favor of a Harley FLH. But I kept it for occational use up in the mountains, as I love the way it looks, handles, and performs. I've never owned a Vulcan, but I have riden them several times.
Either is a good bike. Acceleration, handling, etc are similar, with the S50 being a touch faster but the Vulcan handling a touch better. Both have been in production since the mid-1980s, and have good reputations for reliability. You can't go wrong with either, and there isn't much to differenciate between the two other than style. Just buy the one you like better, as far as looks and how comfortable you are sitting on it. Personally I think the S50 is one of the best looking bike ever made, while the I have always thought the Vulcan was fugly, but that's just me. The S50 is a re-badged Intruder 800, so there are more aftermarket goodies available for it than for the Vulcan, which never sold very well. The Vulcan had dual disks in the front, and many people don't like the spoke wheels that come on the S50, but others think the Vulcan's air box is ugly and the aluminum wheels scream out "1985"...it's just a matter of personal taste.

Sgt Mike · 05-17-2006, 09:38 AM

I owned a 2005 Kaw Vulcan 750 and traded it for a 2006 C50. I had to many issues with it that Kaw wouldn't stand behind even though it was still under warranty. I'd recommend the Suzuki, you'll find it much more comfortable, the rear suspension on the 750 really sucks, it's just too weak no matter what setting it's on. My opinion,,, what ever it's worth. I truly enjoy riding my C50.

coreystinson · 05-17-2006, 09:38 AM

I'd like to have a tach on the S50 if I end up buying it. I've heard about people putting Harley or other aftermarket tachs on LS650's/S40's (I currently own an old LS650, incidentelly).

What's the story on doing this on an S50? I am curious how much I will be out-of-pocket. Has anyone done it, how did it mount/look, etc.?

viper94bite · 05-17-2006, 09:40 AM

I love the 750 but the key for me is that there is little to no aftermarket for it. But it has a center stand and non spoked wheels. I also feel that the s50 is a tad more cramped then the vulcan. But I wold probably end up with the s50 because of the aftermarket. If I wanted to leave it stock and just use as a commuter then it would be the vulcan.

Scott58 · 05-17-2006, 05:34 PM

I picked the S50 because of the weight have not regretted it.

DrBob · 05-17-2006, 06:11 PM

Adding a tach is a very simple process, as there are litterally hundreds of aftermarket tachs on the market. They range from $50 to $500 depending on quality, size, the way they mount, and digital or not.
Personally, it took me about two hours to get used to shifting the Suzuki by 'feel' and sound, so I have never missed having a tach, even though the 800 was the first bike I owned that didn;t have one. The motor redlines so rediculously high that Suzuki does not even bother putting a rev limiter on it, as the carbs simply won't flow enough air to spin the nearly motor fast enough to damage it.

Sgt Mike · 05-17-2006, 08:46 PM

Try here.

http://www.accessoryinternational.co...ode=PUDS244138

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreystinson

I'd like to have a tach on the S50 if I end up buying it. I've heard about people putting Harley or other aftermarket tachs on LS650's/S40's (I currently own an old LS650, incidentelly).

What's the story on doing this on an S50? I am curious how much I will be out-of-pocket. Has anyone done it, how did it mount/look, etc.?

05-17-2006, 09:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
coreystinson Newbie Joined: May 2006 Posts: 18	Boulevard S50 or Kawasaki Vulcan 750? Am considering a new bike in the 750cc-800cc range. I have sort of narrowed it down to the Boulevard S50 or Kawasaki Vulcan 750. For those of you who comparison shopped these bikes, or know a lot about both of them, tell me why I should choose the S50 over the Kawasaki? I must say that I like the look of the S50 a little better, it looks sharp in that 2006 light blue! However, the Kawasaki seems to be a better value with all of the stock instrumentation. Any comments as to why the S50 would be the winner in this comparison? Thanks for your thoughts! Corey

05-17-2006, 09:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,751	I have owned two Intruder VS800s (S50), and been very happy with both. My 1996 went 135,000 miles before it finally broke something serious. I bought another one in 2004, and it turned 40,000 trouble-free miles in one year before being retired in favor of a Harley FLH. But I kept it for occational use up in the mountains, as I love the way it looks, handles, and performs. I've never owned a Vulcan, but I have riden them several times. Either is a good bike. Acceleration, handling, etc are similar, with the S50 being a touch faster but the Vulcan handling a touch better. Both have been in production since the mid-1980s, and have good reputations for reliability. You can't go wrong with either, and there isn't much to differenciate between the two other than style. Just buy the one you like better, as far as looks and how comfortable you are sitting on it. Personally I think the S50 is one of the best looking bike ever made, while the I have always thought the Vulcan was fugly, but that's just me. The S50 is a re-badged Intruder 800, so there are more aftermarket goodies available for it than for the Vulcan, which never sold very well. The Vulcan had dual disks in the front, and many people don't like the spoke wheels that come on the S50, but others think the Vulcan's air box is ugly and the aluminum wheels scream out "1985"...it's just a matter of personal taste. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

05-17-2006, 09:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
viper94bite Sit speling cheker Joined: Jan 2005 Bike: 2008 Yamaha FZ6 Location: omaha, ne Posts: 1,792	I love the 750 but the key for me is that there is little to no aftermarket for it. But it has a center stand and non spoked wheels. I also feel that the s50 is a tad more cramped then the vulcan. But I wold probably end up with the s50 because of the aftermarket. If I wanted to leave it stock and just use as a commuter then it would be the vulcan. __________________ *yippee*

05-17-2006, 06:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,751	Adding a tach is a very simple process, as there are litterally hundreds of aftermarket tachs on the market. They range from $50 to $500 depending on quality, size, the way they mount, and digital or not. Personally, it took me about two hours to get used to shifting the Suzuki by 'feel' and sound, so I have never missed having a tach, even though the 800 was the first bike I owned that didn;t have one. The motor redlines so rediculously high that Suzuki does not even bother putting a rev limiter on it, as the carbs simply won't flow enough air to spin the nearly motor fast enough to damage it. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

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05-17-2006, 09:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sgt Mike Banned Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 2006 Suzuki C50 Location: Hagerstown, Maryland Posts: 709	I owned a 2005 Kaw Vulcan 750 and traded it for a 2006 C50. I had to many issues with it that Kaw wouldn't stand behind even though it was still under warranty. I'd recommend the Suzuki, you'll find it much more comfortable, the rear suspension on the 750 really sucks, it's just too weak no matter what setting it's on. My opinion,,, what ever it's worth. I truly enjoy riding my C50.

05-17-2006, 09:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
coreystinson Newbie Joined: May 2006 Posts: 18	I'd like to have a tach on the S50 if I end up buying it. I've heard about people putting Harley or other aftermarket tachs on LS650's/S40's (I currently own an old LS650, incidentelly). What's the story on doing this on an S50? I am curious how much I will be out-of-pocket. Has anyone done it, how did it mount/look, etc.?

05-17-2006, 05:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scott58 Puddle Runner Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 05 Honda Rebel and 05 Suzuki S50 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 394	I picked the S50 because of the weight have not regretted it.

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