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02-14-2009, 09:50 AM
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| Found second gear by accident  Join Date: Jan 2009
Bike: '08 M50 Limited: Black/Silver
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 326
|  Vstar 950 vs Vulcan 900 Custom - but is it ridiculous to consider Vstar 1100 Custom?
Finally got a chance to ride the Vstar 950 and Vulcan 900 Custom!! And I REALLY wanted one of those to fit me "out of the box." Neither did. But after my little 250, I couldn't believe how quickly and comfortably I got up to 50mph (I'm not in it for the speed). Funniest thing was getting back on my putt-putt...it felt and sound like a bicycle with a lawn mower engine strapped to hit (Wreeennnnnn!)  I am definitely convinced and ready for a bigger bike...so much smoother and more stable!Vstar 950 1. Bars too wide - quickly caused pain/fatigue in shoulder blades. 2. Seat fit me well - much better than Vulcan 3. Forward controls were a stretch at 5"-5.5" with about 30" inseam. Foot even slipped off shifter during down-shift because I hadn't reached far enough 4. What good is a floor board when the heel shifter won't let you slide your foot back? This quickly caused thigh pain from being stretched out too far 5. Instrument panel is useless...at least with a full face helmet. I couldn't see a thing without looking WAAAY down. 6. Clutch (especially) and break levers were way more comfy than Vulcan 7. Initially I thought I heard some rattling in the motor, but this was a demo model, so... What I would change on the 950: 1. More narrow bars (the ones on the 1100 feel great...at least in the show room) 2. Replace floorboards with pegs and move back to more mid-forward position - is this possible? Vulcan 1. Really like the pulse and sound 2. Grips to thick for my hand 3. Taller, wider, deeper seat not as comfortable...within the first 30 seconds of riding the thought occurred to be that it felt like I had my legs wrapped around a giant tree trunk. 4. Forward controls too far for me - had to almost sit on the tank to make it feel right 5. Clutch REALLY stiff 6. Instrument panel easier to see, but still tough with full face helmet 7. But gosh, I really like the '09 SE - all that black out! 8. Center of Gravity felt higher and therefore like the bike might be a little more top heavy than the 950 What I would change on Vulcan 900 Custom: 1. Bars - ones on the Classic seem more comfy. Smaller diameter grips 2. Move foot controls back 3. Lower 1-2" 4. Smaller seat ...of course changing one of those things could negate some of the others...just not sure I have the energy or $$ for that trial and error gamble. I'd rather it be right from Day 1. So if I had to choose, it might be the 950. But what I am wondering is... Is it foolish to consider a Vstar 1100? It's technology is older and I've read other posts and heard others talk about maintenence requirements that make it $$. In the showroom - this has been the most comfortable sit for me... possibly followed closely by the HD Sportster 1200 Low. But I've not ridden either one. Rumor and speculation says this is the last year for the 1100...I was in that situation with my 1993 Nissan NX2000 - which I loved, but it was the last model year and eventually became difficult and expensive to maintain and repair. Plus I really want to abandon laced wheels - is it a big expense or even possible to change that out on the 1100? My thinking is, if the 1100 fit me better anyway, I would't be spending the $$ on the other stuff, so I could save up and have the wheels swapped out. Still on the list to ride:
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