1998 Kawasaki reviews

I've been ridin hd's for quite a few years. just needed a change, the bike is unreal, it feels like a fat boy but handles like a sporster!! with a set of drag pipes, air cleaner set up, reworked carb, for very reasonable money, this baby will rock and roll with the best of them. it starts every time, i take no tools, i just check the gas!! my last run was 1100 miles, and it was awesome, carefree, and fast. i just check its blood pressure now and then. the looks, the sound, the feel. buy one you'll love it --muck Show less

I'm not going to lie, I have enjoyed this bike, but it's a damn tank. It's way too heavy to be pulling any sort of twisties or the track for that matter. The torque is great and if you're a BIG guy and want to put around, this is the bike for you, but if you do any serious sportbike riding, this IS NOT the bike for you. Kawasaki needs to step up to the plate and play the weight game with the rest of the manufactures. It's 50 pounds heavier than the next sport bike in line in its class. I sold mine in January and am now in the hunt for a new GSXR 750. I have ridden many bikes and this was not the bike for me. Show less

Last year I purchased a John Deere 425 Garden Tractor, could have bought a damn nice bike for what I paid for that thing. But with 3+ acres I knew I needed something that was gonna get the job done. Case in point, it's got a Kawasaki Engine. My VN800B is rock solid. Other bikers (ie.Harley Riders) that I've encouraged to take it for a spin always return flat ass amazed. The look, the feel, the sound, the reliability & performance..."Simply Nice" I'm now concidering a 1500 FI, only hoping I like it as much. Kawasaki's got it goin on. IMHO Show less

I finally got rid of my Vulcan 800 out of disgust. I plan to buy a used Harley Davidson late this year, but for now I would rather not ride anything rather than continue riding a Kawasaki. When I had problems, the dealer and the company treated me like crap. After missing half a summer over a simple defective water pump, I complained about the dealer. Kawasaki immediately had me talking to their lawyer, who essentially told me to shove it. Well, they can shove it now! Show less

I bought my Vulcan Classic new off the showroom floor. As soon as I saw it I was drawn to its classic good looks and low seat height (5'7 with 29 in. inseam) The bike handles well and I'm able to keep up or at the very least catch up with the bigger bikes(add a pair of V&H pipes as I have for that little extra highway roll on power, but be prepared for a lot of extra noise) Kawasaki does give you the choice of hundreds of add ons to make the bike your very own, I'm up to $2200 in extras on mine.(I highly recomend a windshield and the passenger and rider backrest) I've ridden 10,000 trouble free miles and looking forward to the upcoming spring and summer months. Ride safe!!!! Show less

I've been thinking about this bike since its introduction but was unable to afford one(new born baby).I seemed to forget all about it until I traded in my ass burning Guzzi Jackel.That was the best investment I made.It's not perfect but just needs a few improvments such as a higher bar mounts,corbin seat,rifle windshield,cruise control.Then you have the perfect motorcycle that can take you cross country on back roads or interstates. Show less

I was out of motorcycling since high school (1967)until March 2000 when I bought my Vulcan 1500A10. I thought since I had not been on a bike this size for some time, it would be a difficult to handle. After taking the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginner course, I was back to comfort level within a week. This is one great bike. It quick, nimble and looks great. My only complaints are (1) it needs a fifth gear, and (2) aftermarket accessories are difficult to retro fit this bike. But in it's defense, it goes as fast as anyone needs to go, and second it looks great without all the extra crap you don't need anyway. Show less

I bought my 89 1500A in 98 is only my 2nd. Bike and compared to my old v-45 magna it's a great ride! I love the handling and its nice passing power. It's well balanced and has a comfortable stock seat, there have been times I've spent 12hrs. On it. I have now put over 13000 miles on this bike. The one thing that needs to be watched on this bike is the gas tank! The forward tank mountings are "c" shaped and welded to the tank. This is where vibration damage will cause a leak. At the time I bought my 1500A it had 13,200 miles. And the tank was leaking. I have since found 3 other 1500A's that leak in the same spot. Tank Kreem will seal it but careful not to plug the tank vent! I did that and I still haven't gotten the vent clear. Show less

I owned a 1993 Honda 750 Nighthawk and was very happy with it. But Every time I saw the Concours, I drooled. The Concours had more of what I wanted - power, range, luggage space, I owned a 1993 Honda 750 Nighthawk and was very happy with it. But Every time I saw the Concours, I drooled. The Concours had more of what I wanted -- power, range, luggage space, shaft drive, etc. What a clean, classic look. What a great price! I saved and saved, and finally bought one. The dealer would not give test drives. So my testing was done strictly on the showroom floor. What a mistake. Yes, the bike is a long distance superbike -- comfortable and fast. But the weight!!! I rode a Honda Goldwing that weighed over a hundred pounds more and was much more maneuverable at very low speeds than the Kaw. After 20 years of riding over 10 different bikes and never dropping one, I dropped the Concours TWICE the first year putting it up on the center stand. The first drop cost me $90 for a mirror. Granted, I'm no Arnold S., but I'm not a wimp, either. But when that baby has 7 gallons of gas in the tank and she starts to go over, get out of the way. How I miss my Honda 750 that I could easily manage walking-speed U-turns all day comfortably. The Concours did not make the move with me to Germany. The bottom line: if you have a nice bike, don't think that a bigger one will be better. Especially if you currently own a Honda Nighthawk 750! Show less

Bought used on July 1999 (1400 miles), the ZX9R has not disappointed. Though I have not ridden the vaunted R1, the nine seems to have it all. Power has been enhanced with a full Muzzy race system, Factory jet kit, and K&N filter. The result of these standard upgrades is a dyno tuned 138.5 hp. The weight savings are approx. 15 lbs. with new exhaust, Renthal sprockets, 520-chain conversion, removal of pegs, chain guard, front turn signals. The midrange is fierce and I saw no need for any gearing change. Sport Rider mag found issue with excessive high-speed compression damping but I guess I am not an aggressive enough of a rider to discern any problems. I have had the rear step out during some tight cornering though I don't know if that was due to my clumsy riding style or the stock BT57's harder compound (7000 miles with plenty of tread left). Upgrades for this winter will focus on a Race Tech gold valve kit for the forks along with stiffer springs. Rear shock hasn't been chosen at this time. Last winter I polished the frame and the bike was transformed into a slick looking beast. I am thinking of either aftermarket wheels or chrome plating the stockers. E-mail for pics. Show less