Kawasaki simply makes the best cruisers. They "get it" in a way that the other Japanese brands don't. Even back in the '90s, when they were desperately copying Harley, they accidentally created the best midsize cruiser of all time.>be Kawasaki in the mid 90s>Baby Boomers are going through their midlife crises>the American middle class is doing fantastic, plenty of disposable income>Harley is selling every single bike it can produce, to the point where everything that isn't an 883 puts you on a waitlist, and sometimes even then>"well shit, we'd better grab some of that market">look at Vulcan 750>mags, proper gauges, shaft drive, it sells ok I guess>but the fickle American Boomer doesn't like the vibe>"Ok gajin, you want pay more for less?">Shamelessly copy the Softail>punch the 750 motor to 800, simplify the head, chain drive, spoke wheels, chrome, no tach>perfection.>big bike stability without the weight>Harley looks without the vibration or oil leaks>"Oh btw the redline is somewhere up around 8 grand, go have fun">Euros fucking love it, who would've thought>so does everyone else>sell it nearly unchanged for a decade>2006, stroke it to 900cc, give it a belt drive and fuel injection and oops it's still in production today.>the 800 was too big? Well here's the Vulcan 500, we took the motor straight out of the Ninja and it's nearly as fast as the 800 but ssh, the insurance jews don't know that>also in case the GWOT dudes can't decide what to blow that combat pay on, here's the Vulcan 2000, we don't even know how much power it makes because we're honestly afraid of it>and you insist on being boring, go buy the normal full dresser 1700 over there and not get ripped offI have a Sportster as well which is also a fun bike with a lot of personality, but I completely understand why they aren't for everyone, and I'm happy there's good alternatives.
Rust issues, as far as I'm aware. All VNs end up ratty.
Poast in /dbt/ not on its own
>>29108184Cruisers suck so none of this really matters. UJM/Standard > cruiser in all ways.
>>29108206I haven't seen anything of substance one way or the other on that. Would be interested if you have anything. But until I see something bordering on proof, "neglected old bike looks old and neglected" just isn't enough to convince me.>>29108216This is about a specific type of bike from a specific manufacturer, it's not suited for the bike general.>>29108224Mostly agree! My schporty has mids, 15s on the rear and a drag bar. IMO standards are just more fun and still comfy enough, and the large number of guys who tour on ADV bikes are proof that I'm not alone. But let's acknowledge that some folks just want to cruuuuuze and that not all cruisers are created equal.
I ride 2 bikes a Vulcan 500 and a 1500 Vulcan Nomad. They are pretty good bikes anyway. Kawi is pretty based.
>>29108184>Harley without the vibrationbut the vibration is important
