1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500SE from United States of America - Comments

Nothing; the previous owner was a shade-tree mechanic and had bought it as a basket case. He fixed everything and rode it for a year or so, and then bought another bike and sold this one.

This is one of the best bikes and deals I've ever gotten. I only paid $1100 for the bike and it looks and runs great. Of course, it has a few scratches and blemishes, and the tank and fenders are only primered, but after I detailed the bike it was really nice.

I've had four Harley's and this Vulcan 1500SE looks, sounds and runs as good as any Harley I've had at 1/10th of the price. Also, of course, it doesn't have the "mystique" of a real Harley, but fortunately I've outgrown the need.

I regard this bike a a "throw-away" bike as it was so cheap (relatively). I didn't have the money or desire for a Harley and I was actually looking for an older inexpensive BMW. However, in my price range (under $3K) all I found were old high mileage rust-buckets. I ran across this Vulcan on craigslist.com and gladly bought it.

I found that there are a lot of decent rice-burners out there if you don't need the status of a Harley or BMW. And the prices on Japanese bikes are really comparatively low.

Just bought an 04 1500 Classic. Good price, comparable to a Fat Boy for 7800.00, saved around 12-13000. Not bad eh?

I don't need or want a Harley. I've got my Metric Twin and Harley can't put my money in their pocket to weather a slowdown in the market, and take advantage of those who want rumble.

As good as American, but without the American profit margin. I'll give a guy some profit, but not a killing.

The bike is great - rides great, great power and is as much a classic as a Harley. You can look down your nose Harley riders, but it is a pretty expensive look eh? Nothing wrong with Metrics.

I have a 2002 Vulcan Mean Streak 1500, and love it.

I haven't owned a bike for 30 years. When I turned 50 I got the urge. I bought it new for $10,000 and haven't had any problems.

I did put a Mustang seat on it and changed the exhaust, now it sounds like a Harley, but faster.

Jerry.

I have to say having owned more than 30 different bikes since 1980 (including a Harley) that my Kawasaki 1500 Fi Vulcan Classic is the best alround package your money can buy.

I've been touring around Thailand for 7 years & my baby just purrs. She's powerful, comfortable, sturdy as a rock, pretty & reliable.

I love all bikes & respect all opinions of the riders. Yes the new Harley's are getting better, pretty as ever, more reliable, more refined. But hey the Vulcan has been that for years!. Check the statistics. Buy a secondhand Harley?... If you have money to burn go ahead. But PLEASE try the classic f1 first. You can thank me later. xx.

I have a 1996 Vulcan Classic 1500.

I added a V&H 2 into 1 Pro Pipe and a Kuryakin Hypercharger. This helped it stay lit above 10,000 feet and added throttle response.

I paid much less than half of a comparatively aged HD and am very happy with the tone, looks, ride and reliability of this bike. I am with the other fellow who won't criticize purchasers of other brands, but am puzzled by those who are critical of us who decide to save $$ by buying a great motorcycle like this. I don't ride to live, but I sure do enjoy riding.

I recently bought a 05 1500 Classic Vulcan after years of riding a Road King, FLH, and two crotch rockets.

While I liked the "idea" of riding a Harley, it is very nice to ride a bike that I know is going to start when I press the button, and get me to where I am going.

There is a very good reason that "HD" stands for not only Harley Davidson, but also Hundred Dollars. I am not knocking the Harley's out there, but could not bring myself to spend 3 times the money to get the same ride.

Yeah, I agree, HD are Way Way over priced, considering that most of the ones I've seen were stalled on the side of the road. Also, talking about maintenance, those rattle traps need tuning, and tightening at least 4 or 5 times a year, the Japanese bikes go and go and go... true pride in there workmanship, I must say.

I have been a loyal Harley owner for 35 years. But last year I got laid off from my job, lost most of my toys, including my wife, and had to sell my Harley's.

I recently got a new job, doesn't pay the same, but the urge to ride a new bike was biting me. Talk about sticker shock!!! I basically cried when I went to the Harley dealer. Then I wised up and went to a Kawasaki dealer and saw the new 2007 1600cc Vulcan. It was loaded with accessories, and was almost $20k cheaper then a comparable Harley. Shame on you Harley Davidson!!! No wonder people don't buy American anymore. The little guys can't afford them.

So, I like to ride, and will ride anything. I bought the Vulcan, love it, and will never go back to a Harley even if I win the lottery.

I ride an '06 1500 classic Fi and just love the bike. Heck of a lot of motorcycle for the money (got mine at the end of year for 2000.00 under MSRP). If what you need is Tribal acceptance and biker status, and you can afford it, buy a Harley (my son-in-law pays as much per month for his Harley as he does for his new Jeep). If what you need is a sweet cruisin' ride for an affordable price, you can't go wrong with the Vulcan. Does everything a Harley will except draw young women (not why I ride anyways - the old lady would "let daylight through me ;>).

"Keep the rubber side down"

My first bike was a Kawasaki KZ440. Bought it my first year in the Army. Rode it for 2 years and sold it. Eighteen years later I decided to buy a bike as a retirement present to me after 20 years of service. So, I got me a brand new 2002 Vulcan 1500FI.

This has been the best one of the best investments I have ever made. It's extremely reliable and virtually maintenance free. Less than 5 years old and I have put over 36,000 miles on it.

So far, just regular oil changes and basic tune ups. Will ride it until it disintegrates...