Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Review

Used Buyer Review

The Vulcan 900 Classic is Kawasaki doing exactly what they're good at — building a reliable, unpretentious cruiser that won't embarrass you at the lights or at the mechanic. The 903cc V-twin pulls cleanly from low revs, the ergonomics suit a wide range of riders, and these things simply don't break down. Buy one with 20,000 miles and sleep fine about it. Genuinely bulletproof powerplant. That said, know what you're getting. It's not a Harley in terms of soul or resale value, and it's not trying to be. Handling is soft and wallowy past 70mph, the stock seat turns punishing after two hours, and the chrome bits on cheaper examples rust faster than you'd hope. Check the final drive belt carefully — a worn one is a surprise $300 bill you don't want. Used prices are honest right now, typically $4,500-$6,500 for clean 2006-2013 examples. Negotiate hard on anything over 15k miles or with cosmetic damage. Strong candidate for a first big bike.