I started riding in 2015. My first bike is a Vulcan 900 Classic. Extremely confidence inspiring with the long wheelbase and low center of gravity. After picking up a used HD Street Glide in 2017 for the ABS, cruise control, and tunes, I've set up the Vulcan as my < 100-mile solo ride. Purchasing it with estate money from my mom's passing, I doubt I'll ever get rid of it. Definitely a great starter, and longtime riding, bike!

By far the biggest gripe or complaint I have heard or read is it needs a 6th gear. Actually this has been the case for most 5 gear Japanese cruisers of which I have owned a few since 1981. Honda finally did 6 gears their new Rebel 1100, about time. However what they all really need is just a higher 5th gear like what Indian did with their Scout 60, using same ratios as their 6 gear Scout. Anyway, these Kawasaki 900s are really good bikes and would certainly be most capable on the 60 mph top speed state highways and back roads that I 95 percent ride on here in SW, Ohio. And I like the weight of them ( 150 pounds less than my Victory Cross Country ) and the ergo fit for my 6 foot almost 70 year old frame. I am seriously considering getting a Classic LT, but have to sell my Victory Kingpin or Honda CTX 700 dct, the Cross Country is staying. I have heard good reports about getting the Ivan's flash on these and adding a higher airflow kit with gains of maybe over 10 hp and added torque. Great Tutorial Mr. Lowe.

I bought a 2022 Classic LT and removed the screen, bags, and back rest. Lots more chrome and 2 tone teal and pearl paint look great. Nice about town bike. Easy to ride but really could use 6th gear to be a highway cruiser. Very smooth high quality feel.

I've owned a 2010 VN900C for a year now, and clocked 20.000km since I bought it. Amazing bike, it takes me into the city every time I want to go there, and has cruised me around Spain on the road trips of my liking. It is cheap to run, has an acceptable fuel efficiency if you drive it properly, is manoeuvrable, and I get to do most of the services it needs on my own (brakes, fluids, filters, oil, etc...). IDEAS: - Windshield is a must, will make you forget anything over 70km/h. Definitely you must get one. - Engine defences or engine guard bars, or whatever they are called in English. It is a heavy bike and you don't want to drop it on a leg, and maybe barbecue yourself with the exhausts. - Maybe get a couple of saddlebags and a top case to cruise along. MORE STUFF: I get the retro cruiser style, BUT: - Yeah, it's made to cruise B-roads, but it still should get a 6th. It just revs too high when over 100km/h. Let alone 120 which is legal speed limit in Spain. I'm even thinking of installing a bigger engine sproket to lower rpm... - ABS... Well, front wheel is skinny and I've still never blocked it. Still, it's just a safety feature that should be implemented. I'm pretty sure it's mandatory in Europe since 2014, which might be why I've never seen a new one in my local dealership. I thought it was because they didn't comply with new emission laws. Must ask about this...! - The high beam trigger for flashing is something I miss. I think this should be implemented. I don't like to abuse horn and it's quite uncomfortable to manually flash the beams using the huge button. Along this line, an emergency button to turn on all 4 indicators could also be thrown in. All this being said, I paid basically no money for it and it runs like a clock with it's 90.000km and 13 years of life. It has been my first real bike and it is a joy to ride. Not too loud, not to quiet, no too fast, not to slow. Flashy with it's chrome, but not over the board. People come up and ask about it often and it turns heads. I love it and don't intend to change it any time soon. You guess, here I am reviewing my own bike on a video of the 2023 model which is EXACTLY the same 13 years after hahaha. I can't but recommend it. Nice video, I specially liked the sitting comparison. I always had doubts of whether I should've gone for the Classic... Cheers!

Great video and great effort. Thanks

Awesome videos thanks,ur thoughts are shown

Thank you very much, this research has been more than helpful for me.

Got a second hand custom from 2014 3 years ago (not even 3000km on the clock) and still love it. For long distance i will advice to get a windshield. But the look is great, even Indian and Harley riders ask about the bike and compliment on the look(think i have done a lot my self) If i tell them its stock they are amazed. And telling them its a Kawasaki they did not even know Kawasaki made cruisers haha

Since Harley has phased out the Iron 883 which is a sporster I love, The Vulcan 900 classic would be a great Japanese Sportster.

Great review!

To be able to plug a flat on the road is of great peace of mind for long distance cruising.All you would normally need is a plug kit and a mini compressor to get back on the road. Spoked wheels look nice but must be tubed. Great video by the way.

Perfect ! I've been wondering the difference and plan to buy one this weekend after 20 years of not riding. I'd be lying if I wasn't nervous because I have arthritis in my left knee and I worry about stop lights.

Great Review ✌️ Thank You.

I have a 2007 Vulcan Classic LT, the bagger version. I am definitely not a cruiser guy. I like small light bikes. My current favorite bike is a Suzuki TU250x! So why do I have a Vulcan? Because my wife and I like touring together, and the LT has a nice big rear seat and plenty of legroom! Some observations: - the stock seat feels good in the show room, but it is too soft. It is miserable after an hour or two. A Mustang seat or an Airhawk cushion mapmakers a real difference. I use both on long rides. - it is heavy for a bike, but light for a touring bike. It took me a while to get used to the bulk. It isn’t an easy bike to push around, so be careful where you park! - it revs fast for a cruiser, slow for any other type of bike, so riders from both schools find it odd. - it is not a quick bike. At almost 700 pounds for the LT and only 50 hp, you aren’t going to win many stoplight drag races. But it is fast enough, and will run at 90 mph all day long loaded up with 2 people and camping gear. - it gets 45-50 mpg. I am used to bikes getting 60-80 mpg. But I guess 45 is pretty good for a cruiser. - There isn’t much ground clearance, so I ride conservatively, which my wife prefers anyway. - People keep telling me that the design is old and needs to be updated. And it is true that I can’t identify anything significantly different from my 2007 models and the current production models. But that is a good thing if you are in the market for a bike like this. It is a very traditional Japanese cruiser. The look, feel, sound, and simplicity of function are more important than any modern electrical gizmos. Japanese cruisers are a dying breed. If you want one, the Vulcan is one of your few remaining options! To be honest, this bike has always been a “boomers” bike, one your dad would buy. It has that look and vibe which were popular in 2000. It is now out of date by intent and design. So should someone buy it? If you are a squid who wants a bike that is fast, can carve corners, or handles responsively than absolutely not! This bike doesn’t do any of that! But if you want to ride two up across the country at a reasonable speed in reasonable comfort, but don’t want to pay $40k to ride a bike that weighs half a ton than this may well be the bike for you!

I just bought the Classic three days ago and, in the first 180 miles, have grown to really like it. Here in Wyoming, we have higher speed limits and a higher geared fifth would be nice. As I run the bike in, I'm sure that it will loosen up a bit and I can stretch it out more. Moved the bars up an inch and installed the Wind Vest that I took off my Triumph America. Now, it feels perfect. Eventually, I'll be too old and weak to keep riding my Road King. That's why I bought this slightly smaller bike.

These both look awesome. I wish it had a 6th gear but ive heard nothing but good things

My 2nd bike i bought new this year. A 23 900 custom. That 900 has engine character i love. Its very eager to please. I put a ridiculous amount of miles on my bikes thats why i stick to metric. Alot of vibration past 65mph. Add in the wind and it just begs to be ridden slow. Which is FINE by me :) . Its not as "industrious" feeling as my 23 Voyager. Nor as much torque but up to 65mph acceleration is about the same. The huge difference between the 2 bikes is comfort and high speed travel. The voyager wins ten fold as youd expect. Also my 900 im averaging 50 mpg(hand calculated) on my 90 mile daily commute and it uses 87. Big win! My voyager averages 38mpg and uses 93 :(

I'm a a 6'2" guy and a bit over 200 pounds. Strongly consider this as a first bike. Sat on a few and it's just as comfy as a sofa and would be nice for my commute down secondary highways

These would be really great bikes if they had a 6th gear. I loved my custom, however I was always looking for a 6th gear.

I have a 2008 Vulcan Custom. Do they produce accessories for my bike? Bags, backrests, or different seat options?

excellent review

Excellent explanation about those two nice bikes

The heel toe shifter on my 2022 classic is a neutral finder only. I’m going to cut it off because it’s left me in neutral in the middle of intersections. That plus it’s only a 5 speed is the reason why I’m selling it.

I have 2 Vulcan customs one stock an the other it has 17 inch apehangers an aftermarket exhaust great bikes

Owned a 2012 Vulcan 900 Classic for six years. Foolishly sold it in 2019 and got a Vulcan S Cafe. Love the Vulcan S, but hanker for my old 900. You observe in the video that the feel of the 900 Custom is different. One reason I sold the Classic is because of the sheer weight and handling, significant only because I'm old and skinny and less willing to manhandle it around slow traffic. Is the Custom less maneuverable due to the 21-inch front wheel? I've heard both.

I got the 2012 custom best bike I've ever owned don't plan to ever sell it will be my sons first one day that blend between the two was really cool

What is the FI light for?

That Vulcan Custom is one beautiful bike...

I wish I could have the Classics paintjob on the Custom!! Man I love the paint jobs on the Classic version but love the Custom design much better.

Love my 23 Vulcan 900 Classic

Does Vulcan 900 custom have ABS?

I bought a new Vulcan 900 Classic in 2006 and still love it. The only thing on my wish list was an extra 6th gear for the highway.

I'll take the classic any day

Are you able to exchange seats

Id like to hear your opinion on the bike i own, the Yamaha Stryker. It's a 1304cc cruiser.

Im looking at getting one of these as my first bike. I know the front tire size is different between them, how does that size difference effect the handling?

I would like to know the horsepower to compare?

These are the Vulcans we know and love. The only sort of flaw I see is how high the rear fender sits above the tire on the custom. It should sit a little lower for the best asthetics. Thanks!

I bought a 2014 Classic LT, loved the bike but regrettably sold it in 2017. I think this is the year to buy another one, might be at Gilberts this spring to see what Classic LT's are in stock.

Is there an "ergo fit" customization with these bikes like the Vulcan S has?

Anyone else think its odd they blacked out the forks on the classic but not on the custom? Either way the customs are super cheap used, like $5k or under for a gently used one. A guy at work has one and they look way better in person than on video or pictures. Stellar review.

Does it have a positive neutral finder, like most modern Kawasaki's?

Other than aftermarket exhaust how do we squeeze a little extra power out of the 900 power plant

Kawasaki has some great platforms with this and the v-twin 1700 line but will never update them. Sad when you think about what they could be.

Peter, are the seats interchangeable between the Custom and Classic?

If it has fins on the cylinders, it's air cooled even if it has a radiator with water in it, which also makes it water cooled. I imagine the fins on the cylinders helps cooling enough so a smaller radiator can be used.

Hi. As for me I would prefer the rims n tires from the Vulcan Classic motorcycle switched to the Vulcan Custom motorcycle.

Why are they not sold in The Netherlands

That classic looks just like my 09 classic lt without all the add on

Does Vulcan 900 comes with an ABS option?

I bought a 2019 Custom new, with saddlebags. I have since added after market floorboards, changed the incandescent headlight bulb to LED, changed the handle grip to better cushioned after market Kuryakyn grip, with throttle boss control. Some things to note would be, oil check is done with bike in upright position but with only a side stand, it is difficult to have the bike in an upright position. I built one of these center stands, to solve this problem. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eb2VfMJzlczOeWw.html My only issue with the bike, is the same as everyone else. I am cruising at 100 Km an hour and the highway changes into a 4 lane and everyone speeds up. Now I have to wake up the bike. It wants me to just change gears and let it go back to its siesta. The engine can handle another gear, so why not have the 6th gear? I usually only drive secondary highways, so normally this does not happen and I love the way the bike handles.

Unfortunately they are not bringing the 900 Vulcans into Australia 🇦🇺 this year 😢

Something you forgot to mention is the big advantage of the Custom over the Classic is that it has tubeless tires.

Welcher Vorderreifen ist besser in den Kurven? Custom oder Classic?

Are the gas Tank the same?

Do you know if the Vulcan 900 has ABS

They're never going to put ABS on these motorcycles are they?

I must be the only guy that likes black matte and tucked away engines over shiny chrome. Not only does it get dirty and lose the point of the shiny but it doesn't tie in with the other colours well.

Here in Ecuador each costs 20k 😕

I have an LT and really like it EXCEPT it needs a 6th gear and the seat is not comfortable.

Why the heck did they not add ABS?!?

speed o goes to 200! woo hoo!

Hi, I’m late! 😪

Sov cheap😮😮.. I want a Raider or a Stratoliner 😅❤

Just had my Honda shadow destroyed by a imbecile driver and I’m very interested in a custom I like the looks better on the custom

This bike needs some upgrades for 2023

1st

50hp and 600 pounds is a total dud. No 6th gear puts it off my list.

And the factory seats are horrible.

This bike needs some upgrades for 2023