This could get me smacked around here, but...

I've wandered over to the dark side. Resistance was futile. I couldn't help myself. I saw this on CL, and I turned to jelly!




1997 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 1500, 28K on the clock. Sat in a garage for 2 years. Sputter just a bit, but with a little TLC I'm sure it will be a fine cruiser.
I'll likely sell the Maxim. I don't have room in the stable for two steeds. Flame On!

 

To each his own. I can tell you from experience that I did not like mine. It was a gorgeous, massive, loud, cumbersome beast. It was breathtaking to look at, but did not fit my style of riding. I quickly found out that it is not meant for spirited maneuvers or twisties. If you get in a pinch and need to lean, it will scrub everything and feel like it is gonna lay on it's side just for spite. It may care suit you style of riding, but I personally don't prefer straight roads when I am on a bike.

Good luck with it though, it s attractive. I would hang on to the XJ for a bit just in case you miss the nimbleness of it.

I have a pic of my previous 1600 classic in my gallery if you are curious...

 

If you traded the XJ for Jeep or a Fiat, ...
THAT might catch you some flack.

But, you got another Bike!
Good luck with it.

I think it looks BIG!

 

CONGRATS! Pretty much anything with 2 wheels is alright with me (my style or not)...

skillet

 

I actually enjoyed the ride home from the seller's, about a 60 mile run. Highway cruising suits me well. I had the Maxim on 2 road trips, and it was barely adequate. I really had to pour the coal to her to keep up with the cruisers in the group. The Vulcan should be much better for this purpose. If I wanted to carve the twisties, I could've bought a sportbike. Nice looking 1600 BTW.

 

Just don't ride it in my neighborhood until you get mufflers on it. Otherwise you might go out to start it and find potatos stuffed in the exhaust.

I have to say that while a larger bike has its appeal for long distances, I absolutely LOVE the smooth feel and sound of the inline 4 and wouldn't trade it for the world. At some point, if and when I go for a larger bike, it won't be a two banger - Bang, bang, whuf, whuf as BigFitz put it.

 

Hmmmm,all these negatives about Harley and yet so many riders buy v twins.Then they try to make them look and sound like a Harley.No, don't think I would own another one.Had the Sporty 18 years and NO oil leaks,never let me down.It's all the weekend warrior posers that ride them now and call themselves bikers.Rant over.

 

Nice looking cruiser, hope it serves you well.
Keep the rubber down and the shiny side up!

Massimo

 

Gorgeous bike, hope it works out!

 

BIIIIG bike bet it makes your yamaha feel like a mini bike. Just watch your u turns that long wheelbase makes it easy to scrub off parts so be careful

 

It is all about being comfortable with the machine you pilot. I am certainly not a sport bike fan, I just don't like the riding posture. And actually I am not especially fond of the Seca's either. I am an XJ Maxim man to the end. For me, it is the best blend of everything I look for in a bike. Next closest thing is a Vmax. Not that I haven't or won't own another make of bike, but the XJ's will always be my #1.

My thing with the Kaw wasn't that t is a poor quality bike, it was a poor choice by me to start with. It was just not suited well for me with my size and riding style. (Impulse purchase)

Oh yah, get a Mustang saddle for that steed, and you love the ride for long distance even more.

 

It does to me too.

Be careful with that. It's 15 years old, so pretty much all of the attention your XJ needed will have to be applied to this one also. Things like BRAKE LINES. That's a lot of iron to get whoa'ed up.

 

You know my brother is a Harley guy and he has a couple ones a two year old Road King and the other is a 1950 EL that he is rebuilding. The 1950 cost him $5000 and it needs to be rebuilt. Now the old time Harley mechanic that's helping him told him if he was smart he would be rebuilding a 80's Yamaha like I have done. So what does that tell you?