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Motorcycle Reviews . . . by women . . .
for women!
Riders share in-depth information about the bike they ride
2006 ER 650 |
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2005 Vulcan 500 |
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2002 Vulcan 1500 |
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1986 Vulcan 750 |
2006
Kawasaki ER 650
The
Reviewer
Name: Terri and Kevin
Height: Terri: 5'6" (167.64 cm); Kevin: 5'8" (172.72 cm)
Years of Riding Experience: Terri: 16; Kevin: 25
Bike
Basics
Manufacturer: Kawasaki
Model: ER 650 and ER 650 Ninja
Year: 2006
Type: Standard
Purchase Details: New test model, only had 200 km (124 miles) on
it.
Engine Displacement (cc): 649
Number of Gears: 6
Final Drive: Chain
Cooling System: Liquid
Seat Height (unmodified): 785 mm (30.9")
Carburetion Type: Fuel Injected
Fuel Capacity: 15.5 liters (4.1 gallons)
Weight: 174 kg dry (383.6 lb)
Comfort
(original set up)
Hand/Foot Controls: Slightly rear-set foot pegs, almost
straight handlebars. Feels a very natural seating position. What many
riders class as "neutral position."
Seat: Terri: The seat seemed ok to me, we only did a short test
ride, covering about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), so long distance might be
a different story. Seemed ok to me. I had a buckle on the front of my
jacket, had to tape over it to avoid scratching the petrol tank. I flat
footed on both sides no worries at all. Narrow seat was a good shape for
my petite body; Kevin: Same as above except having some male equipment
that ladies lack I found that my errr private parts, were in closer
contact to the tank that I was really happy with. Savage use of the double
front discs resulted in some rather breath taking moments and the occasional
cough or grunt. I dislike the new design of many bikes that put the petrol
tank higher then the riders crotch. Seat to tank distance too short for
me. A beginner would need to test ride other bikes to understand how
important this can be to the riders comfort.
Long Rides: N/A
Handling
Highway Power/Zip: Zero to a hundred kph (62 mph) (in about 3
or 4 seconds, which for a 650 bike is great. Will easily do the Australian
legal limit of 110 kph (68 mph) and Kevin actually got up to well beyond
that speed with no trouble at all.
Tight Turns: Sharp turning, it's a very light weight bike. Kevin
rode around a round-about at least a dozen times, getting lower and lower
each time, with no back wheel skid or a worry that the rear was going to
slide loose. A new rider may well need to factor in the precise handling
characteristics of this bike. It will change line even in a very tight
corner with little effort from the rider.
Twisty Roads: Terri: I am MUCH more responsible on the road than
Kevin is in terms of tight and twisty corners. This bike is perfect for
corners at the legal speed limit. Unless you really like pushing the
limitations of yourself and the bike the ER 650 will handle a curvy canyon
road perfectly; Kevin: Handles tight and twisty corners and curves well
above the legal limit also. Very predictable, never ran off line or
wobbled, no sign of headshaking at all. Goes exactly where you point it.
One needs to remember NOT to grab a handful of those very powerful front
brakes when one is hammering around a tight curve, that would not be a
good day out.
Wind/Rain/Heat: The naked version provides no protection from the
elements, the fully faired has a proper screen.It's always hot here so we
are not the best judges of heat. Terri: I liked the fully faired version,
I like having side panels and a screen; Kevin: I liked the naked version
because it's a real sci-fi looking bike. Very much like a European
Streetfighter style.
Braking Power: Awesome stopping from the two HUGE front discs, they
look great as well because they are wavy around the edges. Both Kevin and
Terri agree the back brake on the 200 kilometer old model they rode is
very weak. A change in brake pad might correct this. If we bought this
bike we would insist they make the back brake more powerful, if not we
simply would not buy it. Lots of dirt roads here, back brakes are used a
lot on dirt riding, especially in downhill sections. It's almost like
Kawasaki made the front brakes so powerful they thought there was no need
to worry about the rear brake. Kevin had no trouble doing complete front
"stoppies" (rear wheel lifts up off the ground) at the drop of a
hat. Despite exerting enormous pressure on the rear brake it barely locked
the back wheel up at all, even at slow speed. One could never rely on
using the back brake to stop as it is at the moment. NOTE: One should stop
using both brakes at the same time. Max stopping power comes from the
front brakes, but that still does not mean the rear brake should be almost
an after thought.
Modifications
Made
What I Changed: We would insist the rear brake has a different
pad or was modified to provide more stopping power, it's not acceptable as
it is. This could just be the one we rode. Another model could be better.
Added
Extras
What I Added: Terri would add a Ventura luggage rack to the
rear of either of the versions. Kevin would add the small screen offered
with the naked version.(And if you buy one brand new, insist they include
the screen for free.)
Maintenance
What I'm Doing: Terri: I am test riding EVERY new model that
takes my fancy because I am in the market for a brand new bike. Kevin is
testing bikes for a couple of Motorcycle forums, particularly he is riding
bikes that suit beginners, women or riders who just want a practical bike
for day to day transport and weekends away with perhaps a couple of long
distance trips once or twice a year. Note to Kevin from Terri: beginners
do NOT need to know a bike does great front wheel stoppies darling! Kevin:
Ah.
Conclusions
What I Think: Terri: I like the ER 650 a lot. I mean a LOT.
It's light, easy to push around and guide backwards into parking spaces.
Loves going around corners. I have no doubt I could pick it up if it fell
over. Very quick off the mark, no one in a car will ever beat it off the
traffic lights. Day to day commuting would be a blast. Weekends the same.
Long distance I don't know, but I think it would be ok for me because I
seldom ride more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) between stops. The price
is spot on, $10,000 Oz (Australian). It also already meets the stringent
Euro 3 emission standards for 2007. My only concern is that back brake.
Would I buy one? YES!
Kevin says: My only concern is will I be able to have children (or a
sex life) after a whole day spent on this bike? For me the relationship
between the riders seat and the petrol tank is NOT male friendly. And that
back brake is crap.
Terri and Kevin say: Assuming you are happy with the rear brake, this
bike probably fulfils 90% of the kind of riding most people in Sydney do.
Commute during the week, have a blast on the weekends, do a big trip once
or twice a year. The engine is a brand new design, as is the under frame
exhaust pipe (complete with catalytic converter. Both versions look very
cool. It's just a good looking, practical bike, would suit beginners and
people looking for a light weight bike with a sporty feel. One can also
assume that at 650cc it's not going to be guzzling down petrol like a
1000cc sled.
Note from Kevin: if the catalytic converter somehow managed to fall off
one would lose a fair amount of weight from underneath the bike. A full
Micron Sports exhaust system would probably look and sound great.
2005
Kawasaki Vulcan 500
The
Reviewer
Name: Tammi
Height: 5'3" (160cm)
Years of Riding Experience: 2
Email Address: azcat@netins.net
Bike
Basics
Manufacturer: Kawasaki
Model: Vulcan 500
Year: 2005
Type: Cruiser
Purchase Details: Bought it new the weekend I started the MSC.
Engine Displacement (cc): 500
Number of Gears: 6
Final Drive: Chain
Cooling System: Liquid
Seat Height (unmodified): 28.1" (714mm)
Carburetion Type: Carb
Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gallons (15.9 liters)
Weight: 439 lb dry (199 kg)
Comfort
(original set up)
Hand/Foot Controls: Very easy to reach with
forward control positioning.
Seat: A little high but I am able to touch flat
footed. Comfortable for long rides.
Long Rides: Not as comfortable as I would like, my
legs get tired on the forward control foot pegs and it is very difficult
to find any accessories to fit this bike i.e., engine guard to put foot
rest on.
Handling
Highway Power/Zip: Great power and moves like
the wind. I can accelerate rapidly from stops and catch up with my
husband's 1500cc Vulcan.
Tight Turns: Handles well. Feels a little top
heavy especially if the tank is full.
Twisty Roads: Great, has small tire up front so
responds quickly.
Wind/Rain/Heat: Seems to want to float across the
highway in strong winds. I only weigh about 110# so not enough to hold it
down. Handles okay in the rain. Engine feels fairly hot during close
traffic in hot weather.
Braking Power: Great stops on a dime.
Modifications
Made
What I Changed: Nothing.
Added
Extras
What I Added: Nothing
Maintenance
What I'm Doing: No input.
Conclusions
What I Think: Loved the bike as a starter bike,
now moving up to Vulcan 900 belt drive and lower center of gravity.
2002
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
The
Reviewer
Name: Kina Mikesell
Height: 5'5" (165.1 cm)
Years of Riding Experience: 2 wks after 10 year absence
Email Address: kdmikesell@hotmail.com
Bike
Basics
Manufacturer: Kawasaki
Model: Vulcan 1500
Year: 2002
Type: Cruiser
My Bike's Name: Big Red
Purchase Details: Bought used with only 6,000 miles. Garage kept,
owned by an older man.
Engine Displacement (cc): 1471
Number of Gears: 5
Final Drive: Shaft
Cooling System: Air
Seat Height (unmodified): 27.6" (701 mm)
Carburetion Type: Fuel Injuected
Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gallons (15.9 liters)
Weight: 644 lb dry (292 kg)
Comfort
(original set up)
Hand/Foot Controls: The controls are at a
perfect distance for my height.
Seat: Nice and LOW great for my short legs. I have
FULL flat foot on both feet.
Long Rides: Haven't gone on a long ride as of yet,
just back to the riding game after a 15 year NO BIKE faze.
Handling
Highway Power/Zip: GREAT power, super smooth in
the gears.
Tight Turns: WELL, lets say I try not to get into
that situation. I already let it fall once from a right turn stall and
almost pulled out my innards lifting it back up. NOT good with the weight
yet.
Twisty Roads: Feels nice leaning into turns, with
the size and weight it almost floats as you lean.
Wind/Rain/Heat: Not had that PLEASURE YET.
Braking Power: It will stand you on you're nose...
Modifications
Made
What I Changed: Nice sounding headers.
Added
Extras
What I Added: Added windshield with front bags,
rear saddle bags, running boards and cool foot pegs.
Maintenance
What I'm Doing: Too new to do anything yet,,
except oil change.
Conclusions
What I Think: SUPER nice bike, may be a little
heavy for me at times, but I like the weight running on the open road.
1986
Kawasaki Vulcan 750
The
Reviewer
Name: Connie Howard
Height: 5'5" (165.1 cm)
Years of Riding Experience: < 1
Email Address: im4knines@yahoo.com
Bike
Basics
Manufacturer: Kawasaki
Model: Vulcan 750
Year: 1986
Type: Cruiser
My Bike's Name: Spirit
Purchase Details: I bought the bike used in September 2005 with
around 15,000 miles on it.
Engine Displacement (cc): 750
Number of Gears: 5
Final Drive: Shaft
Cooling System: Liquid
Seat Height (unmodified): 28.9" (734 mm)
Carburetion Type: Carb
Fuel Capacity: 3.6 gallons (13.6 liters)
Weight: 483 lb dry (219 kg)
Comfort
(original set up)
Hand/Foot Controls: I am very happy with the placement of
hand/foot controls on this bike. Everything seems very comfortable for my
size and frame. This is a cruiser, and it seems that the hand/foot
controls are placed for long distance comfort.
Seat: For short distances the seat is fine. But after about 150-200
miles it becomes obvious that a better solution must exist.
Long Rides: The longest ride I have gone on so far is 200 miles.
The whole time the bike handled great and was comfortable, except for the
seat which began to take it's toll on the back side.
Handling
Highway Power/Zip: This bike has lots of power. It is quick to
respond to my touch and does not hesitate at all to get up and go as fast
as I have been comfortable going.
Tight Turns: At this point I am still working on my comfort level
in tight turns. The bike has been shown to handle them fine, but is just
waiting for me to rise to it's abilities.
Twisty Roads: She takes the twisty roads very smoothly. From what I
understand this bike does not have as low center of gravity as some
others, but I have never felt tipsy on the curves.
Wind/Rain/Heat: I have driven in up to 30 mph winds, and it was definitely
work. Of course the windshield plays a major part in that hardship. Have
not driven in rain or high heat yet. I have noticed on warmer days lots of
heat coming up from the engine and around my legs. But fortunately there
are no engine parts that I have to worry about touching with my legs while
driving or idling at lights.
Braking Power: The only sudden stopping I have had to do so far is
when I practice on back roads. Using the front and rear brakes in tandem definitely
brings the bike to a sudden stop.
Modifications
Made
What I Changed: I relocated the regulator/rectifier from under
the battery case. It tends to get too hot sandwiched between the battery
and the goats belly (exhaust). Plus if you do not have a MF battery then
you have the possibility of acid dripping on the R/R. This is a common
complaint/problem with Vulcan 750s.
Added
Extras
What I Added: At this time I have only added a windshield and a
maintenance free battery. My future plans are to add a dashboard to mount
a voltmeter/clock on.
Maintenance
What I'm Doing: I have had to pull the engine to replace the
stator and am getting ready to replace the speedo cable. This is a 20 year
old bike which was not maintained adequately. Considering this, the bike
has held up rather well. I faithfully change the oil and have also done a
radiator flush.
Conclusions
What I Think: I am extremely happy with this bike. I think it
is a sharp looking bike and it has the power and maneuverability to be a
pleasure to ride. I know of other older Vulcan 750 that have not been
well-maintained and it appears that this is a very sturdy bike
mechanically and therefore able to withstand some abuse.
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