Checked out the new Vulcan tourer

[ridgeman06]

I went to get my sticker for my 98 Valk tourer yesterday at mt local Kawasaki dealer. Whiel I Was waiting I moseyed into the showroom and started fondling a 2010 Kawi Vulcan 1700 full dress tourer. Sure is a beautiful bike when you first look at it. Sometimes I think maybe I'd be more comfy on a v-twin due to the feet forward and less spread eagled position.
I gotta say though I was dissapointed in the overall quality of the components. So much plastic. Reminds me of my former 2003 gl1800 except the Wings' plastic seems to be of better quality as far as fit and functionality. I thought the Vulcans' saddlebags were junk. My 12 year old Valk tourer has better quality plastic bags than this new bike has. The covers close very unsurely, and they have a flexible piece of some kind of material that folds instead of a real hinge. The windshield does not adjust at all either.
I occasionally get the itch for a new or newer bike, not that I could do it at this time though, but when I really think about it, my Valkyrie is in near perfect condition, and it does everything I need so well.
I do miss the comforts of my 1800 wing too at times, but I made the decision to sell it and that's that!
So what I need to keep reminding myself is that what I have is a wonderful and unique bike that is kind of a classic I guess due to its being obsolete, and the fact that it'll probably outlast me!
Take care, Eric

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

It's no wonder Harley get's pissed off and for $18,000.00 I think I'd just buy a Harley and leave the clone on the Kawasaki show room floor.

[rmrc51]

Sometimes I think maybe I'd be more comfy on a v-twin due to the feet forward and less spread eagled position.

I have to agree that the Valkyrie is one of a kind and for the life of me I can't understand why it was discontinued or why someone else didn't pick up on the design.

But I will admit that the only short coming it has is the foot position, for me and evidently others. I'd be much more comfortable in a foot forward position.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Sometimes I think maybe I'd be more comfy on a v-twin due to the feet forward and less spread eagled position.

I have to agree that the Valkyrie is one of a kind and for the life of me I can't understand why it was discontinued or why someone else didn't pick up on the design.

But I will admit that the only short coming it has is the foot position, for me and evidently others. I'd be much more comfortable in a foot forward position.

If you have the $$$ that can be done 

[rmrc51]

Sometimes I think maybe I'd be more comfy on a v-twin due to the feet forward and less spread eagled position.

I have to agree that the Valkyrie is one of a kind and for the life of me I can't understand why it was discontinued or why someone else didn't pick up on the design.

But I will admit that the only short coming it has is the foot position, for me and evidently others. I'd be much more comfortable in a foot forward position.

If you have the $$$ that can be done  

Lol,,,... I already have the forward controls on it from "Big Bike Things". But from what the dealer tells me, that setup may be putting an additional stress on the stock shifter. I guess I could still leave the forward rear brake leaver and maybe get one of those Kliktronic push button gear changers. We'll see how it goes.

[Jabba]

I hate the foot forward position.  I heard it referred to as "butt in a bucket" and that's how it feels to me.

Nice thing about America... we're all free to have our own opinions. 

Ride safe brothers and sisters!

Jabba

[Disco]

I hate the foot forward position.

+1 as the default position.  But I do like highway pegs/boards as a change-up on the Valkyrie.

[SANDMAN5]

But I will admit that the only short coming it has is the foot position, for me and evidently others. I'd be much more comfortable in a foot forward position.

 

For me that's one of the (many) great things about the Valk!! I'm far
more comfortable with my feet under me. Also takes pressure off my
low back. YMMV.

[rmrc51]

Wow,,.. lol.. So far 3 positive responses to the stock foot position.  And believe me I'm happy for all of ya! Wish I could feel more comfortable with it. I just might have to get use to it depending on the final outcome of my current forward control set up.

Just yesterday, in preparation for possibly having to remove that setup due to possible shifter stress, I ordered the shifter for the 1988 CB1100XX from HDL which supposedly fits the Valkyrie and is an improvement over the stock shift lever as far as foot clearance and access. I saw this suggestion in a previous post on this board. Before I installed the forward controls, I had rattlebars Kick Shift but didn't care for that setup either. So,, we'll see how it all pans out.

Ride on!   

[Valker]

Add one more for liking the stock peg location. One of the main reasons I bought the Valk was that I wanted a cruiser but hate a feet forward position.

[Willow]

Add one more for liking the stock peg location. 

And one more.    

[Misfit]

I like the stock position. Rarely do I use my highway pegs. I am 6'2" You give up a ton of control with foward controls.

[dabull]

I too like the stock position, however I also have highway pegs to stretch out on longer runs. I'm 6'1"

[BradValk48237]

Ditto on the Stock.... helps the back on the long haul and yer not reacjing forward all the time to hang on to the bars..

B

[Oldswimr]

+1 on stock. Have footpegs for cruising, like the control. But I am a troll at 5'10". Easier for my wife to see over my head when she rides with me I guess..

[hubcapsc]

Wow,,.. lol.. So far 3 positive responses to the stock foot position.  And believe me I'm happy for all of ya! Wish I could feel more comfortable with it. I just might have to get use to it depending on the final outcome of my current forward control set up.

Just yesterday, in preparation for possibly having to remove that setup due to possible shifter stress, I ordered the shifter for the 1988 CB1100XX from HDL which supposedly fits the Valkyrie and is an improvement over the stock shift lever as far as foot clearance and access. I saw this suggestion in a previous post on this board. Before I installed the forward controls, I had rattlebars Kick Shift but didn't care for that setup either. So,, we'll see how it all pans out.

Ride on!   

I like the stock position, especially in the mountains. I use the hiway pegs a lot too, alternation makes for comfort on long rides...

And I've had forward controls for 20,000 miles with zero problems, Frank Smoak for longer... I ain't taking them off.

-Mike "well, if I ever drag them, ask me again then"

[BF]

Add one more for liking the stock peg location. 

And one more.    

Me too.   

[Westernbiker]

I also like the stock position and do have the highway pegs which I also like very much. Oh and by the way, I'm 6'6"

[ridgeman06]

Well, so much for my thread about the Kawi cruiser. It got morphed into a footpeg location thread!    Have a great weekend, Eric 

[Hellcat]

I had a Vulcan 900 before moving to the Valk. Personally I preferred the feet forward position - it's one of the things I miss. I have bought the forward controls for the Valk but have not installed yet.

One big reason I bought the Valk was HANDLING though, and I have no interest in considering a Kawi or any other cruiser because of that.

Actually, my commuting was more interesting on the Kawi. Riding the few tight curves actually felt risky. On the Valk they feel very pedestrian.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Well, so much for my thread about the Kawi cruiser. It got morphed into a footpeg location thread!    Have a great weekend, Eric 

Seems to me you got the party started when you wrote.... " Sometimes I think maybe I'd be more comfy on a v-twin due to the feet forward and less spread eagled position. "

[highcountry]

I hate the foot forward position.

+1 as the default position.  But I do like highway pegs/boards as a change-up on the Valkyrie.

+1  A ruptured lumbar disk damaged the nerve on my right foot and ankle.  Therefore I cannot rotate my right foot to use the rear brake on forward controls.  But hwy pegs on my Valk give me the flexibility for riding comfort.

[Valkflyer]

I'm a big fan of the stock position also, I like having my feet under me for not only control but the ability to stand up and use my legs if I'm about to encounter an irregular surface.  Then there's the chance of rear wheel slip and or the old quick stop and slide situation, best not to be sitting on your b...t in those cases.  (And not many of those for me thankfully) 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I'm a big fan of the stock position also, I like having my feet under me for not only control but the ability to stand up and use my legs if I'm about to encounter an irregular surface.  Then there's the chance of rear wheel slip and or the old quick stop and slide situation, best not to be sitting on your b...t in those cases.  (And not many of those for me thankfully) 

Nice bike Valkflyer...Got a full size picture you can share ?

[39 Chev]

I'm a big fan of having a CHOICE.  I'm coming off a VTX 1800 R/S.  I had a Corbin and then an Ultimate seat on it.  To me, the thing about having your feet out in front of you is that it feels really good for a while, but eventually you need to change your position.  When you have a bike like the VTX, there's no way to switch things up.  With my Valkyrie, I start with my feet under me and when I start to get tired, I throw them up on the highway pegs.

I also have the Rattlebars peg re-locators (I'm 6'3") which are worth their weight in gold.

[judd]

Looks like I am an exception here, I can't ride more than few miles in the the stock position and only do so when getting aggressive in the twisties and even then I find myself reaching for the Highway pegs.  In fact my feet automatically go to the front pegs when leaving from a stop.  I just ordered a set of forwards last week, I've had a Kick shift for years, it shifts great but for me it's a pain reaching back there, I often take 2 gears at a time when doing so just so's I don't have to do it that often.   Can't wait to mount them forwards up. As 39 Chev says, I do switch it up from time to time on long trips and BBT forwards will allow both positions.

As for the Kaw, I'm with Joe on this one, I'd get a Harley first,  in fact when I wear the Valk out (not likely) I will do just that, cuz nothing out there exites me and I for sure wouldn't buy a clone.  

[Tropic traveler]

The Kawi Vulcan line is a nice looking bunch. Only problem is they are what they are, you-know-what clones.    Something Valk riders will never be accused of riding!
One of my drivers at work bought a 1500 Nomad new a few years back & has over 70K on it now. They haven't been trouble free however. He is about to put his 3rd clutch in. He aint real happy with it right now especially with me reminding him that I'm over 100K with the OE clutch still going strong. He is looking for a good deal on a nice 1500 'Wing I just wish he could have found one before he had to fork over the $$$ for a new clutch!    
As far as the peg position on a cruiser, I MUST have my feet under me. I sold my Rocket 3 more because of the foot position than anything else. Just couldn't get comfy with it.
Sometimes I even perch my feet on the rear pegs on long riding intervals. Shifts my weight to a whole new place on the big 'ol Ultimate KBB seat!   Highway pegs rarely get used.
I think the reason a lot of us prefer the "feet under" position is a lot of us first learned to ride on a dirt bike. Good control is a must in the dirt!
One cruiser bike I will check out in the future is the new Triumph Rocket 3 Roadster. I sat on one at BikeWeek & I liked the "rearward" foot position it had. I already know I like the power!!

[f-Stop]

Well, so much for my thread about the Kawi cruiser. It got morphed into a footpeg location thread!    Have a great weekend, Eric 

Funny how that happens...

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

One of my favorite things about the valk is the stock peg position. Don't get me wrong, I like and use highway pegs since I like to change positions often when riding long distances.

But, nothing will help a leg cramp, back cramp or tired butt more than standing up on the pegs for a little while. You can only do that with pegs that are under you.

[judd]

Tropic Traveler.................I rode  a Rocket 3 and even I didn't like the forward pegs position on it, although I don't think it was altogether the forward pegs fault , I believe the bars were too far forward in relation to the pegs ...............I felt like I was reachin for the bars and the pegs at the same time, just weren't comfotable.  A set of pull back risers might of cured that for me and perhaps a mid set of pegs for others.  In fact that is the case with my set up, I have a set Lamonster risers which bring the Beach bars back to me, while my pegs are not too far forward,  heel and toe on either set of pegs for running board comfort and still some bend in the knee., I can ride all day long like that.   

[Tropic traveler]

Nice Valk, Judd!!

On my R3, I had adapted Valkyrie bars with Rivco risers to mimic the Valks comfort as best I could. That part of the R3 was good.
But even with floorboards with which I was able to keep my feet mostly under me by having just my toes on the board I still wasn't as comfy as a Valk. That plus the vibration factor was more than I wanted to deal with on long rides.
Goodbye R3, hello Valk for Kim!

But that Roadster looks good!

[judd]

Thanx TT

Just a note, if you check the profiles, of the two bikes you can see that my grips are much further back in relation to my pegs, I believe this makes the difference for me.  With The Big Trump's Tach & Speedo setup, I don't think you can put pull back risers on that thing.  To me it felt like riding a Crotch Rocket wth highway pegs. You are spot on with the vibe thing, that was a big detractor for me as well.  I just  rode a 110 inch Street Glide that was down right smooth in comparison.

Cheers,  Judd