Kawasaki VN800-B3 Vulcan Classic Motorcycle Reviews on Cycle Insider (7)
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After researching for six months or better(and waiting for money) I went to my local Kawasaki dealer to look at a 2001 VN800. The first thing I noticed is the quality of detail. All, except turn signals, chrome is metal. Which I have found out is quite rare on foreign street bikes. While at the dealer I found they had a used '98 for sale. So I took it for a ride and now 7500 miles later I have found that I made a wise choice. My wife and I have put at least 1000 miles two up, and have ran into one deficit. Headwinds are this bikes Kryptonite. After running at 85 mph for over 80 miles we ran into a bad headwind and that was all she wrote. All she would do is 80 mph against the throttle stop.

Last year I purchased a John Deere 425 Garden Tractor, could have bought a damn nice bike for what I paid for that thing. But with 3+ acres I knew I needed something that was gonna get the job done. Case in point, it's got a Kawasaki Engine. My VN800B is rock solid. Other bikers (ie.Harley Riders) that I've encouraged to take it for a spin always return flat ass amazed. The look, the feel, the sound, the reliability & performance..."Simply Nice" I'm now concidering a 1500 FI, only hoping I like it as much. Kawasaki's got it goin on. IMHO

I finally got rid of my Vulcan 800 out of disgust. I plan to buy a used Harley Davidson late this year, but for now I would rather not ride anything rather than continue riding a Kawasaki. When I had problems, the dealer and the company treated me like crap. After missing half a summer over a simple defective water pump, I complained about the dealer. Kawasaki immediately had me talking to their lawyer, who essentially told me to shove it. Well, they can shove it now!

I bought my Vulcan Classic new off the showroom floor. As soon as I saw it I was drawn to its classic good looks and low seat height (5'7 with 29 in. inseam) The bike handles well and I'm able to keep up or at the very least catch up with the bigger bikes(add a pair of V&H pipes as I have for that little extra highway roll on power, but be prepared for a lot of extra noise) Kawasaki does give you the choice of hundreds of add ons to make the bike your very own, I'm up to $2200 in extras on mine.(I highly recomend a windshield and the passenger and rider backrest) I've ridden 10,000 trouble free miles and looking forward to the upcoming spring and summer months. Ride safe!!!!

As typical for most current machines, very little servicing has been needed. A change of seats to a narrower Cobra seat, and Jardine pieshas helped in looks as well as performance. If you are a taller person (6 feet or over) or right about 200 lbs., this can feel a bit small. All things considered, it has been a very good bike (my 14th machine in 12 years).

Love the bike, and the looks, minor mods to bike intake and exhaust and she's a rocket... Lots of compliments on the bike...rides nice and have had no problems since it was bought 5/98...only thing though is I'm looking to change rear sprocket on the rear wheel to make her ride more relax at highway speeds...Good luck to all that have one...

Great bike, low seat height, plenty of power for two riders. Handles extremely well on twisty back roads, yet on the super highways has enough weight to make you feel safe.