2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic Motorcycle reviews

I went to buy a Harley Road king but the price was rediculous. Across the Street was a Kawasaki dealer and my wife suggested we go there and check it out. I didnt want a crouch rocket and was amazed when I saw this 02 Vulcan sitting in the showroom that looked like a Harley. I even asked "you sell Harley's here"? No, thats a Kawasaki Vulcan. The price tag? $7995.00 "WOW" Just what wanted, chain drive, carburated, perfect. The owner came over and said "this is the last motorcycle you'll ever buy. They never come back for anything". My wife asked "Whats the best yo can do" The final price was $5200.00. My wife asked if there was something wrong with it. Its brand new, if its junk, I'll make a lamp out of it for that price. Im a mechanic by trade. This bike is flawless. The welds of the frame, the engineering, the handleing, it runs perfectly. At 33,000 miles, not an ounce of trouble. General maintenance is all it needs. Most important, it has solid lifters so be sure to check the valve clearance at least every 10,000 miles. Thats it. This motorcycle will last you a lifetime. Stopped at a WaWa one night. A guy with a new Harley there with his friends stopped to talk. He owned an 02 Vulcan Classic and got rid of it and bought a Harley. "what a mistake" he said. I loved that bike. I have been back to the Harley dealer 4 time for oil leaks, still not fixed. What a mistake I made, he said. Dont make the same mistake. I said, I know and I also know that most electronics among other parts on Harley's are made in China. Very sad! The Vulcan is the first japanese vehicle I have ever bought. The head mechanic at the dealer where I purchased it said, "It's built in Nebraska, how much more american can you get. Boy was he right. You will fall in love with this motorcycle. It has plenty of power, my wife and I ride 2 up, It weighs much less than a Harley and it is the most perfectly balanced bike on the market and it looks just like a Harley. I've had people ask me about the color, metalic red, they say, "I didnt know Harley had a color like that" They dont. Its not a Harley. Theyre shocked. For the price you pay for this motorcycle, you can afford to fit it out with all kinds of addons. A windshield, bags, floorboards, crash bars etc. I've known people who have over 90,000 miles on this bike, and it still runs great. Dont be fooled. Dont think its junk. IT'S NOT! Later on in years there are some bigger beautiful cruisers Kawasaki makes. Im not gonna get rid of what I got cause I dressed it just like I want it but you cant beat Kawasaki, And the new ones are really tempting and dependable. Hey, Years ago they made aircraft engines for fighter planes. They know what they're doin. Show less

I am on my second Vulcan 800 Classic. The first one was nice but a little bit of rust from the previous owner not keeping it garaged bothered me. I found a great deal on a VTX so I sold my first Vulcan. I later realized how much I missed my first Vulcan that the first opportunity I got to get another one, I did. I could not be happier. This one had no rust and looked great. I can cruise around with other cruisers or wind it up to be a little more sporty. It loves to cruise at 80-85 and the engine feels so smooth at that speed. I think it has the same sweet spot as my VTX 1300 but this Vulcan is only an 800. Slow speed manuevers are much easier than my old Shadow 750 and VTX, too. I've had cruisers, standards and sportbikes and this one is perfect as it is between the average cruiser and standard. It handles well and inspires confidence. Like I mentioned before, the Vulcan likes to rev so be aware that you might be going faster than you thought. After 16 bikes in six years, I think I found the perfect one for me. It gets 48-55 mpg. and it is easy to get out of the garage without the weight being overbearing. It is perfect in the city and comfortable on the highway. Show less

Bought my 2002 about 4 days ago and already put 325 miles on it which, if any one knows Sept weather here, can be a real drag. Bought mine at a local Harley shop. Wow - side by side with a fat boy! I'll take the Harley look with the Kawasaki reliability. It was piped and jetted which adds to the already awesome power. Lots of factory chrome with some extras. Nice chrome drag bars and forward controls. ONE AWESOME BIKE!! What a change from my first bike! Show less

This is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden. Not to discount what the others have said, but one of the reasons I picked this bike is BECAUSE of the seat and how soft and comfortable it is. I have absolutely no complaints about his bike. I love it, and when it gets old I will trade in for the latest and great new model. Show less

After looking at over priced and vastly over rated Harley's I finally bought a 2002 Vulcan Classic. A fantastic bike all around, I have not one complaint. To all you "gotta have a Harley people," look at the Vulcan and I guarantee you'll buy one. Not only is it a gorgeous bike it will stay with any comparable Harley, no problem. The only thing bigger on the Harley is the price tag. The "I own a Harley" saying means nothing today since there are so many great Jap bikes out there today with the Vulcan in my opinion being one of the best. Show less

This bike, the 800 Vulcan Classic is in a Class by itself, lots of features, great power, maintenance free, stylish looks, nice chrome. It has the unique ability to surprise the Big Boys by keeping up with them. Adding a set of pipes and an airbox and she comes alive and surprises all! I would buy another one if I wrecked mine! You really can't get a do-everything good bike like this one. A bulletproof scoot! Show less

After more than 20 years of not riding, I bought myself a Vulcan. In 3 days, I put 400+ miles on it, and only slowed down for the rain. Trouble is I don't want to go home!! It is a powerful bike that sometimes goes too fast, and after not riding for so long, it feels way too good! Can't believe I waited so long, but I know I will be putting many miles on it!! Show less

I bought my 2002 800 Classic used in late March 2003 with 8,700 miles on it. The previous owner traded it in for a Nomad. The only complaints I have are the F&S windshield top was right in the center of my line of vision. I was either stretching to see over or ducking down to see through. A set of handlebars from a 1500 Vulcan was the fix. The second is the limited ground clearance. My previous ride was an '85 Honda Magna which had more clearance and it took me a while to adjust my entry speed into the turns. The stock seat is ok around town but longer rides, 100 miles or more, require a replacement, at least for my tushy. I now have 13,000 miles on the bike and I'm loving it. The previous owner had added a set of Vance & Hines Cruzers pipes and I've added an air box from Thunder Mfg. and it both sounds good and had a bit more bounce to the ounce. I've also deleted the chain for a belt drive from ScootWorks. Now I just gas it up, twist the loud handle and grin. Ride Safe. Show less

I have owned about thirty bikes in my time and have ridden more than I can count and I believe that the 800 classic might be he sweetest of them all. By sweet I mean that it has almost no bad habits. It has enough power for any kind of sane riding, is very stable and comfortable for my 5'11" frame.It has been reliable for the 5500 miles I have logged so far with no problems at all.Vibration is not an issue with its rubber mounted engine and counterbalancer. Its a pretty basic bike but I think it is far better than an 883 sportster in all respects. My only complaint is its lack of ground clearance, but I also spend a lot of time on sportbikes, so that my not be an issue for all riders. I know that I always seem to be grounding the footpegs. This is a bike that a beginner could feel comfortable on but not outgrow. Or maybe never outgrow. Who needs more than 45 or 50 horsepower for cruising the country roads on a nice afternoon? If thats the kind of riding that you do, this is all yo will ever need Show less

The only modification I have made to this bike are the pipes, I put a set of Jardine slash cuts on it to get the big sound and boy did I. It's got the sound of a much bigger bike now although not a throaty as a Hog. I suppose if I could change anything it would be the overall power.but, even as a 270lb man it get's me around with the bigboys just fine. Show less