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2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic Motorcycle reviews

4.9 (48 reviews)
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Reliability
4.9
Overall quality
4.9
Performance
4.9
Comfort
4.8

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48 ratings and reviews

Voted most helpful review

JOHN MANATA

Reviewed on November 26, 2022

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

4.8
this is my first kawasaki and dont regret it at all. after having a variety of bikes in the last 40 years id have to say its the best looking cruiser ive been on, it had 3200 miles on it when i got it 2 years ago, never had a single problem, only mods done were a mustang seat and led turn signals, headlight ... read more
this is my first kawasaki and dont regret it at all. after having a variety of bikes in the last 40 years id have to say its the best looking cruiser ive been on, it had 3200 miles on it when i got it 2 years ago, never had a single problem, only mods done were a mustang seat and led turn signals, headlight , tail light and driving light.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

keith day

anchorage , Alaska

Reviewed on August 31, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

5.0
I bought this bike after I snookered my wife into riding my 800 Classic. Now we both ride and it's much better than riding two-up. I would rate the fuel injection and low maintenance as the highs, although the looks are a definite winner. I have owned this bike for 3 years and have twelve thousand miles on it... read more
I bought this bike after I snookered my wife into riding my 800 Classic. Now we both ride and it's much better than riding two-up. I would rate the fuel injection and low maintenance as the highs, although the looks are a definite winner. I have owned this bike for 3 years and have twelve thousand miles on it and I have no regrets about my choice. I don't look longingly at any one else's ride and have had many good remarks from friends and strangers about mine. I run 20-50 oil and it seems to run better than 10-40.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Brendan

Levittown, New York

Reviewed on January 19, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

5.0
When I first bought my 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic, I wasn't that comfortable on it. The handlebars were too wide and low, weight was more than I expected and overall comfort was not as good as my 96 Vulcan 1500. Then I bought Areomach 2" risers, which solved my handlebar comfort problem. They bring the ba... read more
When I first bought my 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic, I wasn't that comfortable on it. The handlebars were too wide and low, weight was more than I expected and overall comfort was not as good as my 96 Vulcan 1500. Then I bought Areomach 2" risers, which solved my handlebar comfort problem. They bring the bars 2" up and 2" closer to you... It even resolved some of the excess weight feeling I had. Then I bought a Mustang seat, new Jardine pipes, engine guards and a large Fire & Steel windshield. Riding this bike on the highway is the smoothest, most powerful ride I have ever had. After the risers and the seat, I am totally happy with the Vulcan 1600.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Steve Voorhees

Grosse Pointe, Michigan

Reviewed on November 5, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

5.0
Bought my new Ruby Red '03 1600 Classic Labor Day weekend in 2004. Got a great deal on it. The bike has been bullet-proof since I owned it. I had a minor cooling system 'weeping' of radiator fluid, but the dealer fixed it under warranty. I do wish the bike had a decent OEM tail light. It may look stylish, but... read more
Bought my new Ruby Red '03 1600 Classic Labor Day weekend in 2004. Got a great deal on it. The bike has been bullet-proof since I owned it. I had a minor cooling system 'weeping' of radiator fluid, but the dealer fixed it under warranty. I do wish the bike had a decent OEM tail light. It may look stylish, but it is tough to see from behind according to my buddies. The tail lamp on the 2000 is a good size. Also, the horn is a joke.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

David Cracknell

Milford, Michigan

Reviewed on September 28, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

4.0
The reliability has been excellent. No problems so far. don't like the way the clutch engages... choppy/jerky but I've learned to feather out most of the jerk. I felt the acceleration was weak relative to the engine displacement. Once it blows through 4700 rpm it hits a wall. However, I can certainly live... read more
The reliability has been excellent. No problems so far. don't like the way the clutch engages... choppy/jerky but I've learned to feather out most of the jerk. I felt the acceleration was weak relative to the engine displacement. Once it blows through 4700 rpm it hits a wall. However, I can certainly live with what it has to offer. There are some V-twin vibrations that I've learned to dodge in the 2,000 rpm range. The engine is very smooth from 2200 on up to 3,000 rpm while cruising. The brakes are awesome. My fuel consumption is coming in around 45+mpg. Still experimenting with what the best rpm range is for maximum fuel economy. So far it seems to be in the 2200 to 2500 rpm range... still verifying. The original seat was horrible (for me, I replaced it with a Mustang saddle w/backrest... problem solved! The quality is excellent and I believe this Vulcan is probably one of the top best-value bikes on the market. I would like to see more after-market parts become available.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
3.0
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Voted most helpful review

Kim O'Neill

Bella Vista, Arkansas

Reviewed on September 12, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

5.0
Have had this beauty for just over a year, and in my humble opinion there is no finer ride out there. Smooth ride, adequate power, and unrivaled looks make this bad boy the bike to own. Do yourself a favor and get ya one.... read more
Have had this beauty for just over a year, and in my humble opinion there is no finer ride out there. Smooth ride, adequate power, and unrivaled looks make this bad boy the bike to own. Do yourself a favor and get ya one.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Joseph Ewing

Wynantskill, New York

Reviewed on August 26, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

5.0
I just got back into riding after almost 20 years. I purchased a Vulcan 500 in the early spring, and while it is a super bike, it was not exactly what I wanted when on the highway. My wife got into bike riding this spring as well (first time for her) and we got her a 250 Yamaha. It was nice to get her ... read more
I just got back into riding after almost 20 years. I purchased a Vulcan 500 in the early spring, and while it is a super bike, it was not exactly what I wanted when on the highway. My wife got into bike riding this spring as well (first time for her) and we got her a 250 Yamaha. It was nice to get her started, and through the MSF course, but once she got riding some, she complained about the rough ride. One day I suggest she try going up the road a piece on my bike. It was all over from there, and I told her if she wanted my bike, it would cost her! Later that day, we found a 2 year old Vulcan 1600 with just 14k miles on it. I have since put another 2k on it, mostly with my wife on the back. This bike is AWESOME. Nicely styled (admitedly, this is a personal preference), and smooth as silk. It is quite heavy, but that all goes away over 10 MPH. It corners better than my 500 did, and at 80-90 on the highway it just glides. We put on the Kawasaki plexi windshield, soft bags, and a backrest, and that made a world of difference. Lots of power, V-twin sound (very throaty - but no where near as loud as HD), Fuel Injection, Shaft Drive, Self cancelling signals, digital guage package, floorboards, heal and toe... No bad for a cruiser. One negative: The handlebars are set quite wide, and you really reach out to them, especially if you have moderate to short arms. You get used to it, but it is a very different feel from most bikes. I would buy this bike again in a heartbeat.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

Big John

Coshocton, Ohio

Reviewed on August 2, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

5.0
My Wife and I Just Purchased, 2 Months Ago a Kawasaki 1600 Vulcan Classic. This is one Bad Boy Cruiser. Everywhere we ride this Bike, people stop and stare. I have even had a few People ask if our bike was a Harley, And I would say to them Sorry, This is a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic and you should see The L... read more
My Wife and I Just Purchased, 2 Months Ago a Kawasaki 1600 Vulcan Classic. This is one Bad Boy Cruiser. Everywhere we ride this Bike, people stop and stare. I have even had a few People ask if our bike was a Harley, And I would say to them Sorry, This is a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic and you should see The Looks on their Faces! We Really Love our 1600 Vulcan Classic. It is Really Comfortable, Has more than enough power to satisfy you whether Your Cruising around Town or out on the Open Road. I would Recomend this Motorcycle to anyone who is Looking for a Smoooth, Reliable, Goodlooking, and last but Certainly Not least Powerful Cruiser!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Cliff Howard

Port Orchard, Washington

Reviewed on April 11, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

5.0
This is an ultra reliable bike and despite reviews to the contrary, an extremely comfortable motorcycle. The day I bought it I left on a 1400 mile trip. The motorcycle performed flawlessly. I previously owned a Vulcan 800A and the Vulcan 1600 is much easier to go on long trips with.... read more
This is an ultra reliable bike and despite reviews to the contrary, an extremely comfortable motorcycle. The day I bought it I left on a 1400 mile trip. The motorcycle performed flawlessly. I previously owned a Vulcan 800A and the Vulcan 1600 is much easier to go on long trips with.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Stephen A Smith

Medford, Massachusetts

Reviewed on July 30, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic view listing

5.0
I bought this bike 800 miles ago. There are only two things I would have to say I need now... a stereo and a little more comfortable seat (for long rides only). Other than that... it's everything that I wanted. I am so glad I bought this machine.... read more
I bought this bike 800 miles ago. There are only two things I would have to say I need now... a stereo and a little more comfortable seat (for long rides only). Other than that... it's everything that I wanted. I am so glad I bought this machine.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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