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2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak Motorcycle reviews

5.0 (21 reviews)
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Reliability
5.0
Overall quality
5.0
Performance
4.9
Comfort
4.7

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Voted most helpful review

Dutch

Kansas City, Missouri

Reviewed on October 28, 2007

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
I used to ride everyday... that is until I became married with children. Well the kids are grown now and so I decided to ride again. I bought a 2006 Meanie last spring and at first thought it was just too much bike for my old butt. After a couple months of riding almost every day it became obvious that it not... read more
I used to ride everyday... that is until I became married with children. Well the kids are grown now and so I decided to ride again. I bought a 2006 Meanie last spring and at first thought it was just too much bike for my old butt. After a couple months of riding almost every day it became obvious that it not only wasn't too much bike but I actually wanted more. After upgrading the exhaust, adding a K&N filter, power commander and some perks (shorty windshield, removable saddle bags and rear bag, passenger backrest, etc.) it is the PERFECT bike for me. Handles like a dream when I fly through the twisties with sports bikes, out guns as well as out handles my buddies on their Harleys, stops on a dime (several dogs owe mother Kaw their lives for putting on those brakes), cruises beautifully on long trips and performs well in freezing rain (ALWAYS bring your warm clothes and rain gear with you this time of year). Add very reliable to the above list and it is definitely the best bike for me. Looks hot, performs hot and is hot. Plus, it taught me how to ride again.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Barry B

Edmonton, Alberta

Reviewed on July 9, 2007

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
I have 3 bikes. A 2006 Suzuki GSXR 750, a 2005 Harley Davidson Roadking Custom, and a 2005 Mean Streak. I ride the MS the most by far. It far out performs the HD and is in the area for comfort but I will admit that the HD does have a much nicer stock seat. All three bikes are stock with the exception of a... read more
I have 3 bikes. A 2006 Suzuki GSXR 750, a 2005 Harley Davidson Roadking Custom, and a 2005 Mean Streak. I ride the MS the most by far. It far out performs the HD and is in the area for comfort but I will admit that the HD does have a much nicer stock seat. All three bikes are stock with the exception of a cruise control on the Road King and the Mean Streak. The MS runs better (more power, way better handling) and is way better for price. Fuel consumption is much better also. The stock seat on the MS is good for one person but for two it is not great. (who wants a passenger anyway?) I drive the GSXR some but super hard on the butt. Fun for when you want to fly. But the MS is the best bike that I have ever owned. A great bike for on the highway as well as around town. At 135km/h with my wife on the back you can just turn the right dial and my Mean Streak just smiles back at me and pulls on. I am thinking of trading the HD but I will always keep my Mean Streak. Bla Bla Bla I could go on and on about the good things but here are the bad. I would like to be find a better windshield. Not for full time but now and again I want to let my wife ride the Road King and I would like to have a big windshield. Every big one out there looks funny because the guages are in front of the bars and it does not work well. I would like to see a cover over the exposed frame just behind the handle bar mount like most other bikes. That is all.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Fester

South Dakota

Reviewed on February 4, 2007

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
This is my second bike and I can not get off of it. The comfort and performance are heads above the rest as I have ridden Harley, Suzuki, Yamaha and Victory. This bike is an attention grabber! Every where I go someone always wants to know all about it. If you want a helluva a bike, this is the bike for you. Y... read more
This is my second bike and I can not get off of it. The comfort and performance are heads above the rest as I have ridden Harley, Suzuki, Yamaha and Victory. This bike is an attention grabber! Every where I go someone always wants to know all about it. If you want a helluva a bike, this is the bike for you. You will not go wrong.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Mark s

waretpwn , New Jersey

Reviewed on September 26, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
I picked up an 05 left over. Plenty of bike for the money. Handles well. The brakes are excellent. This is a very powerful bike. And isn't it pretty?... read more
I picked up an 05 left over. Plenty of bike for the money. Handles well. The brakes are excellent. This is a very powerful bike. And isn't it pretty?
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Brian

Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Reviewed on September 19, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
This is my first cruiser, and I must say I think I've found a winner. I came off of a 600cc sport bike and this bike is a great transition into the world of cruisers. It is light and nimble enough to be tossed into turns almost like a sportbike. It is powerful enough to take on most bikes in it's class. Th... read more
This is my first cruiser, and I must say I think I've found a winner. I came off of a 600cc sport bike and this bike is a great transition into the world of cruisers. It is light and nimble enough to be tossed into turns almost like a sportbike. It is powerful enough to take on most bikes in it's class. The handle bars are about two inches too far forward for any real long distance cruising for me. But I found a set of chrome risers that just screw right on and extend the bars about 1.5 to 2 inches back for only $115.00. I would recommend this bike to anyone, especially someone who is coming off a sportbike and wants a cruiser. The drag bars are great and the stock exhaust is good (but I will be putting on a set of Hark Krome 2 into 1 sideburners soon). Overall this is a fantastic bike, especially because I bought an 05' left over and walked about the door with a great deal. The only problem I have had so far was the license plate mount was rattling like crazy, but I played with the flynuts on the back of it and fixed the problem in a few minutes. GREAT BIKE!!!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

Kelly Harris

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Reviewed on May 18, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
Pictures do not do this bike justice. You have to get on one to truely appreciate it. It goes when you want it to go and stops when you want it to stop; handles great; looks great; turns heads; drops jaws; sounds wonderful; can't be beat for the price. With new pipes and the pro-charger I added, it can't be t... read more
Pictures do not do this bike justice. You have to get on one to truely appreciate it. It goes when you want it to go and stops when you want it to stop; handles great; looks great; turns heads; drops jaws; sounds wonderful; can't be beat for the price. With new pipes and the pro-charger I added, it can't be touched. I haven't even tapped into it's full potential. This bike is as big as you need to go. With a few upgrades, it will blow anything bigger off the road, period. Love it!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Don Dienert

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Reviewed on March 7, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
I will say that after one summer (2800 miles) of just cruising this bike, I could not find one thing that I did not like about it. It is definitely more on the sporty side for cruisers, more like a light heavyweight. If you are interested in a new cruiser, you must check this bike out, for looks, power, style... read more
I will say that after one summer (2800 miles) of just cruising this bike, I could not find one thing that I did not like about it. It is definitely more on the sporty side for cruisers, more like a light heavyweight. If you are interested in a new cruiser, you must check this bike out, for looks, power, style, comfort, and ease of riding this bike is just awesome...
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Robb Hawthorne

streator, Illinois

Reviewed on January 8, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
This is the best bike I've had so far. It's quick, nimble, and comfortable. Stock exhaust has great tone to it. The handlebars and the low seat give this bike an awesome look. Makes the Harley guys look twice!... read more
This is the best bike I've had so far. It's quick, nimble, and comfortable. Stock exhaust has great tone to it. The handlebars and the low seat give this bike an awesome look. Makes the Harley guys look twice!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
3.0
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Voted most helpful review

Troop

Stoughton, Wisconsin

Reviewed on October 17, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
Ok, I'll start out by saying that this is my 4th bike in 5 yrs and I liked every one of them. Prior to this bike I had a Zrx1200 which was a hoot. Great bike but didn't fill my needs. Prior to that, I had a 1500 Classic FI which was very nice but not sporty by any means. Hopefully, this bike's the charm. This... read more
Ok, I'll start out by saying that this is my 4th bike in 5 yrs and I liked every one of them. Prior to this bike I had a Zrx1200 which was a hoot. Great bike but didn't fill my needs. Prior to that, I had a 1500 Classic FI which was very nice but not sporty by any means. Hopefully, this bike's the charm. This bike has great handling and a very comfy ride. With Cobra Speedster shorts exhaust, Cobra FI2000 fuel injection management and Thunder intake installed, the "oomph" factor is nicely increased. Add to that quick detach items like a MS shield and Leatherlyke bags, you can go from sporty to tourer and back to sporty in minutes. For comfort factor (myself and spouse), I added a Corbin dual touring seat along with Genmar risers and Flip-A-lever throttle lock for long distance comfort. I also added Rumbleroads for some tunes. You might be thinking "Why not a Nomad?" and I can tell you why. With the great rebates and close-out pricing, I got the Meanie, 4 year extended warranty (same duration as loan) and options for a great price! You'll get a Lot of comfort AND sport for the money! I put 8k miles on my 1500 Classic with ZERO problems and I expect the same for this. As far as any kind of engine knocks, I have none. I believe this bike will satisfy all my motorcycle needs. Plus, the pearl magma red looks awesome in the sunlight.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Marco Bruno

Los Angeles, California

Reviewed on October 8, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak view listing

5.0
Wow! This bike is unbelievable! So solid and stable at all speeds. So much technology, style and performance at such a reasonable price! won't outrun a V-Rod, but who cares... Meanie is half the price. Just broken in and can't wait to start racking up the miles. Have had ZERO problems and don't expect any rea... read more
Wow! This bike is unbelievable! So solid and stable at all speeds. So much technology, style and performance at such a reasonable price! won't outrun a V-Rod, but who cares... Meanie is half the price. Just broken in and can't wait to start racking up the miles. Have had ZERO problems and don't expect any real soon. Highly recommended! Should have looked at this bike before buying my previous Moto Guzzi. If you're shopping for a sport cruiser, the Mean Streak deserves a hard look.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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