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2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD Motorcycle reviews

4.9 (18 reviews)
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Reliability
4.7
Overall quality
4.8
Performance
4.8
Comfort
4.6

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Voted most helpful review

JG

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Reviewed on September 9, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

5.0
Quiet, reliable performance. Daily commute of 40 miles round trip at 70-80 mph. Bursts to 90-100 are no problem - not usually needed but just had to see if the bike would do it. Consistently get 56 mpg. 60 mpg highway only. Have experienced no mechanical problems. Only negative I can think of : If you plan on... read more
Quiet, reliable performance. Daily commute of 40 miles round trip at 70-80 mph. Bursts to 90-100 are no problem - not usually needed but just had to see if the bike would do it. Consistently get 56 mpg. 60 mpg highway only. Have experienced no mechanical problems. Only negative I can think of : If you plan on a lot of two-up riding you need a bike with more brake. This '05 is a great bike.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Benjamin Frager

San Leandro, California

Reviewed on September 3, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

5.0
This is my fifth bike. I started riding again after a fifteen year break. This great looking motorcycle has about the most bang for your buck that you can get. I commute 68 freeway miles daily at speeds up to 85mph and the bike performs great. A windshield would be a great add for increased comfort. On the do... read more
This is my fifth bike. I started riding again after a fifteen year break. This great looking motorcycle has about the most bang for your buck that you can get. I commute 68 freeway miles daily at speeds up to 85mph and the bike performs great. A windshield would be a great add for increased comfort. On the downside, the gas tank is too small for the amount of commuting I do, and I average 50mpg, probably because of the higher speeds I ride at. There is plenty of power available on the top end if you want it. Cruising on city streets and paved back roads is awesome. Like everyone is saying, it has a great feel and no noticeable vibration. This bike has been 100% reliable.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

opa

gardnerville, Nevada

Reviewed on July 30, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

5.0
I am a 67 old geezer who has been riding motorcycles on and off since 1953 . For some reason or another I decided to go back to riding motorcycles again , after a layoff of about 20 years . It was easy to convince the better half of the need to get a bike ( rising gasoline prices ) . After taking the beginn... read more
I am a 67 old geezer who has been riding motorcycles on and off since 1953 . For some reason or another I decided to go back to riding motorcycles again , after a layoff of about 20 years . It was easy to convince the better half of the need to get a bike ( rising gasoline prices ) . After taking the beginners rider course ( highly recommend it ), started using the bike to commute between South Gardnerville and North Carson City a 25 miles oneway route . Speeds driven , vary anywhere from 25 mph to 75 mph ( determined mostly by traffic ) without any instability ( with high wind conditions ) or vibration . I like to have a tacho meter on this bike since at speeds over 40 , it becomes hard to determine which gear I am in due to the wind noise ( engine noise gets over powered by wind noise ). Gas mileage monitored over several weeks , is a respectable 60 mpg , no exagguration . I added a tall windshield , a sissy bar and rack to mount my soft luggage pack onto it. Highly recommend this bike for all purpose uses. ps.: I have to ride over abt 100 ft of graveled driveway and about 600 ft of dirt road to get to the nearest paved road . I don't have any problems negotiating these road conditions . opa in NV.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

Pogieboy

Yucaipa, California

Reviewed on July 8, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

5.0
I just bought a new 2006 Kawasaki 500 Limited after many months of searching and reserach. When your on the "short side" It's hard to find a bike that you can sit flat footed on. This bike fits the bill! It fits me to a tee! The lower seat design has shown to be fairly comfortable. I'm not so much a... read more
I just bought a new 2006 Kawasaki 500 Limited after many months of searching and reserach. When your on the "short side" It's hard to find a bike that you can sit flat footed on. This bike fits the bill! It fits me to a tee! The lower seat design has shown to be fairly comfortable. I'm not so much a beginner rider and I am very happy with the bike. It appears to have plenty of power and rides quite smooth. I have had many compliments. This bike is just plain fun to ride!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Shane

Ashburn, Virginia

Reviewed on September 14, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

4.0
I purchased a 2005 Vulcan 500 LTD about two weeks ago and now have about 375 miles on it. I like the bike a lot. It is my first bike and I feel like I made a good choice. I was also considering a Boulevard S40 and the Vulcan looks and feels like a bigger bike than the S40. I get compliments from friends ... read more
I purchased a 2005 Vulcan 500 LTD about two weeks ago and now have about 375 miles on it. I like the bike a lot. It is my first bike and I feel like I made a good choice. I was also considering a Boulevard S40 and the Vulcan looks and feels like a bigger bike than the S40. I get compliments from friends and co-workers on the bike a lot. I would like to add a backrest, luggage rack, and a windshield in the near future to make carrying items easier and to have some wind protection. The bike accelerates quickly when in the powerband, however, I am still in the break in period which really stinks. Top suggested speed for the first 500 miles in 48mph. That is tough when trying to keep up with traffic. I cannot wait to finish out the break in period so I can really explore the bike's potential. I am a little bit tall for this bike and it gets uncomfortable after about an hour. However, I feel fine for that first hour. If you are looking for a good first bike, the Vulcan 500 LTD is a solid choice.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
3.0
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Voted most helpful review

T S

Richmond Hill, Ontario

Reviewed on September 10, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

4.0
..but didn't expect a beginner bike like this one, would be so easy to handle and learn with. Sure, even with my low mileage I've made mistakes already, but this bike can handle some growing pains (so to speak). Reliable performance, adaptable to road conditions. This bike is a great starter bike for some... read more
..but didn't expect a beginner bike like this one, would be so easy to handle and learn with. Sure, even with my low mileage I've made mistakes already, but this bike can handle some growing pains (so to speak). Reliable performance, adaptable to road conditions. This bike is a great starter bike for someone say close to my physical . If you're shorter than 5 ft 4 in. - I wouldn't be too sure in choosing this this model, just because you would be more comfortable in a smaller starter like a Honda Rebel or a Suzuki Marauder (just to get the feel of riding). Overall, it handles well, rides good, and it doesn't look half-bad.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Pat S.

wadena, Minnesota

Reviewed on August 17, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

5.0
I called the kawasaki dealer in st. cloud and asked if I could take a bike for a test drive. They asked what bike I had in mind and I said the vulcan 500. Then the guy said he didn't know if they had one on the showroom floor or not but it didn't matter cause if they didn't have one on display they could tak... read more
I called the kawasaki dealer in st. cloud and asked if I could take a bike for a test drive. They asked what bike I had in mind and I said the vulcan 500. Then the guy said he didn't know if they had one on the showroom floor or not but it didn't matter cause if they didn't have one on display they could take one out of the crate. So anyway bristows in st. cloud in an awesome dealership. I was only able to take the bike for a 4 mile ride. The bike was brand new, zero miles on it. The bike had plenty of power for me.( I am pretty new to biking) It felt light and very easy to handle. The seat felt better then I thought it would and I think it would take a couple of hours to get uncomfortable. I was in sixth gear and down shifted just to see if it had power to pass and it wouldn't be a problem. The brakes felt great and could stop the bike in a hurry if needed. I wish I could have went for a longer ride but it was a great four miles. The only thing that I thought was weird is the location of the ignition, it is on the right side of the bike towards the front near the handle bars. I will deffinately be buying this bike (but the 06 model) the summer of 2006. This is a great bike, you should really look at one I think you will love it.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Jeff Snyder

Villa Grove, Illinois

Reviewed on August 1, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

5.0
I had a 1982 Nighthawk 650. I was looking for a cheap reliable bike. I just happened to find this bike. It is a 2003 and it had 241 miles when I got it. It has plenty of power and is easy to control. I would recomend this bike to new and old riders alike!... read more
I had a 1982 Nighthawk 650. I was looking for a cheap reliable bike. I just happened to find this bike. It is a 2003 and it had 241 miles when I got it. It has plenty of power and is easy to control. I would recomend this bike to new and old riders alike!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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zuperbal

Longmont, Colorado

Reviewed on July 12, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

5.0
Whew, what a kick! I upgraded from a 250 Ninja this year. The 500LTD is a great bike. The extra 250ccs is deffinately a plus with more power than I had expected. This bike, red in color, gets compliments from male HD riders, older women, and just about everbody; they all say how nice looking it is. Mech... read more
Whew, what a kick! I upgraded from a 250 Ninja this year. The 500LTD is a great bike. The extra 250ccs is deffinately a plus with more power than I had expected. This bike, red in color, gets compliments from male HD riders, older women, and just about everbody; they all say how nice looking it is. Mechanically, this bike kicks butt. It has power, good gas mileage (50+ depending on your throttle control), and hardware finished in very nice detail. My only complaint - no center stand, it might be possible to mount one though, from a Ninja 500. Need to check this out. Sounds good, not wimpy, exhaust note is very pleasing. Minimal vibration at all speeds. Highly recommend this bike if you are like me. I commute about 15 miles one way to Boulder and enjoy every minute of the ride whether I'm going 25 or 70. I haven't topped this bike out but I do know it will hit 90mph pretty darn quickly. Great ride and I have no regrets at moving up from my 250-who knows maybe next year it will be an 800!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Brandon

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Reviewed on June 21, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD view listing

5.0
This is an awesome bike. I am not that light, and the bike carries me very well. It looks great, and others think it is a larger bike than it is. At only 500CC I am surprised with the power. I added saddle bags, and windshield and it looks great. The seat is very comfortable, it felt better than the 800's sea... read more
This is an awesome bike. I am not that light, and the bike carries me very well. It looks great, and others think it is a larger bike than it is. At only 500CC I am surprised with the power. I added saddle bags, and windshield and it looks great. The seat is very comfortable, it felt better than the 800's seat. Great deal and bike. Highly Recommended.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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