Not a "V", again...

[Aelwulf]

Another that's not, but hopin' it'll be my next one (and first new one).  It's shaft driven too. :)







Once I get my Vision back I'll get some shots of it up.

[YellowJacket!]

I just drooled all over my keyboard and shorted it out.  Nice looking bike.

David

[inanecathode]

What is it? Looks expensive :o

[Aelwulf]

Full name: 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak Special Edition

Short name: '07 Kawi Meanie SE

Price: $11,300 MSRP

I could've gotten one from a dealer here in February for about $10,300, same dealership just finished an unsuccessful attempt to sell on on eBay for about $9,400.  If I didn't have the move and such going right now I would've been all over that one. :D

The Meanie is supposed to have excellent handling and comfort for a power cruiser.  Little low on HP but it's easy to fix that using aftermarket intake and a fuel controller, and exhaust if ya want (stock intake has a restricting plastic pipe or something in the setup).  There's a couple of guys on another forum I'm on who have these and people are constantly asking them as well what kind of bike it is, asking if it's a Harley, etc.

[dj]

Full name: 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak Special Edition

One of the guys on base just bought one.  GREAT LOOKING BIKE!  Haven't heard it running yet, but it looks amazing.

[Lucky]

the cool thing is they balance on 2 tires while off!

[Aelwulf]

the cool thing is they balance on 2 tires while off!

lol Some yeah, lot of Meanie guys like taking the rear tire up to 200 (one guy's modded his to fit a 250 0.o ).  A lot don't like to go much over 190 though since it affects the handling, one of the main reasons to get a Meanie over a Yamaha Warrior or another one with more stock HP.

[YellowJacket!]

OK, I WANT one. 

David

[ProfessorRex]

It's got suspension and brakes from a ZR  and a hot-rodded 1600cc vulcan engine.  Fuel injection, smoooooth ride, great handling (for a cruiser).  I went and 'test drove' that exact bike last week. (I was in looking at a virgo 250 with my girlfriend and who was I to argue with a pushy salesman!)  Apparently they aren't selling too well.  It's on my short list as far as what could replace (well not replace, but coincide with) my vision.

[YellowJacket!]

I wonder why it's not selling well.  That has got to be one of the best looking bikes (thats not a Vision) that I have seen in a lonnnnng time.

David

[Aelwulf]

Probably the price & power issues.  That, plus I think a lot of people still don't equate Kawasaki with power cruisers.A lot of folks looking to buy a 1500cc+ power cruiser want the HP and the rip ye rhair out power on a straight-away.  The Meanie still takes off well but wouldn't keep up most likely with a Warrior, V-Rod or Victory of the same class.  However get off the straight-away and start doing curves, stop & gos etc the Meanie should come out on top.  It has excellent braking for a cruiser.  Do a few mods and the straight-aways are a bit more of a competition as well.

My eventual goal if I got one would be to top 100HP on it without blowin' the budget.  From what I've read it easily hits the 130MPH mark stock and there's already a decent aftermarket base since the Meanie's been out a bit.  You'll always have your "My bike is better" crowd though so it's up to personal taste.  Personally it's the first bike I've wanted sice I saw it on the showroom floor.  I'd have it if not for the price issue, and hope to within a year if I'm lucky.

If yer more into street bikes they also did an SE of their 2007 Ninja (if I have the name right, think the 1000 or 1100) in a similar color/flame scheme.

[Night Vision]

I got my V inspected Saturday at the Yamaha / Kawasaki dealer. The owner caught me lookin at the LE ZX1400 while I was havin a smoke outside...

needless to say, he just had to tell me how fast it would go...

"230 out of the box" ....... "It'll go to a 100 in first if you let it"

"oh, so it's only a two speed?" :D

[Tiger]

 8) I looked at one last week at the dealer's...nice looking ride, for sure 8)

[h2olawyer]

If you stay remotely close to speed limits, it's just a single speed!

If I ever get a "power cruiser" it will be a V-Max (double vision).  That's still the only one in that class I really want to ride.  Most power cruisers are great looking bikes, though.  It's entirely personal.  I like that Kaw - looks like it's name!  If you like that type of bike, go for it.  They all look like fun.  I'm more of a sport tourer fan.  Current dream bike is the BMW K1200GT.  The Yamaha FJR1300 runs a very close second.  As for used bikes, the Yamaha GTS1000 tops the list.

H₂O

[Aelwulf]

I saw an '07 VMax yesterday.  Whenever I hear the name for some reason I think of VStrom which I don't particularly like.  The VMax was certainly interesting though, held my attention for a minute or two of perusal when I was in a hurry. ;)