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I'm trying to make up my mind between these two bikes. I know that they represent very different niches and styles of riding, but I am attracted to both.
The Vulcan is big, cosmetically beautiful (gorgeous paint, lots of chrome), with a belt drive and smooth, water-cooled engine. It's also low-slung, bulky, unwieldly, and an obvious Harley clone, with footplates instead of pegs (which is something I'm not too thrilled about). I hear from everyone that the Vulcan is dead-reliable with lots of factory and aftermarekt support. MSRP: $7499.
The Bonnie has that classic upright look (especially to those of us who began riding in the 1960s), compact dimensions, and weighs about 150 pounds less than the vulcan. It handles like a dream. The old British problems with carbs, electricals, and oil leaks are a thing of the past. It also has a brick-hard saddle and VERY expensive options. (I also hear evil rumors about battery reliability.) MSRP: $7699.
I expect to do most of my riding as a semi-urban communter, and some weekend trips to Canada or Idaho of no more than two or three hours' duration. My wife is petite (5', about 100 pounds); she'll be my "backpack."
I'll stop here and ask Forum members for their advice. Which way do I go? Smooth placid Cruiser or spartan updated Classic?
I've got an 05 Vulcan 1500 Classic. Bought it new.
I've got almost 20,000 miles on it and it has been absolutely bullet-proof. I get about 48 mpg on the road, and around 40 in the city. I've done nothing but maintenance and new tires.
I'd probably go for the Triumph, since I love the old vertical twin design and it's much lighter. You can modify the saddle. However, the cruiser might be better for packing double. They are hard to compare because they're so different.
I just got an '09 Bonnie and love it. It is just pure fun since it is so easy to handle. Since you say most of your riding is semi-urban it would be my choice but then I don't like riding cruisers. I plan to tour on mine but so far haven't spent more than an hour at a time on it so I can't comment on long distance riding yet.
I have a 2006 Vulcan 900. I am 63 years old and I have owned many bikes in the past including a few Beezers and Triumphs among others. My Vulcan 900 has been very reliable and it fits my conservative riding style very well. If I was 25 instead of 63 I would say it is too boring but tastes change. I loved my old Bonnies but they were a P.I.T.A to keep running properly. The new ones are probably a lot better.
It is my understanding that the new Bonnies are much more reliable. I'm also 63 and still riding my 1984 Honda V65 Sabre. Old guys can still go fast when they want to! I ride fairly conservatively 95% of the time. I'm sure the Vulcan is a nice ride, but the Bonnie is more my cup of tea (that seemed like an appropriare expression).
I really like the Bonnie's. What a classic design for a bike. It's on my short list for a street bike here in WV, where the windy secondary roads would mate perfectly with a bike of that caliber. It's either the Bonnie or the Scrambler, but I already daily drive on Suzuki DR650 dual sport, so I really don't need a Scrambler..
Hmm.. Maybe a Bonnie and then downsize to a 250cc single track dual sport..
Good luck! Go where your passion tells you to go then you can't be wrong!
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