I did the exact opposite. I had three Kawasakis (Vulcan 750, Vulcan 1500 Classic, Vulcan Nomad - in that order). The last one, the Nomad, had V&H pipes, all kinds of aftermarket goodies, and it was "almost" a Harley - except for a serious lack of "personality"! I sold it last September, and bought a brand new 08 Ultra. First, there was a "learning curve", getting used to the Harley - the liquid cooled, balanced engine on the Kawi was addicting, but the power and torque was less, the riding position was different (wider bars), and the damn thing only liked going straight! I kid you not, if you got on the highway, and rode it all day, it was a great ride. But take it to the side roads, and she just didn't like to turn very well. Had to kinda struggle with it. The Kawi is much more top heavy than the Ultra, and especially at slow speeds, it's a bitch to maneuver. I find the Ultra to be a lot more nimble, and easier to handle. And it goes straight, just as well. Sure, it costs more(over $10K more), it shakes like a cement truck at idle, it fries your right leg and thigh, but I still love riding her more, than any other bike I ever rode!

 

Congrats on the new bike! Looks fun!
All that matters is you enjoy it!
For all those people who say "its just not HD" you are the same ones who talk to me when I pullupto the HD dealer with my Road Glide and ignore me when I pull up on my V-rod!
I AM THE RED HEADED STEP CHILD!

 

I make no judgements, I just do what is right for me.

That said, in the early nineties when Harley's were few and far between, I bellied up to the bar, put down my deposit, and waited on the list 3 years for the Springer to be mine. Two years after the deposit, and a year before moving to the front of the list, I did it again to get on the list for the Sportie for my wife. People laughed at me, couldn't believe I'd go thru those pains. Didn't matter, I could always see the light at the end of the tunnel. When the Springer came in, I hauled it back from Mpls to Denver. Got it out of the truck and in the garage, stood back and had to fight back tears. Trust me, every day of the 3 year wait was worthwhile. But, again, that's me. One of my friends would look at it and drool. Claimed he had to have one. Saw him few months later, said he caved, got a metric. Mattered not to me.

So, we're standing in my garage, looking at the Springer and he's telling me how great it rides, sounds, runs and what a gorgeous color it is. I looked at him and said, "That's really great - just one problem". He looked at me, then looked at down, shook his head and muttered "But it ain't a Harley".

Get what you want, just be sure that is what you want.

 

had o kawi back in the day fast as hell dont know how i lived through it, but the sound of a 3 cyl 2 stroke .............

 

I have to laugh, my first bike was a '69 Electra Glide and have owned several brands and sizes. When I decided to buy a bike in '02 I ended up with a Road King for two reasons, It brought back memories of my old EG and I couldn't afford a Gold Wing. I realize now that for the kind of riding I do now the RK is the right bike for me. But it's no Gold Wing. Am I out of the club now?

 

Had a Kaw as well. Great bike to own! Enjoy the ride bro!

 

Your just plain pathetic. Get a ****in life. I think its funny that people live and die by harley because they are American. YOu all are living a lie... they are made in Japan like everything else... the only difference is that mine actually works. Some Harley riders are just so ignorant. They don't even know what they are actually riding... they just jumped on the bandwagon and listened to everyone else and decided to buy a Harley. Good job... way to think by yourself.

 

My experience is just the opposite. I've got a 2005 Royal Star bagger that is sweet, and I thought would be the last bike I'd ever need. I've had them all, and Yamaha makes a great machine as far as I'm concerned, butits been gathering dust since the RK hit town.

[IMG]local://upfiles/52026/6F41826964BC42529635BDBFC497735F.jpg[/IMG]

 

don't hate -- and swearing never does anybody good -- enjoy your vulcan -- let theothers enjoy their rides -- now go to the kawi forum and have fun

 

There's only one Rolex.
If you don't understand that.....nevermind...........