Vulcan 500 is 440 pounds dry. It is NOT anywhere near as light as a 250 (most of which are in the 300-350 pound range).
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/kawasaki_vulcan_500_ltd_-_en_500_c_2005.php
The Vulcan uses a parrallel twin engine, not a classic Inline-4 sport bike engine. While it does rev higher than a V-twin and make slightly less torque, it is still a twin, not an four.
The Vulcan engine starts tame but builds. It is a very linear powerplant, but can still go like stink. The trick is to let the revs build. Where most cruisers are hitting redline the Vulcan 500 is just entering its stride.
The Vulcan feels like a physically larger bike than the VLX. My mother chose the VLX because the vulcan had too wide a tank for her comfort. A co worker chose the vulcan over the VLX because he liked the wider tank and felt the VLX was too narrow a bike. All about preference.
As for shifting, none of the bikes have Tachs, but at least in the case of the Rebel and VLX they have shift markers on the speedo. It really does become second nature very quickly, even if you’ve never driven a standard transmission before.
Lastly, how common is hopping onto a 600? Very. but not because it is the better choice.
It is common because a lot of people are told to go bigger than they should, by friends, family, and sales people. Just because it is common doesn’t make it the easiest or most enjoyable path.
As I said, wait for your MSF before maing up your mind. If you can wring the necks of the 250s in class and feel bored, then the bigger bike is the way to go. If you ever struggle with a skill, take the easier route and spend a season on a smaller bike. You’ll have just as much fun, and be a better ride for it.
I can’t tell you how many people I see “duck walking” their bikes at lights. You can tell right away that they didn’t get enough training, or that they simply started out on a bike that is too heavy for them, and now they have poor and possibly dangerous habits (besides looking dumb, putting your foot down too early when coming to a stop is a great way to roll or break an ankle).
IF you do find that yanking open the throttle on a 250 cruiser in a small area doesn’t get a rise out of the hairs on the back of your neck, and you want a fast bike, I’d say look at the Blast or the Vulcan over the Shadow VLX. It is geared very tall and doesn’t really yank you off the line like a more sporting bike will – it is a cruiser, meant to cruise.
—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”