[smokeizfire]

That Vulcan 900 Custom is the real deal. Wanted it for a first bike, but this website talked me out of it. Nice blue, too!

HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS

[ScottyJ]

Thanks for the compliments, smokeizfire. FWIW, I’m still really happy with it and I’m glad I didn’t go smaller. But I think it does depend on the person.

So I’m just checking back in to let whoever might care (no one?) that I hit 3000 miles today on my three month anniversary of buying the bike.

http://i36.tinypic.com/20tngjk.jpg

[megaspaz]

Very nice. Keep on riding and keep the bike upright.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[ScottyJ]

Okay, I hit 4000 miles the other day. Getting ready to do my 4000 mile maintenance and I’m also going to convert to synthetic oil AND replace my back tire. I ordered a case of Amsoil 10W-40 Advanced Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (http://www.amsoil.com/a/synthetic-motorcycle-oil) at a good price and I plan on using that. Regarding the back tire, I guess I made a mistake in going by what the motorcycle frame and MOM said instead of what was fine-printed on the tire itself. The frame recommends 32 psi for the rear tire and MOM recommends 28 psi for under a certain weight and 32 psi for over that weight. I believe the tire recommends 41 psi and that’s probably what I should have gone with. So I ordered the Metzeler ME880 200/70HB-15 (http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/) to replace my stock Dunlop 180/70-15.

http://i34.tinypic.com/2n9fd6w.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/2cn9gf5.jpg

Hoping to go to the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show (http://www.motorcycleshows.com/) in Dallas next weekend. Anyone here going?

[RobM]

Hey Scotty…Congratulations on reaching 4000 miles. That’s quite a bit of riding since June. The bike looks sweet. Some of your pictures look like the same area my sister lives in just north of DFW, Lewisville. Are you near there or somewhere else? I can’t imagine riding in the Texas summer after leaving there 20 years ago for southern CA.

[ScottyJ]

A lot of north Texas looks very similar… Flat. And a lot of the brick houses look very similar too. I live about 25 miles east of Lewisville in Allen but I used to work in L-ville so I know that area fairly well.

Starting riding in the Texas summer heat was less-than-ideal but I still geared up and rode. I much prefer riding in the cooler weather.

I love my ’07 900 Custom but I really like the ’09 colors too. I especially like that new Special Edition model.

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?id=365 (Click on the pictures)

[Munch]

Cool you got the 900…. I thought about that being my next step up…. But reading some Kawi forums I am getting the impression its not much more capable the my V500. You having any under powered issues? Like now I have no troubles getting the V500 up to the 3 digit mark (relax guys wasn’t intentional, had to out run an RV coming down an on ramp). Reading some of the forums they were having a hard time with it. I am not looking for a speed demon at all but I would like to know that if I am gonna go in for another $3k for the upgrade I am gonna get that back in performance.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[ScottyJ]

Hmm. Well I know the 900 will go over 100 mph but I don’t think it goes a lot over that speed without some mods. I am still very new to motorcycles but I sat on the 500 before I opted for the 900 and the 900 just felt more comfortable. I am very happy I did not get the 500 even though I still think that’s a fine bike. In the distant future, I would imagine I would go up in cc’s, especially if I stay with a cruiser style bike.

[ScottyJ]

Today was a beautiful day to ride and since my girlfriend got her m/c jacket on 12/31, I finally got her on the bike for about a 40 mile cruise. Everything went fine, we saw lots of other bikes and exchanged lots of waves, and just before we got home, the bike hit the big 5K mark.

Since my 4000 mile post, I replaced the back tire with the Metzeler 200/70HB-15 and switched to Amsoil 10W/40 synthetic oil. No other upgrades and still no issues.

[megaspaz]

Right on. My SV passed 10K miles on xmas day, a lovely rain ride loop. My duc passed 3K miles on xmas eve. I wonder how many miles i missed for that month and a half after i crashed in october… what ifs, what ifs… I still have to say, the best part of 2008 was april when i started riding. I’ve met so many people, ridden so many roads… I haven’t so much fun in my life, since I left home for college years ago and found out college bars don’t card for beer…

I wish everyone many more happy miles in 2009 and beyond.

[Munch]

Man its good to hear your still loving your bike. I get on the Classic Lt every chance I get. Unfortunately it seems its monsoon season here in NC. GRRRR , I can stand the cold…I can deal with the wet…but both… not happening.
Why did you change the tires so soon?

[ScottyJ]

Spaz, glad you’re rocking out and enjoying your rides. My only regret so far is waiting so long to start riding.

Munch, I’m still a little wary about riding when it’s wet. That’s about the only time some paranoia sets in. And I’m sure it’s just a lack of confidence.

I changed out the back so soon because it was already worn out. Trust me, I was not happy about it. But I figured since I was replacing it, I might as well go a little fatter. And now guess what I need to replace… The front tire. I’m going to another Metzeler, either the 80/90-21 or the 90/90-21. I swear those OEM Dunlops just did not last for me. And before anyone gives me their suggestions on psi, I will state that I originally went by the bike’s suggestions but later went more by the tire’s psi recommendations and that is what I’ll continue to do. This whole thing is a learning process for me and even though I read and listen to those wiser or more experienced than me, it’s still a process.

[Munch]

Thats cool… one thing I learned from my dealer for our 900’s on pSI…. the back is better set to 45 to 48 and the front was set to 35. I asked around and apparently this is a well documented thing. Let me know how you like the wider rears! (sorry about the PSI suggestion… figured I would throw it at ya for the risk of saving you some money)
Also check to see maybe if your suspension may need tuning a bit better for your weight. I keep mine at the standard as according to the MoM it fits my weight.

[ScottyJ]

Wow, that’s pretty high for the rear. MOM says 32 rear and 40 front. I’m currently running 40/40. I’m open to going a little higher on the rear but 45-48 seems really high. And lower in front? I guess I’ve never seen that recommendation. Interesting.

I’m not sure what my suspension is set at but I’m around 180 pounds. I guess I should check that. I really expect the Metzelers to last a lot longer.

[Munch]

Well thank god I don’t mind getting proven wrong. LOL…I just found this post again….UPDATE:
I got the 900 classic LT ..yea the one in the pic…and no there is no lacking in power and yes it can grab the 3 digit mark rather easily.

[Author]

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