1/3 of a ton of fun.
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Discussion

hertsbiker

Original Poster:

6,443 posts

291 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
well, I got it - the BIG cruiser bike that I said I never would. VN1500fi.

Never been on a stranger (or bigger) bike before - still running it in, but all the negative "hype", eg;- slow, won't corner, won't stop, won't acccelerate... is so untrue.

Ok, it's no R1, but beats EVERYTHING away from the lights, and on a wet road it feels a lot more stable than a sportsbike - allows you to accelerate hard, while keeping you (very) shiney side up. Stopping is fine, as I'm now in DOUBLE figures NOT TRIPLE figures.

The icing on the cake: EVERYONE looks at it. The V-twin rumble is LOUD for a standard zorst, and Joe Public seem to love it. Ok, sportsbike riders may not like it, but I've now got something that I enjoy, without being scared of a ban.

Something weird - I have now had it proved to me that driving/riding style is determined by the machine, as much as the operator. Not much defense in court, "m'lud, the bike *made* me do it" - but it's true. Sports machinery demands to be thrashed, a cruiser likes a relaxed pace. The great thing is, my "relaxed pace" is only just over the NSL.

Fun? oh yes. Comfortable? like my armchair.

C

Podie

46,646 posts

295 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
Got any pics?

tycho

12,088 posts

293 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
Cool, can you post some pics? Hopefully the weather will pick up a bit so you can give it some beans when it's run in.

gsxrblue

232 posts

286 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
www.koups.com/sales/kawasaki/specs/2002/1500MeanStreak.htm

Is this the one. It looks a mean bugger.

hertsbiker

Original Poster:

6,443 posts

291 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all

gsxrblue said: www.koups.com/sales/kawasaki/specs/2002/1500MeanStreak.htm

Is this the one. It looks a mean bugger.



Nah, it's the standard VN1500, virtually the same, just a more "classic" look. Seems like one viable alternative to the horsepower race I was committed to. I'd never have considerd this option 3 years ago, but now with Talivans everywhere, it seems like a good idea - especially as I don't like being forced out of town, and you never know where the scum are hiding these days.

gsxrblue

232 posts

286 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
Must admit I am getting a bit worried about having 115 bhp on a bike. You get so used to the speed that 80 -90 seems like you are walking.

When it gets to spring I will be testing the CCM R30 or a KTM. They seem like a hell of a laugh and cant go much over a ton

jvaughan

6,025 posts

303 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
wow, nice looker the meanstreak. never looked at those cruisers before ... it actually looks good.

Anyone got any idea's on performance / economy of these babies ?

TheLemming

4,319 posts

285 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
Now that is one mean looking cruiser.

Very tasty

dennisthemenace

15,605 posts

288 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
Carl have you got the towbar fitted for the caravan yet

apache

39,731 posts

304 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
nice looker Carl, didn't the new Harley tickle yer fancy?

Superflid

2,254 posts

285 months

apache

39,731 posts

304 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all

hertsbiker

Original Poster:

6,443 posts

291 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
oi! Denny, nahhhhhhhh!

chaps, it has been up to 95 in the interests of science, it feels like about 140-150. Quite a bit more to come, but that's not the point !!

Yeah, looks more like the Deuce / Fatboy. Actually very much like the Fatboy, so much so you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. Suits me.

Performance, I think all the 15's are about 4 or 4.5 seconds to 60, so you don't get embarrassed by ANY car, unless it's got the Hayabusa engine.

Interestingly it has totally brought my previous speeds into perspective - nutty, dangerous.. but fun.

C

jvaughan

6,025 posts

303 months

Monday 13th January 2003
quotequote all
HertsBiker .. dont listen to the diehard bhp monsters out there. the Mean Streak looks wicked. actually the VRSC looks the bollox too.
but hell what do I know, im a TVR driving Volvo estate owning Biker.

Think its off to my Kawasaki dealer next weekend to look at one of those babies. Different ... in a :badtothebonekindaway