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OT: {A different} Motorcycle experience. (archive)
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Posted by Ben FR on August 04, 2001 at 23:33:47:

This time it was my dad's Kawasaki Vulcan 1500. Man, is this one big bike. I think it weighs around 700 lbs (albeit, 95 RWHP--still a fast devil). I was a little nervous as this bike is by far the heaviest thing I've ridden on. The biggest bike I drove prior to this was a CBR600 (probably 400 lbs), along with a 125cc bike I drove during the MSF course.

Open throttle was really nice. The open air was hitting my face, the Harley-esque sound was reverberating all around, and everyone in the neighborhood's jaw was on the floor watching a scrawny 5'11" kid drive something that looks like a Harley. Any type of turn on this bike at low speed is very, very unwieldy. I made sure to lean my weight on the outside foot as to insure the bike wouldn't turn over at tight, low speed turns.

Overall, it was a very good experience. It is definitely a nice contrast to a sportbike (i.e. appealing to a different purpose). Whereas the sportbike is tailored to the adrenaline seeking speed freak, the harley-type cruiser is appealing to those who are appealed by overwhelming sensory inputs (sounds, sights, feels, smells--sorry no tastes, thank god I didn't hit the pavement with the 700 lb monster falling on top of me).

-Ben FR

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