[scodo68]

I have a change to snag a nice 95 kawa vulcan 1500 for very little money. Anybody have any experience with one of these bikes?

 

[We trudge on]

Had a riding buddy who had one. Actually, his may have been a '96. Can't remember for sure. He put 99gazillion miles on the bike with virtually no problems. The bike was bulletproof. He sold it, but the last we knew it was still going strong. We think your risks are low with the big KAW.

We trudge on.

 

[Cbjr]

Same here - guy I used to work with had a mid 90's and he sold it with about 100k miles - ran into the guy he sold it to a few years later and it had 140k and still going strong. I don't think there are many known issue - you could probably do a search and find out what to be aware of for that model/yr.

 

[tazman9]

Pretty bulletproof bikes.
I think that some of the early ones were 4 speeds (like some Shadows), which does not appeal to me. So check that if is important to you.

 

[Kingshead]

Great bikes, I still have one on my short list of bikes I want to own.

This is the Drifter 1500, it also came in an 850.

 

[Dunesgirl]

Even the 4spd ones were very torquey. You could go ride about town in all stop and go traffic and never leave 3rd gear.

 

[mblosch]

I have a 2002 Vulcan 800. So far I am extremely impressed with it.

Runs strong, has great torque, been averaging about 57 mpg. Will run 100 no problem. Comfy. I am sure the 1500 will be a great bike.

 

[We trudge on]

kingshead:
Gorgeous Drifter. It is yours?

We trudge on.

 

[jinglebob]

One thing to watch on the late 90's VN1500's is that factory installed a plastic or nylon drive gear for the oil pump in the engine which sometimes failed, causing catastrophic engine failure. Replacement requires engine removal and, I think, splitting the cases. I think the factory responded and many of the plastic drive gears were replaced with steel drive gears, but not necessarily all of them.

Here are some links to topic threads regarding the plastic oil pump gear on the Vulcan website:

Oil pump drive gear - Kawasaki Vulcan Forum : Vulcan Forums

Thinking of buying a 2000 vulcan 1500 classic - Kawasaki Vulcan Forum : Vulcan Forums

Apart from the plastic oil pump drive gear, the VN1500s have an excellent reputation for reliability. I missed a really good deal on one and am now kicking myself about it. I would suggest staying 2000 or newer to avoid the plastic oil pump gear problem and you'll then stand a good chance of having a highly reliable, nicely built machine...

 

[1rusty1]

I am close to buying a 2003 Vulcan 1600 and got on a Vulcan forum to ask some questions. Sounds like a great bike. Still trying to work a deal with the seller.

 

[Kingshead]

kingshead:
Gorgeous Drifter. It is yours?

No, but originally my bike of choice before seeing the one below.