|
|
|
Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Ride Review
There are a few motorcycles on the market that challenge the differences between cruisers and sportbikes - the Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak is definitely one of these rare machines. In 2004, 'Mother Kaw' upgraded the 1,470 cc V-twin displacement to 1,552cc as well as revised cam angle, lift and valve timing so the engine can 'breath' better at low- and mid-rpm ranges. The MB staff had a chance to test the much anticipated metric bike and we are far from disappointed. We started by testing the emergency braking of the Mean Streak and getting a feel for the bike's stopping power. The Mean Streak is fitted with massive - by cruiser standards - six-caliper, dual-disc front brakes. These are critical to bringing the high-torque machine to a fast stop. The brakes stopped the Mean Streak in an amazing 20-25 feet with both front and rear wheels locked-up. With our confidence in the braking power of the Mean Streak intact, we moved out onto the open road. Our test area was a series of tight-turn twisties up and down hilly country roads. The bike performed very well with more than enough power to accelerate into the turns and push up the side of steep terrain. We tested the braking power more than once as we made a few unexpected quick stops encountering stalled traffic at the tail end of several blind curves. The seating position is upright and comfortable: not as laid back as a standard cruiser but not bent-over like a sport bike - somewhere between the two. The only ergonomic feature of the Mean Streak that reminded us we were not on a naked sportbike (like the ZRX) is the foot-peg position - forward and high.
The styling of the Mean Streak displays power and more power. You don't expect to see the Mean Streak laden with luggage and dirt from a long-haul. This is a bike that you keep 'spotless' clean and cruise in front of the crowds for a head-turning impression. The sound of our test bike was strong since it was fitted with a Muzzy exhaust system. Most riders of 'other' machines immediately noticed the Mean Streak cruising through with the deep, grinding sound of the custom pipes.
The front suspension utilizes sportbike style 43mm inverted hydraulic telescopic cartridge-style forks. The rear suspension uses dual hydraulic air shocks. The handling was solid with a strong front-end as we pushed the Mean Streak into and out of hard-leaning turns. The cock-pit is simple - only a couple of gages and a few warning lights. Our expectations of the Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak included a strong, powerful engine, sport styling and solid handling. The Mean Streak exceeded our expectations by providing an exciting ride that took us past several 'winding road' signs and blasted us over the top of many steep, uphill grades. The unique combination of power and style places the Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak at the top of the list for anyone who wants a bike that blurs the differences between high-performance sportbikes and standard cruisers. |
|
|
Metric Tools for the Old School RSS Feed Search Metric Chopper® Bookmark Metric Chopper® Make Metric Chopper® your Homepage ©Copyright Metric Chopper® 2006. METRIC BIKE® and METRIC CHOPPER® are Registered Trade Marks of Xpertek Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this service may be reproduced, reprinted or republished in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission from Metric Chopper®. A copy of our privacy policy is available online.
|
