as requested:
I bought this new as my first bike. It fantastic if you're looking for a big, beautiful cruiser, but don't have or don't want to spend a fortune to own one.
I test-rode a few different models and engine sizes of Harley Sportsters and found them cramped, uncomfortable, distinctly average looking and a little out of my budget. ... but they are a Harley, so they do sound fantastic, and i did want one, plus their customer service is awesome.... but now i've got my Vulcan, I'm not sure I'll ever bother with a Harley. Especially as Kawa do the VN2000. Any HD would feel a little wimpy after riding one of those i think
I'd never actually seen the VN900 until i went to the '07 NEC show and Kawa had one on their stand. I sat on it and fell in love. It's a big bike. It makes the 883 and 1200 Sportsters look very small. On paper the Kawa is slightly better too... especially as you're paying £1-2k less. It's got a bigger tank, better brakes and more fuel efficient. Plus i think the power is a little better than the 883.
It does everything i need out of a bike, plus it's gorgeous and there's not too many on the roads so they don't look 'common'. It happilly cruises at 80, I've had it to 125mph and it was a bit much as i don't have a windshield... but it's by no means underpowered.
It's got a 5 speed box, but it likes to rev... which some people don't like in a cruiser.
I get about 200 miles to my tank so it's good for mid-distance touring.
Bad side... the stock seat gets uncomfortable after an hour. I bought an aftermarket gel seat from the US and the comfort has improved greatly. Other than that I really have nothing bad to say about it. Aftermarket parts aren't too difficult to find over here, but the US has a lot more available. I got pretty much everything on mine from there.
The stock pipes are good looking and a definite eye-catcher but they're quite quiet, which isn't always what a cruiser rider wants.
There's a Classic and a Custom model.
The Classic model has wire spoked wheels, floorboards, swept back bars and more traditional wheel arches.
The Custom has a skinny 21" front cast wheel and a solid cast rear, different arches and slightly sportier bars... but they're the same engine etc.
I got mine as my first bike so didn't want anything too big and didn't want anything too small that i'd get bored with. The 900 is perfect in my opinion. I've done 2 day trips to France and the National Rally (18 hours non-stop riding) and haven't had any problems with it.
The petrol gauge is a little off, but i just use the trip counter and when it gets to 190 miles the warning light comes on, and at 200 i fill er up again.
I'd recommend the 900. Especially as they're under £5500. I got mine last December for £4700.
