Want to share your motorcycle or product review? Find out how.
It had been a long three-year motorcycle drought for me. Although I was blessed to be able to rent a Honda ST1300, a Shadow Aero and a Harley-Davidson on vacations over those three years, I missed riding my own steed and tried to miss it less by living vicariously through Women Riders Now contributor articles, having five different rider magazines sent to my house every month and attending motorcycle shows. I also read technical books like The Upper Half of the Motorcycle and adventure-laden books like Leanings, American Borders and Life is a Road, Ride it Hard!
Then I saw an advertisement for the Victory Vegas 8-Ball. What a work of art! It was my computer desktop photo at work and at home for months. Every time I sat on one at a show, it seemed to fit me perfectly.
Well, the glacier that is New York in the winter finally started to recede enough to schedule an April test drive. Yahoo! Just to get my butt back to riding was euphoric. The dealership in Dansville, N.Y., was the closest to my home, so I set up my test drive online. They confirmed they had a Vegas but not an 8-Ball. That’s OK, I thought. Close enough. Upon my arrival, I braced myself for an interrogation about my experience (or lack thereof) or to see some uncertain body language from the manager because I’m a woman. Nothing of the sort! They simply made a copy of my drivers license and confidently handed me the keys to a sparkling new, bright-red, 6-speed 2011 Vegas. It was 106 cubic inches and 1700+cc of gorgeous beast!
Because I get lost very easily, my husband drove ahead on the test drive. I followed on the Vegas so I could fully concentrate on the bike instead of where I was going or, worse, how to get back. My first impression was, holy cow, this is a serious bike! You know how when youre riding along and slowly wiggle your hips a bit and the bike will gently steer side to side? Not this bike! I really had to push on the handlebars to make that happen. That front rake is serious, and with that fat rear tire pushing you through the curves, be ready to show it whos boss. There is a reason why sportbikes arent raked out.
Power to spare, the Vegas will pass almost anything with ease. The exhaust and engine have a nice deep, pleasing tone. The bike is also geared very low. I don’t know why all the reviews I read of the 2010 model bemoaned the lack of a sixth gear. I found it practically useless, as I was doing 70 mph in fourth gear and the engine wasnt even working hard.
The seat was comfortable and low. I’m 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds, and I could flat-foot it easily. On the Vegas, you’re sitting in more of a “C” shape, and you sit well into the bike, not on it. Without a windscreen, your chest cups a lot of air. Hang on tight because this beast will cause your butt to slide off when you roll on the throttle. I also found myself scooting forward on the seat to relax my shoulders. Lets just say I never really found that “sweet spot.”
Still smitten with the sexy looks of that piece of art, I sat down with the nice folks at the Victory dealership and talked numbers. A 2011 model decked out with a few accessories—windscreen, engine guard, hard lockable bags, and heated grips (hey, its frickin’ cold here!)—would have us looking at $17,000. Ouch! My husband excused himself and made a phone call, then returned. He asked me to have an open mind, as he had another bike for me to test drive located nearby in Dansville. Why not?
My husband takes me to a little street quaintly named after Clara Barton. Then, coming into view is chrome. I mean, thats all I see at first. Then rivets, saddlebags, maroon and silver. Getting closer, I see floorboards and a heel/toe shifter. Sigh. Not really my thing. Im a little more of a sport/tourer type than that. The bike is a 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT with only 1,000 miles on it, still under warranty. Hmm.
The owner lives right next door to his place of business, so he cant ride to work. He has a little daughter too small to ride with him, so he just doesnt ride anymore. He hands me the keys. Trying to keep an open mind and please my hubby, off I go. OK, I think, this is fun! Instead of feeling consciously incompetent as on the Victory, I am unconsciously competent and loving it! There is no “getting to know you” icebreaker. This bike is “flickable,” and gearing is enjoyable with its satisfying soft clunk when engaged. Power? This is no dog. I love that lightheaded feeling when I roll on the throttle hard—downshift and I’m gone! I got off the bike laughing. I could not deny the confident, joyful feeling this bike gave me. I bought it on the spot. Compared to the Victory, its $10,000-smaller price tag didn’t hurt either.
I still have some personalizing to do, and I’m still undecided about the floorboards and a few other things. But thats the great thing about making a motorcycle your own—accessories are all changeable, but how a bike makes you feel isn’t.
When I look out in the garage, I’m happy and peaceful. The yearning has quieted. My Vulcan is sharing the garage with its stable mate, my husbands Honda Valkyrie. Now if we could just ride without getting frostbite, life would be perfect!
Want to share your motorcycle or product review?Find out how.
I started riding July 2015. I took the motorcycle class. My first bike was a 2012 Honda Shadow Aero 750cc. In August I moved up to my 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I love this bike. It fits me perfect. I am 61 years old and I am 5 feet 4 inches and 136 pounds. My legs are short and I can sit flat footed on this bike.
I’m purchasing a 2011 Vulcan 900 Classic LT next week. I test drove it and am excited to get rolling. I got mine for below invoice or so I am told by several people. $8350 before taxes etc. I had a 1993 Vulcan 750 that I purchased for $1300 just to get some experience as I passed the MSF course back in May 2012. The shift on the 750 suddenly stopped grabbing gears and I didn’t want to put more money into a 20-year-old bike so after some serious test rides I decided on the 900. It’s a leftover with two miles on it so it’s still brand new. Plus I was able to get an extended 5 year warranty for $400. I love the loudness of the 2011 and it looks a little retro but that is part of its charm. Once I get some mileage on it I’ll come back to update this. Enjoy the bike Elise and let’s share experiences with our new toys in a few weeks.
@Elise – Thanks for the article. I always enjoy hearing or reading about women riders. I very much love my 2008 Victory Vegas Low. I’m only 5 feet 2 inches so this bike fits me perfectly. Love the power, love the ride, love the looks…especially when my bike gets the attention and my husband’s new Road King gets ignored. Ha!@Karen – I had the Intruder 800 for years, and then inherited my husband’s 1400, which I was surprised that I would like it much more than the cold running 800. But then I decided I just needed my very own bike, not his hand-me-downs (especially since he put 50k miles on it). Life is grand, especially when I get to wave at another female rider, no matter what bike she is riding.
Elise, I too took a Victory Vegas out for a test spin. I loved it! At 5 feet 2 inches it’s difficult to find a bike I feel sure-footed on. The Victory was low-seated, had great balance, and with its low center of gravity it was easy to handle. There was more motor than I would use on a normal basis, but it felt good. I didn’t want the test ride to end. Then, a few days later, I rode the Vulcan 900 LT. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement! Both bikes are a far cry from my 1100 Virago. The 900 LT was everything I needed and wanted in a bike. After putting risers on the bars it fit me like a glove, had all the “accessories,” and was a financially responsible move. I have no regrets. I’ve ridden roundtrip from MA to Sturgis (via Canada) and just completed a cross-country (Plymouth, MA to San Jose, CA) trip for the 25th Women On Wheels Annual Ride-In. No saddle sores! No sore back. 33,000 miles in two years. Yup, I love my Vulcan!
It is great that Elise realized the first bike didn’t fit before buying it. I spent two years on a Harley-Davidson Street Glide and just couldn’t get comfortable. I have a ruptured disc in my lower back and the Street Glide’s build put a lot of pressure there. I now have a BMW F 650 GS and love it. The pressure is off my L5 disc, the bike is super fun, and I can go off road. It fits me in both personality, riding style, and size and makes riding a pleasure again.
Great article. I, too desperately wanted a bike that wasn’t right for me (the Triumph Bonneville, sigh – the seat is just way too high for my wee legs!), but ended up with a bike I now love (Suzuki Intruder VS800 – fits perfectly and is still so pretty!). It really is crucial to keep an open mind, for all sorts of reasons, but safety has to be number one.
Elise, I felt the very same “at home” feeling that you did when I sat on my own Vulcan 900. This is one great bike, and I’ve been riding it for four years now. I’ve steered many gals toward it. Very nice handling and it’s got enough power to keep up with my husband’s 1500. Many happy miles to you!
I love my 2007 900 Classic LT. That silver changes color. Sometimes it is platinum looking or light bronze! She’s got plenty of get up and go. This one could use a 6th gear. Sometimes I can’t tell by the sound if I am in 5th or not, so I shift again. I did have 4 inch risers installed and am finally comfortable and my back doesn’t hurt! (I am 5-foot-3). Gee, it sounds like I am complaining, but I’m not. I love my bike and wish I could go out more often! Had her two years and no problems.
Elise, you summed up the VN900 perfectly! I love my 900. When I was upgrading from my 250, the VN900 was the most comfortable test ride but still gave me room to grow with it. I will be putting on pullback risers to ease my back. Give the floorboards and heel shift a chance. They might grow on you. I’m glad you could put into words what I couldn’t. It’s about how you feel on the bike, not always how the bike looks. Congrats.
Congratulations on your Vulcan! I so appreciated what you said about needing to find a bike that just felt right. I had a similar experience when shopping for a new bike in 2009. My bike and I just fit together from the very beginning and after three summers and 30,000 miles, I have no regrets. And like you New Yorkers, those of us in Cheyenne, WY, know a little something about cold winters too!
I agree with you Elise! I have a 2008 900 Vulcan Classic LT and I love it. I have always been very comfortable on my bike and at 5 feet that isn’t always easy. I have added a few customizations that make it “mine.” I searched for this very bike, bought it brand new, drove 300 miles to get it and rode it home in the rain. Great break -n ride! Now with more than 12,000 miles on it, it has been a great bike.
Good article. Lots of info.