• Welcome, Guest! We hope you enjoy the excellent technical knowledge, event information and discussions that the BMW MOA forum provides. Some forum content will be hidden from you if you remain logged out. If you want to view all content, please click the 'Log in' button above and enter your BMW MOA username and password.

    If you are not an MOA member, why not take the time to join the club, so you can enjoy posting on the forum, the BMW Owners News magazine, and all of the discounts and benefits the BMW MOA offers?

  • Beginning April 1st, and running through April 30th, there is a new 2024 BMW MOA Election discussion area within The Club section of the forum. Within this forum area is also a sticky post that provides the ground rules for participating in the Election forum area. Also, the candidates statements are provided. Please read before joining the conversation, because the rules are very specific to maintain civility.

    The Election forum is here: Election Forum

New 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S: Adjustable Bike

KenDittrick

KenDittrick

Rocky Bow BMW Riders #197
My wife was looking at the new 2015 motorcycle line up and was happy to see that Kawasaki's Vulcan S is adjustable in three sizes. I know it is a cruiser but Kawasaki seems to understand that many women and men need motorcycles with smaller proportions than the current BMW offering and done something about it.

Wouldn't it be great if BMW could take a page out of Kawaski's book on this and respond to what many customers need to enjoy safe motorcycling? Here is a link to a popular Canadian woman's magazine/blog written by Vicki Gray (Twitter: MOTORESS @MOTORESS) that describes her fitting experience with the 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S: http://motoress.com/technique/reviews-tests/2015-kawasaki-vulcan-s-sporty-cruiser-adjusts-fit/
 
Last edited:
bogthebasher said:
My wife was looking at the new 2015 motorcycle line up and was happy to see that Kawasaki's Vulcan S is adjustable in three sizes. I know it is a cruiser but Kawasaki seems to understand that many women and men need motorcycles with smaller proportions than the current BMW offering and done something about it.

Wouldn't it be great if BMW could take a page out of Kawaski's book on this and respond to what many customers need to enjoy safe motorcycling? Here is a link to a popular Canadian woman's magazine/blog written by Vicki Gray (Twitter: MOTORESS @MOTORESS) that describes her fitting experience with the 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S: http://motoress.com/technique/reviews-tests/2015-kawasaki-vulcan-s-sporty-cruiser-adjusts-fit/
Click to expand...

It seems similar in approach to what Indian is trying with their Scout. It might not be my style, but I can't argue with the logic.

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-...=26&hist=4e549dd7-2154-45ed-c9bf-2e5cf1bf2f05
 
Kawa Vulcan S

Overall the bike on paper is a good idea. 61HP, adjustable seat, weight under 500 pounds-overall a standard naked bike with a choice of midway foot position or cruiser style. It will appeal to a lot of people.

But the seat has a very limited vertical adjustment (if any) and the suspension is weak.

I think it is only a matter of time until other manufacturers copy the idea, as the competition for younger riders with less disposable income is fierce.

Will BMW copy the concept of the adjustable seat placement? I doubt it.
 
ultracyclist said:
Will BMW copy the concept of the adjustable seat placement? I doubt it.
Click to expand...

In 2003 BMW introduced the R1100RS with:

a. Adjustable windshield
b. Two-way adjustable handlebars - fore and aft as well as angular orientation
c. Three position adjustable seat height.

In this regard they don't need to copy anybody except themselves.
 
Adjustments

It seems crazy to me that very few bikes can be adjusted to fit the rider when so much of good riding depends on being able to control the bike. I have spent money on every bike I've owned to adjust the handle bars, foot pegs and seat to be comfortable. The RT comes with some options for seat height. The new model has even more flexibility. No one would buy a car if you couldn't adjust the seat. Why is it so hard to get that flexibility in a bike?
 
elgin mary said:
It seems crazy to me that very few bikes can be adjusted to fit the rider when so much of good riding depends on being able to control the bike. I have spent money on every bike I've owned to adjust the handle bars, foot pegs and seat to be comfortable. The RT comes with some options for seat height. The new model has even more flexibility. No one would buy a car if you couldn't adjust the seat. Why is it so hard to get that flexibility in a bike?
Click to expand...


Absolutely agree. Why can't bikes be made with some flexibility for sizing. I know there can't be a " ONE SIZE FITS ALL" motorcycle, but it seems like the motorcycle industry in general has attitude that you fit the bike, not the bike fit you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
F-Twins Tech - F800GS Steering Head Bearing Adjustment
Replies
14
Views
8K
drneo66
D
D
F-Twins Tech - F650/700/800 - Setting Proper Chain Tension
Replies
11
Views
11K
drneo66
D
mika
The new BMW HP4. | The S 1000RR on Steroids comes to the streets
Replies
8
Views
11K
lkchris
lkchris
R
Around Ireland
Replies
8
Views
5K
beachguy
beachguy
41077
The trip was awesome, the fall not so much.
Replies
17
Views
7K
dude987
D
Back
Top