How does a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 buzzing feel on the freeway? ... Does it have power to pass? 

Got the same bike a couple of months ago. A windshield is definitely useful. The buzzing can be felt by speeds above 65 mp/h and wind-/road conditions depending, but as mentioned, it's no serious issue and even the mirrors keep working excellently then. But that (I call it positive vibrations) is not too much of a deal considering the many positives this motorcycle offers. And it is surprisingly steady even in gusty conditions on the highway. The power is more than efficient to throttle along highways with great torque, to pull upwards the steeper mountain slopes, and still ride swiftly in the city. I researched different types and manufacturers of motorcycles but am glad to have chosen the Kawasaki VN 900 Classic LT. It's an affordable all-arounder, a cruiser for those who don't need to feed the speed bug. Maybe in the future, I could be tempted to move up to the Vaquero when the used market for those has cooled down a little. I like the bagger style, the powerful 1700cc engine, and added technology Kawasaki put into these. Great videos, keep them coming, and stay safe.

Very informative video. You remind me very much of my experiences when I first rode my Indian Springfield on the highway. Ride at your own comfort ans stay safe. Thanks for sharing!!!

Mate, I find the same on my xvs1100 classic. It's amazing on country roads, between 50 and 60 mph is the sweet spot and now I have a screen I have no wind noise, it's just me and the machine, I love it. Anything over that though and it really starts buzzing and needs another gear. However I know what I'm like, this for me I've come to accept as a feature that keeps me slow and keeps me alive!! Happy riding 👍

Had my VN Classic for 13 years - couldn’t imagine being without it. Definitely get a screen, makes life comfortable, and living in the UK, keeps the rain off. Can still reach over 100 with the screen (down hill 😆). Have Vance & Hines slash exhausts, plus K&N filter, but everything else is stock. Considering a new front pulley down the line when cash is more readily available, but just happy to have it out on the road all year round. Safe riding people…

I have a 2012 Vulcan 900, and I have never noticed any buzzing to speak of on any trips. I've ridden several 700+ miles trips and it's a very comfortable bike. Mine is the Classic LT , and has the stock windshield which really deflects the wind.

thanks for this video and comments. I've Been riding a 2011 Custom 900 for the last 2 years, average 70/75mph commuter speed... no problems with buzz or shake, speedometer is -5mph. im also 165lbs and have a windshield, speakers and full saddles.

Really nice video!!!

Thanks for the video!! I have a classic 900 and mine did something similar to this buzzing you say, I upgraded to an aftermarket exhaust and air intake and surprisingly I don't feel that anymore at 75-80!

Same here... Love my Custom, needs a 6th gear though. Def get the same vibrations at higher speeds 70ish+

Thanks for the info

I've got a Kaw 800. I changed to a larger front sprocket and a smaller rear sprocket. this lowered my RPM level enough to make it comfortable up at 65-70 like it was at 55-60 stock.

I did extensive research after I bought my Vulcan custom, those bikes just like to buzz at higher rpms. It’s not the wheel speed so much as it is the engine buzzing away. It’s plenty happy to cruise at 75-80mph all day long. It’s just something that you’ll have to get used to. I think once you upgrade (if you so desire) to the barons front/rear pulley, it will move your rpms down by about 10-15% and allow you to cruise at those freeway speeds with less buzzing. But, rest assured, the buzzing is what those bikes do, it’s more of a design flaw that’s a minor annoyance, not detrimental at all.

I have an 07 custom. Changed the front pulley and added a cobra fuel processor..... front pulley replacement will fix the speedometer within a mile an hour or 2. The bike has no problem with high rpms, just gotta get used to it. Most people shift way too early on the Vulcan, if you add a tach you'll see the rpms aren't that high. I can cruise at 80-90 and the bike could care less

How do/did you like the phone mount? I'm thinking about mounting one in the center between the bar mounts.

Yeah, that's about par for the course. There's definitely a fan-boy crowd that's absolutely adamant that the 900 loves being on the highway - often backing up their claim by posting their top speed, which is absolutely useless information. I own a 900 with a front pulley mod and I'm with you. It'll absolutely 'do' highways no problem, but it's just not 'happy' at highway speeds. My bike definitely prefers backroads around 45 - 60 mph or so over highways at 75.

I had a Vn900 for my first starter bike. I was always trying to grab another gear on the freeway. I did a sprocket change and was much better. The fix is out here if you google it for anyone interested.

What phone holder do you have? I am looking for one for my newly purchased 900 Custom

with an EFI what I do sometimes if I have too much throttle for the gear that I'm in, I simply let to of the throttle and re-throttle and you do gain torque.

Is your Go Pro mounted on your helmet and what kind of mount do you use?

I own Vulcan 900 custom 07 the vibration was at 70-75 but I had it dynod aftermarket exhaust air cleaner fuel processor it all went away it woke up the bike it’s fast more power love it I keep up with 1300 easy now

Did you buy a Cruiser or a Racing Bike?? Riding without a windscreen doesn't help and i find the buffeting annoying too. My sweet spot is 65 - 70 mph, and I'm good with that. Why would you want to go faster?

Watching u ride makes me wanna go riding right now! Aha but I agree this bike can use a sixth gear for sure.

To me its best speed for comfort is around 60 . But as mine is the vn900 custom special it may be different. That said on the back roads having pegs not boards and the 21 275 front makes it really flickable which is unusual for a criuser.

As a re-entry rider with the Vulcan Custom, I struggle with low speed maneuvers like U-turns, figure 8's and such. What has you experience been with this?

Pegs are welded solid, and handle bars are solid mounted, I rubber mounted mine ,and eliminated that.

The sweet spot for these is zero to 70.It does buzz a bit 70 and over.I have the custom.I bought some vibration dampening grips.That definitely helped

Granted the Kawasaki VN900 series vibrates a little because of it's solidly mounted single pin crank engine. But, it is a great trouble free-low maintenance bike and they have sold zillions of them over the years. If you want to talk about vibration... Try a Royal Enfield Bullet 500 for awhile. When you return to your Kawasaki after having your eyeballs re-tack welded back in, the VN900 will feel smooth as glass. Yes, get a windshield, you will enjoy the ride much better.

Yeah but my '09 Vulcan 900 I really feel like I need another gear but will it keep up on the highway

In my experience all motorcycles have a buzz at some speed a lot of them have it at any speed the reason that one seems like it buzzes at high speed is because it's so smooth at low speed

I had this problem with a 1100 Vstar, after 65 mph it was an excellent bike excellent for mixing paint because it was a paint shaker up to 65 it was a nice machine but interstate irritated the hell.out me.

I purchased a 2019 classic LT this year. I noticed the gas gauge is off. When it is at empty there is still 1 1/2 gallons left. Also the speed is off by 5 mph too slow.

I knew a guy I used to work with who got his sprocket regeared and he was able to do a little more without vibration but the 900 he always said didn’t have enough power for high speeds

Had a Vulcan 900 for 4 years. Nice bike under 60mph. Got tired of the buzz around 70mph and hands and butt would go to sleep after about 25 miles. Would not recommend the bike unless just for slow backroad cruising.

Change the sprockets. I have a VN800 and going from a 17/42 to 18/38 to reduce the highway RPM. Yes you'll lose a bit of acceleration, but It's also not a sports Bike so I personally don't think I'll miss it.

I’m from the east bay sir,and i want to ride with you🙏🏾

Baron front pulley night and day on the highway big difference

What’s your Helmet size and classification?

I have an 09 Custom and mine does the same at 70 and up. It needs a 6th gear.

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Yeah, get the windshield bro. You won’t get hit with the wind 🌬️ force pressure on your chest as much , wearing a full helmet with your shield down makes s huge difference as well with strong natural winds and the wind from speeding on the high way. On windy days you have to keep stable on the road because the wind could move you or shift you to the left or right more easily, especially when passing a huge tracker trailer truck zooming close by you.

Perhaps your bike needs a tune up. What is your odometer reading? Of course a motorcycle with a larger displacement will produce more power at a lower rpm. The gearing ratio will be different to account for that power. My 2009 900 LT has 10k miles on it and I don't experience any vibrations or discomfort when riding. I use the windshield in fall and early spring and usually don't shift out of 4th until 70. Whatever you decide, ride safe!

You may want to check your speedometer against a gps. On mine, and from what i've been reading, the speedometer is off by almost 10% when going upwards of 70mph. When mine is reading 70mph, I'm actually only doing about 61mph. That may explain why you are being passed by EVEYRYONE lol. There is a front sprocket upgrade that i plan on doing soon that has 2 more teeth and is supposed to bring your RPM's down at highway speeds and also more or less correct your actual speed. As for the windshield thing, I got mine up to about 80'ish the other day and i felt like i was about to be blown off the back of the bike lol. I do have 16" ape hangers on it so my chest is probably acting like a big sail but, it got me thinking about windshields also.

I had my bike 90 plus and she wanted more not bad for a 900cc bike

My FJR is smooth as butter 0 to 140 mph, it has the least turbulence behind the screen than any motorcycle I've ever owned including Goldwings

I have the fully dressed vn900 classic. Has plenty of power but wished it had a 6th gear. May install an oversize front pulley.

Is this bike a carburetorated bike

TBH, everything "buzzes" at high speeds. I've owned 950, 1300, 1600, 1700, 1900 cruisers and a couple 650 sport bikes. They all buzz at high speeds. Just different buzzes. The 1700 was the most buzzy one.

A sixth gear would be nice. You get pretty high RPM after 70mph but most of it is just the high speed and the wind buffering I’m guessing. I still think you can take the 900 on any highway in the US

It sounds like the wheels need to be balanced better

Wish they made them a 6 speed..

1 mire gear and better gear ratios !

I’m in Sacramento My Vulcan 900 can’t keep up with traffic on the freeway and I can’t keep up with my friend who rides a sportier bike 650 Kawasaki. I feel Iike I’m going to blow right off the bike. It’s a rolling brick. I’m selling it and getting something arhat can actually perform on the freeway. It is great on the country roads but it doesn’t do very well at all in the wind or with g-force from the open road in your face; it’s too bouncy. . Kawasaki should just stick with sports bike and stay out of the cruiser realm.

gotta change the wheels and rebalance them

You wouldn't be able to notice the buzzy on a classic..

Everybody shut the fuck up about this motorcycle! Go and ride the fucking thing like a man and it'll do what the fuck you want it to do! It's got balls, it's got power, and it's got speed!!!

If you don't want vibes, drive a car. Or a Gold wing.