These dual 11.5-inch discs...
These dual 11.5-inch discs borrow triple-piston calipers from Kawasaki's ZX-9R sportbike. The inverted fork is also a sporty affair, and the stability it offers during hard cornering and heavy braking is a huge plus.
IN BRIEF
High Points: More juice, improved handling, hot look.
Low Points: Not enough juice, still heavy, ugly tank cluster.
First Change: Performance hop-up.
Friedman: Which of the muscletwins you're drawn to could hinge on a lot of factors, but for my money, the Mean Streak is too little, too late. Kawasaki seemed to have identified this concept by 1997, and I expected a production bike for 1999. If that had happened, Kawasaki could have owned this market. Instead, Kawasaki waited until its offering has been eclipsed by three enticing competitors.
So what do you want from a muscletwin? Styling? Although the Kawasaki looks better to my eye than the Honda VTX, I think the Harley and especially the Yamaha are prettier. Outright power? Well, the Honda seems significantly stronger and its extra 330cc also give it bragging rights. The real shocker is that the "little" Harley may be the quickest of all. (What's the world coming to when an 1130cc Harley can smoke a 1470cc Kawasaki? I used to beat Harley 1200s with my Kawasaki 350) Want a daily rider? The Meanie, with its ultra-smooth engine, reasonable saddle, great brakes, easy handling and friendly manners may be the best choice. I prefer its around-town handling to the V-Rod and VTX. But we still haven't ridden the Yamaha. The Mean Streak does come in with the friendliest price at $11k, a grand less than the Yamaha and $6000 less than the Harley.
I don't think the Meanie will be a regrettable choice when the chips have all landed. Each of the muscletwins I have ridden so far seems to have a nagging flaw or two.
Brakes are all good on this...
Brakes are all good on this bike. Stopping times supplied by the triple disc system are stunning, giving you deserved control in emergency situations.
Elvidge: I am completely infatuated with the whole "new class" of cruisers blistering onto the scene. However, I find it hard to compare the lot straight out, as some people are inclined to. The new Harley, for example, doesn't even qualify for our Big Twin comparison. To me, it's more of a sign of things to come -- a hyper cruiser class that already has the Japanese makers sketching out competition. So, that leaves the Mean Streak to be compared to the Honda VTX and Yamaha Warrior.
I rode the VTX and Streak back-to-back in similar situations and found both had decidedly different virtues. The Kawasaki won't beat the monster twin in any power play, but it feels more civilized, and does go around corners better than the longer, heavier Honda. Stops much better too. I like the VTX look from a distance, but the rawness of the up-close details leaves me cold. Kawasaki cruisers shine when it comes to fit and finish. And this is my favorite Vulcan yet. Now, the Warrior is going to be a big player (we have to drink extra water around here to compensate for the constant drooling). It's got the look and on-paper specs to make both these bikes look dated. We'll wait and see.
SPECIFICATIONS
2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak
ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Type: Liquid-cooled, 50-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: SOHC, 2 intake valves, 2 exhaust valves, operated by hydraulic adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1470cc, 102 x 90mm
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Carburetion: Digital Fuel Injection
Lubrication: Wet sump, 3.7 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 92 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch, 5 speeds
Final drive: Shaft
2003 Mean Streak. For 2004,...
2003 Mean Streak. For 2004, it became a 1600.
CHASSIS
Wet weight: 695 lb.
GVWR: 1102 lb.
Wheelbase: 67.1 in.
Overall length: 94.9 in
Rake/ trail: 32 degrees / 5.7 in.
Front tire: 130/70R17 Dunlop 220F STG
Rear tire: 170/60R17 Dunlop 220 STG
Front brake: 2 discs, single-action, triple-piston calipers
Rear brake: 1 disc, dual-piston caliper
Front suspension: 43mm inverted fork, 5.9 in. travel
Rear suspension: Dual dampers, 3.4 in. travel, adjustable for air pressure, rebound damping
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Handlebar width: 30.5 in.
Inseam equivalent: 33.0 in.
Seat height: 27.6 in.
ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION
Charging output: 588 watts
Battery: 12v, 14AH
Instruments: Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, clock, tripmeter, fuel gauge; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, neutral, coolant temperature, oil pressure
PERFORMANCE
Fuel mileage: 29 to 40 mpg, 34.5 mpg average
Average range: 155 miles
Rpm at 60 mph, top gear: 3900
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 74.6 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 13.90 sec., 94.2 mph