Kissing Cousins
A touring version is just a catalog awayShrewd manufacturers offer lightly dressed touring versions of many of their newest cruisers these days-and the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT and Suzuki Boulevard C50T are two of the best examples.
The stock bike's basic bits remain unchanged, but are usually supplemented on the touring models with a windshield, pillion backrest and saddlebags. In Kawasaki's case, that bike is the Vulcan 900 Classic LT (top picture). It gets an optically correct, acrylic windscreen, this one height adjustable (though tools are required), a pillion backrest to match the touring saddle's chromed studs and studded top-grain cowhide saddlebags. These pieces as well as an engine guard, lightbar and passenger floorboards are also available separately from the Genuine Kawasaki Accessories catalog and can be bolted right onto the base Classic model, although it will cost considerably less if you simply buy the LT to start with. Read Art Friedman's tour test on motorcycle cruiser.com and Mark Zimmerman's long-term review in this issue to see how much we're all impressed with Kawasaki's light-touring version.
It's the same song for Suzuki-the C50T touring bike (bottom) builds upon the base model with a height-adjustable windshield, full-sized leather saddlebags with box-type lids, a large pivoting passenger backrest and studs on the spacious saddle, backrest pad and saddlebags. And again, you'll save money if you buy them all as a pre-installed package.
You might think loading up a middleweight twin with touring gear would only result in tears, but when we rode the 805cc C50T last year and again when the Vulcan 900 Classic LT transported Friedman across the country this spring, both impressed us plenty with ample powerbands and roomy, comfortable accommodations.
Suzuki Boulevard C50High Points
*Responsive power
*Impressive suspension
*Comfortable, roomy seating
*Great fuel mileage
Low Points
*Front brake could be stronger
*Tube-type tires
First Changes
*Seal or replace the wheels
*for tubeless tires
*Try different brake pads
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 ClassicHigh Points
*Big-bike feel
*Roomy and comfortable
*Belt final drive
Low Points
*Poor rear suspension
*Noisy drivetrain
*Tube-type tires
*Optimistic speedometer
First Changes
*Aftermarket saddle
*Seal or replace the wheels for tubeless tires
Riding PositionsArt Friedman
We need to do more comparisons like this one, where the players are each so good you're convinced that whichever one you're riding at that moment just has to be the best. You can close your eyes and pick one and be sure that you have made a great choice.
Each of these two bikes does have a few strengths over the other, however. The Vulcan 900 is roomier for a passenger and stronger on the highway. And I prefer the Kawasaki's belt to the Suzuki's shaft. Its styling is cleaner.