Big or bigger?

I'm about to buy my first ride, and have decided it doesn't matter that much if I go Suzuki or Kawasaki (feel free to correct me), especially on the -1000cc bikes (I don't really know about the 1500cc's yet since I didn't do any research on those yet)

I started looking at prices, and what do I see: only €1000 ($1550 today) difference between a 2006 Vulcan 900 (kawa)15000km all-in except Mustang seat, sissybar-luggage rack and windshield
and a
2003 1500 LT (suz)30000km, €7300, all-in except Mustang seat.
Both mint condition, btw

I'm planning on touring (read: two week trips (doing 4000km) are no exception) so maybe even bigger is maybe better, considering I'll take my girlfriend on some long tours as a passenger.
I'm confident the 900 or C50T would do the job, the question is: will a 1500 do better?  

There is a basic difference between the 800/1100 category and the 1500+ range. Look at the bore and stroke, and the relationship between them. 1500+ generally have a longer stroke, which helps in giving torque, but, since the piston can only do so many feet up and down per minute, they can't rev as high.
The 800/1100 class is generally free revving short stroke engines (more like a sport bike). They don't make as much torque, but, they do a good job of compensating by making horsepower and rpms. I rode an 800 for 6 years, and I could keep up with the "big boys" with no problem. I just had to remember to clutch, downshift, punch it, and let the engine handle the details.

Now, on to the specific bikes. The Kawi 900 is my 800 with every problem fixed. FI, belt drive, and a little more oomph. The 1500, unless they changed it has a VERY small tank, less than 3 gallons.
If you're going to do much 2 up touring, and you don't want end up solo quickly, larger may be better. Try out a Nomad, or if you can handle the 4 cyl sound, a Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe.

So, that covers the bike you want, let's talk about the bike you need.

You mentioned you don't currently ride. Buy small, beat up, and cheap. Ride it until you are comfortable, then get on the bigger bike. At that point you can ride any of them with almost no problems. Plus, if you buy used, cheap, and beat:1) if you drop it, it doesn't matter. 2) you can sell it in the spring for what you paid for it... basically free learner bike.  

thank you so much for the advice!
two more weeks... and I have my license woohooo! byebye 125cc, I'm joining the big boys! And if I want more, I'll join the even bigger boys in a year or so...
Thanks  

I just purchased a vulcan 900 classic lt.it has been 20 years since ive rode a bike (my last bike was an on/off road enduro 175)Will the 3 day safety class be enuf to knock off the rust?  

I never rode a bike, and when I took the MSF(2001), what they offered was a 2 day course. 7AM to 5PM. Morning was class, after lunch it was on the range for 4 hours.

After I took the course, I knew I wasn't skilled, but, I also knew that if I did the drills when I rode, I'd make out just fine.
Trust me if you had a mike on me when I got on my bike, you would have heard a lot of:

Brake
Release
Push right, turn right
gently roll on throttle  

HI; Get the 900. you won't regret it. I have the Suzuki C50T 2005. 18,000 miles so far. I have never had any trouble keeping up with the big boys 1000cc and up.  They can out acclerate just for a little while.   I always have been able to keep up. At their amazment. The bike has all the power I have ever needed. Gets 50 miles per gal. Doesn't wieght so much that you can't pick it up. I know . This size of bike is easy to handle in the curves and in town. Feels Light in traffic when you need the moverability.
The 1500 would be fun. The gas ??   I ride  with a bunch and the bigger bikes have smaller tanks. We are always stopping for GAS.  Their out.. I had to go for gas for one. He rides a 1200 sportster. 2.5 gal and 30mpg. I like the 750-900 bikes just more fun ,light easy to drive, lean in the turns well. It will put a smile on your face.  Ride safe and have FUN buying CHROME scruffy...  

Bram:

Dont know if you've made your decision yet or not, but figured I'd throw in a few more thoughts for you to mull over on this 900/1500 choice.

What type of roads?  Long periods at higher speeds would have me leaning towards the 1500 (too bad the 900 does not have an overdrive gear).  Not that the 900 cant do it, I just cant help but feel that the bigger bike will just have better legs for this kind of performance demand.  Now, if you're looking at back roads with more curves and turns - the agility of the 900 would be my choice.

Insurance costs -- here in the US insurance rates climb when you go over the 1000 cc mark.  Not really sure how much, but if you're on a budget doesn't every penny help?

Familiarity with riding -- I've been back to riding for a year now and am at a point where I feel I could handle a much larger bike (1500+ cc -- something about that Mean Streak just floats my boat!) I DO NOT regret having made my first purchase and return bike the 900 -- for my size and experience, it was a great fit!  I'd lean to the smaller bike if you've been away from riding for many years like I was (32 of them!).

How often will you carry a passenger?  The bigger bike has those dual disc brakes up front where most of your stopping power resides...two up on the bike means more weight and mass in motion that has to be stopped.  From my experience, the 900 does a good job of stopping with two of us on board, but I also ride like there are two of us on board.  Again, cant help but wonder if the dual discs would be better for you if two-up riding is what you envison as a regular thing.

OK, probably not a lot of help, but just some stuff to chew on as you make your decision -- mine was the 900 and I love this bike and have not been disappointed by it whatsoever!

Enjoy your choice!!  

Kawasaki is the way to go,bigger is better I have a vulcan 2000 and wouldnt go any smaller.The bike is very comfortable even on long rides.  

Are there any vulcan 2000 riders out there.  

Hello everyone  

HI,everyone trying to decide between the kawasaki vulcan 2000 which is belt driven vs suzuki c109r which has a drive shaft .I sat on both bikes they feel great,still hard to decide could anyone help me with this decision Thanks for helping.