Suzuki Boulevard C50T vs. Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LT

I've owned a 2007 Kawi 900 Classic since June. I absolutely love the bike. However, I have to agree about the seat. After 2-3 hours it becomes a torture device! I'm looking to have my seat rebuilt. I understand there is a guy who has a company in South Florida that specializes in seat rebuilding on your original seat pan. He uses memory foam and gelpads, customizing to the person and how they like. A friend saw an article on it in a magazine a few months ago., and I'm trying to locate it so I can give him a try this winter while the bike is put up. Anyone ever heard of this? And when I find out, I'll post an update, as well as results. I have to say, this is the only *** I've found in the bike's armor. Its plenty powerful, even 2 up on the highway! One other thing, though, at least on my bike, the speedometer is 5 mph off, reading 65 when everyone else tells they are going 70.  

HI: She will like the backrest on the C50T It pivots and the rear seat is a little bigger than most. I wish the bags were bigger. I pack a lot of stuff while riding just in case. The bike is easy to work on. There are lots of aftermarket stuff for it.
If you plan on ridding 2 up much you will need to increase the spring rate. The tool kit has the tool to do this. The C50 stops well in traffic. It does not seem to have any fading when you have to really apply the brakes. I also like the lite feel in traffic and in the turns.I just put 14,000 + miles on and two new tires. I like this bike because it is fun just to get on and run down to the store to get stuff. It fits me very well 5'10" 195 lbs.  
I ride in the mountains also. The blues in and around Pendelton OR. Tri citys WA. Spokane WA. just a few. The C50T had no trouble getting around at high altitude. The passes are 3500"-4000". The fuel milage is 47-50 is the best I have been able to get.I hope this helps....scruffy..  

HI: She will like the backrest on the C50T It pivots and the rear seat is a little bigger than most. I wish the bags were bigger. I pack a lot of stuff while riding just in case. The bike is easy to work on. There are lots of aftermarket stuff for it.
If you plan on ridding 2 up much you will need to increase the spring rate. The tool kit has the tool to do this. The C50 stops well in traffic. It does not seem to have any fading when you have to really apply the brakes. I also like the lite feel in traffic and in the turns.I just put 14,000 + miles on and two new tires. I like this bike because it is fun just to get on and run down to the store to get stuff. It fits me very well 5'10" 195 lbs.  
I ride in the mountains also. The blues in and around Pendelton OR. Tri citys WA. Spokane WA. just a few. The C50T had no trouble getting around at high altitude. The passes are 3500"-4000". The fuel milage is 47-50 is the best I have been able to get.I hope this helps....scruffy..  

  OOP's ...scruffy..  

Tx_ryan indicates that tube tires have never been a problem. Have any of you Vulcan 900 riders had any problems with the Vulcan's tube tires? Am I wrong in thinking that the Vulcan's tube tires can be replaced with tubeless? Just trying to determine if this is a real or phantom issue (in my mind, anyway). Thanks.  

Hey, nice to know I'm not the only one trying to make this exact decision.  For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure I've decided on the Vulcan 900.  It's a nice lookin' bike with enough power that I doubt I'll get bored on. Haven't gotten to test ride either of them yet, but i took a short ride on the back seat of the vulcan and well...I've sat on worse, but hey, i think back seats are uncomfortable after a couple hours no matter what ya get.  From everything I understand I'd say the two are pretty equally matched and it comes down to which look you like. oh, and if you really like the twisties the C50 seems to have a bit of an edge. Good luck!  

I have 4000 miles on my 06 900 Classic and loved every mile.  I have managed to get used to the seat on short rides but have no problem riding 100 miles nonstop.  My mileage at 70mph is a steady 50 mpg. Good HP with rider on too.  Kawasaki offers a gel seat that looks good with a little more width for passenger for just over $200.  Thinking about getting that for honey.  Due to lack of what I call good custom parts for add on I am designing, patenting, producing several items for market.  The luggage rack is sweet and stylish, and the lowers even better.  Hope to post picture here but don't know how yet, I'm a newby here.  Thanks, good riding, Roger (deerhunter3)  
Ride Safe and No Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly !!

I also needed a better seat. After 16k miles on my C50,I decided on a Mustang seat. I just ordered one from www.oneidasuzuki.com. They had the lowest price I could find{I do not use e-bay or auction sites). Try Oneida for other parts for your cruisers. It is hard to find reasonable prices for motorcycle parts and accessories. I like Oneida.    

HI rufino; I have purchased dtuff form Oneida also. Good prices. Have install the mustang yet? I am trying to decide on another seat. I got about 15K on my C50T and the seat has been ok. On long rides over 4 hr it kinda wears on a guy. Thanks..scruffy  

I'm glad I'm not alone in this decision.  These posts helped me decide on my 1st choice, the Kawi.  Thanks to all for the info!  

The 2006 C50 is my second bike and other than oil changes and checking the tire pressure.. it has given me ZERO problems. This bike is an absolute joy to ride.
10k miles so far and I'm not looking to switch up anytime soon.

I am 6'0" 225 lbs and I have never sensed a lack of power on this bike even with 2 up riding which I do a lot of with my lady.

Visual:
The C50 has fenders that cover more of the tire and have a swoop to them and looks fast standing still. The C50 also appears to have a longer rake so it looks nicer in my opinion. The Vulcan has smaller fenders so I guess it's a preference thing.

Sound:
I bought the bike with Vance & Hines shorty pipes and the rumble has saved my a$$ from cabs and trucks plenty of times. (I work in NYC). If you live in a densely populated area... invest in some aftermarket pipes.

Maintenance:
Shaft Drive. Enough said.
Fuel Injected. No more choke! Starts up in winter with no trouble.  Just keep the bike clean with air in the tires and change the oil like the manual says and you won't be disappointed. Spoke rims are a little annoying to clean  but the solid rims have no character if you ask me.

Lighting:
HID conversion took 20 minutes on this bike. The headlight housing is big enough to accommodate the new generation SLIM HID ballast housing so I didn't have to run any wires. I simply swapped the stock bulb for one that had HID/halogen so I could keep my high beam and wiring was plug and play. Now, it's like having a rescue search light on the front of the bike now. I LOVE it.

I recommend the C50 to anyone beginner or not.
Whatever your decision, I wish you well. Ride safe and within your limits. Take care of your bike and it will take care of you.  
I'm a man of the Lord but I still can't shake the devil.

Hi, I just joined up, and this is my 3rd attempt to reply to this thread. I don't know what happens, but all of a sudden my post just disappears.  Oh well.  
Just last September my husband bought me a beautiful Candy red and Silver 2007 Kawasaki 900LT, and I must say that I really do enjoy riding it. It has a well balanced, light feel to it, it responds well with plenty of power, and is a very comfortable bike to ride. I do like Kawasaki motorcycles.  My last Kawi was a 2003 1500 Classic, and if it had not been a little too heavy for me I would probably still be riding it. But the 900 LT is just the right size for me, and I plan to have it for a long time to come.  I
also had a beautiful Suzuki 800 Marauder, but it wasn't very comfortable for me because of the style of handlebars. I had to reach too far forward. Then I started having trouble with the radiator leaking and the engine getting hot. We took it to a Suzuki dealer, but they didn't fix it.  I haven't ridden the newer Suzukis, but I've heard from their riders that they are enjoying them very much. I do love motorcycles, and whichever kind one chooses to ride, they're a lot of fun and good recreation if they are ridden safely and with respect.  

This is a great post as I've seen a lot to help me. I'm deploying to the big sandbox soon and want to buy a new bike when I get home next year. I've been leaning towards the Kawasaki 900LT but the Suzuki C50T and the Yamaha Silverado 1100 are peaking my interest. This is essentially my first bike, so I don't want something too bike but not too small either. I see a lot of responses on the 900LT and the C50T any info on the Yamaha?  

Just bought the C50T and chose it over the Vulcan 900 because of: Shaft drive, better seat, more comfortable backrest for my wife (it's wider than the Kawasaki), less $ than the Vulcan, Suzuki accessories appear to have better pricing too.  Wish it had (like the Kawasaki) rear disc brake, bigger tank, and better position of passenger foot pegs - they are too close to the bags and I will need to purchase offset adaptors.

Anybody have a suggestion for choosing these peg adaptors?  I would think that others have experienced this problem -  thanks.  

Hello all,
I bought my 900 LT a month after I returned from Iraq and I love it.  I love the size of the tank and the low center of gravity (which if you you don't mind scraping peg is great for leaving sparks at night).  I am a six foot Marine who rides on a daily basis rain or shine and I have plenty of leg room.  It has plent of power to spare.  The only upgrades that I will be doing to her is engine guards and highway pegs and some after market pipes.  Have not decided on which pipes any suggestions are welcome.