Kawasaki VN 1500 Mean Streak

The new Mean Streak is a big, bad streetfighter. It’s a hot-rod version of the VN, complete with tuned engine, upside-down forks, six-pot callipers and chunky three-spoke wheels. It’s big,[heavy mother] and if that’s the way you like your bikes, it delivers in spades. And that weedy power output’s dwarfed by the wedges of torque available from tick-over, giving the sort of pull that you expect from a big cruiser, but don’t always get.

The suspension’s far better than the other VN models (rear shocks are adjustable for pre-load and rebound damping), and the brakes are excellent. Ground clearance is slightly improved over the other VNs, and thanks to engine mods there’s a bit more go despite a new catalyser exhaust.
The best VN yet. The engine manages to be smooth and lumpy at the same time, and the handling’s far better than you’d expect from something this lardy and low. The cruiser with an attitude.

Review from G.Sheridan-Wallis: OK , I only bought this bike 3 days ago, but have managed to do about 500 miles in spite of the weather. I re-started motorcycling July 03 at the age of ( a very youthful) 59 and with a lot of espousal angst, by buying an R850R, but quickly tired of it through lack of performance and vibrations.
I then bought a Susuki GSX1400 ( never like to do things by halves) and loved it: so much so that in short succession I had an FJR Yamaha,Bandit 1200S,another Suzuki GSX1400 and just before the Kawa a Honda CB1300.

Strangely although my priority was fast vibration-free motoring, I found that I got bored – and the CB1300 wasn’t particularly comfortable either.
So, changing tack, bought the Kwacker: what fun!!
You’d have thought that the vibes were out to get you but not at all.The engine sounds lumpy and thumpy but the extraordinary thing is that you don’t feel it through your bum – unless you are sitting still in traffic for a long time.
So the rubber mounts really do work and with the longest single ride so far of about 180 miles, no pain at all. I found that I could easily shift my feet position from the front to the rear pegs ( best at speed ) and I’ve no doubt this helped because it changes the incidence of bum position to seat.
I’ve heard and read of criticism of the brakes but am happy to say that they have given me no cause for concern, tho’ it has to be said that my fastest emergency stop was from 92mph only.
Weight simply isn’t a problem. The Honda weighs 224Kg , the Kwak about 285 but you just don’t notice the extra ( I guess it might be somewhat different if you drop it and try to pick it up!). Low seat height undoubtedly helps here and tight turns are if anything easier than anything else I’ve had.
Tank range is annoying – I haven’t managed better than 110m so far and this on m’ways as well as short trips. I wonder why, for such a huge machine?
I have already ordered a screen – the smaller of the two available from the makers – and engine crash protector bars. The former because wind blast above 70 is uncomfortable and the latter because they will obviously save a lot of expensive damage if bike dropped – I hope.
Overall, huge fun, great looks, relatively sporty handling and not for the shy – it’s amazing the amount of attention attracted wherever it’s parked.