Kawasaki Mean Streak 1500

Kawasaki's entry in the new class of trimmed-down big-twin performance cruisers is the Mean Streak. We'd heard hints that this revitalized Vulcan would move like a cutting horse -- rip off the line, stop on a dime and turn like it had a place to go. We weren't holding our collective breath. Over the last 15 years we have ridden the entire succession of Vulcan 1500s, and while we've grown especially fond of the current generation Classic FI and Nomad, it has been more for the workmanship, comfort and beauty of the [motorcycles] than any gland-pinching performance. The Vulcans are a refined lot -- well-mannered in every way. We found it hard to imagine one that was mean (even though the pipes look a little evil).