Model(s) covered: 2002 Kawasaki VN 1500 Meanstreak
When Kawasaki fired the first salvo into the then-new performance-cruiser category late last year, pundits began rejoicing that a new era in cruisers had begun. A hot-rodded Vulcan engine was a good start, but even more impressive was the sportbike bits bolted to the more rigid chassis, such as the inverted fork and 6-piston caliper brakes. It didn't hurt that the Mean Streak was quite a looker, too. Shortly thereafter, to Kawasaki's dismay, came the steroid-injected Honda VTX1800, followed a few months later by the aluminum-framed Yamaha Warrior and outrageous H-D V-Rod.
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