I bought the V2K Limited. I wanted to buy a new bigger bike. I first saw the V2K when speaking to a guy who traded his Harley for a 2004. I wanted to move from a cruiser to a touring bike despite that I really prefer a bike that I have to manhandle and which reminds me that I just rode all day on a bike.
I first started to look at the Harley Road King and Ultra Classic. I also considered the Harley softails. Then I looked at the Honda VTX 1800. Then the Yamaha Road Star 1700. The Road Star looked great and has bokoo accessories but the one I rode shook to the point I had to stop twice and tighten up the mirror. It also gets bad owner reports. The Honda VTX 1800 rode big and smooth, but it was too smooth and too quiet for a cruiser. The Goldwing was a great bike but personally I just can’t go there. I rode the Harley Road King and the Ultra Glide. These bikes do ride extremely smooth until you come to stop light when it has all the shake of a paint mixer.
Then rode the V2K. At first I was intimidated by its size. Face it, it’s a big bike. It had just the right amount of vibration you would expect and handled surprisingly well. But I didn’t really like the headlight. The bulb layout is bizarre, the shape reminds you of a Scream mask and the housing is just so big. Alas, I went to the Harley dealer determined to buy a Road King. Unfortunately, the dealer, like the dozens of other Harley Dealers I have spoke to, had that nauseating attitude that I should be thankful for the privilege to enter his store and buy his stock. I’m there with approved A1 credit for FIVE HOURS and I can’t get out the door with a purchase agreement let alone a bike. After I am in agreement to giving him the asking price, he decides the asking price was actually $4,000.00 less than he could sell it for. I just can’t turn off my brain and color my nose just so I pledge the fraternity and buy a Harley.
So I start looking around again and I give the V2K another look - a closer, better look. Admittedly, I am not a Kawasaki fan or supporter. The name Kawasaki, as I say it, just does not make my chest swell. The name screams that it is not of American origin. Despite that, this really is a great bike. The Limited up charge is well worth the money for the extra chrome, especially the chromed wheels. The bike’s performance is excellent. Good throttle response with no hesitation or delay, great “get to it” acceleration and powerful “stand down now” brakes. Strength. This bike has Strength. The overall handling is very good. This bike gives no regard to wind gusts from semis and takes a cross wind without concern.
In town the bike is surprisingly agile for its size. The ride in town is pretty good but the ride on the interstate is great. After I made the switch to the Mustang seat, I made the Chicago to Tulsa run (800 miles) in one day with no cramps or searing pain. This is a sure-footed powerful bike that can eat up pavement at 85mph+ for 14 hours straight and never hints that it is in labor. This bike also handled well in the rain, but I have to admit I don’t run over 75 in the rain or on wet roads.
The stock passenger seat looks sharp but your significant other is not going to go very far on it, which yes, has its advantages. At 195 lbs, I don’t have any qualms with the suspension. Even with an extra 145 lbs on the back seat, my bike only bottoms out when going over a curb. And that stupid looking headlight - the low beam will match any other bike headlight. But when the high beam turns on, the road lights up like a concert.
This bike starts instantly without hesitation or coaxing. I have had none of the mechanical problems others have identified. Maybe my bike was made on a Wednesday or maybe it is just quality engineering. For some reason I trust this bike to take it across country alone. I also find the general aesthetics of this bike quite pleasing (except the headlight). Again, the Limited comes with more chrome. The blacked out cylinders with polished fins really make a statement. The mammoth engine and transmission makes everybody ask about the engine size and power. The instrument panel is easy to read and bright at night. The five gallon tank is noticeably big, but I don’t have to start shopping for gas until I’ve ridden 175 miles. Others complain the floorboards are too low, but me I’m ok with 'em because I’m not a high-speed-on-a-sharp-curve kind of guy. The kickstand is shorter than I’m use to, but it is not hard or laborious to right the bike. The stock pipes have a good throaty sound - not a Harley sound, but a good sound and the best Jap bike sound you are going to get. I’ve heard this bike with Vance and Hines pipes, but frankly, aftermarket pipes only increase the volume and do not change the tone or rhythm. The billboard license plate mount is nothing less than unattractive. I replaced mine with a lay-down from Baron which flows well with the fender curve. The paint is quality and almost all of the bike is steel. I would venture a Grant that the Road King has more plastic than the V2K.
As far as resale and holding its value, if I take the $8,000.00 I didn’t spend on the Harley and invest it and then sell my rice burner after I have put all the miles on it I want, I didn’t loose any money by not buying the Harley. If ya got to ride a Harley, ya gotta buy a Harley. If ya gotta be in the fraternity, ya got to buy a Harley. If ya want the Harley sound, ya gotta buy a Harley. If ya don’t care about those three things, test ride this bike. Face it. We live in a global economy. There is no shame in buying or riding this bike. 
