Kawasaki Vulcan

Vulcan

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Also called	VN
Production	Since 1984
Class	Cruiser
Engine	125–2,053 cc V-twin, 500 cc parallel twin

The Vulcan name has been used by Kawasaki for their custom or cruiser motorcycles since 1984, model designation VN, using mostly V-twin engines ranging from 125 to 2,053 cc (7.6 to 125.3 cu in).

Model history

1984–2006: Vulcan 750 series

In 1985 Kawasaki launched, worldwide, the Vulcan VN700A, its first cruiser powered by its first V-twin engine. The VN700A has a shaft drive. Kawasaki also made the now rare VZ 750 variant with chromed wheel arches and other subtle differences. To avoid United States tariffs on Japanese motorcycles over 700cc, the initial US model was limited to 699 cc but in 1986, the tariff was lifted so the engine capacity was increased to 750 cc. Apart from paint schemes the Vulcan remained largely unchanged throughout its 22-year production run with only minor adjustments to components.

1986–2004: Vulcan 400 series

Kawasaki introduced the Vulcan 400 in 1986 as an entry level cruiser. For a first series, The Vulcan 400 featured a 398 cc liquid-cooled twin engine, and was fitted with a belt drive and six-speed transmission. The series 2 Vulcan 400 featured a 399 cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine similar in design to the 750 The series 2 was fitted with a chain drive and five-speed transmission to reduce cost and was produced in both Classic and Drifter variations.

1990–2009: Vulcan 500 series

The Vulcan 500 also known as the Vulcan 500 LTD, was introduced in 1990. The Vulcan 500 was fitted with the parallel twin 498 cc engine from the Kawasaki Ninja 500R. The Vulcan 500 was discontinued after the 2009 model year for a nearly 20 year production run. The Vulcan 500 LTD was the successor to the Kawasaki 454 LTD.

1987–2008: Vulcan 1500 series

The Vulcan 1500 Classic has a 1,470 cc (90 cu in) liquid-cooled SOHC 50° V-twin engine with a single-pin crankshaft. It has a 27.6-inch (700 mm) seat height, wide handlebar, forward-mounted floorboards. The Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak had the same engine. The Vulcan 1500 Drifter ceased production in 2005. The Vulcan 88, with its 1464 cc liquid-cooled V-twin design was produced from 1987 through 1999. A four speed transmission was blended with the, "large for its time motor" and offered consumers a big-bore metric cruiser that was comfortable and relatively light-weight at just over 600 lbs when "rider ready".

1995–2006: Vulcan 800 series

Two models of the Vulcan were discontinued in 2006 with the introduction of the VN900. These were the VN800A introduced in 1995 and the first of Kawasaki's modern cruiser style. The VN800A featured a softail design, bobbed rear fender and a 21-inch front wheel. The second, the VN800B (Classic) was introduced in 1996 and had a retro styling that featured full fenders and 16-inch wheels on both front and rear.

• Vulcan 800A / Classic / Drifter
  • Power 32 kW
  • 805 cc (49.1 cu in) liquid-cooled four valves per cylinder V-twin
  • Single Keihin 36 mm carburetor
  • Five-speed transmission with optional slap shift
  • Hidden mono-shock/spring back

2002–2009: Vulcan 1600 series

• Vulcan 1600 Classic
  • 1,552 cc (94.7 cu in) SOHC liquid-cooled four valves per cylinder V-twin engine
  • Five-speed transmission^[1]
• Vulcan 1600 Nomad
  • 1,552 cc (94.7 cu in) liquid-cooled 50° V-twin
  • Digital Fuel Injection with dual 36 mm throttle bodies
  • Four valves per cylinder^[2]
• Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak
  • 1,552 cc (94.7 cu in) liquid-cooled 50° V-twin
  • Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters^[3]

2004-2010: Vulcan 2000 series

Based and built on the same frame, the Vulcan 2000 base model, Classic, and Classic LT have only subtle differences between the variations. The most apparent is the "bug-eye" chrome nacelle projection headlight that was first introduced on 2004 Vulcan VN2000A base model. This headlight was the only offering from Kawasaki until the introduction of the Vulcan Classic VN2000D in 2006, which employed a more traditional headlight. Also introduced in 2006, the Vulcan Classic LT VN2000F. The Classic LT had an appearance similar to the Classic but added saddlebags, windshield, passenger floorboards and passenger backrest to the offering.

• Configuration^[4]
  • 2,053 cc (125.3 cu in) 52° V-twin engine
  • 141 lb·ft (191 N·m) torque @ 3,000 rpm^[5]
  • 116 hp (87 kW) @ 5,000 rpm^[6]
  • Belt drive
  • Electronic engine control unit (ECU) with fuel injection
  • Forged pistons and alloy connecting rods
  • Steel double-cradle frame with box-section single-tube backbone for strength
  • Dual 300 mm front disc brakes with four-piston calipers and single rear two-piston disc brakes

2006-date: Vulcan 900 series

• Vulcan 900 Classic
  • 903 cc (55.1 cu in) Liquid Cooled V-twin SOHC engine
  • Belt drive^[7]
  • Four-valve Cylinder Head^[8]
  • Tank-Mounted Speedometer with Turn Signal Indicators and Caution Lamps
• Vulcan 900 Classic LT
  • Same as the Classic, with the addition of:
    • Passenger backrest, saddlebags, and studded accents standard
• Vulcan 900 Custom
  • Same as the Classic, except for:
    • 180 mm rear tire, and a thin 21-inch cast front wheel
    • Smaller, lower-profile seat with smaller pillion
    • Drag-Style handlebars

2009-date: Vulcan 1700 series

• Vulcan 1700 Classic
  • 1,700 cc (104 cu in) 52° SOHC liquid-cooled fuel-injected V-twin engine
  • Six-speed transmission
  • "ride-by-wire" throttle
• Vulcan 1700 Classic LT
  • 1,700 cc (104 cu in) 52° SOHC liquid-cooled fuel-injected V-twin engine
  • Six-speed transmission
  • ride-by-wire throttle, windshield and leather saddlebags

Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1600 (2006)

• Vulcan 1700 Nomad
  • 1,700 cc (104 cu in) 52° SOHC liquid-cooled fuel-injected V-twin engine
  • Six-speed transmission
  • "ride-by-wire" throttle, windshield and hard saddlebags^[9]
• Vulcan 1700 Voyagers
  • 1,700 cc (104 cu in) 52° SOHC liquid-cooled fuel-injected V-Twin Engine
  • Six-speed transmission
• Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
  • Since 2011.

References

1. Kawasaki 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic: MD Ride Review
2. MD First Ride: 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad
3. 2004 Kawasaki 1600 Mean Streak: MD Ride Review
7. 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic Introduced
8. MD First Ride: 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic and Classic LT
9. Kawasaki Introduces a Trio of Vulcan 1700s

External links

• Media related to Kawasaki VN at Wikimedia Commons