The Kawasaki Vulcan
The Vulcan name has been used by Kawasaki to denote their "custom" or "cruiser" type motorcycles since 1984, using mostly V-twin powered motorcycles ranging from 125 cc to 2000 cc.
Two highly successful models of the Vulcan were discontinued 2006 with the introduction of the VN900. These were the VN800A introduced 1995 and the first of Kawasaki's modern cruiser style. The VN800A featured a softail design, bobbed rear fender and a 21" front wheel. The second, the VN800B (Classic) was introduced in 1996 and had a retro styling that featured full fenders and 16" wheels on both front and rear.
Also,In 2005, Kawasaki discontinued the Vulcan 1500 Drifter a classic motorcycle cruiser with the lines of 1940s.
The 2009 models are as follows:
2000 series
Vulcan 2000
2,053cc, 125 cu. in. 52° V-twin engine
Steel double-cradle frame with box-section single-tube backbone
Dual 300mm front disc brakes with four-piston calipers and single rear disc brakes
Vulcan 2000 Classic LT
2,053cc/125 cu. in. 52° V-twin engine is the largest V-twin motorcycle engine currently in production
Electronic engine control unit (ECU)
Forged pistons and alloy connecting rods
Vulcan 2000 Classic
2,053cc/125 cu. in. 52° V-twin engine
Steel double-cradle frame with box-section single-tube backbone for strength
1700 series
Vulcan 1700 Classic
1,700cc / 103.7 cu. in. 52° SOHC liquid-cooled fuel-injected V-Twin Engine
Six-speed transmission
"ride-by-wire" throttle
Vulcan 1700 Classic LT
1,700cc / 103.7 cu. in. 52° SOHC liquid-cooled fuel-injected V-Twin Engine
Six-speed transmission
ride-by-wire throttle, windshield and leather saddlebags
Vulcan 1700 Nomad
1,700cc / 103.7 cu. in. 52° SOHC liquid-cooled fuel-injected V-Twin Engine
Six-speed transmission
"ride-by-wire" throttle, windshield and hard saddlebags
Vulcan 1700 Voyager
1,700cc / 103.7 cu. in. 52° SOHC liquid-cooled fuel-injected V-Twin Engine
Six-speed transmission
ride-by-wire throttle, frame-mounted fairing, hard saddlebags and trunk
1600 series
Vulcan 1600 Classic
1,552cc / 95 cu. in. SOHC liquid-cooled four valves per cylinder V-Twin Engine
Five-speed transmission
Vulcan 1600 Nomad
1,552cc/95 cu. in. liquid-cooled 50° V-twin
Digital Fuel Injection with dual 36mm throttle bodies
Four valves per cylinder
Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak
1,552cc/95 cu. in. liquid-cooled 50° V-twin
Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters
1500 series
Vulcan 1500 Classic
1470cc/90 cu. in. liquid-cooled SOHC 50° V-twin engine with a single-pin crankshaft
27.6-inch seat height, wide handlebar, forward-mounted floorboards
Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak
1470cc/ 90 cu. in. liquid-cooled SOHC 50° V-twin engine with a single-pin crankshaft
900 series
Vulcan 900 Classic
903cc V-twin SOHC engine
Belt drive
Vulcan 900 Classic LT
903cc V-twin SOHC engine
Four-valve Cylinder Head
Vulcan 900 Custom
903cc V-twin SOHC engine
180mm rear tire, and a thin 21-inch cast front wheel
Tank-Mounted Speedometer with Turn Signal Indicators and Caution Lamps
Vulcan 750
This was the first model Vulcan produced by Kawasaki back in 1985. In the United States, it was introduced as a 699cc bike to beat the tariff on all Japanese bikes over 750cc. In 1986, Kawasaki started to produce the VN750 in Lincoln, Nebraska to beat the tariff by having a 750cc bike that was made in the USA. The Vulcan VN750 was on the streets.
The VN750's looks have changed little since it was introduced over 20 years ago. The colors have changed with the times and a few improvements have taken place, but to look at the 2006 version and the 1985, the form and style have remained the same.
Unfortunately, in 2006 Kawasaki made the decision to discontinue this popular model. The Vulcan 750 had a production run starting in 1985 (VN700 in the States and a VN750 everywhere else). The VN750 had a 22 year run with the bike being virtually unchanged.
Specs:
Engine: Four-stroke, DOHC, 8-valve V-Twin
Displacement: 749cc
Starting: Electric
Bore x stroke: 84.9 x 66.2mm
Compression ratio: 10.3:1
Cooling: Liquid
Carburetion: Keihin CVK34 x 2
Ignition: Electronic
Transmission: Five-speed
Final drive: Shaft
Frame: Double cradle, high-tensile steel
Rake / trail: 32 degrees / 5.0 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: Hydraulic telescopic fork / 5.9 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: Air-assisted dual shocks with 4-way rebound damping / 3.5 in.
Front tire: 100/90x19 tubeless
Rear tire: 150/90x15 tubeless
Front brakes / rear brake: Dual discs / Drum
Overall length: 90.4 in.
Overall width: 33.5 in.
Overall height: 48.2 in.
Ground clearance: 5.9 in.
Seat height: 28.9 in.
Dry weight: 483 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 3.6 gal.
Wheelbase: 62.2 in.
Vulcan 500 LTD
Twin-cylinder 498cc engine with a compact parallel-twin design
Liquid-Cooling
Vulcan 400 Classic & Custom 1996-2007
Eliminator 125
Air-Cooled, 124cc, Single-Cylinder engine
Single Overhead Cam
Single Disc Front Brake back to top