Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic

Overview

First launched in 1984, the Kawasaki Vulcan name has since been a nuisance to established cruiser makers like Harley Davidson. Combining Japanese reliability with V-Twin performance and classic design, it is still getting up the noses of Harleys and now Indians. Kawasaki does not sell the full-bore Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 here in Malaysia just yet. But the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 and the Vulcan 900 Custom are doing just fine. Selling for a very competitive RM 59300, this midsize cruiser has no competition from Harley Davidson in the same engine class. But the competition has now expanded to include the new favourite and much cheaper Yamaha XV950R and smaller capacity cruisers from Harley Davidson like the Street 750 and the Street Rod. How does the Vulcan compare in today’s world? Let’s find out.

Design

Presence matters a lot in this segment and the Kawasaki Vulcan has a lot of it. The design and the stance of the Vulcan put in the boulevard cruiser category. The bike has a low seat at just 680 mm. The bike also carries a low ground clearance of 135 mm. The dimensions of the bike with a long length of 2485 mm, sizable width of 1005 mm, and low height of 1065 mm give it that low slung look. It also shows some inherent Americanness with many classic design elements.

The bigger Vulcan VN2000 also serves as an obvious inspiration. There is a faux rigid frame with a truss-style triangulated swingarm holding the fat rear wheel. The beautifully contoured wide fuel tank tapers down making a deep pocket for the curvaceous seat that carries the lines started from the top of the tank. The seat then tapers again as it climbs the fat rear fender that shows off the glorious 180/70 type on the 15-inch spoked wheel. The front gets a similarly sized wheel with a 130/90 tyre. Fat telescopic forks make space for the wheel with a 32 degree cater angle.

On top is a huge circular headlight with bullet style indicators and wide handlebars flanking it. The large speedometer is mounted on top of the fuel tank that also incorporates a multi-function LCD display and a fuel gauge – something missing from many bikes in this category. The large V-Twin also adds to the presence with long and low dual exhausts coming out of it. Then there are all the small touches like the rear light, the chrome tank emblem and even the rear-view mirrors.

At the time of writing, the bike was available in a dark grey color scheme that came with a chrome plated exhaust and a blacked-out engine, adding some menace to the presence. This also helps things like the radiator grill to blend into the design. Kawasaki also provides many accessories along with luggage carrying options to customize the bike according to your liking.  

Ride & Handling

With a high tensile tubular steel double cradle double downtube frame mounted on 41 mm telescopic front forks and Uni-Trak suspension at the rear, the bike provides a plush ride. The soft suspension provides a lot of travel. The seat is as comfy as it looks. The bike is heavy at 254 kg. But the 118 mm trail keep the bike manageable. The low seat means that you can easily place your feet on the ground for added leverage. Wide handlebars along with rider floorboards and heel toe shifter give it a relaxed riding position. The fat rubber means that the bike remains stable at all speeds.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

The V-Twin engine of the bike is a very important element of the design and the overall ethos of the mid-size cruiser. The Vulcan 900 sports a liquid-cooled 903 cc SOHC 55-degree V-Twin with 4 valves per cylinder, an oversquare layout, and short stroke. It uses 34 mm throttle bodies with sub-throttles and even electronic ignition. The engine uses a 5-speed gearbox with a positive neutral finder. The engine produces a healthy 50 hp at 5700 rpm and 78 Nm of torque at 3700 rpm.

While not exactly a road burner, it does provide a lot of low down torque for easy passing, nice noise from the exhausts, no vibrations thanks to a gear driven balancer, and single pin crankshaft and strong and reliable performance. Perfect for cruising at highway speeds or down the boulevard at a low rumble. This performance also makes it a very good beginner’s bike. With a massive 20 L fuel tank and a decent fuel economy, you can even ride it all day without ever needing refuelling.  

Braking & Safety

Unlike many other bikes in the segment, the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 uses a disc brake on both ends. The front gets a larger 300 mm disc with a double piston calliper, while the rear gets a 270 mm disc with a double piston calliper.

Verdict

For its price, the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic will buy you a lot of bikes. This is not a Harley but in many crucial ways, it is much better than one. Definitely worth a shot for anyone looking for a mid-size cruiser.