Kawasaki Vulcan?qsrc=3044

Vulcan

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Production	1984–
Class	Cruiser
Engine	125–2,053 cc V-twin

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.

Models

The 2009 range of Vulcan motorcycles are:

• 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

• 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^[1]

• 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

Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1600 (2006)

• 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^[2]

• 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^[3]

• Vulcan 1600 Classic
  • 1,552cc / 95 cu. in. SOHC liquid-cooled four valves per cylinder V-Twin Engine
  • Five-speed transmission^[4]

• 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^[5]

• Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak
  • 1,552cc/95 cu. in. liquid-cooled 50° V-twin
  • Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters^[6]

• 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

• Vulcan 900 Classic
  • 903cc V-twin SOHC engine
  • Belt drive^[7]

• Vulcan 900 Classic LT
  • 903cc V-twin SOHC engine
  • Four-valve Cylinder Head^[8]

• 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^[9]

• 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

See also

• Kawasaki motorcycles

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.

In 2005, Kawasaki discontinued the Vulcan 1500 Drifter a classic motorcycle cruiser with the lines of 1940s.

References