Kawasaki Vulcan S

Kawasaki breaks away from the traditional cruiser bike layout in the best way possible. It embodies the power cruiser aesthetic very well. The chassis follows the same age-old Vulcan chassis design with its low tapered seat and narrow dimensions. The bike, however, at 2310 mm long, 880 mm wide and 1100 high, is generously proportioned. The inverted triangle shaped headlight gives it a distinct look. The side view is dominated by the large and shapely teardrop tank which is actually quite slim in person. The bike’s elegant exposed frame, tight-fit rear fender, under engine silencer, offset rear single shock suspension, chunky cast wheels and matte finish give it a modern look. Speaking of matte finish, the Vulcan comes in just the one color option – Purple – which is a shame considering the green and black options in other markets. Those wheels are 18” in the front and 17” in the rear with 120/70 front and 160/60 rear tires. The modern niceties extend to the single pod stacked instrument pod that combines an analog-style tachometer with a blue multi-function LCD screen that shows displays for fuel gauge, digital speedometer, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, remaining range, average/instant fuel consumption, and the Economical Riding Indicator. And if these weren’t enough then Kawasaki offers a whole range of optional accessories that cater to all kinds of riding needs. These include windshields, gear position indicator, DC socket luggage racks, saddlebags, passenger seat, foot pegs, and backrest. Then there is the Ergo Fit package that will tailor the bike to fit its rider perfectly.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S uses a high tensile steel perimeter frame. 31 degrees of rake upfront give it handling you would not associate with a cruiser. The nimble handling makes it a weapon on city streets as well as on winding mountain roads. The low overall weight of the bike combined with the long 1575 mm wheelbase lends to a confident and stable ride. The suspension uses non-adjustable 41 mm front forks and an adjustable for preload, single shock in the rear. The suspension works very well in absorbing the bumps on the road and providing a plush ride. It works equally well on twisties and makes tipping the bike in corners effortless. But the low set foot pegs come in the way and start scraping too early. This may also be due to the low ground clearance of the bike at 130 mm. The tires themselves provide good grip. The most important aspect of the bike, however, is the seat itself. The low seat height of 705 mm explains the popularity of this bike among shorter (read Asian) riders and female riders. Combined with the adjustable footrest and thick seat padding, it allows a stable planted feel. Rubber mounted seat frame, handlebars, and footpegs ensure a vibration free comfortable ride. Even the rider’s tailbone gets ample cushioning. There is the small issue of the way that the handlebars come towards the rider making it a little awkward to accelerate. But Kawasaki’s Ergo Fit package ensures that every bike fits the dimensions of its rider perfectly.

The liquid-cooled and fuel-injected, 8-valve, DOHC, 649cc parallel twin produces 60 hp at 7500 rpm and 63 Nm of torque at 6600 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission and tuned to be very rider friendly. As a cruiser, you get great bottom-end and mid-range torque. Acceleration is smooth and satisfying and provides enough grunt for overtaking. The 225 kg mass of the bike poses no issues either. The tractable nature of the engine is slightly held back by the not so stellar fueling. But overall, the engine remains beginner friendly. The engine also succeeds in being fairly fuel efficient at around 22 kmpl average fuel economy figures and a capacity of 14L. The biggest complaint by far, however, is the exhaust note from the silencer that fails to do proper justice to the cruiser image of the bike at all.  

A large 300 mm front disc clamped by a two-piston caliper up front and a 250 mm disc at the rear gripped by single-piston caliper provide ample stopping power.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S is a beginner friendly and approachable bike. It packs a tractable engine, nimble handling and comfortable ride in a non-traditional cruiser like package. It misses out on electronics but that allows it to keep its price low and affordable. For anyone not swayed by fancy logos or retro aesthetics, this is not just a great cruiser, but also a great everyday bike.