Photo: original photo by autoevolution
The small-to-middleweight cruiser segment has just become more interesting for new riders and those who are not fully-confident in their skills, alike. Choosing a first bike or stepping up from the entry-point quarter-liter machines has just become harder now that Kawasaki introduced their all-new Vulcan S.
The Vulcan S is a low cruiser which carries on from the point the old Vulcan 500 left off. The bike sort of fills in the empty slot the EN500 left when production ceased, but the whole package is completely new, and so are the technologies the house of Akashi used. If you’re in for a fun, small cruiser, the Vulcan S is by far one of the nicest arrivals this year, and in our books, neater than Harley’s Street 500.
Still, with a manual 6-speed transmission, fuel injection and all the other top-notch engineering tinkering around the power plant, the 2015 Vulcan S is a real modern machine which could indeed be one of those pioneering a most welcome “revolution” in the cruiser class. If you don’t find the Vulcan S offensive from a cruiser styling point of view, then you might be part of this revolution.
But as soon as we came in contact with the Vulcan S, we can tell you a 1.86 m (6.1 ft) person can find a decent riding position on the cruiser.
Kawasaki also launched the Ergo-Fit concept introducing adjustable brake and clutch levers, but this is not making enough changes to the bike’s ergonomics. We’re on our way to ask a Kawasaki official about potential future plans for bigger bikes with the same attitude. If it works for the Vulcan S, it shouldn’t be too hard to adapt these ideas to other modern, bigger cruisers, you can make up your own mind about this by checking out the 35 photos below.
Add in optional ABS, an A2-compliant restrictor, a sporty underbelly exhaust, aggressive, modern lines and a wide pallet of sizzling hot color options with matte black accents and you might be looking at a really good seller. With $6,999 and $7,399 price tags for the non-ABS and ABS-equipped versions, respectively, the Vulcan S will be available to EU riders for €6,890.
ER-6 heritage. And engine
The 2015 Vulcan S is powered by a revised version of the ER-6/ Ninja 650 machine. Its sporty nature was re-tuned for a lower peak power and torque bar. Vulcan S’ mill will provide you with 61 hp at 7,500 rpm and 63 Nm (46 lb-ft) of torque at 6,600 revs. Definitely not the low-end rumble you’d expect from a cruiser at these rpm values, but a pleasant tone, for sure.Still, with a manual 6-speed transmission, fuel injection and all the other top-notch engineering tinkering around the power plant, the 2015 Vulcan S is a real modern machine which could indeed be one of those pioneering a most welcome “revolution” in the cruiser class. If you don’t find the Vulcan S offensive from a cruiser styling point of view, then you might be part of this revolution.
Bigger than in the pictures
Before arriving at EICMA this year, we thought there is a downside to the Vulcan S: tall riders will have a hard time finding a truly comfy position on this bike. The Vulcan S is a small bike, for smaller and average riders. The pegs are adjustable but they can only offer room within the confinements of the actual build.But as soon as we came in contact with the Vulcan S, we can tell you a 1.86 m (6.1 ft) person can find a decent riding position on the cruiser.
Kawasaki also launched the Ergo-Fit concept introducing adjustable brake and clutch levers, but this is not making enough changes to the bike’s ergonomics. We’re on our way to ask a Kawasaki official about potential future plans for bigger bikes with the same attitude. If it works for the Vulcan S, it shouldn’t be too hard to adapt these ideas to other modern, bigger cruisers, you can make up your own mind about this by checking out the 35 photos below.
Add in optional ABS, an A2-compliant restrictor, a sporty underbelly exhaust, aggressive, modern lines and a wide pallet of sizzling hot color options with matte black accents and you might be looking at a really good seller. With $6,999 and $7,399 price tags for the non-ABS and ABS-equipped versions, respectively, the Vulcan S will be available to EU riders for €6,890.
Google News