Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Specifications Vulcan 15 0 0 Classic Engine A ·stroke. V·twin. SOHC, B·valve Displac e me nt 1470cc Bore x stroke , 102 .0 x 90 .0mm Compression ratio B.6: 1 C ooling system Liqui · -cooled Carbureti o n Keihin CVK 40mm (1) Ignition , . . .Dtqltal , Trans mi s sion , .4-speed w/Positive Neutral Finder Final drive .Shaft Frame , . .High·tensile steel, doubie cradle Rake / trail ' 32 degrees /123mm S uspension type Front .41rnm, hydraulic telescopic fork Rea r ' .Dual shocks w/5-way preloa d Whe el travel Front 5.9 in. Rear .' 3.4 in. Tire Fr ont 130/90 x 16 in. Rea r , 150/BO x 16 Brake Fro nt , . . ,Hydraulic disc Rear Hydraulic disc Sea t height 27.6 ill. Wheelbase ' 65.4 In. Dry weight (claimed) 644 pounds Fuel capacity .4.2 gal. Colors . . ' Sunbeam redl Ebony, PearlAlpine white/P earl Chateau gray 800 Classic 4·stroke, V·twin, SOHC: Bvalve 80 5cc 88.0 x 66.2mm 9 .5:1 Liquid-cooled Keihin CVK 36m m (1) Dig itai 5-speed w/Positive Neutral Finder Chain High-tensile steel. double cradle 34 de9rees/142mm 41rnrn, hydraulic telescopic fork Single shoc k wl7-way preload 5.9 in. 3.9 in. 130/90 x 16 in. 140/90 x 16 Hydraulic disc D rum 27.6 in. 63 in. 514 pounds 4.0 gal. Sunbeam red/ Pearl Alpine white, Blue-qreen/Galaxy silver P rices are as fo llows: 'Vulcan Vulcan Vulcan Vulcan Vulcan Vulca n Vulcan Vulcan 1500 Classic ., 800 Cla ssic 150 0 .. " , 1500l 800 ' " 750 500 , 500 lTD $10.499 $ 7999 $8 599 $ 8699 $7099 $64 99 $4899 .$5 199 went to a four-valve-per-cylinder concept and increased the intake- and exhaustefficiency ratios, while going to a fairly low 8.6:1 compression ratio. A Pentrooftype combustion chamber was adopted to achieve maximum combustion efficiency, and one CVK40 Keihin carburetor handles both cylinders. Kawasaki claims that the 1500 Classic produces more than 90 foot-pounds of torque at 3000 rpm. As for those numbers, we have to take Kawasaki's word for it, bu t we do know that after riding the 1500 Classic for the first time that the bike does, in fact, produce healthy torque, and accelerates nicely. In o rd er to ach ieve t he "eas y and relaxed riding" that Kawasaki engineers promised, and to enhance that big-bike torquey feel, the 1500 Vulcan Classic is equip ped with an extra-large flywheel and a four-speed, extra-wide-gear-ratio transmission. Second , third and fourth gears are taller for less revs at highway speeds. Plus, counterbalancers and spe- feel "cool" yet still feel in con trol. The ride r's feet rest on large floorb oards that easily kiss the pavement while leaned over in the turns. Despite offering only 3.4 inches of rear wheel travel, the big Classic rides quite well and can even plow thr ou gh nasty potholes without blowing you out of the seat. The front and rear dis c br akes are powerful and are quite capable of hauling in the 700-plus-pound motorcycle from high speeds . The bike also resists rear whee l chi rping when downshifting through the gears. Low-speed handling is e xtreme ly good. The big Classic doesn't have the tendency to wobble as yo u approach stalling spee ds, and you can usually balance for 'a few seconds before havi ng to put a foot down. The sma ller 800 Classic feels, overall, very similar to the 1500, bu t, of course, does n' t have the torque or the acceleration of its bigger broth er. It also doesn 't h a ve tha t m eaty so u nd but is cl ose As far as comfort, the low and wide 1500 Classic is quit e tolerable, even with its slightly leaned-back riding position, which is fine fo r short jaunt s around town but not so ideal for serious tou ring. Your lower back and forearms will eventually feel the st rain of counterac ting oncoming win d th at pounds the rider' s chest and stomach at highway speeds. Nevertheless, the 1500 Classic is one of the most comfortable cruisers we've ever ridden. The seat is wide and low, making it easy to plant both your feet solidly on the ground at intersections, and the handlebars are spaced just wide enough to enou gh . Still, the 800' s w at er-cooled, 805cc, SOHC, eight-valv e, single-carb _ engine produces good power and enough torque to keep even the hard-core cruiser happy. However, the 800 is more nimble and agile through the corners than the 1500 and , like the 1500, it doesn't take much effort to scrape the footpegs. . Kawasaki offers custom-fit accessories for both the new Classics, inclu d ing wi ndscreens, leather saddle bags, backrests, leather tool rolls that mount to the backrests, engine guards, rear racks and driving light bars. . l~ (Right) last year, Kawasaki introduced the Vuic an 800 and now th ere 's the Vulcan 800 Class ic, wh ich is styled just like the new 1500 Class ic. Unlike the 1500, the 800 Classic has the hard-tai l loo k and cha in dr ive . Kawa sak i s t il i offer s th e or ig i nal Vulc an 1500 L (sho wn below) and the Vulcan 1500 LTD, as well as.•• ...the Vulc an 750.•. fie, the kind of traffic you normall y try to avoid, but on the 1500 Classic it can be quite fun. From stoplight to stoplight, you can hardly resist the temptation to grab a qu ick handful of throttl e at slow speeds and in a high er-than-practical gear, so you can feel the torque. And waiting at the stop -ligh ts it' s nearly impossible to rebuff the u rge to blip the throttle now and then. The bike will turn heads. Even on the highway the 1500 Classic is quit e comfortable, as the motor happily throbs along at 60 mph while tu rn ing over a low 2500 rpm. Power and torque aren ' t the only things that tempt you to open 'er up - so does the way it so u nds. The twin chromed pipes produce a low, HarleyDavidson-like note, and Kawasaki engineers have managed to keep engine noise down to a minim um so as not to interfere with the Classic's deep exhaust resonance. Cha nging gears is sweet and simple on the Classic, though the heal shifter was a little awkward to operate, cia l e ngi ne m oun ts are used to squelch vibration. We ca n tell you no w that Kawasaki lived up to its promise when it comes to easy and relaxed riding. The co m bination of th e Classic 's heavy flyw heel, .wider gear ratios and the engine's massive displacement, makes the big Vulcan a joy to ride. We spent quite a bit of time cruising th e city streets of Sa n Diego in stop-and-go traf- •.•the Vulcan 800... ...and th e affordable Vulcan 500 and 500 LTD (shown). 15

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