Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/476137
2015 KAWASAKI VULCAN S RIDING IMPRESSION P66 throbbing at all from its dual-wall exhaust, which runs underneath the bike. (The dual walls are there for no other reason than to make headers look bigger, thus better.) Instead of shaking and rumbling, the Vulcan S purrs while delivering a seamless rush of power from midrange on up. Thanks to its Versy's connection, the Vulcan's motor doesn't mind being revved up to its 9,900 rpm rev limit. When you do, you're rewarded with decent power for passing cars, and there is very little buzzing felt in the handlebars or footpegs. Overall, the motor is quite smooth and lively, you'll like it. The motor rests in a Diamond tubular frame, supported by a single KYB shock and 41mm conventional, non-inverted, fork. It has just 3.2 inches of wheel travel in the back and 5.1 inches up front, and only the shock offers any kind of adjustment, but it's just preload. The Vulcan's ride, as I found out, is fairly stiff out of the crate. Kawasaki set the shock's preload at the second- from-lightest position (out of seven) for my 175 pounds and I still found that to be a little on the harsh side. Damping could be a little better, too. Often times, I got blown out of the seat after hit- ting medium-sized bumps at speed, which made me feel a little uneasy at times. Still, the Vulcan's ride is overall quite good, especially at slower speeds. Even with its 31 degrees of rake, its expansive 4.7 inches of trail, the ride is pretty stable with neutral steering. I found the light-feeling Vulcan S to be quite nimble and agile through the twisties, while still providing a decent amount of footpeg- to-tarmac clearance. The Vulcan S weighs in at a respectable 498.3 (curb) pounds, according to the Kawasaki spec sheet. You have the choice between ABS or no ABS with the Vulcan S. For only $400 more, get the ABS. It works well, you hardly notice its there and with the added confidence it gives you, it's well worth the extra 400 bills. Braking power from the 300mm rotor and twin- piston Nissin front brake is superb—super strong yet not grabby. Beginners will quickly learn to ap- preciate the Vulcan's front brake, not fear it. The 250mm single disc/single piston rear brake also has good feel and stopping prowess. The Vulcan rolls on cast five-spoke wheels, 18- inch in the front and 17 inch in the rear. The Vulcan's instrumentation includes a com- pact analog tachometer with a digital display that features all the usual—speed, fuel level, clock, odometer and dual trip meters, as well as fuel range, average and instant fuel economy. The Economical Riding Indicator glows when you're optimizing fuel economy. Fuel capacity is a rather generous 3.7 gallons. Kawasaki offers the Vulcan S in three color The Vulcan S is an easy and comfortable motorcycle to ride, a perfect mount for lengthy, casual and stress-free jaunts.