Kawasaki took the warps of it’s middleweight cruiser, dubbed the Vulcan S. The bike borrows its liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve, 649cc parallel-twin heart from the from the Versys 650 and ER6 range, but has been re-tuned for better low-end and mid-range grunt, adhering to its cruising credentials. The bike now makes 61hp of power and 46lbft of torque, lugging around a kerb weight of 225kg, or 228kg with ABS.
Kawasaki wants the Vulcan S to appeal to all kinds of riders, including the ladies so the slim chassis aids easier ground reach, while the sculpted seat offers better hip support. The Vulcan S also comes with an adjustable ride height of 27.8-inch along with 3-way adjustable foot pegs and adjustable brake and clutch levers. Even the handlebar can be adjusted for reach and can be moved an inch closer if desired.
Stopping duties are taken care of by a 300mm front disc, controlled by a two-piston caliper, while the rear wheel gets a 250mm disc along with a single piston caliper. ABS is optional. Suspension consists of an offset laydown single-shock at the rear with a linkage arrangement enabling a longer stroke for increased ride comfort. The rear suspension also sports adjustable preload, with 7 positions to suit rider size and payload, while the front uses a conventional, telescopic setup.
The Vulcan S will be offered in a choice of 3 colour options including Candy Lime Green, Pearl Crystal White or Flat Ebony along with a range of touring accessories which includes luggage racks, saddlebags, windscreens, passenger seats, a DC power outlet, gear position indicator, LED light bar and helmet lock and much more.
Styling screams contemporary cruiser, with elements like the teardrop-shaped, 3.7-gallon fuel tank, inverted triangular headlight and black mirrors to match the black frame and the distinctive large-volume exhaust muffler. At the back, the LED rear light is incorporated into the rear fender, which is supported by the separate rear sub-frame. The bikes ride on five-spoke design with twin spokes, measuring 18” at thefront, and a 17” rear.
The instrumentation consists of a compact analog tachometer with a multifunction dual-window. The digital display features speed, fuel level, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, range, average and instant fuel economy as well as an Economical Riding Indicator to show when the rider is optimizing fuel economy.
The 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S had already debuted in the US, while an European unveiling is due with an unveiling at November’s EICMA show in Milan.
will honda launch any bike in crusier category in near future ?