The Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic was a motorcycle produced between 1995 and 1998. It had a four-stroke, 50-degree V-twin engine with a capacity of 1470 cc and a compression ratio of 8.8:1. The bike featured liquid cooling and 2x Keihin CV 40mm carburetors. Its maximum power output was 64 hp at 4700 rpm and it had a maximum torque of 112 Nm at 3000 rpm.
The transmission was a four-speed with a final drive shaft. The frame was high-tensile steel with a double cradle, and the bike had a 41mm cartridge fork front suspension and dual air-assisted shock absorbers with four-way rebound damping adjustment in the rear. The front brakes included two 320mm discs with six-piston calipers, while the rear brake was a single 270mm disc with a two-piston caliper.
The wheelbase was 1605 mm, and the bike had a seat height of 705-720 mm. It weighed 292 kg dry and 313.0 kg wet, and had a fuel capacity of 16 litres. Its braking distance from 60-0 mph was 14.7 metres, and from 100-0 mph it was 41.5 metres. The Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic could do a standing quarter-mile in 15.0 seconds with a top speed of 169.7 km/h.
Technical specifications:
Make Model: Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Classic
| Year | 1995 – 98 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Four stroke, 50 degrees V-Twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Capacity | 1470 cc / 89.7 cu-in |
| Bore x Stroke | 102 x 90 mm |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Compression Ratio | 8.8:1 |
| Induction | 2x Keihin CV 40mm carburetor |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Starting | Electric |
| Max Power | 64 hp / 46.7 kW @ 4700 rpm |
| Max Torque | 112 Nm / 82.6 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Transmission | 4 Speed |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| Frame | High-tensile steel, double cradle |
| Front Suspension | 41mm cartridge fork |
| Front Wheel Travel | 150 mm / 5.9 in |
| Rear Suspension | Dual air assisted shock absorbers with 4-way rebound damping adjustment |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 100 mm / 3.9 in |
| Front Brakes | 2x 320mm discs 6 piston calipers |
| Rear Brakes | Single 270mm disc 2 piston caliper |
| Front Tyre | 130/90-16 |
| Rear Tyre | 150/80-16 |
| Rake | 32.0 degrees |
| Trail | 177 mm / 6.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 1605 mm / 63.2 in |
| Seat Height | 705 mm / 27.8 in / 720 mm /. 28.3 in |
| Dry Weight | 292 kg / 643.7 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 313.0 kg / 690.0 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 16 Litres / 4.2 US gal |
| Braking 60 – 0 / 100 – 0 | 14.7 m / 41.5 m |
| Standing 1/4 Mile | 15.0 sec / 139.3 km/h |
| Top Speed | 169.7 km/h / 105.4 mph |
