Four stroke, 50° 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
60.9 hp / 44.5 kW @ 4300 rpm
Max Torque
117.6 Nm / 12 kg-m @ 3300 rpm
Transmission
4 Speed
Final Drive
Shaft
Front Suspension
Centre axle forks with 41mm tubes, 150mm
wheel travel
Rear Suspension
Dual shock absorbers adjustable for spring
preload, 100mm wheel travel.
Front Brakes
Single disc 1 piston caliper
Rear Brakes
Single disc 1 piston caliper
Front Tyre
100/90-19
Rear Tyre
150/90-15
Trail
177mm / 6.9
in
Wheelbase
1665mm /
65.5 in
Seat Height
750 mm / 29.5 in
Dry-Weight
252 kg / 555.5 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16 Litres / 4.2 US gal
Standing
¼ Mile
13.5 sec / 155.4 km/h
Top Speed
177.9 km/h / 110 mph
Kawasaki's take on the massive cruiser concept has a long
history - the first VN1500 appeared in 1988, and has remained basically the
same since. The massive V-twin engine at the heart of the VN is a rather
high-tech design. Liquid-cooled, it has four valves per cylinder, and a
single overhead camshaft per cylinder, while the latest model, since 2001,
has been equipped with fuel-injection. But for all its technology, the
engine feels rather asthmatic, producing only 48kW (65bhp), although it is
very torquey at low revs. The chassis is a typical cruiser design - a low
seat and pull-back handlebars give a cruising riding position. The chrome
air-filter housing, dual exhausts and valanced mudguards make the VN look
like an authentic US cruiser.