Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Classic

It's called classic for a reason: it draws on styling cues from days when everybody who was anybody had a muscle car, 8-tracks pumped out the tunes and a low-slung motorcycle turned heads. The Vulcan® 900 Classic is definitely the bike to get noticed on, with its spoke wheels, low-slung seat and chrome dual slash-cut mufflers.

And for those looking for an even more distinctive look, the Vulcan 900 Classic Special Edition exudes badass with a new for 2012 blackout treatment on the forks, fender struts, air cover, engine covers and cases and cylinders and valve covers. A beautiful Pearl Meteor Gray / Polar White paint job is enhanced by a checkered flag pinstripe. Completing the Special Edition look are chrome pipes and whitewall tires, for the ultimate in retro flair.

It’s powered by a 903cc engine, just like its 900 Vulcan brethren. This powerplant offers excellent performance and smooth roll-on acceleration. Rider floorboards complete with a heel and toe shifter enhance rider comfort. The tank-mounted instrumentation includes a handy fuel gauge and an easy-to-read analog speedometer. And its 5.3-gallon fuel tank is the largest in its class.

The visual treats continue with curved cooling fins on the big, classic-looking V-twin, which bristles with modern touches inside including four-valve-per-cylinder performance and liquid-cooled reliability. An engine counterbalancer works with the single-pin crankshaft to produce that distinctive guttural V-twin sound and feel, but without the annoying V-twin vibration.

Rugged and reliable belt final drive on the Vulcan 900 keeps the overall weight down, improves rear-end styling and provides the rider with additional customizing opportunities. Not to mention the largest rear tire in its class also contributes to the Vulcan 900’s big bike feel.

The Vulcan 900’s low seat height and tapered seat do not discriminate against shorter riders. Comfortable enough for any distance, the front bucket seat flows nicely into the largest capacity fuel tank in its class, and the lower chassis rails provide a narrow shape for an abbreviated reach to the pavement – ideal for shorter riders. Meanwhile, the rear pillion pad makes it painless to share the two-wheeled experience. Wide handlebars, seat and floorboard layout offers an ideal ergonomic relationship, making for a relaxing mount.

Some of the other features that make the Vulcan 900 appealing to such a wide audience are a fork offset and rake designed for light, effortless maneuvering at low, in-town speeds. The 900 Classic is equipped with an auto-fast idle system that uses an rpm feedback relay to help ensure a fixed engine speed in all starting conditions. Its easy-to-control fuel injection makes ultra-low-speed riding surprisingly easy, and the abundant low-rpm torque provides thrilling roll-on acceleration. At home, around town or on the open road, this motorcycle is built for hour upon hour of riding pleasure.

Big-Bike Appeal

The Vulcan 900 Classic takes its styling cues from its big brother, the Vulcan 2000 Classic. With long, low lines, seductively shaped bodywork, a low seat height and super-fat rear tyre, the Vulcan 900 has the presence of a much larger capacity cruiser combined with the rider-friendly handling traits you’d expect from a middleweight motorcycle.

Just one glance and you’ll appreciate the high build quality and craftsmanship for which Kawasaki cruisers are famous. This truly is middleweight cruising at its finest.

 Features

• 903cc liquid-cooled V-twin offers an optimal balance of performance and maneuverability
• Digital fuel injection for precise throttle response and improved fuel economy
• Rider floorboards with heel and toe shifter enhance rider comfort
• 5.3-gallon fuel tank is largest in class
• Stylish tank-mounted instrumentation includes fuel gauge
• Fat 180-series rear tire is largest in class
• Efficient and stylish belt drive runs cleaner and requires less maintenance than a chain

903cc V-twin SOHC Engine

• Tuned to deliver a healthy dose of torque at low rpm
• Smooth and reliable
• Gear-driven balancer allows use of single pin crankshaft without excessive vibration

Four-valve Cylinder Head

• Provides maximum valve area for optimum flow, resulting in more power and more low-end torque
• Single overhead cam design is simple, lightweight and practical
• Extremely efficient intake tracts feature ports that narrow near the combustion chamber to increase intake flow speed for more efficient filling and increased torque
• Long intake tracts for great low-end response

Liquid and Air Cooling

• Exceptional thermal control with finned cylinders and cylinder head, combined with liquid cooling
• Maintains consistent engine temperatures for long engine life and sustained power
• Automatic fan keeps things cool even in traffic
• Includes temperature warning light

Dual Slash-cut Mufflers

• Big slash-cut mufflers look great and contain honeycomb catalyzers to reduce emissions

Positive Neutral Finder

• Just lift the shift pedal from first gear at a stop to easily find neutral, every time

Electronic Fuel Injection

• Dual throttle bodies with sub-throttles provide optimum performance and rideability
• The sub-throttles, located behind the main throttle valve, are controlled by the ECU so that the DFI® system retains more precise throttle response, similar to a constant velocity carburetor
• Fine-atomizing injectors produce a fine fuel mist for better acceleration, combustion and fuel consumption

Kevlar-Reinforced Belt Drive

• Lower unsprung weight than shaft drive to improve ride quality and suspension action
• More efficient so more power reaches the rear wheel compared to shaft drive
• Cleaner and lower maintenance than chain drive

Double Cradle Frame

• Very rigid large-diameter box section backbone allows a larger fuel tank, and helps contribute to high stability and lightweight handling at low speeds
• Triangular swingarm looks like a hardtail design, but acts on a single shock hidden beneath the seat
• Long and low for minimal seat height and maximum visual impact
• Fork offset and frame geometry combine for light, low-effort handling at ultra-low speeds
• Long wheelbase contributes to highway stability

Low Stepped Seat

• Ultra-low 26.8-inch seat height allows riders to easily plant both feet on the ground at stops
• Laid-back riding comfort for two

Tank-mounted Speedometer with Turn Signal Indicators and Caution Lamps

• Gives you the information you need at a glance
• Compact design complements the bike’s clean look
• 5.3-gallon fuel tank is largest in its class

41mm Front Fork

• Excellent rigidity and 5.9-inches of travel – the most in its class
• 32-degree rake angle for excellent straight line stability
• Wide fork pitch for classic look

Front and Rear Disc Brakes

• A 300mm front and 270mm rear disc have twin-piston calipers for some of the best stopping power in the class

Custom Spoke Wheels

• Chromed steel rims and spokes
• “Spool-style” polished aluminum front hub

Wide Rear Tire

• 180mm rear tire provides added stability while projecting a powerful image
• Wider tire than that found on most large-displacement cruisers
• Widest rear tire in its class

Special Edition

• New for 2012 Special Edition has blackout treatment on forks, rear fender struts, engine covers and cases, and cylinders and valve covers.
• New for 2012, a checkered flag pinstripe detail adds to the factory custom look