Kawasaki VN1500 (Vulcan 88, VN-15)
The cruiser Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B first appeared in 1987 and was sold under the names Kawasaki Vulcan 88 (US market) and Kawasaki VN-15 (European market). The model is the predecessor of Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic.
The motorcycle was based on a 2-cylinder V-shaped liquid-cooled engine with a volume of 1470 cc. see, delivering up to 72 hp. power and almost 124 Nm of torque. These figures differ depending on the country of sale (the exact power and torque figures for a particular country can be found in the service manual). The block heads have one camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder and hydraulic clearance compensators.
Other features of the Kawasaki Vulcan 88 / VN-15 include a steel tubular frame, simple suspension in the form of a conventional telescopic fork and double shock absorber, a 4-speed gearbox, disc brakes and a cardan drive.
In 1996, Kawasaki released the updated Vulcan 1500, marketed under the name Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic, but the old version is still in production through 1999.
The main modifications of the Kawasaki Vulcan 88 / VN-15:
- Kawasaki Vulcan 88 (VN-15) - regular version. Has alloy wheels and a 16 liter fuel tank.
- Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE (VN-15 SE) - version with spoke wheels. Has a 12 liter fuel tank.
- Kawasaki Vulcan 1500L - replaced the VN-15 in the European market. Similar to the plain VN-15 version, but with spoked wheels and straight low drag bar.
The main competitors of the Kawasaki Vulcan 88 / VN-15 in the class:
Photos
Specifications
Specifications Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15):
| Model | Kawasaki Vulcan 88 / VN-15 |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle type | cruiser |
| Release year | 1987-1999 |
| Frame | steel tubular |
| Engine type | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V-shaped |
| Working volume | 1470 cc cm. |
| Bore / Stroke | 102.0 x 90.0 mm |
| Compression ratio | 9.0: 1 |
| Cooling | liquid |
| Number of valves per cylinder | SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder (with hydraulic clearance compensators) |
| Fuel supply system | Carburetor, 2x Keihin CVK36 |
| Ignition type | transistor |
| Maximum power | 72.0 h.p. (53 kW) at 4500 rpm - full-strength versions |
| Maximum torque | 123.6 Nm (12.6 kgf * m) @ 3000 rpm - full strength versions |
| Gearbox | 4-stage |
| Drive type | cardan |
| Front tire size | 100 / 90-19 (57H) |
| Rear tire size | 150 / 90-15 (74H) |
| Front brakes | 1 disc, 1-piston caliper |
| Rear brakes | 1 disc, 1-piston caliper |
| Front suspension | 41mm telescopic fork, 150mm travel |
| Rear suspension | pendulum with two shock absorbers, stroke - 100 mm |
| Motorcycle length | 2390 mm, (A) (F) 2385 mm, (E) 2410 mm, (l) 2375 mm - VN1500A 2370 mm, (E) 2410 mm - VN1500B |
| Motorcycle width | 895 mm |
| Motorcycle height | 1190 mm, (A) (E) 1180 mm - VN1500A 1210 mm, (E) 1195 mm - VN1500B |
| Wheelbase | 1605 mm - VN1500A 1635 mm, (E) 1630 mm - VN1500B |
| Saddle height | 720 mm, (A) (E) 750 mm - VN1500A 710 mm, (E) 745 mm - VN1500B |
| Minimum ground clearance | 150 mm, (A) (E) 135 mm - VN1500A 165 mm, (E) 160 mm - VN1500B |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h | 5.4 sec |
| Maximum speed | 178 km / h |
| Fuel tank capacity | 16.0 L - VN1500A 12.0 L - VN1500B |
| Motorcycle weight (dry) | 252 kg, (Cal) 252.5 kg, (E) 257 kg, (G) 256 kg - VN1500A 248 kg, (Cal) 248.5 kg, (E) 249 kg - VN1500B |
| Motorcycle weight (curb) | 280 kg, (Cal) 282.5 kg, (E) 283 kg, (G) 282 kg - VN1500A 275 kg - VN1500B |