Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan

Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Classic appeared in 1996 as a successor to Kawasaki Vulcan 88 (VN-15), which existed on the market until 2000. The new Vulcan 1500 Classic model has received classic features, as well as a number of technical differences - from engine readjustments (reduced maximum power, use of one carburetor, etc.) and ending with the braking system.

Lineup:

• Kawasaki VN400 Vulcan
• Kawasaki VN750 Vulcan
• Kawasaki VN800 Vulcan
• Kawasaki VN900 Vulcan
• Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan
• Kawasaki VN1600 Vulcan
• Kawasaki VN1700 Vulcan
• Kawasaki VN2000 Vulcan

Main competitors:

• Honda VTX 1300
• Suzuki VZ 1600 Marauder / Suzuki 1500 Intruder / Suzuki Intruder 1400 (Boulevard S83)
• Yamaha XV 1600 / Yamaha XVZ 1300

In 1998, a touring version of the Kawasaki VN1500 Classic Tourer was built on the basis of the Kawasaki VN1500 Classic, which was sold in the American market under the name Nomad. The model was equipped with plastic wardrobe trunks and a windshield. In addition, the Classic Tourer / Nomad had different wheels, exhaust system and brakes.

In 1999, the VN1500 lineup was joined by the Drifter version, which had a unique styling with deep fenders, saddle and original exhaust shape, much like Indian motorcycles. It is noteworthy that the Drifter, unlike other modifications of that year, had an injection power system (others received it in 2000).

In 2002, Kawasaki introduced the addition of the Vulcan 1500 to the Kawasaki VN1500 Mean Streak. The model had the features of a dragster and a number of technical differences - 17 'wheels, an inverted fork, front 6-piston calipers on 320 mm discs, a forced engine - 72 hp. against 65 hp in other versions.

In 2003, the Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan line was replaced by an updated one - Kawasaki VN1600 Vulcan. However, despite this, the Vulcan 1500 exists on the assembly line until 2009.

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Specifications

Specifications Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan:

Model	Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Motorcycle type	cruiser
Release year	1996-2008
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	8.6: 1 - carburetor models 9.0: 1 - injection models
Cooling	liquid
Number of valves per cylinder	SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder (with hydraulic clearance compensators)
Fuel supply system	Carburetor, 1x Keihin CVK40 - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500F, VN1500G, VN1500H DFI (Digital Fuel Injection), 2x 36 mm - VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500L, VN1500J, VN1500R, VN1500P
Ignition type	transistor
Maximum power	64.0 h.p. (47 kW) at 4700 rpm - max. power of carburetor models + Drifter 65.0 h.p. (48 kW) at 4700 rpm - max. power of injection models, except Drifter and Mean Streak 72.0 h.p. (53 kW) at 5500 rpm - max. power for VN1500P Mean Streak
Maximum torque	112.0 Nm (11.4 kg * m) at 3000 rpm - max. torque for carburetor models 114.0 Nm (11.6 kg * m) at 2800 rpm - max. torque for injection models except VN1500P and Drifter 114.0 Nm (11.6 kg * m) at 3000 rpm - max. torque for VN1500P Mean Streak 113.0 Nm (11.5 kg * m) at 2800 rpm - max. torque for Drifter
Gearbox	4-speed - VN1500D1-D2 5-speed - other models
Drive type	cardan
Front tire size	130 / 90-16 M / C (67H) - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500J, VN1500R 150 / 80-16 M / C (71H) - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 130/70 R17M / C (62H) - VN1500P
Rear tire size	150 / 80-16 M / C (71H) - all models, except VN1500P 170/60 R17 M / C (72H) - VN1500P
Front brakes	1 disc, 300mm, 2-piston caliper - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500J, VN1500R 2 discs, 280mm, 2-piston calipers - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 2 discs, 320mm, 6-piston calipers - VN1500P
Rear brakes	1 disc, 270 mm, 1-piston caliper - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500J, VN1500R 1 disc, 300 mm, 1-piston caliper - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L Single disc, 300 mm, 2-piston caliper - VN1500P
Front suspension	41mm Telescopic Fork, 150mm Travel Inverted Fork 43mm, 150mm Travel - VN1500P
Rear suspension	linkage with two shock absorbers (preload adjustment), 87 mm - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500P linkage with two shock absorbers (preload adjustment), 95 mm - VN1500N, VN1500T Swingarm with two shock absorbers (preload adjustment), 100 mm - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L, VN1500J, VN1500R
Motorcycle length	2500 mm - VN1500D, VN1500E 2510 mm - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 2545 mm - VN1500J, VN1500R 2505 mm - VN1500N, VN1500T 2410 mm - VN1500P
Motorcycle width	965 mm - VN1500D, VN1500E 960 mm - VN1500G1-G3 980 mm - VN1500J, VN1500R, VN1500L 995 mm - VN1500N, VN1500T 850 mm - VN1500P
Motorcycle height	1100 mm - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500P 1430 mm - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 1115 mm - VN1500J, VN1500R 1140 mm - VN1500N, VN1500T
Wheelbase	1660 mm - VN1500D, VN1500E 1665 mm - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L, VN1500N, VN1500T 1655 mm - VN1500J, VN1500R 1705 mm - VN1500P
Saddle height	700 mm - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500P 720 mm - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 730 mm - VN1500J, VN1500R
Minimum ground clearance	125 mm - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500J, VN1500R, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500P 135 mm - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L
Acceleration to 100 km / h	5.53 sec - VN1500 Drifter 6.64 sec - VN1500 Classic '96 5.25 sec - VN1500 Classic Fi 6.78 sec - VN1500 Nomad 5.04 sec - VN1500 Mean Streak
Maximum speed	159 km / h - VN1500 Drifter 160 km / h - VN1500 Classic '96 172 km / h - VN1500 Classic Fi 149 km / h - VN1500 Nomad 193 km / h - VN1500 Mean Streak
Fuel tank capacity	16.0 L - carburetor models 19.0 L - injection models, except VN1500P 17.0 L - VN1500P
Motorcycle weight (dry)	292 kg - VN1500D, VN1500E 329 kg - VN1500G1-G3 303 kg - VN1500J 335 kg - VN1500L1 337 kg - VN1500L2-L5 299 kg - VN1500N, VN1500T 304 kg - VN1500R 289 kg - VN1500P

Documentation

• Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan