Across the 1987, 1988 and 1989 model years, the Kawasaki VN-15 motorcycle has a listed wet/running weight of 626.1 lb (284 kg).
Kawasaki VN-15 weight overview
This is a very heavy motorcycle. Good footing, sensible parking direction and avoiding awkward slopes make a real difference when handling it at walking speed.
Very Heavy Motorcycle
How heavy is the Kawasaki VN-15?
wet weight
Using a model-level wet weight comparison, the Kawasaki VN-15 is lighter than about 75% of 26 Kawasaki touring motorcycles with compatible weight data.
Ready-to-ride weight
Bike + rider total weight
These totals use the model’s representative wet weight. They exclude riding gear, luggage and a passenger.
Kawasaki VN-15 weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 1987, 1988, 1989 |
|---|---|
| Wet / running weight | 626.1 lb (284 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 1,470 cc |
| Power | 70 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 4.23 US gal (16 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 26.3 lb (11.9 kg) |
Weight changes by model year
Useful weight calculations
| Horsepower per 100 lb | 11.18 hp / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Pounds per horsepower | 8.94 lb / hp |
| Displacement per pound | 2.35 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 42.6 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 4.2% |
What the weight numbers tell you
Kawasaki VN-15 weight FAQ
How much does the Kawasaki VN-15 weigh?
The available wet/running figure is 626.1 lb (284 kg). This is more representative of the motorcycle you actually push, park and ride than a dry-only specification.
How does the Kawasaki VN-15 weight compare with similar Kawasakis?
Relatively light. On a model-level comparison, it is lighter than about 75% of 26 Kawasaki touring motorcycles with the same weight basis.
Are all Kawasaki VN-15 model years the same weight?
The supplied comparable weight values do not show a meaningful change across the 1987-1989 years covered here.
What does a full tank of gas weigh on the Kawasaki VN-15?
A full tank works out to about 26.3 lb (11.9 kg) from the listed 4.23 US gal (16 L) capacity. Actual fuel density varies slightly, so treat it as a practical estimate.
What does the Kawasaki VN-15 weigh with a 180 lb rider?
The approximate combined total is 806.1 lb (365.6 kg) with a 180 lb rider, based on the representative wet/running weight used on this page.
Is the Kawasaki VN-15 strong for its weight?
The calculated range is 11.18 hp per 100 lb. This ratio is usually more informative for acceleration comparisons than horsepower alone. That places it around the 72nd percentile within the compatible Kawasaki touring power-to-weight comparison.
How much of the Kawasaki VN-15 total weight comes from fuel?
Fuel accounts for roughly 4.2% of the available motorcycle weight figure. On lighter bikes that share can be surprisingly noticeable.
What is the Kawasaki VN-15 engine-size-to-weight ratio?
The model has about 2.35 cc per lb in the available data. This simply shows how much engine displacement there is for each pound of motorcycle weight.
How far is the Kawasaki VN-15 from the median Kawasaki touring motorcycle weight?
The representative wet weight is about 160.1 lb (72.6 kg) lighter than the median Kawasaki touring motorcycle weight of 786.2 lb (356.6 kg) in this dataset.
Motorcycle specifications can vary by model year, market, equipment and the exact dry/curb-weight definition. Calculated fuel-weight and ratio figures on this page are estimates derived from the supplied specifications. Confirm critical figures in the owner’s manual or on the official Kawasaki website.