Across 4 covered model years from 1989 to 1992, the Kawasaki VN-15 SE motorcycle has a listed wet/running weight of 619.5 lb (281 kg).
Kawasaki VN-15 SE weight overview
The scale number is high enough that parking and low-speed balance deserve real consideration. Once the bike leans too far, recovering it takes much more effort than on a light machine.
Very Heavy Motorcycle
How heavy is the Kawasaki VN-15 SE?
wet weight
Using a model-level wet weight comparison, the Kawasaki VN-15 SE is heavier than about 92.2% of 32 Kawasaki classic 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 SE weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 |
|---|---|
| Wet / running weight | 619.5 lb (281 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 1,470 cc |
| Power | 64 hp to 70 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 3.17 US gal (12 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 19.7 lb (8.9 kg) |
Weight changes by model year
The 1989 model is used as the baseline where data is available. Only later supplied values that differ are shown below. A year pill does not mean every individual weight field was supplied for that year.
Useful weight calculations
| Horsepower per 100 lb | 10.33 hp / 100 lb to 11.3 hp / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Pounds per horsepower | 8.85 lb / hp to 9.68 lb / hp |
| Displacement per pound | 2.37 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 42.1 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 3.2% |
What the weight numbers tell you
Kawasaki VN-15 SE weight FAQ
What is the Kawasaki VN-15 SE wet weight?
The supplied wet/running weight is 619.5 lb (281 kg) across the model years covered here. That figure is the most useful available number for real-world handling because operating fluids and fuel are included.
Is the Kawasaki VN-15 SE lighter or heavier than other Kawasaki classic motorcycles?
Compared with similar Kawasakis in this dataset, it is heavier than about 92.2% of 32 classic motorcycles using the same weight basis.
Which Kawasaki VN-15 SE years have different weight specs?
No clear weight change appears in the usable model-year data. Other specifications may still differ by year.
How much does a full tank add to the Kawasaki VN-15 SE?
Based on the supplied 3.17 US gal (12 L) tank capacity, the gasoline itself weighs about 19.7 lb (8.9 kg) when full. On models with a wet/running weight, that fuel mass is already included in the listed ready-to-ride figure.
What is the combined Kawasaki VN-15 SE and rider weight?
Using the model’s representative wet/running weight and a 180 lb rider, the combined bike-and-rider mass is about 799.5 lb (362.6 kg) before riding gear, luggage or a passenger.
What is the Kawasaki VN-15 SE power-to-weight ratio?
Available model-year data produces 10.33 hp per 100 lb to 11.3 hp per 100 lb. It shows engine output relative to motorcycle mass rather than just quoting peak horsepower. That places it around the 44th percentile within the compatible Kawasaki classic power-to-weight comparison.
How much of the Kawasaki VN-15 SE total weight comes from fuel?
The calculated full-tank fuel mass is about 3.2% of the listed motorcycle weight. Because the available basis is wet/running weight, that fuel is already included in the ready-to-ride figure.
What is the Kawasaki VN-15 SE engine-size-to-weight ratio?
The available figures work out to 2.37 cc per lb. This is not a performance rating, but it is a useful way to compare engine size against total motorcycle mass.
How far is the Kawasaki VN-15 SE from the median Kawasaki classic motorcycle weight?
Compared with the median Kawasaki classic motorcycle weight of 468.6 lb (212.6 kg), the model is roughly 150.9 lb (68.4 kg) heavier.
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.