Across the 2005 and 2006 model years, the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter motorcycle has supplied wet/running weights ranging from 597.5 lb (271 kg) and dry weights ranging from 541.9 lb (245.8 kg), depending on model year.
Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter 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 Vulcan 800 Drifter?
wet weight
Using a model-level wet weight comparison, the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter is heavier than about 57% of 43 Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycles with compatible weight data.
Dry vs 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 Vulcan 800 Drifter weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 2005, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Wet / running weight | 597.5 lb (271 kg) |
| Dry weight | 541.9 lb (245.8 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 805 cc |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (63.7 Nm) to 47.2 lb-ft (64 Nm) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.96 US gal (15 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 24.6 lb (11.2 kg) |
Weight changes by model year
The 2005 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
| Torque per 100 lb | 7.9 lb-ft / 100 lb to 8.67 lb-ft / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Displacement per pound | 1.35 cc / lb to 1.49 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 67.3 lb / 100 cc to 74.2 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 4.1% to 4.5% |
| Weight with full tank | 566.5 lb (257 kg) |
What the weight numbers tell you
Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter weight FAQ
How much does the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter weigh?
For the model years covered here, wet/running weight is 597.5 lb (271 kg), while dry weight is 541.9 lb (245.8 kg). Do not treat dry and wet figures as interchangeable.
How does the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter weight compare with similar Kawasakis?
It is not an extreme outlier for the category. The model ranks around the 57th percentile for weight among 43 compatible Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycles.
Are all Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter model years the same weight?
The supplied comparable weight values do not show a meaningful change across the 2005-2006 years covered here.
What does a full tank of gas weigh on the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter?
A full tank works out to about 24.6 lb (11.2 kg) from the listed 3.96 US gal (15 L) capacity. Actual fuel density varies slightly, so treat it as a practical estimate.
What does the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter weigh with a 180 lb rider?
The approximate combined total is 777.5 lb (352.6 kg) with a 180 lb rider, based on the representative wet/running weight used on this page.
What is the estimated Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter weight with a full tank of gas?
The page calculates about 566.5 lb (257 kg) with a full tank by adding the listed fuel mass to the dry figure. Treat this as a practical estimate, not an official Kawasaki curb-weight number.
How much heavier is the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter wet than dry?
Available years with both measurements show about 55.6 lb (25.2 kg) added between dry and ready-to-ride figures. Fuel explains part of it, while oil, coolant and specification definitions can explain the rest.
What is the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter torque-to-weight ratio?
Available data gives 7.9 lb-ft per 100 lb to 8.67 lb-ft per 100 lb. That ratio helps explain how strong the engine is relative to the bike’s mass, especially at lower speeds.
How large is the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter engine for its weight?
The model has about 1.35 cc per lb to 1.49 cc per lb in the available data. This simply shows how much engine displacement there is for each pound of motorcycle weight.
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.