For the 1998 model year, the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring motorcycle has a listed dry weight of 659.2 lb (299 kg).
Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring 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. The comparison uses dry weight because a usable wet/running figure was not supplied, so the actual ready-to-ride motorcycle will be heavier.
Very Heavy Motorcycle
How heavy is the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring?
dry weight
Using a model-level dry weight comparison, the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring is heavier than about 71.7% of 23 Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycles with compatible weight data.
Dry weight
Bike + rider total weight
These totals use the model’s representative dry weight. They exclude riding gear, luggage and a passenger.
Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Dry weight | 659.2 lb (299 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 1,470 cc |
| Power | 64 hp |
| Torque | 82.6 lb-ft (112 Nm) |
Useful weight calculations
| Horsepower per 100 lb | 9.71 hp / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Pounds per horsepower | 10.3 lb / hp |
| Torque per 100 lb | 12.53 lb-ft / 100 lb |
| Displacement per pound | 2.23 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 44.8 lb / 100 cc |
What the weight numbers tell you
Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring weight FAQ
What is the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring dry weight?
The available dry weight is 659.2 lb (299 kg). Actual ready-to-ride weight will be higher after fuel and operating fluids are added.
Is the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring lighter or heavier than other Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycles?
Compared with similar Kawasakis in this dataset, it is heavier than about 71.7% of 23 custom/cruiser motorcycles using the same weight basis.
What is the combined Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring and rider weight?
Using the model’s representative dry weight and a 180 lb rider, the combined bike-and-rider mass is about 839.2 lb (380.6 kg) before riding gear, luggage or a passenger.
What is the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring power-to-weight ratio?
Available model-year data produces 9.71 hp per 100 lb. It shows engine output relative to motorcycle mass rather than just quoting peak horsepower. That places it around the 50th percentile within the compatible Kawasaki custom / cruiser power-to-weight comparison.
Is the listed Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring weight ready to ride?
No. Dry weight excludes at least some operating fluids, so the actual ready-to-ride motorcycle will weigh more.
What is the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring torque per 100 lb of bike weight?
Where compatible torque and weight figures are available, the model works out to 12.53 lb-ft per 100 lb. This gives more context than torque alone because it relates engine twist to the mass it has to move.
How many cc does the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring have per pound?
The available figures work out to 2.23 cc per lb. This is not a performance rating, but it is a useful way to compare engine size against total motorcycle mass.
How does the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring compare with the median Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycle weight?
Compared with the median Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycle weight of 511.5 lb (232 kg), the model is roughly 147.7 lb (67 kg) heavier.
Where will I notice the Kawasaki VN 1500 Classic Touring weight most?
The main challenge is low-speed and stationary handling. Once moving the chassis may disguise the mass, but backing up or holding it on a slope still means managing the full 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.