Across the 1993 and 1994 model years, the Kawasaki VN 1500 motorcycle has supplied dry weights ranging from 549 lb (249 kg) to 566.6 lb (257 kg).
Kawasaki VN 1500 weight overview
This is firmly on the heavier side. The real penalty is not necessarily normal riding; it is low-speed work, awkward parking and moving the bike around manually. The comparison uses dry weight because a usable wet/running figure was not supplied, so the actual ready-to-ride motorcycle will be heavier.
Heavy Motorcycle
How heavy is the Kawasaki VN 1500?
dry weight
Using a model-level dry weight comparison, the Kawasaki VN 1500 is heavier than about 82.1% of 81 Kawasaki motorcycles with compatible weight data.
Dry weight range
Bike + rider total weight
These totals use the model’s representative dry weight. They exclude riding gear, luggage and a passenger.
Kawasaki VN 1500 weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 1993, 1994 |
|---|---|
| Dry weight | 549 lb (249 kg) to 566.6 lb (257 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 1,470 cc to 1,471 cc |
| Torque | 81.7 lb-ft (110.8 Nm) to 86.8 lb-ft (117.7 Nm) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.17 US gal (12 L) to 4.23 US gal (16 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 19.7 lb (8.9 kg) to 26.3 lb (11.9 kg) |
Weight changes by model year
The 1993 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 | 14.42 lb-ft / 100 lb to 15.81 lb-ft / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Displacement per pound | 2.59 cc / lb to 2.68 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 37.3 lb / 100 cc to 38.5 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 3.6% to 4.6% |
| Weight with full tank | 568.7 lb (257.9 kg) to 592.9 lb (268.9 kg) |
What the weight numbers tell you
Kawasaki VN 1500 weight FAQ
How heavy is the Kawasaki VN 1500?
Listed dry weight is 549 lb (249 kg) to 566.6 lb (257 kg). Because no usable wet/running figure was supplied, treat that as a lower starting point rather than the exact on-road weight.
Is the Kawasaki VN 1500 heavy compared with other Kawasaki motorcycles?
Relatively speaking, it is on the heavier side. The model sits near the 82nd weight percentile in its Kawasaki category, so it is heavier than most of the compatible comparison set.
Does the Kawasaki VN 1500 weight change by model year?
Not every covered year uses the same figure. The page groups identical values together and lists the later model years where the supplied weight specification changes.
How much does the Kawasaki VN 1500 fuel weigh?
The listed tank capacity is 3.17 US gal (12 L) to 4.23 US gal (16 L). Using approximately 0.745 kg/L gasoline, a full tank is roughly 19.7 lb (8.9 kg) to 26.3 lb (11.9 kg). That is an estimate for fuel mass, not an official Kawasaki curb-weight calculation.
How heavy is the Kawasaki VN 1500 with an average-size rider?
A 180 lb rider brings the simple bike-plus-rider total to roughly 737.8 lb (334.6 kg) using the representative dry figure. Gear and luggage would add more.
Can I treat the Kawasaki VN 1500 dry weight as curb weight?
No. The usable figure is dry weight, so it excludes at least some operating fluids. Dry weight plus the estimated full fuel load is about 568.7 lb (257.9 kg) to 592.9 lb (268.9 kg), and oil/coolant or definition differences may add more.
How much heavier is the Kawasaki VN 1500 with a full tank?
Based on the available dry-weight and tank-capacity data, a full-tank estimate is 568.7 lb (257.9 kg) to 592.9 lb (268.9 kg). Oil, coolant and market-specific equipment can still make actual ready-to-ride weight different.
How much torque does the Kawasaki VN 1500 have per 100 lb?
The calculated torque-to-weight range is 14.42 lb-ft per 100 lb to 15.81 lb-ft per 100 lb. It is useful for comparing bikes with very different overall weights.
What is the Kawasaki VN 1500 displacement per pound?
Engine displacement relative to bike weight is 2.59 cc per lb to 2.68 cc per lb. It can help compare motorcycles from very different displacement classes without relying on cc alone.
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.