Across 6 covered model years from 2011 to 2017, the Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic motorcycle has a listed wet/running weight of 769.4 lb (349 kg).
Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic 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 1700 Classic?
wet weight
Using a model-level wet weight comparison, the Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic is heavier than about 90.7% of 43 Kawasaki custom/cruiser 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 1700 Classic weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Wet / running weight | 769.4 lb (349 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 1,700 cc |
| Power | 73.8 hp to 74 hp |
| Torque | 99.6 lb-ft (135 Nm) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.28 US gal (20 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 32.8 lb (14.9 kg) |
Weight changes by model year
The 2011 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 | 9.59 hp / 100 lb to 9.62 hp / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Pounds per horsepower | 10.4 lb / hp to 10.43 lb / hp |
| Torque per 100 lb | 12.94 lb-ft / 100 lb |
| Displacement per pound | 2.21 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 45.3 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 4.3% |
What the weight numbers tell you
Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic weight FAQ
What is the Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic wet weight?
The supplied wet/running weight is 769.4 lb (349 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 1700 Classic lighter or heavier than other Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycles?
Compared with similar Kawasakis in this dataset, it is heavier than about 90.7% of 43 custom/cruiser motorcycles using the same weight basis.
Which Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic 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 1700 Classic?
Based on the supplied 5.28 US gal (20 L) tank capacity, the gasoline itself weighs about 32.8 lb (14.9 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 1700 Classic and rider weight?
Using the model’s representative wet/running weight and a 180 lb rider, the combined bike-and-rider mass is about 949.4 lb (430.6 kg) before riding gear, luggage or a passenger.
What is the Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic power-to-weight ratio?
Available model-year data produces 9.59 hp per 100 lb to 9.62 hp per 100 lb. It shows engine output relative to motorcycle mass rather than just quoting peak horsepower. That places it around the 60th percentile within the compatible Kawasaki custom / cruiser power-to-weight comparison.
How much torque does the Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic have per 100 lb?
Where compatible torque and weight figures are available, the model works out to 12.94 lb-ft per 100 lb. This gives more context than torque alone because it relates engine twist to the mass it has to move.
What is the Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic displacement per pound?
The available figures work out to 2.21 cc per lb. This is not a performance rating, but it is a useful way to compare engine size against total motorcycle mass.
What is the Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic weight difference versus the category median?
Compared with the median Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycle weight of 537.9 lb (244 kg), the model is roughly 231.5 lb (105 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.