Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic Specs (Top Speed | Horsepower | Weight)

The Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic motorcycle specifications include a 1,470 cc (89.70 cu in) engine, a 5-speed gearbox, and a listed weight of 292.1 kg (644 lb).

Key specifications

2005-2009Model years
1,470 ccDisplacement
292.1 kgDry weight
701 mmSeat height
15.9 LFuel tank
124 mmGround clearance
Model years covered
20052006200720082009
Year-specific specification changes

The 2005 model is treated as the standard specification. Only later model years with a different supplied value are shown below.

Compression ratio
200720099.0:1
Dry weight
2007299.4 kg (660 lb)
20082009298.9 kg (659 lb)
Frame
20072008High-tensile steel, double cradle
Front suspension
200641mm Hydraulic Telescopic Fork
2007200941mm hydraulic telescopic fork / 5.9 in.
Fuel system
2006Carburettor. 2 x DFI with Keihin 46mm Throttle Bodies
2007Injection. DFI with dual 36mm Keihin throttle bodies
2008Injection. 32 degrees / 6.5 in.
2009Injection. DFI with dual 36mm Keihin throttle bodies
Rear suspension
2006Twin Shocks, 5-Way Adjustable Preload
20072009Twin Shocks, with five-way adjustable preload / 3.4 in.
Cooling system
2008Air
Fuel capacity
2007200918.92 L (5.00 US gal)
Fuel control
2008Overhead Valves (OHV)
Ignition
20062009TCBI with Digital Advance
Overall height
200720091,140 mm (44.9 inches)
Overall width
20072009996 mm (39.2 inches)

How the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic compares

This compares the motorcycle with all Kawasaki models in this specifications database. The blue marker is this model and the grey line is the Kawasaki database average.

Displacement1,470 cc
Low 84 ccAverage 687 ccHigh 1,700 cc

About 114% higher than the Kawasaki database average. Around the 94th percentile across Kawasaki models.

Seat height701 mm
Low 680 mmAverage 801 mmHigh 955 mm

About 12% lower than the Kawasaki database average. Around the 9th percentile across Kawasaki models.

Fuel capacity15.9 L
Low 3.8 LAverage 15.3 LHigh 24 L

Very close to the Kawasaki database average. Around the 44th percentile across Kawasaki models.

This model Kawasaki database average

Kawasaki database percentile rankings

Percentiles show where this motorcycle sits across the Kawasaki specifications database. They are descriptive database rankings, not performance ratings.

Displacement94th

1,470 cc — larger displacement than about 94% of Kawasaki models.

Seat height9th

701 mm — taller than about 9% of Kawasaki models.

Fuel capacity44th

15.9 L — larger than about 44% of Kawasaki fuel tanks in this database.

Dimensions compared with Kawasaki average

Each measurement is compared with the average value across Kawasaki models where that dimension is available.

Overall width965 mm
This bike

965

Kawasaki avg

833

16% above average.

Overall height1,100 mm
This bike

1,100

Kawasaki avg

1,175

6% below average.

Seat height701 mm
This bike

701

Kawasaki avg

801

12% below average.

Ground clearance124 mm
This bike

124

Kawasaki avg

187

34% below average.

Mechanical overview

Engine layout snapshot

V2, four-stroke • 1,470 cc • Liquid cooled
Chassis snapshot

Seat 701 mmClearance 124 mm
5-speed • Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive) • 130/90-16 front / 150/80-16 rear

Additional useful specifications

Front tire size 130/90-16
Rear tire size 150/80-16
Front tire width 130 mm
Front tire aspect ratio 90%
Front rim diameter 16 in
Rear tire width 150 mm
Rear tire aspect ratio 80%
Rear rim diameter 16 in
Bore/stroke ratio 1.13:1 (Oversquare)

Model information

Category Custom / cruiser

Engine specifications

Engine type V2, four-stroke
Displacement 1,470 cc (89.70 cu in)
Bore × stroke 102.0 x 90 mm (4.0 x 3.5 inches)
Compression ratio 8.6:1
Valves per cylinder 4
Cooling system Liquid
Fuel system Carburettor. Keihin CVK40
Fuel control Single Overhead Cams (SOHC)
Ignition Digital with Throttle Responsive Ignition Control (K-TRIC)
Starter Electric

Transmission and drivetrain

Gearbox 5-speed
Final drive Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive)

Chassis and suspension

Frame High tensile steel, double cradle
Front suspension 41mm hydraulic fork
Rear suspension Dual hydraulic shocks
Front wheel travel 150 mm (5.9 inches)
Rear wheel travel 86 mm (3.4 inches)
Rake 32.0°

Brakes, wheels and tires

Front brakes Single disc
Rear brakes Single disc
Front tire 130/90-16
Rear tire 150/80-16

Dimensions and weight

Dry weight 292.1 kg (644 lb)
Seat height 701 mm (27.6 inches)
Overall width 965 mm (38.0 inches)
Overall height 1,100 mm (43.3 inches)
Ground clearance 124 mm (4.9 inches)

Fuel and emissions

Fuel capacity 15.89 L (4.20 US gal)

Other specifications

Price as new US$ 9599. MSRP depends on country, taxes, accessories, etc.

Disclaimer: Specifications may vary by market, trim, production date and optional equipment, and scraped or historical data can contain errors. Comparison and percentile values are calculated from Kawasaki models in this specifications database. Always double-check important specifications against the motorcycle owner’s/service manual and official Kawasaki information before relying on them. Visit the official Kawasaki website.