Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan (Classic, Tourer, Nomad, Mean Streak, Drifter): review, history, specs
Class: cruiser
Production: 1996-2008
Also called: Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Predecessor: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 (VN-15)
Successor: Kawasaki VN1600 Vulcan
| Models | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki VN1500D / VN1500E / VN1500F / VN1500N / VN1500T Classic (Fi)
1996-2008 (Europe, North America, Japan) |
Kawasaki VN1500G / VN1500H / VN1500L / Classic Tourer (Fi) / Nomad (Fi)
1998-2004 (Europe, North America, Japan) |
Kawasaki VN1500J / VN1500R Drifter
1999-2005 (Europe, North America, Japan) |
Kawasaki VN1500P Mean Streak
2002-2003 (North America, Japan) |
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History
| History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Country | Name / Frame / Engine |
| 1996 | Japan, North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic
Code: VN1500-D1 |
| 1997 | Japan, North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic
Code: VN1500-D2 |
| 1998 | Japan, North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic, Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Tourer
Code: VN1500-E1, VN1500-F1, VN1500-G1, VN1500-H1 |
| 1999 | Japan, North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic, Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Tourer / Nomad, Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter
Code: VN1500-E2, VN1500-F2, VN1500-G2, VN1500-H2, VN1500-J1 |
| 2000 | Japan, North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic (Fi), Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Tourer (Fi) / Nomad, Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter
Code: VN1500-E3, VN1500-L1, VN1500-G2A, VN1500-N1, VN1500-J2 |
| 2001 | Japan, North America | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic (Fi), Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Tourer (Fi) / Nomad, Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter
Code: VN1500-E4, VN1500-L2, VN1500-G3, VN1500-N2, VN1500-R1 |
| 2002 | Japan, North America | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic (Fi), Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Tourer (Fi), Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter, Kawasaki VN1500 Mean Streak
Code: VN1500-E5, VN1500-L3, VN1500-N3, VN1500-R2, VN1500-P1 |
| 2003 | Japan, North America | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic (Fi), Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Tourer (Fi) / Nomad (Fi), Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter, Kawasaki VN1500 Mean Streak
Code: VN1500-E6, VN1500-L4, VN1500-R3, VN1500-P2 |
| 2004 | North America | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic (Fi), Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Nomad (Fi), Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter
Code: VN1500-E7, VN1500-L5, VN1500-R4 |
| 2005 | North America | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic (Fi), Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter
Code: VN1500-N4, VN1500-R5 |
| 2006 | North America | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic (Fi)
Code: VN1500-N6F, VN1500-T6F |
| 2007 | North America | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic (Fi)
Code: VN1500-N7F |
| 2008 | North America | Name: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic (Fi)
Code: VN1500-N8F |
Specifications
Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan: specs
| Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS | Overall length | 2500 mm / 98,4 in – VN1500D, VN1500E
2510 mm / 98,8 in – VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 2545 mm / 100,2 in – VN1500J, VN1500R 2505 mm / 98,6 in – VN1500N, VN1500T 2410 mm / 94,9 in – VN1500P |
| Overall width | 965 mm / 38,0 in – VN1500D, VN1500E
960 mm / 37,8 in – VN1500G1-G3 980 mm / 38,6 in – VN1500J, VN1500R, VN1500L 995 mm / 39,2 in – VN1500N, VN1500T 850 mm / 33,5 in – VN1500P | |
| Overall height | 1100 mm / 43,3 in – VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500P
1430 mm / 56,3 in – VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 1115 mm / 43,9 in – VN1500J, VN1500R 1140 mm / 44,9 in – VN1500N, VN1500T | |
| Seat height | 700 mm / 27,6 in – VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500P
720 mm / 28,3 in – VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 730 mm / 28,7 in - VN1500J, VN1500R | |
| Wheelbase | 1660 mm / 65,4 in – VN1500D, VN1500E
1665 mm / 65,6 in – VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L, VN1500N, VN1500T 1655 mm / 65,2 in – VN1500J, VN1500R 1705 mm / 67,1 in – VN1500P | |
| Ground clearance | 125 mm / 4,92 in - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500J, VN1500R, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500P
135 mm / 5,31 in - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L | |
| Dry weight | 292 kg / 644 lbs – VN1500D, VN1500E
329 kg / 726 lbs – VN1500G1-G3 303 kg / 668 lbs – VN1500J 335 kg / 739 lbs – VN1500L1 337 kg / 743 lbs – VN1500L2-L5 299 kg / 659 lbs – VN1500N, VN1500T 304 kg / 670 lbs – VN1500R 289 kg / 637 lbs – VN1500P | |
| Curb (wet) weight | ||
| FRAME | Type | Tubular, double cradle |
| Front suspension, travel | Telescopic fork 41 mm, 150 mm / 5,9 in
Inverted telescopic fork 43 mm, 150 mm / 5,9 in – VN1500P | |
| Rear suspension, travel | Swingarm with twin-shock, 87 mm / 3,4 in - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500P
Swingarm with twin-shock, 95 mm / 3,7 in - VN1500N, VN1500T Swingarm with twin-shock, 100 mm / 3,9 in - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L, VN1500J, VN1500R Adjustable: spring pre-load | |
| Front tire size | 130/90-16 M/C (67H) - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500J, VN1500R
150/80-16 M/C (71H) - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 130/70 R17M/C (62H) – VN1500P | |
| Rear tire size | 150/80-16 M/C (71H) - all models, except VN1500P
170/60 R17 M/C (72H) – VN1500P | |
| Front brake | Single disc, 300 mm, 2-piston caliper - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500J, VN1500R
Double disc, 280 mm, 2-piston calipers - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L Double disc, 320 mm, 6-piston calipers – VN1500P | |
| Rear brake | Single disc, 270 mm, 1-piston caliper - VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500J, VN1500R
Single disc, 300 mm, 1-piston caliper - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L Single disc, 300 mm, 2-piston caliper – VN1500P | |
| Fuel capacity | 16,0 l / 4,22 US gal – carbureted models
19,0 l / 5,02 US gal – fuel injected models, except VN1500P 17,0 l / 4,49 US gal – VN1500P | |
| Trail | 123 mm / 4,84 in – VN1500D, VN1500E
165 mm / 6,50 in - VN1500N, VN1500T 189 mm / 7,44 in - VN1500G1-G3, VN1500L 158 mm / 6,22 in - VN1500J, VN1500R 144 mm / 5,67 in - VN1500P | |
| Fuel economy / consumption | 6,43 l / 100 km (36,6 US mpg)[1] | |
| ENGINE | Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke |
| Cylinder arrangement | 2-cylinders, V-twin | |
| Bore & Stroke | 102,0 x 90,0 mm | |
| Displacement | 1470 cm³ (89,7 cu in) | |
| Compression ratio | 8.6:1 – carbureted models
9.0:1 – fuel injected models | |
| Valve train | Chain driven SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder (with hydraulic adjusters) | |
| Max. power | 64,0 hp (47 kW) / 4700 rpm – max. power for carbureted models + Drifter
65,0 hp (48 kW) / 4700 rpm – max. power for fuel injected models, except VN1500P, Drifter 72,0 hp (53 kW) / 5500 rpm – max. power for VN1500P | |
| Max. torque | 112,0 Nm (11,4 kgf*m) / 3000 rpm – max. torque for carbureted models
114,0 Nm (11,6 kgf*m) / 2800 rpm – max. torque fuel injected models, except VN1500P, Drifter 114,0 Nm (11,6 kgf*m) / 3000 rpm - max. torque for VN1500P 113,0 Nm (11,5 kgf*m) / 2800 rpm - Drifter | |
| Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0-60 mph) | 5,25 sec.[2] – Vulcan 1500 Classic FI
5,04 sec.[3] – Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak | |
| Top speed | 172 km/h (107 mph)[4] – Vulcan 1500 Classic FI
193 km/h (120 mph)[5] – Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak | |
| CARBURETION SYSTEM | Type | Carburetor, 1x Keihin CVK40 – VN1500D, VN1500E, VN1500F, VN1500G, VN1500H
DFI (Digital Fuel Injection), 2x 36 mm – VN1500N, VN1500T, VN1500L, VN1500J, VN1500R, VN1500P |
| ID | ||
| DRIVE TRAIN | Clutch | Wet, multi-plate, hydraulic operated |
| Transmission | 4-speed – VN1500D1-D2
5-speed - all other models | |
| Final drive | Shaft | |
| Primary reduction | 1.517 | |
| Final reduction | 2.619 | |
| Gear ratio
I II III IV V |
1.590, 1.375 (VN1500D1-D2) 1.192, 1.035 (VN1500D1-D2) 0.965, 0.781 (VN1500D1-D2) 0.781 | |
| ELECTRICAL | Ignition | Transistorized |
| Alternator | Three-phase AC, single stator – VN1500D, VN1500E1, VN1500J, VN1500R
Three-phase AC, dual stator – VN1500E2-E7, VN1500G, VN1500L, VN1500N, VN1500T | |
| Battery capacity | 12V-14Ah - carbureted models
12V-18Ah - fuel injected models | |
Images
Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan: images, gallery.
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Videos
Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan: video.
Manuals
Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan: manuals, parts, microfiches.
- Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Fi (2002-2008): Service Manual
- Kawasaki VN1500 Classic (1996-1997): Service Manual
- Kawasaki VN1500 Classic Tourer / Nomad (1998-2001): Service Manual
- Kawasaki VN1500 Mean Streak: Service Manual
- Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter: Service Manual
- ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (08/2000) | Average MPG
- ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (08/2000) | 0-60 mph
- ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak (10/2001) | 0-60 mph
- ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (08/2000) | Top speed
- ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak (10/2001) | Top speed