Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15): review, history, specs

Class: cruiser

Production: 1987-1999

Also called: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki VN-15 Vulcan

Successor: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic

Models
Kawasaki VN1500A (Vulcan 88, VN-15) 1987-1999 (Europe, North America)	Kawasaki VN1500B (Vulcan 88 SE, VN-15 SE) 1987-1992 (Europe, North America)
Kawasaki VN1500A (Vulcan 88, VN-15)	Kawasaki VN1500B (Vulcan 88 SE, VN-15 SE)

History

History
Year	Country	Name / Frame / Engine
1987	North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE Code: VN1500-A1, VN1500-B1
1988	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE – North America Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A2, VN1500-B2
1989	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE – North America Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A3, VN1500-B3
1990	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE – North America Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A4, VN1500-B4
1991	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A5, VN1500-B5
1992	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A6, VN1500-B6
1993	North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 Code: VN1500-A7
1994	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America Kawasaki VN-15 – Europe Code: VN1500-A8, VN1500-C1
1995	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America Kawasaki VN-15 – Europe Code: VN1500-A9, VN1500-C2
1996	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America Kawasaki Vulcan 1500L – Europe Code: VN1500-A10, VN1500-C3
1997	North America, Europe	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America Kawasaki Vulcan 1500L – Europe Code: VN1500-A11, VN1500-C4
1998	North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 Code: VN1500-A12
1999	North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 Code: VN1500-A13

Specifications

Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15): specs

(A): Australian Model

(Au): Austrian Model

(Cal): Californian Model

(E): European Model

(F): French Model

(Fi): Finnish Model

(G): West German Model

(U): U.S.A. Model

(l): Italian Model

(UK): UK Model

(Sd): Swedish Model

(W): Switzerland Model

Specifications
DIMENSIONS	Overall length	2390 mm / 94,1 in, (A) (F) 2385 mm / 93,9 in, (E) 2410 mm / 94,9 in, (l) 2375 mm / 93,5 in – VN1500A 2370 mm / 93,3 in, (E) 2410 mm / 94,9 in – VN1500B
	Overall width	895 mm / 35,2 in
	Overall height	1190 mm / 46,8 in, (A) (E) 1180 mm / 46,4 in – VN1500A 1210 mm / 47,6 in, (E) 1195 mm / 47,0 in – VN1500B
	Seat height	720 mm / 28,3 in, (A) (E) 750 mm / 29,5 in – VN1500A 710 mm / 27,9 in, (E) 745 mm / 29,3 in – VN1500B
	Wheelbase	1605 mm / 63,2 in – VN1500A 1635 mm / 64,4 in, (E) 1630 mm / 64,2 in – VN1500B
	Ground clearance	150 mm / 5,9 in, (A) (E) 135 mm / 5,3 in – VN1500A 165 mm / 6,5 in, (E) 160 mm / 6,3 in – VN1500B
	Dry weight	252 kg / 555 lbs, (Cal) 252,5 kg / 556 lbs, (E) 257 kg / 567 lbs, (G) 256 kg / 564 lbs – VN1500A 248 kg / 547 lbs, (Cal) 248,5 kg / 548 lbs, (E) 249 kg / 549 lbs – VN1500B
	Curb (wet) weight	280 kg / 617 lbs, (Cal) 282,5 kg / 622 lbs, (E) 283 kg / 624 lbs, (G) 282 kg / 621 lbs – VN1500A 275 kg / 606 lbs – VN1500B
FRAME	Type	Tubular, double cradle
	Front suspension, travel	Telescopic fork 41 mm, 150 mm / 5,9 in
	Rear suspension, travel	Swingarm with twin-shock, 100 mm / 3,9 in
	Front tire size	100/90-19 (57H)
	Rear tire size	150/90-15 (74H)
	Front brake	Single disc, 1-piston caliper
	Rear brake	Single disc, 1-piston caliper
	Fuel capacity	16,0 l / 4,22 US gal – VN1500A 12,0 l / 3,17 US gal – VN1500B
	Trail	128 mm / 5,04 in – VN1500A 138 mm / 5,43 in, (E) 132 mm / 5,20 in – VN1500B
	Fuel economy / consumption	7,5 l / 100 km (31,4 mpg)
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	9.0:1
	Valve train	Chain driven SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder (with hydraulic adjusters)
	Max. power	72,0 hp (53 kW) / 4500 rpm – max.
	Max. torque	123,6 Nm (12,6 kgf*m) / 3000 rpm – max.
	Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0-60 mph)	5,4 sec.
	Top speed	178 km/h (111 mph)
CARBURETION SYSTEM	Type	Carburetor, 2x Keihin CVK36
CARBURETION SYSTEM	ID
DRIVE TRAIN	Clutch	Wet, multi-plate, hydraulic operated
	Transmission	4-speed
	Final drive	Shaft
	Primary reduction	1.517
	Final reduction	2.619
	Gear ratio I II III IV	2.500 1.590, 1.375 (VN1500A11 – A13) 1.192, 1.035 (VN1500A11 – A13) 0.965, 0.781 (VN1500A11 – A13)
ELECTRICAL	Ignition	Transistorized
	Alternator	Three-phase AC, 14V 25A at 6000 rpm
	Battery capacity	12V-20Ah