Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan (Classic, Tourer, Nomad, Mean Streak, Drifter): review, history, specs

From BikesWiki.com, Japanese Motorcycle Encyclopedia

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)

Kawasaki VN1500 Classic (Fi)
Kawasaki VN1500 Classic Tourer / Nomad (Fi)
Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter
Kawasaki VN1500 Mean Streak

History

Kawasaki VN1500: years, models and model-code.
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


2.500

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.

Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic Tourer / Nomad
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic Tourer / Nomad
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic Tourer / Nomad
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Drifter
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Drifter
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Drifter
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak

Videos

Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan: video.

Load video
YouTube
2006 KAWASAKI VN1500 VULCAN 1500 CLASSIC
Load video
YouTube
2001 KAWASAKI VN1500 VULCAN 1500 DRIFTER
Load video
YouTube
2003 KAWASAKI VN1500 VULCAN 1500 MEAN STREAK

Manuals

Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan: manuals, parts, microfiches.

  1. ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (08/2000) | Average MPG
  2. ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (08/2000) | 0-60 mph
  3. ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak (10/2001) | 0-60 mph
  4. ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (08/2000) | Top speed
  5. ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak (10/2001) | Top speed
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