Cruise in comfort

The middle-weight Kawasaki Vulcan S uses the Ninja’s 650 cc engine and features sharp styling and many comfort settings

February 18, 2015 04:44 pm | Updated 04:44 pm IST

Bike - Kawasaki Vulcan

Bike - Kawasaki Vulcan

Kawasaki has recently launched its new middle-weight cruiser called the Vulcan S. This is an all-new offering from Kawasaki in its Vulcan portfolio.

Kawasaki’s Vulcan S does not have the general features seen largely on all cruisers, such as healthy doses of chrome. Quite contrary, the Vulcan S is a modern looking motorcycle which follows the new age trend that companies such as Indian have followed with its Scout and Harley-Davidson with the Street 750.

The Vulcan S is a typical mix of lime green, a lot of matte black with brushed metal used on the headlight, while the other panels follow the Ninja closely.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S is powered by a 649cc, four-stroke, parallel twin, liquid-cooled and fuel-injected power plant. This is the same motor that features on the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and the ER-6n that are sold in India as CKD units. The engine in all probability is tuned to deliver better low and mid range torque than its sporty counter parts, because cruisers are meant to deliver better comfort rather than strong performance.

Kawasaki has derived a simple yet effective way to solve the age-old custom fit comfort problem. The Vulcan S gets ergo-fit adjustability. Custom fit comfort is achievable thanks to three components that can be adjusted to suit shorter riders and tall riders on the same basic frame. The seat can be adjusted to two positions without the seat height changing, the handle bars can also be adjusted in two different positions, forward and back by a single inch. The rider foot peg can also be adjusted to three different levels too. Using these three customisable settings, one can adjust the Vulcan S for maximum comfort.

Apart from this, Kawasaki provides the Vulcan S with telescopic front forks and an offset rear shock absorber. Unique five spoke wheels are seen in all black paint. A black exhaust under the engine bay, looks comfortably fit. Kawasaki is also offering customisable parts for the Vulcan S, like the tall windscreen, saddle bags, a rear seat with back rest and extra lighting upfront for greater visibility.

However, it is unclear when the Kawasaki Vulcan S will make it to India. On approaching the bike maker, the company refused to comment on the matter. But if Kawasaki does decide to assemble the Vulcan S in India, it will cost about Rs 6 lakh here, which will pit it against bikes like the Harley-Davidson’s Street 750.

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