The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser is unlike any other, designed to transport riders into a sporty world with a touch of elegance. This bike elevates every experience by blending a powerful 649cc engine, vintage styling, and an aggressive ride. The Vulcan S makes each ride more confidently competent, whether you’re riding to work or on a day getaway.
The new 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser is different from your average cruiser. It distinguishes itself with its Parallel Twin engine, unique frame, and suspension arrangement, and it is intended for independent riders. It also does not compel riders to adopt outdated fashion trends or a herd mentality. The new 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser is pleasant and accessible, inviting you to travel your way!
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser – Features and Specs
Engine
The DOHC, 8-valve, liquid-cooled 649cc parallel twin engine with fuel injection, is designed to run smoothly and responsively, particularly at low and medium rpm. Its returned Ninja 650 engine delivers even more user-friendly power characteristics, making it suitable for riders of all skill levels, particularly beginners seeking rides that instill confidence. This engine design combines several components to enhance performance.
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Optimizing intake ports, camshaft profiles, and long-type intake funnels results in low-to-mid solid rpm performance. It results in smooth acceleration and a satisfying pull sensation when accelerating. The crankshaft design adds to the engine’s user-friendliness, ensuring simple starts from a standstill and smooth throttle changes.
The smoother power supply is achieved by removing torque curve anomalies via a connector tube that connects the header pipes. The under-engine silencer configuration improves control at lower engine speeds while increasing torque in the low-to-mid rpm band.
Furthermore, the tiny parallel twin-engine design reduces the motorcycle’s overall dimensions, improving its agility and maneuverability on the road. The engine’s triangular crank and gearbox shaft configuration shortens the engine’s length from front to back, while the 180-degree crankshaft and balancer shaft provide incredibly smooth engine operation. The narrow pitch of the chrome composite-plated aluminum cylinders and the semi-dry sump oil system contribute to the motorcycle’s overall performance and design.
Including a Positive Neutral Finder makes gear shifting easier. When stopped, riders can select neutral by just lifting the shift foot from first gear. This unique function enhances the user experience and is only available on Kawasaki motorcycles.
Furthermore, the engine’s digital fuel injection technology provides responsive low-end and rapid-rev characteristics, enhancing throttle control and fuel economy. Twin 38mm Keihin throttle bodies with sub-throttle valves further improve the engine’s performance, providing exceptional power output and a smooth, sensitive throttle response.
Fine-atomizing fuel injectors deliver a fine fuel mist that improves acceleration, combustion, and fuel consumption, while accurate fuel injection and exhaust catalysis significantly reduce pollutants. The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser stands out from other alternatives in its class because it combines efficiency, performance, and ease of use.
Chassis
The engine’s tiny size helps to keep the chassis lightweight and slender. Its reasonably low seat height and slim form make it easy to reach the ground, combined with light and uncomplicated handling. The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser is one of the most beginner-friendly bikes on the market due to its light overall weight, which is apparent when the bike is hoisted off its side stand like in 2022 Kawasaki Vulcan S.
Frame
Because of its tiny engine, the 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser’s frame is sleek and straightforward, allowing for a slim profile at the knees and feet, improving rider comfort and control. The frame was meticulously designed using 3D analysis to achieve the appropriate stiffness balance, contributing to the motorcycle’s superb road handling and responsiveness.
The frame’s high-tensile steel design ensures strength and lightness, improving the bike’s performance and agility. Furthermore, the offset single-shock rear suspension’s unique design allows the battery to be placed next to the shock rather than under it.
This innovative structure allows for a lower seat height and contributes to the bike’s low profile, making riding more enjoyable and confident for users.
Design
The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser has several design aspects that promote rider comfort and overall maneuverability. The exhaust is positioned beneath the engine to maintain the chassis’s low profile and allow for maximum ground clearance. The Vulcan S’s low weight and center of gravity make riding, managing parking spots, and strolling along the bike much more nimble.
Thanks to the slim backbone-style rear frame design, the bike’s midline may be ideally positioned. The comfortable seat arrangement is achieved by replacing the traditional seat rails with a single beam comprised of linked C-section components.
The frame’s idealized rigidity balance is further enhanced by installing separate swingarm pivot plates and a rigid-mount engine, which works as a stressed element, improving the bike’s handling and stability.
The footpegs are positioned relatively high for stress-free cornering, and the frame profile is intended for light, natural handling. Furthermore, the 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser provides both performance and comfort on the road owing to its optimized wheelbase, which balances excellent riding comfort and responsive handling.
Suspension
The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser well-thought-out front and rear suspension settings prioritize riding comfort. The bike’s offset laydown single-shock rear suspension allows for a longer stroke, increasing riding comfort. The bike’s compact form, aided by the rear suspension structure, makes positioning a large-volume silencer beneath the engine possible.
The rear shock’s adjustable preload function, which provides seven settings to meet varied rider sizes and payloads, adds to the Vulcan S’s customizability and adaptability to fit individual preferences and riding scenarios.
Brakes
A two-piston caliper holds the vast 300mm front disc, while a single-piston caliper grips the 250mm rear disc. The brakes give enough stopping power.
Fit and Comfort
Several 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser elements are intended to increase rider comfort and personalization. Its low seat height of 27.8 inches allows users to easily place their feet down while stopping, which is critical for comfort when riding a motorcycle. The parallel twin-engine layout provides a narrow chassis design, ensuring a tiny space between the rider’s legs and increasing ground reach even further.
The backbone-style rear frame accentuates the bike’s overall low profile, making it more straightforward to reach the ground. The bike’s Ergo-Fit flexibility allows customers to customize their riding position, adding another layer of customization. The footpeg placements may be adjusted in three different ways, and aftermarket handlebars and seats allow for even more customization for shorter or longer reach.
Furthermore, each 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser rider will have a personalized and enjoyable ride owing to the adjustable clutch and brake levers, which can be set to fit a range of hand sizes and preferences.
Comfort
The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser contain various design features intended to increase riding comfort, with an emphasis on rookie riders. For short excursions and city riding, the seat’s significant cushioning provides a big surface area and excellent hip support. To increase comfort, the seat bracket is rubber-mounted to prevent vibration from being transferred through the seat.
The footpegs are precisely placed to promote a comfortable cruiser-style riding position with foot-forward control. The handlebar and rider footpeg stays are rubber-mounted to reduce vibration further. These attributes make riding more enjoyable and comfortable for many riders, regardless of height.
With the 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser’s adjustable footpegs, levers, and accessory components, riders may also tailor their bike to their preferences and size. This guarantees a pleasant and personalized ride.
Trend-Setting Design
The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser is a sleek and modern alternative for riders wishing to break away from typical cruiser designs. Its design mixes modern elements to create a distinct look, with powerful, long-and-low proportions and bending, flowing lines.
The tapered handlebar, with its larger middle area, adds to the bike’s rugged appearance, while the inverted triangle headlamp gives it a more contemporary appeal. Its cruiser-style appeal is emphasized by a curved rear fender that embraces the wheel and a teardrop-shaped fuel tank.
The offset laydown rear shock allows for a compact design of the rear fender, which adds to its unique appearance. The single seat and LED taillight are further modern elements that improve the bike’s overall appearance. Metal trim is used on the swingarm pivot cover, cylinder head cover, radiator shrouds, and other sections of the Vulcan S, giving it a sleek and modern appearance.
Engine
The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser has a unique appearance, breaking from traditional cruiser design with its unconventional engine configuration. Its air-cooled, fin-like cylinder head finish gives it an aggressive appearance. The under-engine silencer arrangement and the sleek curvature of the exhaust pipes add to the bike’s attractive appearance, which complements the cruiser-style image.
Furthermore, the dual-wall exhaust pipe design broadens the look of the header pipes, adding to the Vulcan S’s frightening and powerful appearance.
Frame
One of the 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser’s distinguishing features is its perimeter frame, which is purposefully meant to be seen rather than covered by the bike’s bodywork. This frame runs from the front of the bike to the back hub, merging seamlessly with the swingarm and rear suspension.
The offset laydown rear single-shock suspension is an important part of the bike’s revolutionary design and contributes to its distinctive look.
The swingarm’s D-shaped cross-section echoes the pipe-like structure of the frame, contributing to the bike’s overall luxury appearance. The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser, with its stretched and low-slung look, exemplifies the traditional cruiser design due to its long wheelbase.
Furthermore, the critical cylinder’s intelligent placement at the front of the petrol tank ensures a clean cockpit while boosting the rider’s access and simplicity with ignition operation.
Wheels
The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser has a distinct appearance thanks to its cast wheels, which include five-spoke pairs for a bold, cruiser-style appearance. The bike’s equipment comprises a tiny, stacked instrument cluster that complements the design. This easy-to-read cluster has an analog-style tachometer and a multifunction dual-window LCD with white LED backlights for nighttime visibility.
The instrument panel also includes a gear indicator, allowing riders to keep track of their gear position while riding quickly. The critical cylinder’s strategic positioning towards the front of the petrol tank keeps the cockpit area clean and uncluttered and increases the rider’s access and convenience while using the ignition.
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser – Price
The new 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser is available at $7,349 only.
2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cruiser – Technical Specifications
Power
Engine | 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 649cc |
Bore x Stroke | 83.0 x 60.0mm |
Compression Ratio | 10.8:1 |
Fuel System | DFI 38mm Throttle Bodies (2), with sub-throttle valves |
Ignition | TCBI w/ Electronic Advance |
Transmission | 6-speed with positive, neutral finder |
Final Drive | Sealed Chain |
Maximum Torque | 46.3 lb-ft @ 6600 rpm |
Performance
Front Suspension / Wheel Travel | 41mm telescopic fork/5.1 in |
Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel | Laydown offset rear shock with linkage and adjustable preload/3.2 in |
Front Tire | 120/70×18 |
Rear Tire | 160/60×17 |
Front Brakes | Single 300mm disc with twin-piston caliper |
Rear Brakes | Single 250mm disc with single-piston caliper |
Details
Frame | Type High-tensile steel diamond frame |
Rake/Trail | 31/4.7 in |
Overall Length | 90.9 in |
Overall Width | 34.6 in |
Overall Height | 43.3 in |
Ground Clearance | 5.1 in |
Seat Height | 27.8 in |
Curb Weight | Non ABS: 491.7 lb / ABS: 498.3 lb |
Fuel Capacity | 3.7 gal |
Wheelbase | 62.0 in |
Color Choices | Metallic Flat Spark Black, Pearl Matte Sage Green/Metallic Flat Spark Black |
Warranty | 12-Month Limited Warranty |
Kawasaki Protection Plusâ„¢ (optional) | 12, 24, 36 or 48 months |