Kawasaki Vulcan S 650 Review

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Kawasaki says the 2015 vulcan s is its new midsize cruiser we say it's more a lot more because the Vulcan s breaks new
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ground with kawasaki innovative her go fit concept that provides considerable adjustments for rider
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ergonomics this allows a custom fit to accommodate different physical size and riding preferences by combining any of
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three foot peg positions three seat shapes and an optional handlebar riders can create their own custom fit better
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yet at time of purchase Vulcan s buyers can have their dealer bolt up various options for a personal fitting before
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riding away with their favorite setup all at no extra charge we spent more than 250 miles on a Vulcan s trying out
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different seats and testing all three peg positions and we're here to report the system really works the standard
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handlebar is well shaped and served as best we didn't need that optional inch and pullback the standard seat felt
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cushy and comfy but a bit too restrictive and back so we chose the extended reach seat that lets the rider
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shift rearward an extra inch this seat is also noticeably firmer in construction due to different foam plus
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a gel pad since taller riders will typically weigh more – after beginning with the foot pegs in the forward most
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location and then trying the middle position we decided the rear most setting two inches back from the
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starting point fit our preference is best even though two of us are six foot or taller why with pegs back it's more
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conducive to active riding down tight back roads but that was just our personal preference your choice may well
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differ and that's the beauty of this system from freeway travel to back road cruising to hustling through curves
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the Vulcan S does it all remarkably well this liquid-cooled 649 CC parallel twin originated in the 650 ninja and vs. with
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lots of sporting DNA tuned for extra low-end and mid-range punch the powerplant pulls well from 3,000 rpm on
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and revs willingly past eight grand to its 9,500 rpm redline power Peaks just shy of 55 horsepower at 70 100
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with no dips along the way taking off from a start is easy but the engine doesn't really like to work below 3000
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rpm and low speed drive line lash is a minor annoyance so keep the revs up at freeway speeds and higher the Vulcan s
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keeps pulling well and stays delightfully smooth with barely a trace of vibration despite its long 62 inch
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wheelbase and stretch 31 degrees of steering rate typical of cruisers the Vulcan s still feels remarkably nimble
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and displays none of the front end floppiness that sometimes hinders longer wheelbase cruisers steering is medium
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light and effort and satisfyingly linear in action while pushing the bike extra hard on twisty roads we began to wish
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for a stronger front brake and more rebound damping in the rear shock despite this flogging the Vulcan s
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displayed excellent ground clearance all undercarriage parts tuck in tightly so we only Nick the foot peg feelers it
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feels stable and reassuring in long fast sweepers to back the pace off to normal cruising speeds and life is sweet all
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told the Vulcan S is exceptionally well rounded offers plenty of adjustability and delivers loads of fun