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

From BikesWiki.com, Japanese Motorcycle Encyclopedia

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
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

Images

Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15): images, gallery.

Kawasaki Vulcan 88 (VN-15)
Kawasaki Vulcan 88 (VN-15)
Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE (VN-15 SE)

Videos

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

Kawasaki Vulcan 1500

Manuals

Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15): manuals, parts, microfiches.