Kawasaki VN800 (Vulcan): review, history, specs

Class: cruiser

Production: 1995-2006

Predecessor: Kawasaki VN750 (Vulcan)

Successor: Kawasaki VN900 (Vulcan)

Models
Kawasaki Vulcan 800 (VN800A) 1995-2005 (Europe, North America, Japan)	Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic (VN800B) 1996-2006 (Europe, North America, Japan)	Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter (VN800C/E) 1999-2006 (Europe, North America, Japan)
Kawasaki Vulcan 800	Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic	Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter

History

History
Year	Country	Name / Frame / Engine
1995	Europe, North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Code: VN800-A1
1996	Europe, North America, Japan	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic Code: VN800-A2, VN800-B1
1997	Europe, North America, Japan	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic Code: VN800-A3, VN800-B2
1998	Europe, North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic Code: VN800-A4, VN800-B3
1999	Europe, North America, Japan	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter Code: VN800-A5, VN800-B4, VN800-C1
2000	Europe, North America, Japan	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter Code: VN800-A6, VN800-B5, VN800-C2
2001	Europe, North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter Code: VN800-A7, VN800-B6, VN800-E1
2002	Europe, North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter Code: VN800-A8, VN800-B7, VN800-E2
2003	North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter Code: VN800-A9, VN800-B8, VN800-E3
2004	North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter Code: VN800-A10, VN800-B9, VN800-E4
2005	North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter Code: VN800-A11, VN800-B10, VN800-E5
2006	North America	Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic, Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter Code: VN800-B6F, VN800-E6F

Specifications

Kawasaki VN800 Vulcan: specs.

Specifications
DIMENSIONS	Overall length	2360 mm / 92,9 in – VN800A 2375 mm / 93,5 in – VN800B 2490 mm / 98,0 in – VN800C/E
	Overall width	825 mm / 32,5 in – VN800A 930 mm / 36,6 in – VN800B 1005 mm / 39,6 in – VN800C/E
	Overall height	1170 mm / 46,1 in – VN800A 1130 mm / 44,5 in – VN800B 1125 mm / 44,3 in – VN800C/E
	Seat height	710 mm / 28,0 in – VN800A 700 mm / 27,5 in – VN800B 760 mm / 30,0 in – VN800C/E
	Wheelbase	1625 mm / 64,0 in – VN800A 1600 mm / 63,0 in – VN800B 1615 mm / 63,6 in – VN800C/E
	Ground clearance	160 mm / 6,3 in – VN800A 150 mm / 5,9 in - VN800C/E 135 mm / 5,3 in – VN800B
	Dry weight	225 kg / 496 lbs – VN800A 234 kg / 516 lbs – VN800B 248 kg / 547 lbs – VN800C/E
	Curb (wet) weight
FRAME	Type	Tubular double cradle (steel)
	Front suspension, travel	Telescopic fork 41 mm, 150 mm / 5,9 in
	Rear suspension, travel	Swingarm Unitrak with mono-shock, 100 mm / 3,9 in Adjustment: spring pre-load
	Front tire size	80/90-21 48H – VN800A 130/90-16 67H – VN800B, – VN800C/E
	Rear tire size	140/90-16 71H
	Front brake	Single disc, 300 mm, 1-piston caliper – VN800A Single disc, 300 mm, 2-piston caliper – VN800B Single disc, 300 mm, 2-piston caliper – VN800C/E
	Rear brake	Drum, 180 mm – VN800A / B Single disc, 270 mm, 2-piston caliper – VN800C/E
	Fuel capacity	15,0 l / 4,0 US gal (reserve - 3,0 l)
	Trail	149 mm / 5,87 in – VN800A 123 mm / 4,80 in – VN800B 158 mm / 7,0 in – VN800C/E
	Fuel economy / consumption	5,92 l / 100 km (39,7 US mpg)
ENGINE	Type	Liquid-cooled 4-stroke
	Cylinder arrangement	2-cylinders, V-twin
	Bore & Stroke	88,0 x 66,2 mm
	Displacement	805 cm³ (49,12 cu in)
	Compression ratio	9.5:1
	Valve train	Chain driven SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
	Max. power	60,0 hp (44,1 kW) / 7500 rpm – VN800 (Canada) 58,0 hp (42,7 kW) / 7500 rpm – VN800 (Japan) 55,0 hp (40,5 kW) / 7000 rpm – VN800 (USA) 53,0 hp (39,3 kW) / 7000 rpm – VN800 (France)
	Max. torque	64,7 Nm (6,6 kgf*m) / 3500 rpm – VN800 (Canada) 62,8 Nm (6,4 kgf*m) / 3500 rpm – VN800 (Japan) 64,0 Nm (6,5 kgf*m) / 3300 rpm – VN800 (USA)
	Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0-60 mph)	5,88 sec.
	Top speed	174 km/h (108 mph)
CARBURETION SYSTEM	Type	Carburetor, 1x Keihin CVK36
	ID
DRIVE TRAIN	Clutch	Wet, multi-plate, cable operated
	Transmission	5-speed
	Final drive	Chain
	Primary reduction	2.184
	Final reduction	2.875 – VN800 (1995-1996) 2.470 – VN800 (1997-2006) 2.352 – VN800C/E
	Gear ratio I II III IV V	2.250 – VN800 (1995-1996), 2.533 (1997-2006) 1.600 – VN800 (1995-1996), 1.650 (1997-2006) 1.230 1.000 0.857
ELECTRICAL	Ignition	Transistorized
	Alternator	Three-phase AC, 23.5A (329W) at 8000 rpm
	Battery capacity	12V-12Ah

Images

Kawasaki VN800 Vulcan: images, gallery.

Kawasaki Vulcan 800

Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic

Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter

Videos

Kawasaki VN800 Vulcan: video.

2004 KAWASAKI VN800 VULCAN 800 DRIFTER

2001 KAWASAKI VN800 VULCAN 800

2005 KAWASAKI VN800 VULCAN 800 CLASSIC

Manuals

Kawasaki VN800 Vulcan: manuals, parts, microfiches.

• Kawasaki Vulcan 800: Service Manual, 1995-2006