Kawasaki's Vulcan Puts the Hammer Down
2007 kawasaki Vulcan
Along with sharp looks, kawasaki has delivered a mid-size metric cruiser with the feel and substance of a full-size bike
Named for the Roman god of fire and metalworking, kawasaki's Vulcan range of cruisers represent a fair share of both of those heavenly disciplines. There's enough forged and cast metal in these bikes to keep even journeyman deities distracted from their usual volcano-stoking duties.
Actually, Vulcan models have been on the road for over 20 years, and this newborn Vulcan 900 Custom shares an engine recently revised for use in the new Vulcan 900 Classic. But what sets it apart is the carefully crafted, minimalist custom styling that causes it to resemble the bespoke choppers you see on various television shows, more than it does the full-fendered and full-bodied cruisers that make up the rest of the Vulcan line.
From its prominent 21-inch cast front wheel and its slim fender, the Custom's design draws the eye in one continuous sweeping flow past the contoured fuel tank, the sculpted engine cooling fins, the staggered, slash-cut chrome exhausts and the one-piece “gunfighter'' seat to the bobbed rear fender. If kawasaki's cruiser designs were always derivatives of a certain Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer, the company has nonetheless developed that theme with commendable artistry to produce one of the most definitive examples of the genre in this Vulcan 900 Custom.
That's not all. Along with the sharp looks kawasaki has delivered a mid-size metric cruiser with the feel and substance of a full-size model. Its new 903cc engine has the sound only a common-crankpin V-twin can produce, but its overhead-cam design, fuel-injected induction system and balance-shaft vibration control combine in one extremely sophisticated powertrain. A smooth five-speed gearbox and tolerably light clutch action provide the necessary synthesis for a machine that is easy and pleasurable to operate.
Source: http://www.businessweek.com...
issued: Monday, December 18, 2006
updated: Monday, December 18, 2006
More recent news:
- C100 Astrea Partslist added
- Just in: Honda Benly Emblem Sets
- New: Fuel prices comparison
- Just added: MB50Z MB-5 1979
- Attention MB50 owners
- 22 resources for CB250RS owners
- Just in: CB750 OEM exhaust Kit
- Honda to show off experimental "walking assist device"
- Classics ONK Assen Report
- Motorcycle Hall presents celebrity wing
More kawasaki news:
Kawasaki Day re-lives on Zolder racetrack
Kawasaki updates ZZ-R1400
Full Details on Kawasaki 2008 Ninja ZX-10R
Introducing the 2008 Kawasaki Versys
Kawasaki's Newest Streetfighter: Z1000
Kawasaki GTR1400 review
Kawasaki's Nifty New Ninja
Kawasaki Recalls 2007 ATVs
2008 Kawasaki 1400GTR - Supersport Technology. Continent-crossing performance
Kawasaki's Vulcan Puts the Hammer Down
Kawasaki Produces Classic Model Collector Card Set
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom: Big-bike style for the mid-size cruiser
New Kawasaki ZX-6R does not 'play nicely'
New Kawasaki Concours - 2008 Concours 14
Kawasaki's New Z1000
Among the Ninjas, a Faster New Master Emerges
Kawasaki ER6n review
High power JBL Kawasaki
2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650R
Kawasaki Team Green Extreme Win
KAWASAKI ZZR1400 SPECS REVEALED
2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650R: MD First Ride
Sexy new Kawasaki combines fun and functionality
Bajaj Auto to make 125 cc bikes for Kawasaki
Kawasaki builds a Ninja that won't break your back or your budget
Redman rides again in Kawasaki test.