Kawasaki has officially lifted the covers off the new Vulcan S at the 2014 AIMExpo in Orlando, US. Based on the ER-6N naked motorcycle, the Vulcan S is an entry-level middleweight motorcycle and sits at the bottom of the intimidating Vulcan cruiser range.
The Vulcan S is powered by a retuned version of the 649cc parallel twin engine which is also used in the Kawasaki Versys 650, Ninja 650R and ER-6n. The liquid-cooled engine has improved low-end and mid-range performance though it produces a lower power output of 61bhp and 62Nm of torque through a six-speed gearbox.
The Vulcan S gets adjustable seats, handlebars and foot pegs with three settings, making it suitable for riders of different heights. The front of the Vulcan S is equipped with 18-inch wheels and conventional telescopic suspension while the rear gets 17-inch wheels and offset laid-down monoshock. Both the wheels are cast alloy units and are painted in black with a stripe in Kawasaki’s signature green.
Prices in the US market start at USD 6,999 (Rs 4.29 lakh) for the base non-ABS version. Kawasaki will offer the Vulcan S with a host of accessories like luggage racks, saddlebags, windscreens and passenger seats among others. Colour options include candy lime green, pearl crystal white and flat ebony. With the Vulcan S, Kawasaki has breached Harley-Davidson’s territory by positioning it right in between the Street 750 and the Street 500, both in terms of price and performance.
