Riders who live and work in and around San Francisco know the benefits of a good cruiser motorcycle. These budget-friendly motorcycles are great for stop-and-go downtown traffic while also allowing you to get out and enjoy some time on the interstate or take a weekend trip. While Kawasaki is best known for its high-performance motorcycles, they’re also a big-time player in the cruiser market. The Vulcan S offers all the benefits of a cruiser in a package that hasn’t forgotten its sport-oriented roots.
When you head to SF Moto to find a Kawasaki for sale, the VN 650 S series is worth checking out. First introduced in 2015, this bike puts a twist on the long-running Vulcan touring bike by giving it a “sport cruiser” makeover, blending weekday convenience and weekend thrills with an aggressive style. Does that sound like an intriguing combination to you? Let’s see how the latest Kawasaki Vulcan S delivers on its promise to be everything a San Francisco rider could want.
Impressive Performance in a Compact Size
You might not think of a cruiser as a bike that can deliver the power and acceleration you will feel in your soul. The Kawasaki Vulcan S is here to put an end to that misconception. It uses a 649cc parallel-twin engine that is based on the same design used in the legendary Kawasaki Ninja sportbike, This means dual overhead cams, liquid cooling, and a 10.8:1 compression ratio. You also get a six-speed transmission, a direct fuel injection system, and a TCBI ignition with electronic digital advance.
This adds up to 61 hp and 46.3 lb-ft of torque via a sealed drive chain. It may not sound like much on the surface, and granted, there isn’t as much power and torque as other Vulcan models like the 900 Classic or the 1700 Vaquero. With how light the Vulcan S is, though, you don’t need much to feel a power surge. Thanks to a high-tensile steel frame, the curb weight is less than 500 lbs, making the bike incredibly responsive.
Furthermore, unlike other high-power/low-weight motorcycles, Kawasaki designed the Vulcan S to be smooth and predictable as you climb through the RPMs. This is thanks in part to dual throttle valves that control airflow to the intake for a more linear acceleration response when you squeeze the throttle. With the Vulcan S as your steed, you’ll feel equally at home on Folsom Street or Route 101.
A Suspension Fit for a Sportbike
The engine isn’t the only aspect of this cruiser that draws inspiration from the sportbikes that made the manufacturer famous. Kawasaki equips each Vulcan S with a 41mm hydraulic telescopic front fork that has 5.1 inches of travel. The laydown offset rear shock has 3.2 inches of travel, includes a multi-link setup to improve ride quality, and is pre-load adjustable to seven settings for the exact amount of response based on the roads and your preferences. Make the suspension stiffer if you want maximum sporty responsiveness or soft for a more luxurious ride on daily commutes.
The more compact rear suspension layout contributes to the streamlined design and performance of the Vulcan S. The battery is placed next to the shock instead of underneath, and Kawasaki was able to keep more of the exhaust system beneath the engine. These two factors allow a lower seat height of 27.8 inches and a lower center of gravity to improve stability.
Kawasaki also gave the Vulcan S cast aluminum sport wheels and high-performance tires to take advantage of that sporty suspension. The rear tire is significantly wider and has a taller sidewall than the front wheel to support rider weight and provide more stable acceleration. When you add in the low curb weight, optional anti-lock brakes, and short 62-inch wheelbase, you end up with an extremely nimble bike for tight city streets that can also strut its stuff on sweeping highways.
The Latest Tech to Get the Perfect Fit
In 2023, Rider magazine named the Kawasaki Vulcan S one of the best motorcycles for small riders, showing that even those short in stature can experience the joy of cruising around San Francisco. But what if you’re taller and want a high-quality sport cruiser? Kawasaki has you covered there, too.
The Vulcan S is built with the ERGO-FIT sizing system, offering three adjustable positions each for the seat, footpegs, and handlebars. This gives you a total of 18 configurations. The three standard options are Reduced Reach for riders 5 ft 6 in tall and under, Mid-Reach for riders 5 ft 7 in to 6 ft tall, and Extended Reach for riders 6 ft 1 in tall and above. When you buy a new Vulcan S, we will set it up correctly for your height free of charge.
This “fit the rider” philosophy also applies when you’re trying to find the balance between seize-the-day power and practical efficiency. The Economical Riding Indicator system monitors your fuel usage every second and displays an “ECO” emblem on the LCD instrument panel when you’re using less fuel than average. By paying attention to the conditions in which the emblem appears, you can improve your overall fuel economy, which is already solid at a reported average of 42 MPG. Of course, when you’re seeking excitement, you can ignore the indicator altogether and go full bore. It’s up to you!
Add a Vintage Punch with the Vulcan S Café ABS
A Vulcan 650 S already has a bit of a retro vibe with its styling and color schemes. If you want to turn this classic feel up to 11, Kawasaki has the Vulcan S Café ABS. This trim features a special three-tone paint scheme with metallic matte dark gray and flat spark black, highlighted by red sports stripes and wheel accents. The Café ABS also has a dark-tinted wind deflector for a bolder look and a fuel tank badge to announce yourself. Performance-wise, this variant standardizes the ABS so you have reliable stopping power on any road conditions and in any weather.
Get a Kawasaki Sport Cruiser From SF Moto
Are you looking for a bike that can easily get you around San Francisco and help you have fun exploring beyond the city limits? The Kawasaki Vulcan S should be on your list. It’s lightweight, agile, and sporty, making it the perfect blend of classic cruiser and modern sportbike. Kawasaki also lets you customize it with accessories such as a passenger seat, saddlebags, and mounts, luggage racks, LED light bars, chrome clutch covers, and other ways to add performance and good looks.
Visit us to take the Kawasaki 650 Vulcan S for a test drive or to learn more about this motorcycle. As the only authorized Kawasaki dealer in the City By the Bay, we can get you a great deal on a new or pre-owned sport cruiser. Our entire staff rides in their spare time and several of them have experience with the Vulcan S. They’ll use that knowledge to help you select the bike that’s in your best interest and then configure and personalize it. We also have a full service and repair department to keep your Vulcan S purring like a kitten. Call or text us to get started!
