The Kawasaki Vulcan family is acclaimed worldwide for providing an unrivaled cruiser experience, perfect for long journeys. Throughout history, Vulcans have gained recognition for their exceptional engineering, robust strength and lively aesthetics. Today, Kawasaki focuses on serving diverse preferences, offering a range of options that satisfy both modern sporting tastes and traditional preferences.
This year’s Vulcan lineup reflects this intention, featuring the sporty Vulcan S, the classic and timeless Vulcan 900, the luxurious bagger cruiser Vulcan 1700 Vaquero and the touring cruiser – the Vulcan 1700 Voyager. With this diverse range, Kawasaki provides cruiser motorcycle experiences for riders of all levels, from beginners to experienced enthusiasts. However, there was a time when Kawasaki produced a Vulcan exclusively for the most demanding motorcyclists. However, many consider it to be one of the best cruiser bikes ever produced by a Japanese manufacturer.
The Vulcan family was initially launched in 1984, with models such as the Vulcan 1500 and Vulcan 1600 setting high standards for the company. However, Kawasaki wanted to push the boundaries even further. So they introduced the Vulcan 2000, setting new benchmarks for engine displacement, power and cruiser feel in 2004. This move boosted the company’s sales and ensured its dominance in the market for several years.
Although there are now larger cruiser bikes, such as the Triumph Rocket 3 and the beautiful Ducati Diavel V4, the Vulcan 2000 was the pioneering attempt to go beyond a displacement of 2000 cc in the cruiser segment. This article looks at the significance of this iconic machine, the sixth Vulcan and the largest ever produced in the popular Vulcan family. Despite its relatively short lifespan of six years, until 2010, this “muscle cruiser” undoubtedly had an impact on the entire industry.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 has a 2,053 cc engine, the largest for a cruiser at the time, which attracted the attention of enthusiasts then and still does. Kawasaki dedicated more than three years to its development to ensure a superior product. They designed the large V-twin engine and tuned it to deliver impressive power, peaking at 104 hp in the base model in 2004, with torque of 176.9 Nm and a top speed of 200 km/h. Subsequent models, produced until 2010, saw improvements in performance, reaching 116 hp and 191 Nm. A Hyvo primary drive chain transferred this power from the engine to the 5-speed transmission, which includes a multi-plate wet clutch.
With a bore and stroke of 103 mm x 123.2 mm, the fuel-injected DOHC engine featured the largest pistons ever used in a motorcycle, along with alloy steel connecting rods, substantial 220 mm flywheels and twin cams inside the one-piece crankcase, with rods on the right-hand side actuating four valves per cylinder. It also used built-in oil and water pumps, with the upper section of the engine being liquid-cooled, while the lower two-thirds benefited from cooling fins for optimum temperature regulation.
In addition, the bike has twin exhaust pipes that run parallel along the frame, emitting the classic sound of a twin-cylinder, partly thanks to the single-pin crankshaft. Rubber engine mounts ensure smooth running, while hydraulic valve lash adjusters maintain zero valve clearance for quieter performance.