Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Drifter"
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{{Motorcycle | {{Motorcycle | ||
|name = | |name = Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Drifter | ||
|photo=Kawasaki-VN1500-Vulcan-Drifter--2.jpg | |photo=Kawasaki-VN1500-Vulcan-Drifter--2.jpg | ||
|aka = | |aka = | ||
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|predecessor = | |predecessor = | ||
|successor = | |successor = | ||
|class = | |class =Cruiser | ||
|engine = Four stroke, 50° V-Twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder | |engine = Four stroke, 50° V-Twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder | ||
|bore_stroke = | |bore_stroke = |
Latest revision as of 22:10, 23 November 2019
Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic Drifter | |
Manufacturer | |
---|---|
Production | 1999 - 01 |
Class | Cruiser |
Engine | Four stroke, 50° V-Twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Compression ratio | 9.0:1 |
Top Speed | 177 km/h |
Ignition | Digital |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Frame | High-tensile steel, double cradle |
Suspension | Front: 41mm cartridge fork Rear: Dual air assisted shock absorbers with 4-way rebound damping adjustment |
Brakes | Front: 2x 320mm discs 6 piston calipers Rear: Single 270mm disc 2 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 130/90R-16 |
Rear Tire | 150/80R-16 |
Wheelbase | 1655 mm / 65.2 in |
Seat Height | 739 mm / 29.1 in |
Weight | 302 kg / 668 lbs (dry), |
Recommended Oil | K-tech 10W-40 |
Fuel Capacity | 18.9 Liter / 5.0 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
It could reach a top speed of 177 km/h.
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, 50° V-Twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. The engine featured a 9.0:1 compression ratio.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 130/90R-16 front tire and a 150/80R-16 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 320mm discs 6 piston calipers in the front and a Single 270mm disc 2 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 41mm cartridge fork while the rear was equipped with a Dual air assisted shock absorbers with 4-way rebound damping adjustment. The VN1500 Vulcan Classic Drifter was fitted with a 18.9 Liter / 5.0 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 302 kg / 668 lbs. The wheelbase was 1655 mm / 65.2 in long.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Drifter
Launched in 1999, at the same
time as the Drifter 800, the Drifter 1500 looks very similar to its smaller
sibling. Underneath the retro styling however, it is a very different
machine.
Using the liquid-cooled
eight-valve engine from the VN1500, the Drifter has a slow-rewing, grunty
power delivery, helped by its electronic fuel-injection system. A
maintenance-free shaft drive transfers power to the wide 40cm (16in) back
tire and a five-speed gearbox is changed by a heel and toe shifter pedal.
The chassis is similar to the VN1500, with a hidden rear suspension system. But it is the Drifter's styling which is most important. Taking its cues from the American Indian marque of the 1940s, the Kawasaki design team committed fully to the concept. At the front of the bike, a massive, deeply valanced mudguard shrouds almost the entire wire spoked front wheel, topped off by a small headlight and fat fork shrouds. A seamless teardrop fuel tank leads back to the well-padded solo seat, and another bizarrely deep mudguard. The whole arrangement is underlined by a snaking, chromed exhaust pipe which ends in a fishtail slashcut pipe. The Drifter has less chrome plate than other cruisers - 1940s Indians didn't have much chrome either, and many metal parts are finished with a gloss black paint.
Riding the Drifter is much like riding many other large cruiser. The engine quickly revs out, and changing up at 3500rpm gives the best progress. Top speed is around 185km/h (115mph), but the wide bars and no wind protection makes keeping this speed up hard. There's little ground clearance, and the suspension and brakes are rather unsophisticated. Kept in town or on slow highway cruises, however, the Drifter is a civilized ride. Many riders customize their Drifter with some of the extensive catalogue of factory and aftermarket custom parts available.
Make Model | Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Drifter |
---|---|
Year | 1999 - 01 |
Engine Type | Four stroke, 50° V-Twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Displacement | 1470 cc / 89.7 cu-in |
Bore X Stroke | 102 x 90 mm |
Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
Compression | 9.0:1 |
Induction | Digital Fuel Injection with dual 36mm throttle bodies |
Ignition | Digital |
Starting | Electric |
Max Power | 64 hp / 46.7 kW @ 4700 rpm |
Max Torque | 112 Nm / 82.6 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Final Drive | Shaft |
Frame | High-tensile steel, double cradle |
Front Suspension | 41mm cartridge fork |
Front Wheel Travel | 150 mm / 5.9 in |
Rear Suspension | Dual air assisted shock absorbers with 4-way rebound damping adjustment |
Rear Wheel Travel | 100 mm / 3.9 in |
Front Brakes | 2x 320mm discs 6 piston calipers |
Rear Brakes | Single 270mm disc 2 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 130/90R-16 |
Rear Tire | 150/80R-16 |
Rake | 32.0° |
Trail | 177 mm / 6.9 in |
Wheelbase | 1655 mm / 65.2 in |
Seat Height | 739 mm / 29.1 in |
Dry Weight | 302 kg / 668 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 18.9 Liter / 5.0 US gal |
Consumption Average | 14.2 km/lit |
Standing ¼ Mile | 14.2 sec |
Top Speed | 177 km/h |