Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15): review, history, specs
{{#seo: |keywords=kawasaki, 1500, vn, vn1500, vulcan, vn-15, 88, specs, history, review, video, images |description=Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C: history, specifications, images, videos, manuals. }} Class: cruiser
Production: 1987-1999
Also called: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki VN-15 Vulcan
Successor: Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic
| Models | |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki VN1500A (Vulcan 88, VN-15)
1987-1999 (Europe, North America) |
Kawasaki VN1500B (Vulcan 88 SE, VN-15 SE)
1987-1992 (Europe, North America) |
History[edit | edit source]
| History | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Country | Name / Frame / Engine |
| 1987 | North America | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE
Code: VN1500-A1, VN1500-B1 |
| 1988 | North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE – North America
Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A2, VN1500-B2 |
| 1989 | North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE – North America
Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A3, VN1500-B3 |
| 1990 | North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88, Kawasaki Vulcan 88 SE – North America
Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A4, VN1500-B4 |
| 1991 | North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America
Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A5, VN1500-B5 |
| 1992 | North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America
Kawasaki VN-15, Kawasaki VN-15 SE – Europe Code: VN1500-A6, VN1500-B6 |
| 1993 | North America | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88
Code: VN1500-A7 |
| 1994 | North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America
Kawasaki VN-15 – Europe Code: VN1500-A8, VN1500-C1 |
| 1995 | North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America
Kawasaki VN-15 – Europe Code: VN1500-A9, VN1500-C2 |
| 1996 | North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500L – Europe Code: VN1500-A10, VN1500-C3 |
| 1997 | North America, Europe | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88 – North America
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500L – Europe Code: VN1500-A11, VN1500-C4 |
| 1998 | North America | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88
Code: VN1500-A12 |
| 1999 | North America | Name: Kawasaki Vulcan 88
Code: VN1500-A13 |
Specifications[edit | edit source]
Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15): specs
(A): Australian Model
(Au): Austrian Model
(Cal): Californian Model
(E): European Model
(F): French Model
(Fi): Finnish Model
(G): West German Model
(U): U.S.A. Model
(l): Italian Model
(UK): UK Model
(Sd): Swedish Model
(W): Switzerland Model
| Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS | Overall length | 2390 mm / 94,1 in, (A) (F) 2385 mm / 93,9 in, (E) 2410 mm / 94,9 in, (l) 2375 mm / 93,5 in – VN1500A
2370 mm / 93,3 in, (E) 2410 mm / 94,9 in – VN1500B |
| Overall width | 895 mm / 35,2 in | |
| Overall height | 1190 mm / 46,8 in, (A) (E) 1180 mm / 46,4 in – VN1500A
1210 mm / 47,6 in, (E) 1195 mm / 47,0 in – VN1500B | |
| Seat height | 720 mm / 28,3 in, (A) (E) 750 mm / 29,5 in – VN1500A
710 mm / 27,9 in, (E) 745 mm / 29,3 in – VN1500B | |
| Wheelbase | 1605 mm / 63,2 in – VN1500A
1635 mm / 64,4 in, (E) 1630 mm / 64,2 in – VN1500B | |
| Ground clearance | 150 mm / 5,9 in, (A) (E) 135 mm / 5,3 in – VN1500A
165 mm / 6,5 in, (E) 160 mm / 6,3 in – VN1500B | |
| Dry weight | 252 kg / 555 lbs, (Cal) 252,5 kg / 556 lbs, (E) 257 kg / 567 lbs, (G) 256 kg / 564 lbs – VN1500A
248 kg / 547 lbs, (Cal) 248,5 kg / 548 lbs, (E) 249 kg / 549 lbs – VN1500B | |
| Curb (wet) weight | 280 kg / 617 lbs, (Cal) 282,5 kg / 622 lbs, (E) 283 kg / 624 lbs, (G) 282 kg / 621 lbs – VN1500A
275 kg / 606 lbs – VN1500B | |
| FRAME | Type | Tubular, double cradle |
| Front suspension, travel | Telescopic fork 41 mm, 150 mm / 5,9 in | |
| Rear suspension, travel | Swingarm with twin-shock, 100 mm / 3,9 in | |
| Front tire size | 100/90-19 (57H) | |
| Rear tire size | 150/90-15 (74H) | |
| Front brake | Single disc, 1-piston caliper | |
| Rear brake | Single disc, 1-piston caliper | |
| Fuel capacity | 16,0 l / 4,22 US gal – VN1500A
12,0 l / 3,17 US gal – VN1500B | |
| Trail | 128 mm / 5,04 in – VN1500A
138 mm / 5,43 in, (E) 132 mm / 5,20 in – VN1500B | |
| Fuel economy | 7,5 l / 100 km (31,4 mpg) | |
| ENGINE | Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke |
| Cylinder arrangement | 2-cylinders, V-twin | |
| Bore & Stroke | 102,0 x 90,0 mm | |
| Displacement | 1470 cm³ (89,7 cu in) | |
| Compression ratio | 9.0:1 | |
| Valve train | Chain driven SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder | |
| Max. power | 72,0 hp (53 kW) / 4500 rpm – max. | |
| Max. torque | 123,6 Nm (12,6 kgf*m) / 3000 rpm – max. | |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 5,4 sec | |
| Top speed | 178 km/h (111 mph) | |
| CARBURETION SYSTEM | Type | Carburetor, 2x Keihin CVK36 |
| ID | ||
| DRIVE TRAIN | Clutch | Wet, multi-plate |
| Transmission | 4-speed | |
| Final drive | Shaft | |
| Primary reduction | 1.517 | |
| Final reduction | 2.619 | |
| Gear ratio
I II III IV |
1.590, 1.375 (VN1500A11 – A13) 1.192, 1.035 (VN1500A11 – A13) 0.965, 0.781 (VN1500A11 – A13) | |
| ELECTRICAL | Ignition | Transistorized |
| Alternator | Three-phase AC, 14V 25A at 6000 rpm | |
| Battery capacity | 12V-20Ah | |
Images[edit | edit source]
Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15): images, gallery.
Videos[edit | edit source]
Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15): video.
Manuals[edit | edit source]
Kawasaki VN1500A / VN1500B / VN1500C (Vulcan 88, VN-15): manuals, parts, microfiches.