New 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic SE


The Vulcan 900 Classic’s 903cc engine provides excellent performance, while rider floorboards complete with a heel and toe shifter enhance rider comfort. The tank-mounted instrumentation includes a handy fuel gauge and an easy-to-read analog speedometer. And its 5.3-gallon fuel tank is the largest in its class.

With its versatile 903cc liquid-cooled motor, the variations on the Vulcan 900 theme have been quite impressive for a smaller mid-size cruiser. For 2011, the Classic SE gets whitewall tires and a faux brushed-metal graphic that flows from the front of the tank to the tip of the rear fender.

The visual treats continue with curved cooling fins on the big, classic-looking V-twin, which bristles with modern touches inside including four-valve-per-cylinder performance and liquid-cooled reliability. An engine counterbalancer works with the single-pin crankshaft to produce that distinctive guttural V-twin sound and feel, but without the annoying V-twin vibration.

Perhaps one of the most striking examples of this Vulcan cruiser’s distinctive look is its large-diameter 21-inch front cast wheel itself somewhat rare in the custom motorcycle building world. The wheel features spokes arranged in pairs for a special visual appeal.

Balancing the lightweight look of the front end is a low, wide rear wheel featuring a 180mm tire on a 15-inch cast wheel that gives the rider the feeling of sitting on a one-of-a-kind, made-to-order motorcycle.



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