Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021 vs. Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 883 L SuperLow 2017

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 883 L SuperLow 2017

Overview - Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021 vs Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 883 L SuperLow 2017

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 883 L SuperLow 2017

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021 compared to Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 883 L SuperLow 2017

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 883 L SuperLow 2017

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 883 L SuperLow 2017

Engine and Drive Train

Bore	Bore	83 mm	Bore	76.2 mm
Stroke	Stroke	60 mm	Stroke	96.8 mm
Engine power	Engine power	61 HP	Engine power	53 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	5,750 rpm
Torque	Torque	62.4 Nm	Torque	69 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,600 rpm	Rpm at Torque	4,750 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	10.8	Compression Ratio	9
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Ignition	Ignition	Digital	Ignition	Transistor
Transmission	Transmission	Chain	Transmission	Belt
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	5
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	Air
Displacement	Displacement	649 ccm	Displacement	883 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Telescopic fork	Front suspension	Telescopic fork

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Perimeter	Frame type	Double cradle
Trail	Trail	120 mm	Trail	145 mm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Single disk
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Double piston

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Piston	Piston	Single piston	Piston	Double piston

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	120 mm	Front tyre width	120 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	70 %	Front tyre height	70 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	18 inch	Front tyre diameter	18 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	160 mm	Rear tyre width	150 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	60 %	Rear tyre height	60 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,310 mm	Length	2,215 mm
Width	Width	880 mm	Width	845 mm
Height	Height	1,100 mm	Height	1,115 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,575 mm	Wheelbase	1,500 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	705 mm	Seat Height	695 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	229 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	255 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	14 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	17 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

No matter which platform Kawasaki puts the 650 cubic two-cylinder in, the result is always a great motorbike! Even though the engine is unusually rev-happy for a cruiser, it results in a cruiser that actually qualifies as a sports cruiser when paired with the sporty chassis set-up. The only brake is the limited lean angle clearance, but this will not deter lovers of hearty footrest grinding. With such a good bike, we hope that Kawasaki will follow suit - after all, the Vulcan S has been with us almost unchanged since 2015.

powerful engine

chassis tuning with sporty Kawasaki DNA

real cruiser seating position

easy-to-read display

potential in tuning

Appearance a little outdated

moderate wind protection