Kawasaki Vulcan S Special Edition 2016 — Specifications

Who would have bet that a 649 cc engine borrowed from a nervous roadster would end up strapped into a custom frame? Kawasaki did it with the Vulcan S, and the result is as divisive as it is appealing. The ER-6's inline twin-cylinder four-stroke, recalibrated to deliver 61 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 62.8 Nm of torque at 6,600 rpm, remains a lively, willing engine — almost too playful for the genre. Mounted on a perimeter steel-tube frame, set on a seat just 705 mm off the ground, the whole package weighs 225 kg dry. That's restrained for a custom, and you feel it from the first few meters. The machine slips through traffic, accepts changes of lean without complaint, where a Yamaha XVS 650 Dragstar plays ocean liner and a Honda Shadow 750 demands more commitment through linked corners. The Vulcan S is not a cruiser pretending. It's a roadster in disguise, and that's precisely what makes it charming.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S Special Edition, 2016 model year, changes nothing mechanically. Not one extra horsepower, not one additional newton-meter. The entire difference lies in the livery. A deep grey dresses the bodywork, lifted by silver-grey cheeks on the 14-liter tank. A green stripe runs the length of the machine, echoing Kawasaki's signature codes without falling into racing caricature. The wheels receive the same treatment, and the lateral shock absorber spring also shows up in green. It's understated, cohesive, and it gives the machine a personality that the more sober standard version sometimes struggles to assert.

On the chassis side, we find the 41 mm telescopic hydraulic fork with 130 mm of travel up front, and the lateral mono-shock offering 80 mm at the rear. Braking relies on a 300 mm disc gripped by a two-piston caliper in front, and a 250 mm disc with a single-piston caliper at the back. Sufficient for the claimed 180 km/h top speed, but without excessive margin for hard braking two-up. The six-speed gearbox with chain final drive does its job cleanly, with positive shifts that benefit from the twin's smooth character. The 120/70-18 front and 160/60-17 rear tires, somewhat atypical in the custom segment, further betray the platform's street-bike DNA.

On the other side of the Atlantic, this variant goes by the name Vulcan S Café and comes with a small flyscreen and a solo seat. Two additions that deserved a spot in the European catalog, given how much they reinforce the machine's character. As it stands, the Special Edition remains a matter of paint, priced at 7,699 euros. That's fair for what the bike offers, especially against a less powerful Suzuki Boulevard S40 or a Hyosung GV 650 with inferior fit and finish.

The true audience for the Vulcan S, across all versions, is A2 license holders and riders who want a custom riding position without giving up the joy of spirited riding. The low seat reassures, the engine forgives sloppy inputs, and the compact dimensions let you park without breaking a sweat. Those seeking the deep rumble of an American V-twin will look elsewhere. Those who want to ride, corner, and have fun on a custom that doesn't take itself too seriously will find an honest machine here. The Kawasaki Vulcan S Special Edition revolutionizes nothing. It simply dresses up a good idea with a bit more character.