Introduction
The one with the attitude in the Vulcan 900 family
A motorcycle should make its owner proud, whether cruising through
town or simply parked at one of the many motorcycling hangouts
throughout the country. With the Kawasaki Vulcan® 900 Custom,
cruising riders get the seamless blend of comfort, big bike feel,
and customized appearance.
The Vulcan 900 Custom is the crown jewel in Kawasaki's mid-size
cruiser family. This chrome-laden cruiser is more than just good
looking. Like its 903cc siblings, the 900 Custom's big-bike feel
is generated by a powerplant that pulls cleanly around town and
boasts exceptional roll-on acceleration that matches the get-up-and-go
of much larger motorcycles.
What really separates the Custom from the crowd is a unique design.
To pull this off, Kawasaki engineers and designers concentrated
on delivering a motorcycle that provides customized appearances
usually reserved for expensive two-wheel offerings. A massive
rear tire, light-looking front end highlighted by a thin 21-inch
cast wheel, and sculpted bodywork highlight the features of the
Vulcan 900 Custom.
Perhaps one of the most striking examples of Kawasaki's determination
to provide this Vulcan cruiser with a distinctive look to match
its "custom" designation are the spokes of its large
diameter 21-inch front cast wheel itself somewhat rare in
the custom-building world . Arranged in pairs, the spokes were
hand-designed for a special visual appeal.
Complimenting the lightweight trimmed-down look of the front
wheel is a low, wide rear, featuring a 15-inch cast wheel and
180mm tire to give the rider the feeling of sitting on a motorcycle
made for him (or her) alone. Crafted to highlight elegance as
much as its gutsy, fuel-injected V-Twin power, the Vulcan 900
Custom is sure to have a broad appeal.
Employing its own version of design minimalism, Kawasaki has
produced a cruiser that is just enough of everything that is
right. Even the visual contrast of the front and rear wheels
is heightened by the simplicity and subtlety of the fuel tank.
Its carefully molded and delicately curved shape brings a visual
connection that literally ties together the highly customized
approach of the Vulcan 900 Custom.
Whether moving at highway speeds towards a midnight getaway,
or tooling through local streets on the way to work, the Vulcan
900 Custom's light, sporty handling will keep it at the front
of the pack in the eyes of knowledgeable motorcyclists. Excellent
stability, good power, easy maneuverability, and startling attractiveness
make this new Kawasaki one to own.
Available in three color selections, the 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan
900 Custom offers stylish aesthetics in a platform that's perfect
for customization with Kawasaki accessories.
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Features
Engine
- 903cc V-twin SOHC engine tuned
to deliver healthy dose of torque at low rpm
- Smooth and reliable
- Gear-driven balancer allows use of single pin crankshaft without
heavy vibration
- Rubber-mounted to eliminate engine vibration at all speeds
Four-valve Cylinder Head
- Provides maximum valve area for optimum flow more power and
low-end torque
- Single overhead cam design is simple, lightweight and practical
- Extremely efficient intake tracts feature ports that narrow
near the combustion chamber to increase intake flow speed for
more efficient filling and increased torque
- Long intake tracts for great low-end response
Liquid and Air Cooling
- Exceptional thermal control with finned cylinders and head
and liquid cooling combination
- Maintains consistent engine temperatures for long engine life
and sustained power
- Automatic fan helps keep things cool
- Includes temperature warning light
Automatic Cam Chain Tensioner
- Maintains precise valve timing with maintenance
- Assures greater reliability
- Hidden from view to preserve the engine's clean, basic look
Dual Slash-Cut Mufflers
- Big slash-cut mufflers look great and contain honeycomb catalyzers
to reduce emissions
Positive Neutral Finder
- Just lift the shift pedal from first gear at a stop to find
neutral easy, every time
Electronic Fuel Injection
- Dual throttle bodies with sub throttles provide optimum performance
and rideability
- The sub throttles, located behind the main throttle valve,
are controlled by the ECU so that the DFI® system retains
more precise throttle response, similar to a constant velocity
carburetor
- Fine-atomizing fuel injectors produce a fine fuel mist for
better acceleration, combustion and fuel consumption
Belt Drive
- Lower unsprung weight than shaft drive to improve ride
quality and suspension action
- More efficient so more power reaches the rear wheel
- Low maintenance and low noise
Double Cradle Frame
- Very rigid large-diameter box section backbone allows a larger
fuel tank, and helps contribute to high stability and lightweight
handling at low speeds
- Triangular swingarm looks like a hardtail design, but acts
on a single shock hidden beneath the seat
- Long and low for minimal seat height, maximum visual impact
- Fork offset and frame geometry combine for light, low-effort
handling at ultra-low speeds
- Long wheelbase contributes to highway stability
41mm Front Fork
- Excellent rigidity and 5.9 inches of travel
- 33 degrees rake and 7.2 in. of trail for excellent straight
line stability
- Wide fork pitch for classic look
Front and Rear Disc Brakes
- A 300mm front and 270mm rear disc have twin-piston calipers
for some of the best stopping power in the class
Custom Cast 21 in. Front Wheel
- Arranged in pairs, the wheel's 18 "spokes" were designed
by hand
- Tapered and flanged in two directions, every line and surface
of each 3-D spoke is exquisitely curved
Wide Rear Tire
- 180mm rear tire provides added stability while projecting a
powerful image
- Wider tire than that found on most large-displacement cruisers
- Custom cast 15" rear wheel contrasts the "light,"
tall front wheel
Tank-Mounted Speedometer with Turn Signal Indicators and Caution
Lamps
- Gives you the information you need at-a-glance
- Compact design complements the bike's clean look
Sculpted Bodywork
- Fuel tank features a twin valley design, with a dynamic tension
and presence all its own
- Composed exclusively of curves with constantly varying radii,
the twin valley design theme continues in the rear fender and
its hand-sculpted contours are designed to be pleasing to both
the eye and to the touch
- Bottom of the rear fender features a relatively straight cut,
to balance the lines of the motorcycle
Custom Features
- Clean headlight design is small and isolated without a central
fork cover or headlamp bar
- Chromed headlamp, headlamp mount, lower triple clamp and turn
signals as well as footpegs, shift lever and rear brake lever
- Small, minimalist fender and lack of front fork covers also
contribute to the slender appearance of the front end
- Sporty, straight-style handlebar adds to the bike's custom
styling. Instead of handlebar clamps, twin tubes elegantly curve
back from the upper triple clamp. Both the handlebar and twin
tubes are completely chromed
- One-piece "gunfighter" style seat is designed for
comfortable rider and passenger accommodation and a custom-style
look
- Chromed forward-mount footpegs instead of floorboards add to
the custom image and improve rider control
- Matte black frame emphasizes the chrome finishing
- Standard toe-operated shift lever instead of a heel-toe shifter
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Technical Specifications
Engine: 4-Stroke, liquid-cooled,
SOHC, four-valve per cylinder, V-twin
Displacement: 903cc
Bore x Stroke: 88.0 x 74.2mm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Maximum Torque: 60.5 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm
Cooling: Liquid
Fuel Injection: EFI with 34mm Keihin throttle bodies (2)
Ignition: TCBI with electronic advance
Transmission: Five-speed
Final drive: Belt
Frame: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
Rake / Trail: 33 degrees / 7.2 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork
/ 5.9 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: Uni-Trak® swingarm,
seven-way adjustable spring preload / 4.1 in.
Front tire: 80/90x21
Rear tire: 180/70x15
Front brake / rear brake: 300mm hydraulic disc / 270mm hydraulic
disc
Overall length: 94.7 in.
Overall width: 35.2 in.
Overall height: 44.1 in.
Seat height: 27.0 in.
Dry weight: 549 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal.
Wheelbase: 64.8 in.
Color choices: Metallic Diablo Black
Passion Red
Candy Lime Green
Warranty: 12 months
* Price and specifications subject to change
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