2007–2020 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Chopper Looks, Honest Miles
The Vulcan 900 Custom is Kawasaki's take on the factory chopper, and it commits to the look: a 21-inch cast front wheel, a raked-out fork, drag-style bars and a fat 180-section rear tire. That's what separates it from its Classic sibling. Underneath sits a 903 cc liquid-cooled 55° V-twin with 50 hp and 58 lb-ft, a five-speed gearbox and a quiet, low-maintenance belt drive in a steel double-cradle frame. Electronics? There aren't any: no ABS, no traction control, no ride modes. In the middleweight cruiser class it's the straightforward, well-built option that delivers the stance without the drama. Honest metal.
It rides the way it looks: long, low and calm, with straight-line stability that holds up at highway speed and handling that's easier than 611 lb (277 kg) suggests. It ages well too, with low running costs and a solid reliability record. Check two things on a used one. The stator is known to fail prematurely, and replacement can come due around 28,000 mi (45,000 km). And 2006–2009 models are covered by a recall on replacement fuel tanks that can leak at the filler neck. This bike is for you if you want chopper style and low-stress ownership. If you want pace, look elsewhere. 50 hp is 50 hp.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 50 hp (37 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 58 lb-ft (79 Nm) |
| Displacement | 903 cc |
| Engine | 55° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front brake | 300 mm |
| Front tire | 80/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 180/70-15 |
| Wheelbase | 64.8 in (1646 mm) |
| Seat height | 27.0 in (685 mm) |
| Wet weight | 611 lb (277 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 gal (20.1 L) |
| Fuel economy | 46 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
I've spent years listening to riders talk about their bikes: in the paddock, at club nights, in owner chats and in the messages that land in my inbox. On the Vulcan 900 Custom, that talk follows a steady pattern. Owners like how refined and manageable it is and what they got for the money, and they keep coming back to one complaint about the highway.
Riders consistently describe a twin that stays smooth and quiet, even at highway pace. Just as often they bring up the low seat, which takes the worry out of parking lots and slow maneuvers, and how willingly the bike leans and holds its line for a cruiser. Value comes up every bit as much: big-bike looks and a quality finish at a price that undercuts many rivals. Fair deal.
The recurring gripe is the open road. Owners report that power tapers off above 3,500 rpm, and that the five-speed leaves the engine buzzing past 70 mph (113 km/h). Some also mention a stock seat that gets uncomfortable after a couple of hours, which many end up replacing, and a bike that touches down when you corner aggressively. One more gear, please!
Replacement fuel tank may leak at filler neck (2006-2009 models)
On certain replacement fuel tanks, fuel can leak between the tank filler neck and cap gasket, creating a fire hazard. Kawasaki issued a recall to inspect and replace affected tanks.
Stator failures
The stator is known to fail prematurely, leading to charging issues and battery drain. Some owners report replacement around 28,000 mi (45,000 km).
Where this Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Vulcan 900 Custom is actually built for.
You get the stance, the V-twin and a ride that suits a rally week. What you don't get is the brand identity that scene runs on. If the badge is part of your ritual, be honest with yourself.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
Small towns, old routes, an unhurried rhythm: that's this bike's pace. It looks the part, sips fuel and asks very little of you. Just know it's a chopper-style cruiser, not a retro standard.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
It's stable on the highway and goes a long way between fill-ups. But 50 hp, five gears and luggage only as an option make loaded two-up crossings hard work. Solo day stretches are fine.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2011–2014
Low Cost, Long Haul
Competitor · 2009–2017
Chopper Soul, Easy Money
Roughly $900 pricier used than this bike at 9 yr
Competitor · 2007–2017
Big Attitude, Chopper Bones
Roughly $900 pricier used than this bike at 9 yr
Competitor · 2005
Classic Looks, Honest Miles
About the same used price as this bike at 14 yr
Competitor · 2002–2007
Chrome, Shaft Drive, Pure Presence
Competitor · 2007–2013
Stripped to Bare Twin Cam Soul
Roughly $5,200 pricier used than this bike at 13 yr
Same Platform · 2015–2017
Low Seat, Real Torque
About the same used price as this bike at 11 yr