2010–2014 · Retro Classic · Buyer's Guide
Low Seat, Mountain of Torque
The VN 1700 Classic is built around one idea: a liquid-cooled, 52-degree V-twin of 1700 cc that makes 108 lb-ft at 2,250 rpm and 75 hp at 5,000. The cooling is there without shouting about it, and the belt final drive, steel double cradle frame and full-size proportions keep the visual language clean. At 761 lb wet, with a 65.6 inch wheelbase and a 28.3 inch seat, it sits at the heavyweight end of the classic cruiser class rather than playing at it. The six-speed gearbox gives it a real highway top gear, and the throttle is ride-by-wire.
It ages the way a simple machine should: parts and accessories are everywhere, and most of what turns up is noise rather than damage, like a belt that whines until it is cleaned and tensioned or hard starting from a tired starter motor. A few transmission output shafts have failed outright, rare but a full teardown when it happens. It suits the rider who wants presence and an unhurried pace, and who isn't shopping on numbers.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 75 hp (55 kW) @ 5,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 108 lb-ft (146 Nm) @ 2,250 rpm |
| Displacement | 1700 cc |
| Engine | V twin 52 |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 130/90-16 |
| Rear tire | 170/70-16 |
| Wheelbase | 65.6 in (1665 mm) |
| Seat height | 28.3 in (720 mm) |
| Wet weight | 761 lb (345 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 gal (20 L) |
| Top speed | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 32 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
This part isn't my own ride. It's what I've collected over years of listening: talk at bike nights, owners catching me in paddocks and parking lots, and the messages riders send me directly. On the VN 1700 Classic the chatter lines up. Owners like what they bought and live with a short list of habits that never fully go away.
The engine draws the widest agreement among owners. After that it's the ride: plush and planted, taking the hits out of bad pavement and staying steady at highway speed. The look collects its own share of talk, with compliments turning up at gas stops. And the miles keep piling on, as long as the routine service gets done.
The complaints run to noise first. A belt that chirps or squeaks is the one that comes up most, and it gets louder when it's dirty or out of line. Popping on a closed throttle and a loud shift into second follow close behind. Fuel is the other theme: around 32 mpg (7.3 L/100km), and owners don't sugarcoat what they think of that. Some taller riders add that the stock peg-to-bar reach runs tight on a long day.
Transmission output shaft failure
A small number of owners report catastrophic failure of the transmission output shaft, requiring engine teardown for repair. This appears to be a rare but serious defect.
Deceleration popping
A lean air-fuel mixture from the factory causes popping through the exhaust on closed-throttle deceleration. Aftermarket tuning can mitigate it.
Noisy gearbox (clunking shifts)
Transmission shifts with a pronounced clunk, particularly between 1st and 2nd gear. While annoying, it is not typically associated with mechanical failure.
Starter motor wear (hard starting)
Some riders experience hard starting, especially after sitting, attributed to premature starter motor wear. Checking starter relay and battery connections is recommended.
Belt drive noise (whine/squeak)
The belt can produce an irritating whine or chirp, often due to dirt buildup or slight misalignment. Cleaning and proper tension usually quiet it.
Where this Kawasaki VN 1700 Classic 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
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the VN 1700 Classic is actually built for.
This is your bike for slow routes and long days: low seat, plush ride, 5.3 gallons and an easy 32 mpg gait. Budget for luggage, since bags are an option here rather than standard kit.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
The sound, the size and the chrome-era presence are all here, and it will hold a highway pace to the rally without complaint. What it will not hand you is a badge the crowd already worships.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
Strong on flowing roads and the long links between stops, less happy when things get tight and technical. At 761 lb you ride it on momentum, and that pace suits it.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2009
Big Torque, Low Seat
Compare to the previous model →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 VN 1700 Classic. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2009–2015
British Thunder, Low And Slow
Roughly $3,200 cheaper used than this bike at 14 yr
Competitor · 2007–2009
Solid Discs, Zero Apologies
Same Platform · 2015–2017
Steady Miles, Big Torque