By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Tourer vs Cruiser
Honda CTX 700 N (CTX700N) vs Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe (MY2017)
Honda CTX 700 N vs Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe: two kinds of bike, and who each one is for.
First slow U-turn after the swap, the Honda CTX 700 N's weight sits low and it doesn't fight you at walking pace. On the Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe, the steering's quicker and the bike feels light under your hands. It flicks in before you've finished asking.
So which one do you buy?
The CTX 700 N has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: CTX 700 N
On a winding road, the CTX 700 N comes out a touch ahead. The reason: lighter steering and a sportier chassis. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: CTX 700 N
The CTX 700 N makes slightly more sense as a commuter. Don't read much into a gap this small.
The Vulcan S Cafe has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: Vulcan S Cafe
Over a year of riding, the Vulcan S Cafe noses ahead on running costs. A neglected example would wipe that out.
Which one's the smarter buy
Two different jobs
The CTX 700 N and Vulcan S Cafe do different jobs, so neither is the clear better buy for the money. You're paying for a specific riding style, not a price advantage.
What makes each one tick
CTX 700 N
Down on its padded seat with the pegs out front, the CTX 700 N doesn't wear on a long commute. Low in the revs, its twin pulls hard and keeps shoving through stop-and-go traffic. City gaps don't stay shut long. Corner entry takes one push on the wide bar.
Vulcan S Cafe
There's a naked bike's appetite for bends in the Vulcan S Cafe, and the pegs leave room to keep leaning. Broken pavement doesn't jolt the seat much, because the suspension swallows each bump. Its twin punches hard from low revs. Up top, it's still spinning eagerly.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CTX 700 N has the lower wet weight: 483 lb (219 kg) vs 503 lb (228 kg).
- The Vulcan S Cafe makes more peak power: 61 hp (45 kW) vs 48 hp (35 kW).
- The Vulcan S Cafe has the larger fuel tank: 3.7 US gal (14 L) vs 3.3 US gal (12.5 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
No verdict: Vulcan S Cafe
The Vulcan S Cafe gets left out of the long-distance question. It's built for a different kind of day.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Off its turf: CTX 700 N
The CTX 700 N isn't a first bike. Learn on something gentler and come back to it later.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CTX 700 N
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable, upright ergonomics ideal for commuting
- Excellent fuel economy
- Lightweight and agile handling
- Torquey, responsive engine
Trade-offs
- Limited passing power at highway speeds
Vulcan S Cafe
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile, sporty handling for a cruiser
- Flexible and punchy parallel-twin engine
- Surprisingly plush ride for a cruiser
Known problems to check before you buy
CTX 700 N
- Starter relay switch sealant defect (Recall 15V-439) Recall 15V439000 Faulty sealant on the starter relay switch can cause increased resistance at the main fuse, leading to engine stalling or fire risk. Affected 2014-2015 models. Honda issued a recall to replace the relay.
- Loose shift drum star bolt in DCT models The star bolt securing the shift drum inside the DCT transmission can loosen, causing erratic shifting or false neutrals. Requires disassembly to retighten with threadlocker.
- Front fork pitting The chrome on the fork stanchions can develop pits, leading to oil leaks and compromised damping. Most common on bikes used in wet or salty conditions. Aftermarket re-chroming or replacement is the fix.
Vulcan S Cafe
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 8-year-old CTX 700 N with an 8-year-old Vulcan S Cafe.
- CTX 700 N
- about $4,500
- Vulcan S Cafe
- about $4,600
At eight years old, the Honda CTX 700 N sits around $4,500 while the Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe lands near $4,600. That's no meaningful gap between the two. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Rear tire
- 160/60-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CTX 700 N | Vulcan S Cafe | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 28.3 in (719 mm) | 27.8 in (705 mm) |
| Wet weight | 483 lb (219 kg) | 503 lb (228 kg) |
| CTX 700 N | Vulcan S Cafe | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 670 cc | 649 cc |
| Power | 48 hp (35 kW) | 61 hp (45 kW) |
| Torque | 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) | 46 lb-ft (62 Nm) |
| CTX 700 N | Vulcan S Cafe | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 US gal (12.5 L) | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
| CTX 700 N | Vulcan S Cafe | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 120/70-18 |
| Wheelbase | 60.2 in (1529 mm) | 62.0 in (1575 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CTX 700 N | Vulcan S Cafe | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Standard |
| Automatic Shift (DCT / ASA / AMT) | Option | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
