The 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom machines have more to offer than just good looks. Like its siblings, the Vulcan 900 Custom has a fuel-injected 903cc engine that produces exceptional roll-on acceleration rivaling the get-up-and-go of much larger motorcycles, yet it’s wrapped in a nimble chassis that lets it turn and handle like no heavyweight motorcycle can. Unique element from the "2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom", edgy design shows it can stand out from the crowd. Kawasaki engineers and designers concentrated on delivering a motorcycle with a customized appearance typically found only on expensive two-wheel offerings. A massive rear tire, light-looking front end accentuated by a thin 21-inch cast wheel, and sculpted bodywork top the stand-out features of the Vulcan 900 Custom.
Drawing from both current and classic styling influences, the Vulcan® 900 Custom and Custom Special Edition cruisers are a distinctive mix of back-in-the-day style and up-to-date imagery; an aggressive flat handlebar and forward footpegs place the rider in a stylish profile that enhances the overall visual appeal when rolling down Main Street. Stylish cast wheels, including a solid-look rear wheel, complete the classic V-twin look. And the 180-series rear tire, the largest in its class, accentuates its big bike style. But you won’t pay big bike bucks to get this affordable middleweight.
Perhaps one of the most striking examples of this Vulcan cruiser’s distinctive look is its large-diameter 21-inch front cast wheel – itself somewhat rare in the custom-building world. The wheel features spokes arranged in pairs for a special visual appeal. Balancing the lightweight look of the front end is a low, wide rear wheel featuring a 180mm tire on a 15-inch cast wheel that gives the rider the feeling of sitting on a one-of-a-kind, made-to-order motorcycle.
Bridging the visual contrast between the front and rear wheels is a sleek and subtle fuel tank. Its flowing lines easily lead the eye along the careful and delicate curves that blend together the highly customized form of this gem of mid-sized cruisers. A matte black frame provides an understated framework for the Kawasaki artistry that is the appealing and gutsy, fuel-injected V-Twin Vulcan 900 Custom. Its stylish aesthetics grace a platform that’s perfect for customization with Kawasaki accessories.
Ready for anything from local streets to highway speeds, the Vulcan 900 Custom’s good power, excellent stability, easy maneuverability, and startling good looks make this Kawasaki the one to own.
Want an even more exclusive ride? Then the “Special Edition” model may satisfy that craving. The Vulcan 900 Custom SE comes with all the trappings of an expensive handmade creation for a fraction of the cost and none of the maintenance headaches. It features a special black-out treatment on the air cleaner, engine cases, exhaust and forks and the Vulcan 900 Custom SE is finished off with a Special Edition Ebony color scheme mixing flat and high gloss black paint features.
Authentic Kawasaki Accessories are available through Kawasaki dealers
2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom Key Features903cc liquid-cooled V-twin offers the optimal balance of performance and maneuverability
Stylish cast wheels – solid-look rear and “twin-spoke” front
Forward-mounted foot controls for laid-back riding position
Fat 180-series rear tire is largest in class
Stylish instrumentation includes convenient fuel gauge
5.3-gallon fuel tank is largest in class
Efficient and stylish belt drive for long life
Digital fuel injection for precise throttle response and improved fuel economy
903cc V-twin SOHC Engine
Smooth and reliable engine tuned to deliver a healthy dose of torque at low rpm
Gear-driven balancer allows the use of a single-pin crankshaft without excessive vibration
Rubber mounted to reduce engine vibration at all speeds
Four-valve Cylinder Head
Provides maximum valve area for optimum flow, creating more power and low-end torque
Single overhead cam design is simple, lightweight and practical
Long intake tracts narrow near the combustion chamber to increase intake flow speed for more efficient filling, increased torque and better low-end response
Liquid and Air Cooling
Finned cylinders and heads combine with liquid cooling for exceptional thermal control
Maintains consistent engine temperatures for long engine life and sustained power
Automatic fan helps keep things cool
Dual Slash-cut Mufflers
Big slash-cut mufflers look great and contain emission reducing honeycomb catalyzers
Positive Neutral Finder
Just lift the shift pedal from first gear at a stop to easily find neutral, every time
Electronic Fuel Injection
Superb performance and rideability thanks to dual throttle bodies with sub-throttles
The ECU-controlled sub-throttles are located behind the main throttle valve, allowing the DFI® system to provide more precise throttle response, similar to a constant velocity carburetor
Fine-atomizing fuel injectors produce a fine fuel mist for optimal acceleration, combustion and fuel consumption
Double Cradle Frame
Very rigid, large-diameter box section backbone allows space for a larger fuel tank, and offers high stability and lightweight handling at low speeds
Fork offset and frame geometry combine for light, low-effort handling at ultra-low speeds
Long wheelbase contributes to highway stability
Triangular swingarm has a hardtail appearance, but utilizes a single shock hidden beneath the seat
Long and low chassis for minimal seat height, maximum visual impact
Belt Drive
Lower unsprung weight than shaft drive to improve ride quality and suspension action
Low maintenance and low noise
41mm Front Fork
Offers excellent rigidity and 5.9-inches of travel
33 degrees of rake and 7.2-inches of trail for excellent straight line stability
Front and Rear Disc Brakes
A 300mm front and 270mm rear disc are both gripped by twin-piston calipers for some of the best stopping power in the class
Custom Cast 21-inch Front Wheel
The wheel’s 18 “spokes” are arranged in pairs
Tapered and flanged in two directions, every line and surface of each 3D 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-inch rear wheel contrasts the “light,” tall front wheel
Tank-mounted Speedometer with Turn Signal Indicators and Caution Lamps
Provides riders crucial information at a glance
Compact design matches the bike’s clean look
Sculpted Bodywork
Fuel tank features a twin valley design, with a dynamic tension and presence all its own
Designed to be pleasing to both the eye and to the touch, the tank is composed exclusively of curves with constantly varying radii; the twin valley design theme continues to the rear fender and its hand-sculpted contours
Bottom of the rear fender features a relatively straight cut, to balance the lines of the motorcycle
Custom Features
Chromed headlamp, headlamp mount, lower triple clamp and turn signals as well as footpegs, shift lever and rear brake lever
Clean headlight design is compact and isolated without a central fork cover or headlamp bar
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
Forward-mounted footpegs instead of floorboards add to the custom image and improve rider control
One-piece “gunfighter” style seat is designed for comfortable rider and passenger accommodation and a custom-style look
Matte black frame emphasizes the chrome finishing
Standard toe-operated shift lever instead of a heel-toe shifter compliments the forward footpegs for a more open rider position
Special Edition
Black-out treatment on air cleaner, engine cases, handlebar, headlight and rear fender struts
Special Edition Flat Ebony paint mixes flat and high gloss features
2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom - USA SpecificationsMSRP: $8,549 USD
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, SOHC, four valves per cylinder V-twin
Displacement: 903cc / 55.1 cu. in.
Bore x stroke: 88.0 x 74.2mm
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Maximum torque: 58.2 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm
Cooling: Liquid
Fuel injection: DFI with dual 34mm Keihin throttle bodies (2)
Ignition: TCBI with digital advance
Transmission: Five-speed
Final drive: Belt
Frame: 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, 7-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.
Curb weight: 610.8 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal.
Wheelbase: 64.8 in.
Color / Special Edition: Metallic Dark Red/ Flat Ebony (SE)
Warranty: 12 months
2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom - Canada SpecificationsMSRP: $TBA CDN
ENGINE
Type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke V-Twin
Displacement 903 cc
Bore and Stroke 88 x 74.2 mm
Compression Ratio 9.5:1
Valve System SOHC, 4 valves/cylinder
Fuel Injection Ø 34 mm x 2 with Dual Throttles
Ignition Digital
Starting Electric
Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump
SUSPENSION
Front Type 41 mm telescopic fork
Rear Type Uni-Trak. Spring preload: 7-way
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission 5-speed, return
Final Drive Belt
Clutch Wet, multi-disc, positive neutral finder
FRAME
Type Double-cradle, high-tensile steel
Suspension, Front 41 mm telescopic fork
Suspension, Rear Triangle swingarm with Uni-Trak single shock (7-position spring preload adjustment
Wheel travel: Front 150 mm
Wheel travel: Rear 103 mm
Tires: Front 80/90-21M/C (48H)
Tires: Rear 180/70-15M/C (76H)
Caster (Rake) 33°
Trail 182 mm
Steering Angle (Left/Right) 36° / 36°
BRAKES
Rear: Type Single 270mm disc
Rear: Caliper Twin-piston, pin-slide mount
Front: Type Single 300mm disc
Front: Caliper Twin-piston, pin-slide mount
DIMENSIONS
Overall Length 2,405 mm
Overall Width 895 mm
Overall Height 1,120 mm
Wheelbase 1,645 mm
Ground Clearance 140 mm
Seat Height 685 mm
Curb Mass 277 kg
Fuel Capacity 20 liters
Fuel Consumption 5.2 L/100 km (54 MPG)
DETAILS
MSRP* TBA
Colours Metallic Dark Red, Flat Black (Special Edition)
Warranty 12 months
ADDITIONAL COST OPTIONS
Good Times Protection Plan 24 or 36 months (Kawasaki GTPP coverage begins after the standard limited warranty expires)
* The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price does not include freight, pre-delivery inspection or applicable taxes. The final price is at the discretion of the dealer. Prices and Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
The specifications mentioned here apply to and have been achieved by production models under standard operating conditions. We intend only to give a fair description of the vehicle and its performance capabilities but these specifications may not apply to every machine supplied for sale. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice. Equipment illustrated and specifications may vary to meet individual markets. Available colours may vary by market.
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