Indian Super Chief vs Kawasaki Vulcan 900
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Indian Super Chief vs Kawasaki Vulcan 900. Indian Super Chief: 78 hp @ 4,900 rpm hp, 318 kg (curb weight) weight, top speed 185 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.8/10. Kawasaki Vulcan 900: 50 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated; Kawasaki does not officially publish output figures for this model) hp, 272 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated; note: governed more by wind resistance than engine limits), Motoryk rating 7.5/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Indian Super Chief
Kawasaki Vulcan 900
Horsepower (hp)
78 hp
50 hp
Torque (Nm)
161 Nm
76 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
185 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
318 kg
272 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
78 hp @ 4,900 rpm
50 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated; Kawasaki does not officially publish output figures for this model)
Torque
161 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
76 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
185 km/h
175 km/h (estimated; note: governed more by wind resistance than engine limits)
Weight
318 kg (curb weight)
272 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
6.5 L/100km (approximately 15.4 km/L)
5.2 L/100km (approx. 19.2 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Indian Super Chief
7.8/10
"A genuinely characterful cruiser that rewards patient, confident riders."
Pros
+Thunder Stroke torque delivery
+Bulletproof mechanical reliability
+Authentic classic cruiser styling
Cons
−Limited lean angle clearance
−Minimal modern electronics
−Chrome requires constant maintenance
Kawasaki Vulcan 900
7.5/10
"Dependable, honest cruiser that punches above its used asking price."
Pros
+Near-indestructible engine reliability
+Comfortable upright riding position
+Affordable used market pricing
Cons
−Wallowy at highway speeds
−Stock seat punishes long rides
−Chrome quality disappoints over time
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
