Kawasaki Vn900 Vulcan Classic vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Kawasaki Vn900 Vulcan Classic vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight. Kawasaki Vn900 Vulcan Classic: 50 hp @ 6,000 rpm hp, 272 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.5/10. Harley-davidson Forty-eight: 60 hp @ 6,000 rpm hp, 253 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 170 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.5/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Kawasaki Vn900 Vulcan Classic
Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Horsepower (hp)
50 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
76 Nm
97 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
170 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
272 kg
253 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
50 hp @ 6,000 rpm
60 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
76 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
97 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h
170 km/h
Weight
272 kg (wet/curb weight)
253 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
4.5 L/100km (approx. 22 km/L typical real-world average)
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Kawasaki Vn900 Vulcan Classic
7.5/10
"Honest, dependable cruiser that rewards sensible buyers who inspect carefully."
Pros
+Bulletproof engine reliability
+Excellent used value
+Maintenance-free belt drive
Cons
−Carb issues when neglected
−Seat comfort degrades quickly
−Limited wind protection
Harley-davidson Forty-eight
7.5/10
"A charismatic city scramblers that demands realistic expectations about range and comfort."
Pros
+Bulletproof Sportster engine reliability
+Parts availability everywhere
+Genuinely stunning visual presence
Cons
−Tiny tank, terrible range
−Seat punishes longer rides
−Many dropped examples exist
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
