Kawasaki Vulcan 900 vs Harley-davidson Nightster
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 vs Harley-davidson Nightster. 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. Harley-davidson Nightster: 89 hp @ 7,500 rpm hp, 220 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 185 km/h (estimated), Motoryk rating 7.8/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Kawasaki Vulcan 900
Harley-davidson Nightster
Horsepower (hp)
50 hp
89 hp
Torque (Nm)
76 Nm
95 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
185 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
272 kg
220 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
50 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated; Kawasaki does not officially publish output figures for this model)
89 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
76 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
95 Nm @ 5,000 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h (estimated; note: governed more by wind resistance than engine limits)
185 km/h (estimated)
Weight
272 kg (wet/curb weight)
220 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.2 L/100km (approx. 19.2 km/L typical real-world average)
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
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
Harley-davidson Nightster
7.8/10
"A genuinely good motorcycle that earns respect beyond the badge."
Pros
+Revolution Max engine is excellent
+Actually corners with confidence
+Low, manageable seat height
Cons
−Stock seat is punishment
−Cramped for tall riders
−Limited wind protection
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
