Kawasaki Vulcan 900 vs Yamaha Bolt R-spec
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 vs Yamaha Bolt R-spec. 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. Yamaha Bolt R-spec: 54 hp @ 7,500 rpm hp, 252 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 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
Yamaha Bolt R-spec
Horsepower (hp)
50 hp
54 hp
Torque (Nm)
76 Nm
80 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
272 kg
252 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
50 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated; Kawasaki does not officially publish output figures for this model)
54 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
76 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
80 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h (estimated; note: governed more by wind resistance than engine limits)
175 km/h (estimated)
Weight
272 kg (wet/curb weight)
252 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.2 L/100km (approx. 19.2 km/L typical real-world average)
4.5 L/100km (approx. 22 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
Yamaha Bolt R-spec
7.8/10
"A genuinely rewarding urban cruiser that rewards patient, style-conscious riders."
Pros
+Bulletproof reliability record
+Strong resale value retention
+Gorgeous factory finish quality
Cons
−Seat punishes longer rides
−Suspension undersprung for heavier riders
−No wind protection whatsoever
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
