Triumph Thunderbird 1600 vs Kawasaki Vulcan 900
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Triumph Thunderbird 1600 vs Kawasaki Vulcan 900. Triumph Thunderbird 1600: 86 hp @ 4,850 rpm hp, 358 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 185 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.5/10. 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
Triumph Thunderbird 1600
Kawasaki Vulcan 900
Horsepower (hp)
86 hp
50 hp
Torque (Nm)
146 Nm
76 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
185 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
358 kg
272 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
86 hp @ 4,850 rpm
50 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated; Kawasaki does not officially publish output figures for this model)
Torque
146 Nm @ 2,750 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
358 kg (wet/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
Triumph Thunderbird 1600
7.5/10
"A credible Harley alternative that rewards buyers who do their homework."
Pros
+Massive low-rev torque
+Genuine British build quality
+Comfortable long-haul ergonomics
Cons
−Grabby wet clutch
−Notchy early gearboxes
−Valve service costs sting
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.
