Kawasaki Vulcan S 650 Review

Item: Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
Rating: 7.5
Author: Motoryk

"Underrated used buy with bulletproof mechanicals and smart ergonomic flexibility."

New-to-intermediate riders wanting reliable cruiser style $4,500-$7,500 used 2015-2022

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Key Specs

speed

Top Speed

180 km/h (estimated; note: some sources cite up to 185 km/h depending on conditions)

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Power

61 hp

@ 7,500 rpm

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Torque

63 Nm

@ 6,600 rpm

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Fuel Economy

22.2 km/L

52 mpg · 4.5 L/100km (approximately 22 km/L, typical real-world average)

build

Service Every

12,000 km

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Weight

228 kg

(wet/curb weight)

settings

Engine

649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin

height

Seat Height

705 mm

cog

Transmission

6-speed

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Engine Lifespan

100,000+ km with proper maintenance

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Used Buyer Review

The Vulcan S is one of those bikes that makes more sense the longer you ride it. Kawasaki basically bolted cruiser bodywork onto the Ninja 650 platform, which means you're getting a genuinely sorted, reliable parallel-twin underneath all that chrome-adjacent styling. The ergo kit with adjustable footpegs, handlebars, and seat is genuinely clever — makes fitting a wide range of riders surprisingly straightforward, and that matters when you're buying used and can't custom-order anything. Used examples are everywhere right now, typically between 2016 and 2022, and most have been ridden gently by newer riders who upgraded quickly. That's good news for your wallet but check the chain carefully — beginners notoriously neglect it. The 649cc engine is essentially bulletproof if the oil's been changed regularly. Avoid anything with crash damage to the right side fairing; parts are awkward to source cheap. It's not exciting in any traditional sense, but it handles decently, gets 55mpg, and won't intimidate you on day one or bore you by month six.