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Kawasaki Vulcan S is a great middle-weight cruiser for just about anyone.
The Vulcan is perhaps the most successful bike of Japanese two-wheeler mogul Kawasaki. The Vulcan lineup was launched in 1985, and since then, Kawasaki has religiously upgraded it every year. For the year 2022, Kawasaki has revealed the new Vulcan S with exciting color options, and the company has also released a new variant, the Vulcan S Cafe. Apart from the skin, other bike specifications largely remain the same as its predecessor with tiny modifications.
The name ‘Vulcan’ is as popular as Kawasaki itself, and it has the longest production run of any motorcycle made by the company. Here’s a glimpse at the 2022 version of the fan-favorite Vulcan.
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The bike has gotten a new Metallic Matte Graphene Steel Gray with a Matte Graphite Gray color scheme as part of its annual update. This option combines two shades of grey with Kawasaki’s Green accents on the tank, rims, and other areas. It also has a Pearl Robotic White color option with a broader tank design and a base metallic white paint that looks more intriguing. The radiator guard, tank, and wheels all have blue gradients. This color scheme comes with a prominent 'S' emblem on the fuel tank.
Kawasaki has also introduced the Vulcan S Cafe, which is a fresh model in the lineup. It has a tri-tone scheme of orange, black, and white, with a tiny smoked bubble-shaped cowl that rests just above the headlight. This version comes with a large, bold Vulcan S badging on the tank as well.
The engineers at Kawasaki have relied on a high-tensile steel diamond framework to build the Vulcan S around it. This frame is attached to the front wheel by a 41mm telescopic fork. Likewise, a 3.2-inch lay-down offset rear shock with linkage, and adjustable preload holds the bike's rear wheel. Adding to its cruiser nature, the Vulcan S rides on 18-inch front wheels and 17-inch rear wheels. The stopping power is enhanced by a Single 300mm disc with a twin-piston caliper at the front and a Single 250mm disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear. The Vulcan S and the variant S Cafe are 90.9 inches in length and have a 62-inch wheelbase. Despite a sturdy and robust look, the Vulcan weighs only 491.7 lbs.
The significant technological input in chassis management is the Kawasaki ABS and the Ergo-Fit technology. The ABS system of the bike constantly monitors front and rear wheels through dedicated sensors. On detecting a wheel lock, the system automatically recalibrates the brake pressure to maintain traction. Kawasaki's special Ergo-Fit system is the star feature of this bike. The company has intelligently used the properties of ergonomics to make the Vulcan S efficient for riders of different sizes. Because of this system, various parts of the chassis like the saddle, handlebar, and footpegs can be adjusted as per the rider’s height. Most other bike features remain the same as its previous version, including the semi-digital instrument cluster.
The 2022 Vulcan S is featured with an Economical Riding Indicator (ECO) that is connected with the semi-digital instrument cluster. The Economical Riding Indicator notifies the rider when the riding conditions are favorable for low fuel consumption. The low fuel consumption depends on various factors, such as speed, gear selection, throttle setting, etc. Whenever the rider manages to optimize all of these, the Economical Riding Indicator flashes the ECO sign on the LCD screen. This helps the rider to maintain the existing settings to gain more mileage.
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The 2022 Vulcan S carries the same 649cc engine from the past. The engine is liquid-cooled and has two cylinders with four strokes. Its power is optimized by dual DFI 38mm throttle bodies with sub-throttle valves. The ignition is featured with TCBI and electronic advance. The engine is capable of producing 59.9 horsepower with 46.3 lb-ft of torque at 6,600 rpm. This engine is connected to a 6-speed positive, neutral finder transmission and a sealed chain drive. In addition, the bike is equipped with a 3.7-gallon fuel tank.
Unlike the large conventional throttles, the Vulcan’s engine is featured with dual throttle valves. It has a set of two throttle valves per cylinder which the ECU controls. The dual throttle valve tames the engine torque and ensures a smooth and natural engine response. This improves the combustion efficiency with a smoother inflow of air, thereby elevating the engine performance.
The 2022 Vulcan S is the most reliable cruiser of Kawasaki, and for 2022 the bike comes with its good ole technical DNA that earned the people’s trust. As a bonus, the Vulcan S comes in new skins with magnificent color schemes. The new variant, Vulcan S Cafe, comes with an alluring giant ‘S’ badge and a new front fascia. The 2022 Vulcan S shall give heavy competition to the likes of the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Harley-Davidson Street 750.