Kawasaki Vulcan 2000

Earth Shaking, Groundbreaking

In the country that invented "super-sized" servings, the Kawasaki Vulcan is King and boldly going where no Kawasaki has gone before – over 2,000cc. Computer controlled and fuel-injected, this mega-cruiser puts out 116 horses and a mind-blowing 141 ft/lbs of torque. Simply stated, this is the world's biggest, most powerful production V-twin cruiser, and on a bright sunny day in Santa Barbara, California, I was among the world's first to ride the beast.

Concept & Transformation
With Japanese cruisers playing bridesmaid to Harley-Davidson over the past few years, Kawasaki has taken a vigorous leap forward in creating their own genre of power cruiser. Honda started the catch-up game with its potent VTX 1800, and Yamaha rolled out the Road Star Warrior and the new Road Star; but at 2053cc the new 2004 Vulcan 2000 has just rewritten the rulebook. Not only is everything about the new Kawasaki large, but a great amount of effort has also gone into the styling. Check out that signature chrome Nacelle headlight cover! Dripping with high luster chrome, it contains a unique four-bulb projector beam headlight, which endows the Vulcan with its own totally unique calling card as it first comes into view.

Deep V-twin vibes flow from the barrel-chested motor as it thumps away on its single-pin crankshaft. Blip the throttle, listen to the throaty intake roar, and shift the transmission to first with a resounding clunk. Everything about this bike is big, loud and aggressive. Dropping the clutch and letting loose the 116 horses, you could be forgiven for thinking you were piloting a high-end sport bike, the way it launches forward with such authority. Roll on anywhere in the top two gears and you are rewarded with immediate arm stretching acceleration. Throttling back from high rpm sends the aural senses into mechanical bliss. Twist on it again and the intake roar coming from under the tank will have you repeating the experience at every opportunity just to hear the incredible sound....

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