Road-tripping style is all about big machines, long distances and luxury. Kawasaki already had the biggest, baddest V-twin cruiser on the street, so it was only natural to add a few special items and create the biggest, baddest traveling bike out there — the Vulcan 2000 Classic LT. Starting from a 2,053cc fuel-injected V-twin base, Kawasaki equipped the Classic LT with beautiful leather saddlebags, a custom touring saddle, passenger backrest and a wind-cheating acrylic windshield. The world just shrunk. The biggest Vulcan is ready to transport two people and quite a bit of luggage with power and style to spare.
The striking, top-grain, reinforced cowhide saddlebags form the core of the Classic LT’s touring package. The leather is carefully selected to minimize flaws, and deep-dyed to prevent scraping off the finish. These ideally-sized bags feature a slant-top opening held shut by two 1.5-inch wide leather straps fitted with chrome buckles and stealth quick-release fasteners. Rolled and riveted lid tops, along with metal reinforced upper edges on the bags, help maintain shape and keep unwanted moisture out of the bags.
Comfortable seats for rider and passenger are a must on a tourer. The Classic LT offers both, along with a backrest to keep the passenger relaxed and smiling as the miles tick by. Detailed with chrome-plated brass studs to match the bags, the classically styled seat and backrest blend attractive visual appearance with comfort.A thick, optically correct acrylic plastic windscreen provides smooth airflow around the rider and passenger on the road. Height adjustability lets the rider fine-tune the large still-air pocket depending on conditions.
Power for this stylish motorcycle comes from a massive 2,053cc V-Twin fuel-injected adrenaline pump. The muscular engine sports a 103 x 123.2mm bore and stroke, forged pistons, alloy-steel connecting rods, a huge 220mm flywheel, and dual cams located within the one-piece crankcase.
Right-side pushrods actuate four valves per cylinder and help reduce the 125-cubic-inch engine’s height; allowing a low center of gravity and relatively low seat height. Hydraulic valve-lash adjusters automatically maintain zero valve clearance and provide smoother, quieter operation.
The big V-twin’s chrome air cleaner cover is nestled between the black matte finished cylinders — artfully contrasting the polished metallic cooling fins, which manage the temperatures for the bottom three-quarters of the engine. The top quarter of the V-twin engine is liquid cooled. Further cooling assistance comes via the oil and water pumps incorporated in the engine and transmission — which also serves as the oil tank.
Feeding the big V-twin is a fuel injection system with dual 46mm throttle bodies and sub throttle valves, all managed by an electronic control unit (ECU). Included in the Vulcan 2000 Classic LT’s advanced electronics is a gear position sensor in the transmission that sends signals to the ECU, which refines the fuel injection volume and ignition timing. This performance improvement — combined with an iridium spark plug ignition system, the sub-throttle valves and fine-atomizing injectors — delivers sharp throttle response, big power and optimum fuel economy in a smooth, linear powerband.
Final drive to the rear wheel is provided by smooth, quiet and low-maintenance belt drive. That classic V-twin rumble from the Vulcan 2000 Classic’s dual polished mufflers — thanks to its single-pin crankshaft — will delight cruiser enthusiasts. Vibration dampening dual counter balancers and rubber engine mounts mean long sojourns can still be broad-smile inducing.
The engine is a stressed member of the Vulcan’s steel, double-cradle frame, which has a large-diameter, box-section single-tube backbone. A simple but elegant rear steel-tube swingarm suspension with a direct-action single shock provides 3.9 inches of travel, and includes spring preload and rebound adjustment. Up front, a large, 49mm fork provides more precise steering feedback and 5.9 inches of travel.
The Vulcan 2000 Classic LT includes a bullet-style headlight, and a chrome instrument panel with a large-face speedometer mounted atop the bike’s stretched, 5.5-gallon fuel tank. The V-shaped panel keeps the rider informed of all systems, via an LCD display and warning lamps.
This Vulcan motorcycle rides on bright, cast aluminum 16-inch wheels with a 150/80 front radial tire and a wide, 200/60 rear radial tire. Two beefy, 300mm front disc brakes with four-piston calipers, and a single rear disc brake with a two-piston caliper bring this show to smooth, powerful stops.
While it comes with special features as part of the package, this motorcycle encourages further customizing. The broad selection of authentic Kawasaki accessories available through Kawasaki dealers gives Vulcan 2000 Classic LT owners plenty of opportunity to do just that.
Engine: Four-stroke, 52-degree V-twin, dual cams, eight valves
Displacement: 2,053cc/125ci
Bore x stroke: 103.0 x 123.2mm
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Maximum torque: 141 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm
Cooling: Liquid, plus cooling fins
Induction: DFI with Keihin 46mm throttle bodies (2)
Ignition: TCBI with Digital Advance
Transmission: Five-speed with positive neutral finder
Final drive: Belt
Frame: Steel, double-cradle with box-section single-tube backbone
Rake / trail: 32 degrees / 7.2 in.
Suspension, Front / Wheel Travel: 49mm telescopic fork / 5.9 in.
Suspension, Rear / Wheel Travel: Triangulated steel pipe swingarm with direct-action single shock, with fully-adjustable spring preload, eight-way rebound damping / 3.9 in.
Front Tire: 150/80-16
Rear Tire: - 200/60-16
Brakes, Front - Dual 300mm discs with four-piston calipers
Brakes, Rear: Single 320mm disc with two-piston caliper
Overall Length: 99.8 in.
Overall Width: 40.4 in.
Overall Height: 58.3 in.
Ground Clearance: 5.3 in.
Seat height: 26.8 in.
Wheelbase: 68.3 in.
Curb weight: 884.2 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 5.5 gal.
Colors: Metallic Diablo Black/Candy Imperial Blue
MSRP: $15,999
Warranty: 24 Months
