| MODEL | KAWASAKI VN 1500 VULCAN 1987 - 1990 |
| Year | 1987 - 1990 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, 50 deg V-twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 1470 cc / 89.7 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 102 x 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.8:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 60.9 hp / 44.5 kW @ 4300 rpm |
| Max Torque | 117.6 Nm / 12 kg-m @ 3300 rpm |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Induction | 2 x Keihin CV 40 mm carburettor |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 4 Speed |
| Clutch | — |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | — |
| Front Suspension | Centre-axle forks, 41 mm tubes, 150 mm wheel travel |
| Rear Suspension | Dual shock absorbers, spring preload adjustable, 100 mm wheel travel |
| Front Brakes | Single disc |
| Rear Brakes | Single disc |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 750 mm / 29.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 1665 mm / 65.5 in |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | 252 kg / 555.5 lb |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 100/90-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 150/90-15 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 16 Litres / 4.2 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | 177.9 km/h / 110 mph |
The VN1500 is Kawasaki's large-displacement cruiser, a 1470 cc liquid-cooled V-twin with four valves per cylinder and two big carburettors. The page says the engine feels very torquey at low revs though a little flat higher up, and the chassis is a typical cruiser with a low seat and pull-back handlebars. It arrived in 1988 and stayed largely the same through these early years.
