Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. - [2017] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. - [2017]

Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. - [2017] image

Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. - [2017]

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Kawasaki

Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE.
  • Year: 2017 | Type: Cruiser
  • Engine: 649 cc (39.6 ci) 8 Valve
  • Engine Type: Horizontal In-Line | Cylinders: 2
  • Engine Stroke: Two | Valve Config: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: Electronic Fuel Injection
  • Cooling: Liquid | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 6 speed | Manual
  • Drive: Chain
  • Wet Weight: 223 kgs (491 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 0 kgs (0 lbs)
  • Power: 61 bhp (45 kW) @ 7500 rpm
  • Torque: 46.4 lb-ft (62.9 Nm) @ 6600 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 273.5 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 208.3 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 13.5 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 13.8 secs
  • Top Speed: 100 mph (160.9 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 0 secs @ 0 mph
  • Frame: Steel
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Kawasaki VN 650 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. is the 6 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Kawasaki KLX 250 Camo and the 2018 Yamaha XSR 700 Twin.This particular Kawasaki VN 650 has a 649cc Liquid cooled, Two stroke, Horizontal In-Line Petrol powerplant with 2 cylinders and Electronic Fuel Injection.

Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura - [1984] image

An alternative Horizontal In-Line engine, Cruiser style motorbike includes the Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura - [1984]

The 2017 VN 650 shares its Horizontal In-Line engine and Cruiser style configuration with the likes of the 1984 Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura and the 1984 Honda CB 750 SC Nighthawk S. Alternatively, if you're looking for other bikes which share the VN 650's Cruiser style with a similar size of engine then how about the 1984 Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura | 1984cc.1982 Yamaha XS 400 L Maxim | 1982cc.

Power and Torque:

Weighing in at 223 kgs (491 lbs) this makes the Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. in the same weight category as the 2025 Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT or the 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 Rally, give or take 50kg.

Yamaha WR 250 F - [2025] image

The 2017 Kawasaki VN 650 shares the same bhp with the Yamaha WR 250 F - [2025]

In terms of power the 649cc 8 valve Horizontal In-Line 2 cylinder engine produces 61 bhp (45 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [36.1 bhp (26 kW) @ 12000 rpm] or the 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS [73 bhp (54 kW) @ 8500 rpm].

The DOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 46.4 lb-ft (62.9 Nm) @ 6600 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Honda X-ADV 745 [50.9 lb-ft (69.0 Nm) @ 4750 rpm] and the 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 [50.2 lb-ft (68.0 Nm) @ 6500 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Kawasaki VN 650 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Honda NSR 250 SE MC21 - [1991] image

The 1991 Honda NSR 250 SE MC21 has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 2017 Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE..

The 2017 Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. has a Power to weight ratio of 273.5 bhp per ton and 208.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 VN 650 competing with the 1991 Honda NSR 250 SE MC21 [298.0 bhp\ton] and the 1991 Honda NSR 250 SP MC21 [298.0 bhp\ton].


Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby, then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque. Factor weight into the equation and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Kawasaki VN 650 generating around 208.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other motorbikes have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1992 Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin [233.3 lb-ft per ton] and the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 650 R [233.1 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 13.5 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 13.8 secs, this makes the Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. similar in acceleration to the 2021 Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S Cafe (13.5 secs) and the 2021 Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S ABS (13.5 secs). This Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. also competes in terms of 0-60 mph and 0-100km/h with the 2018 Honda CB 250 R Neo Sports Cafe (0.0 secs) and the 2020 Norton Superlight SS (0.4 secs).

Kawasaki KE 125 Single Cylinder - [1975] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 2017 Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. and the 1975 Kawasaki KE 125 Single Cylinder

When talking about the performance of the 2017 Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 0 secs @ 0 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 1975 Kawasaki KE 125 Single Cylinder (0 secs) and the 2023 Norton V4CR 1200 Cafe Racer (0 secs).

Top Speed:

The 2017 version of the Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. has a maximum speed of 100mph.

Honda CBR 250 RR SP Quick Shifter Special Ed - [2021] image

Top Speed of the 2017 VN 650 equals the 2021 Honda CBR 250 RR SP Quick Shifter Special Ed

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 2017 Kawasaki VN 650 Vulcan S SE. then how about a 2021 Honda CBR 250 RR SP Quick Shifter Special Ed (111 mph) and the 2021 Honda CBR 250 RR (111 mph).

Related Links:

2017 Kawasaki VN 650 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Kawasaki

Bike Comparison


Performance Figures & Specs:

Choose a Bike Make for a List of More Performance Figures and Specs.




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More Kawasaki Models:

Edition:

A1 250

AR 125

AR 50

AR 80

BJ 250

BR 250

EL 125

EL 250

EL 252

Eliminator 400

Eliminator 500

EN 400

EN 450

EN 500

ER-4

ER-5

ER-6

EX 250

EX 400

EX 500

F9 350

FX 400

G3-SS

GPX 250

GPX 400

GPX 600

GPX 750

Gpz 1000

Gpz 1100

Gpz 250

Gpz 305

Gpz 400

Gpz 500

GPZ 550

Gpz 600

Gpz 750

Gpz 900

GTO 125

GTR 1000

GTR 1400

H1 500

H2 750

KDX 125

KDX 175

KDX 200

KDX 220

KDX 250

KDX 400

KDX 450

KE 125

KE 175

KH 125

KH 250

KH 400

KH 500

KL 250

KLE 250

KLE 400

KLE 500

KLR 250

KLR 600

KLR 650

KLV 1000

KLX 125

KLX 230

KLX 250

KLX 300

KLX 400

KLX 450

KLX 650

KMX 125

KMX 200

KR 1

KR 250

KRR

KX 500

KZ 1000

KZ 1100

KZ 650

Ninja 1000

Ninja 125

Ninja 250

Ninja 300

Ninja 400

Ninja 650

Ninja 7

Ninja H2

RMX 250

S1 250

S2 350

S3 400

SL 250

Versys 1000

Versys 650

Versys-X

VN 1500

VN 1600

VN 1700

VN 2000

VN 250

VN 400

VN 500

VN 650

VN 750

VN 800

VN 900

W 250

W 400

W 650

W 800

W1

W2

W3

Xanthus 400

Z 1000

Z 1100

Z 125

Z 1300

Z 200

Z 250

Z 300

Z 305

Z 400

Z 440

Z 450

Z 500

Z 550

Z 650

Z 750

Z 800

Z 900

Z H2

Z1

Z2 750

Z7

Zephyr 1100

Zephyr 400

Zephyr 550

Zephyr 750

ZG 1000

ZG 1200

ZG 1300

ZL 1000

ZL 250

ZL 400

ZL 600

ZL 750

ZL 900

ZN 1300

ZN 700

ZN 750

ZR 1100

ZR-250

ZR-7

ZRX 1100

ZRX 1200

ZRX 400

ZX 1000

ZX 1100

ZX 400

ZX 600

ZX 750

ZX 900

ZX-10

ZX-12

ZX-14

ZX-25

ZX-4

ZX-6

ZX-7

ZX-9

ZX-R 250

ZX-R 400

ZX-R 750

ZZR 1100

ZZR 1200

ZZR 1400

ZZR 250

ZZR 400

ZZR 600


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Quarter Mile | Random Figures and Specs

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Quarter Mile Time
13.6 seconds

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Top Speed

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