Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan - [1986] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan - [1986]

Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan - [1986] image

Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan - [1986]

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Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan
  • Year: 1986 | Type: Cruiser
  • Engine: 699 cc (42.6 ci) 8 Valve
  • Engine Type: Horizontal In-Line | Cylinders: 2
  • Engine Stroke: Two | Valve Config: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: Carburettor
  • Cooling: Liquid | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 5 speed | Manual
  • Drive: Shaft
  • Wet Weight: 226 kgs (498 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 219 kgs (482 lbs)
  • Power: 66 bhp (49 kW) @ 7500 rpm
  • Torque: 47.7 lb-ft (64.7 Nm) @ 6000 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 292.0 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 211.1 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 12.7 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 12.9 secs
  • Top Speed: 110 mph (177.0 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 13.93 secs @ 95 mph
  • Frame: Steel
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Kawasaki VN 750 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan is the 5 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Suzuki RH 250 X and the 1986 Suzuki RH 250 X.This particular Kawasaki VN 750 has a 699cc Liquid cooled, Two stroke, Horizontal In-Line Petrol powerplant with 2 cylinders and Carburettor.

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 1986 VN 750 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 750's Cruiser style with a similar size of engine then how about the 1984 Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura | 1984cc.1984 Honda CB 750 SC Nighthawk S | 1984cc.

Power and Torque:

Weighing in at 226 kgs (498 lbs) this makes the Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan in the same weight category as the 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700 or the 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9 Triple, give or take 50kg.

Honda X-ADV 745 - [2025] image

The 1986 Kawasaki VN 750 shares the same bhp with the Honda X-ADV 745 - [2025]

In terms of power the 699cc 8 valve Horizontal In-Line 2 cylinder engine produces 66 bhp (49 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2025 Honda X-ADV 745 [57.8 bhp (43 kW) @ 6750 rpm] or the 2025 Yamaha MT-07 Twin Cylinder [73.4 bhp (54 kW) @ 8750 rpm].

The DOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 47.7 lb-ft (64.7 Nm) @ 6000 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 Tracer 9 GT [68.5 lb-ft (93.0 Nm) @ 7000 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Kawasaki VN 750 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Yamaha RZ 350 LC Limited - [1982] image

The 1982 Yamaha RZ 350 LC Limited has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1986 Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan.

The 1986 Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan has a Power to weight ratio of 292.0 bhp per ton and 211.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 VN 750 competing with the 1982 Yamaha RZ 350 LC Limited [315.4 bhp\ton] and the 1980 Yamaha RD 350 LC [315.4 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 750 generating around 211.1 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 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS [236.0 lb-ft per ton] and the 1994 Kawasaki ZG 1200 Voyager XII [235.9 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.7 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.9 secs, this makes the Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan similar in acceleration to the 2008 Yamaha XV 1900 Roadliner (12.7 secs) and the 2008 Yamaha XV 1900 Roadliner (12.7 secs). This Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan 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).

Yamaha RD 350 YPVS - [1983] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1986 Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan and the 1983 Yamaha RD 350 YPVS

When talking about the performance of the 1986 Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.5 secs @ 95 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 1983 Yamaha RD 350 YPVS (13.5 secs) and the 1996 Suzuki TS 200 R (13.5 secs).

Top Speed:

The 1986 version of the Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan has a maximum speed of 110mph.

Suzuki GSX-R 400 R - [1991] image

Top Speed of the 1986 VN 750 equals the 1991 Suzuki GSX-R 400 R

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1986 Kawasaki VN 750 Vulcan then how about a 1991 Suzuki GSX-R 400 R (121 mph) and the 1990 Suzuki GSX-R 400 R SP II (121 mph).

Related Links:

1986 Kawasaki VN 750 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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Bike Figures:

Kawasaki Ninja 400 Limited Edition

Kawasaki Ninja 400 Limited Edition
Engine Capacity: 399cc
Top Speed: 100 mph
Power: 42 bhp


Yamaha RD 125 Twin

Yamaha RD 125 Twin
Engine Capacity: 124 cc
Top Speed: 81 mph
Quarter Mile: 18.3 secs @ 0 mph


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Featured Pages:

Bike Lists:

Quarter Mile List

Quarter Mile | Random Figures and Specs

Edition
Quarter Mile Time
14.1 seconds
12.3 seconds

Top Speed List

Top Speed | Random Figures & Specs

Edition
Top Speed
124 mph

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