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Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition - [2009]
This edition of the Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition is the 5 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Honda CBR 1000 RR Fireblade Tricolour HRC and the 2010 Honda CBR 1000 RR Fireblade C-ABS.This particular Kawasaki VN 900 has a 903cc Liquid cooled, Two stroke, Horizontal In-Line Petrol powerplant with 2 cylinders and Electronic Fuel Injection.
An alternative Horizontal In-Line engine, Cruiser style motorbike includes the Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura - [1984]
The 2009 VN 900 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 900'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.
Weighing in at 277 kgs (610 lbs) this makes the Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition in the same weight category as the 2025 Honda X-ADV 745 or the 2024 Honda CRF 1100 L Africa Twin, give or take 50kg.
The 2009 Kawasaki VN 900 shares the same bhp with the Yamaha WR 250 F - [2025]
In terms of power the 903cc 8 valve Horizontal In-Line 2 cylinder engine produces 50 bhp (37 kW) @ 5700 rpm similar to the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [36.1 bhp (26 kW) @ 12000 rpm] or the 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 [72.4 bhp (53 kW) @ 9000 rpm].
The SOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 57.5 lb-ft (77.9 Nm) @ 3700 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ [68.5 lb-ft (93.0 Nm) @ 7000 rpm] and the 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9 Triple [68.5 lb-ft (93.0 Nm) @ 7000 rpm].
If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Kawasaki VN 900 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.
The 1972 Suzuki GT 250 Two Stroke has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 2009 Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition.
The 2009 Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition has a Power to weight ratio of 180.5 bhp per ton and 207.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 VN 900 competing with the 1972 Suzuki GT 250 Two Stroke [205.4 bhp\ton] and the 1974 Suzuki GT 250 Two Stroke [205.4 bhp\ton].
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 900 generating around 207.6 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 1989 Yamaha FZR 600 DOHC [232.6 lb-ft per ton] and the 1993 Yamaha FZR 600 DOHC [232.6 lb-ft per ton].
With a 0-60mph time of 20.5 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 20.9 secs, this makes the Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition similar in acceleration to the 2019 Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom (20.5 secs) and the 2017 Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom (20.5 secs). This Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition 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).
Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 2009 Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition and the 2008 Suzuki Boulevard - Intruder M 800
When talking about the performance of the 2009 Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition 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 2008 Suzuki Boulevard - Intruder M 800 (0 secs) and the 2023 Yamaha Tracer 7 Twin GT (0 secs).
The 2009 version of the Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition has a maximum speed of 115mph.
Top Speed of the 2009 VN 900 equals the 2015 Yamaha XVS 1300 V-Star Deluxe
If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 2009 Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Custom Ebony Special Edition then how about a 2015 Yamaha XVS 1300 V-Star Deluxe (126 mph) and the 2015 Yamaha XVS 1300 Stryker (126 mph).
