Although they all ride on the same 900cc V-twin platform, Kawasaki’s three Vulcan 900 models are different enough that we split the two Classics, which share the same styling, from the Custom model. The base Vulcan 900 Classic is just what it sounds like—a traditionally styled cruiser powered by a 903cc, liquid-cooled engine. The 900 Classic and Classic LT models ride on the same foundation, equipped with rider floorboards with a heel/toe shifter, tank-mounted instrumentation, and a 180mm rear tire. The touring-biased Vulcan 900 Classic LT ladles touring amenities onto the Classic base, like a studded touring seat with a standard passenger backrest, leather saddlebags, and a height-adjustable windscreen. There’s just a five-speed transmission, single disc brakes front and rear, and no ABS, so with both Classics you get pure, uncluttered cruising at its most basic, and at quite a bargain to boot.
A long wheelbase, reasonable rake, and fairly chunky tires give the Vulcan 900s the look of a bigger bike, and they ride that way too—stable, planted, and super-steady. The wide bars, low seat height, and equally low price tag make them accessible to riders of all sizes, and we couldn’t find anything to diss it for back when we threw a leg over one, but its main competition, Yamaha’s V Star 950, has since flown the coop, so now your close-enough options in the class are Suzuki’s smaller Boulevard C50 or Honda’s Shadow Aero, both flying the same classic vibe as the Vulcan.
This year, Kawasaki gives the two 900 Classics exactly zero changes, unless you count new colors as a change. For 2020, the Vulcan 900 Classic can be had in a cool Phantom Blue/Pearl Blizzard White for an MSRP of $7,999, with the Classic LT available in Metallic Phantom Silver/Metallic Carbon Gray for an MSRP of $8,999.
