Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021 vs. Honda CB650R 2021

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Honda CB650R 2021

Overview - Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021 vs Honda CB650R 2021

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Honda CB650R 2021

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021 compared to Honda CB650R 2021

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Honda CB650R 2021

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Honda CB650R 2021

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	In line	Engine type	In line
Bore	Bore	83 mm	Bore	67 mm
Stroke	Stroke	60 mm	Stroke	46 mm
Engine power	Engine power	61 HP	Engine power	95 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	12,000 rpm
Torque	Torque	62.4 Nm	Torque	63 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,600 rpm	Rpm at Torque	8,500 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	10.8	Compression Ratio	11.6
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Ignition	Ignition	Digital	Ignition	Digital, Transistor
Transmission	Transmission	Chain	Transmission	Chain
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	6
Cylinders	Cylinders	2	Cylinders	4
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	649 ccm	Displacement	649 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Telescopic fork	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork
Diameter	Diameter	41 mm	Diameter	41 mm
Travel	Travel	130 mm	Travel	120 mm

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Adjustment	Adjustment	Preload	Adjustment	Preload

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Perimeter	Frame type	Twin Tube
Trail	Trail	120 mm	Trail	101 mm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Double disk
Diameter	Diameter	300 mm	Diameter	310 mm
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Four pistons

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	250 mm	Diameter	240 mm
Piston	Piston	Single piston	Piston	Single piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	120 mm	Front tyre width	120 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	70 %	Front tyre height	70 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	18 inch	Front tyre diameter	17 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	160 mm	Rear tyre width	180 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	60 %	Rear tyre height	55 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,310 mm	Length	2,120 mm
Width	Width	880 mm	Width	750 mm
Height	Height	1,100 mm	Height	1,150 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,575 mm	Wheelbase	1,450 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	705 mm	Seat Height	810 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	229 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	202.5 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	14 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	15.4 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

No matter which platform Kawasaki puts the 650 cubic two-cylinder in, the result is always a great motorbike! Even though the engine is unusually rev-happy for a cruiser, it results in a cruiser that actually qualifies as a sports cruiser when paired with the sporty chassis set-up. The only brake is the limited lean angle clearance, but this will not deter lovers of hearty footrest grinding. With such a good bike, we hope that Kawasaki will follow suit - after all, the Vulcan S has been with us almost unchanged since 2015.

powerful engine

chassis tuning with sporty Kawasaki DNA

real cruiser seating position

easy-to-read display

potential in tuning

Appearance a little outdated

moderate wind protection

Honda CB650R 2021

13 out of a possible 24 points mean 5th place in the large mid-range naked bike comparison test 2021. The Honda puts up a good fight against the technically more advanced competition and can leave a motorbike behind despite its position as an outsider. Pleasing looks, accessible riding and the low price make the shortcomings that were brought to light in the direct comparison fade into the background.

Neo Sports Cafe Optics still top

absolutely suitable for beginners

good price-performance ratio

engine revs up smoothly

low consumption

Too little space for tall riders

mediocre equipment

relatively chubby

little punch from the rev range