Kawasaki Vulcan S 2023 vs. Suzuki V-Strom 650 2023

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2023

Suzuki V-Strom 650 2023

Overview - Kawasaki Vulcan S 2023 vs Suzuki V-Strom 650 2023

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2023

Suzuki V-Strom 650 2023

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Vulcan S 2023 compared to Suzuki V-Strom 650 2023

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2023

Suzuki V-Strom 650 2023

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2023

Suzuki V-Strom 650 2023

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	In line	Engine type	V
Bore	Bore	83 mm	Bore	81 mm
Stroke	Stroke	60 mm	Stroke	62.6 mm
Engine power	Engine power	61 HP	Engine power	71 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	8,800 rpm
Torque	Torque	62.4 Nm	Torque	62 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,600 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,300 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	10.8	Compression Ratio	11.2
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
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	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	649 ccm	Displacement	645 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Telescopic fork	Front suspension	Telescopic fork
Diameter	Diameter	41 mm	Diameter	43 mm
Travel	Travel	130 mm	Travel	150 mm

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Travel	Travel	80 mm	Travel	159 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Preload	Adjustment	Preload

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Aluminium
Frame type	Frame type	Perimeter	Frame type	Twin Tube
Trail	Trail	120 mm	Trail	110 mm

Brakes Front

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

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	250 mm	Diameter	260 mm
Piston	Piston	Single piston	Piston	Single piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	120 mm	Front tyre width	110 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	70 %	Front tyre height	80 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	18 inch	Front tyre diameter	19 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	160 mm	Rear tyre width	150 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	60 %	Rear tyre height	70 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,310 mm	Length	2,275 mm
Width	Width	880 mm	Width	835 mm
Height	Height	1,100 mm	Height	1,405 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,575 mm	Wheelbase	1,560 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	705 mm	Seat Height	815 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	229 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	213 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	14 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	20 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2023

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

Suzuki V-Strom 650 2023

The small V-Strom 650 is not only visually close to the big V-Strom 1000 with its pronounced duckbill, stacked headlights and extensive instruments. The equipment does not correspond at all to what is understood by "cheap entry": traction control, lively Euro4 engine, harmonious handling and additional techno-gadgets such as Low RPM Assist or Suzuki Easy Start System. To the delight of the customers, the price is kept within reasonable limits.

Lively, economical engine

balanced handling

good wind protection

traction control and ABS as standard

looks in the style of its big sister

extensive instrumentation with gear indicator

12-volt socket in the cockpit area

good price.

Traction control in mode 2 very restrictive