BMW F 900 XR 2024 vs. Kawasaki Vulcan S 2024

BMW F 900 XR 2024

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2024

Overview - BMW F 900 XR 2024 vs Kawasaki Vulcan S 2024

BMW F 900 XR 2024

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2024

Technical Specifications BMW F 900 XR 2024 compared to Kawasaki Vulcan S 2024

BMW F 900 XR 2024

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2024

BMW F 900 XR 2024

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2024

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	In line	Engine type	In line
Bore	Bore	86 mm	Bore	83 mm
Stroke	Stroke	77 mm	Stroke	60 mm
Engine power	Engine power	105 HP	Engine power	61 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	8,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	92 Nm	Torque	62.4 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,500 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,600 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	13.1	Compression Ratio	10.8
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	895 ccm	Displacement	649 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork	Front suspension	Telescopic fork
Diameter	Diameter	43 mm	Diameter	41 mm
Travel	Travel	170 mm	Travel	130 mm

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Travel	Travel	172 mm	Travel	80 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Preload

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Twin Tube, Load-bearing engine	Frame type	Perimeter
Trail	Trail	105.2 mm	Trail	120 mm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Double disk	Type	Single disk
Diameter	Diameter	320 mm	Diameter	300 mm
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Double piston

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Piston	Piston	Single piston	Piston	Single piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Anti-slipping control, Riding modes	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	17 inch	Front tyre diameter	18 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	180 mm	Rear tyre width	160 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	55 %	Rear tyre height	60 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,140 mm	Length	2,310 mm
Width	Width	815 mm	Width	880 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,518 mm	Wheelbase	1,575 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	815 mm	Seat Height	705 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	211 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	229 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	15.5 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	14 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

BMW F 900 XR 2024

A bike in this performance class probably couldn't be more accessible. The XR waggles playfully through the bends and immediately inspires confidence in the saddle. Even lengthy touring is easy and you always get out of the saddle feeling relaxed. However, the sporty look of the BMW also awakens a desire for some thrills. However, the engine cannot quite fulfil this desire. The engine, transmission and quickshifter are a little too tame overall and could do with a little more sportiness.

Clean engine reponsiveness

very easy to ride

cool looks, great display

good brakes

easy handling

stable ride feel

great connectivity

maximum lean angle

well-tuned ABS

easy to manoeuvre

Hard seat

somewhat doughy transmission with tough quickshifter

engine could use more pepper

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2024

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