Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S 2017 vs. Kawasaki Vulcan S 2015

Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S 2017

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2015

Technical Specifications Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S 2017 compared to Kawasaki Vulcan S 2015

Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S 2017

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2015

Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S 2017

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2015

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	V	Engine type	In line
Bore	Bore	101.6 mm	Bore	83 mm
Stroke	Stroke	111.1 mm	Stroke	60 mm
Engine power	Engine power	92 HP	Engine power	61 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	5,010 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	146 Nm	Torque	63 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	4,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,600 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	9.2	Compression Ratio	10.8
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Ignition	Ignition	Transistor	Ignition	Digital
Transmission	Transmission	Belt	Transmission	Chain
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	Air	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	1,801 ccm	Displacement	649 ccm

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Double cradle	Frame type	Perimeter

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Single disk
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Double piston

Brakes Rear

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

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	140 mm	Front tyre width	120 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	75 %	Front tyre height	70 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	17 inch	Front tyre diameter	18 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	200 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	2,385 mm	Length	2,310 mm
Width	Width	990 mm	Width	880 mm
Height	Height	1,095 mm	Height	1,100 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,630 mm	Wheelbase	1,575 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	670 mm	Seat Height	705 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	332 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	228 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	18.9 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	14 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S 2017

Unfortunately, our editors did not test this model.

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2015

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