Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021 vs. Honda CB500F 2020

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Honda CB500F 2020

Overview - Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021 vs Honda CB500F 2020

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Honda CB500F 2020

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Details

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021 compared to Honda CB500F 2020

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Honda CB500F 2020

Kawasaki Vulcan S 2021

Honda CB500F 2020

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	66.8 mm
Engine power	Engine power	61 HP	Engine power	48 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	8,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	62.4 Nm	Torque	43 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,600 rpm	Rpm at Torque	7,000 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	10.8	Compression Ratio	10.7
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	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	649 ccm	Displacement	471 ccm

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Single disk
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Double piston

Brakes Rear

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

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	160 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	60 %	Rear tyre height	60 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,310 mm	Length	2,075 mm
Width	Width	880 mm	Width	780 mm
Height	Height	1,100 mm	Height	1,060 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,575 mm	Wheelbase	1,410 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	705 mm	Seat Height	790 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	229 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	191 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	14 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	15.7 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A2

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 CB500F 2020

Honda has significantly improved the rounded package called CB500F for 2022. Thanks to better brakes and a higher-quality chassis, the handling has been significantly upgraded. Both beginners and experienced riders will feel very comfortable on this bike and enjoy it for many years to come. Only the suspension strut is not quite up to scratch - but there still needs to be room for improvement somewhere.

full 48 hp in the A2 class

high-quality fork

good brakes

comfortable seating position

low seat height

intuitive handling.

Suspension strut bounces on bumpy roads