Bike guides / Touring and cruiser

Buying a used Kawasaki Vulcan 900

A midsize V-twin cruiser with fuel injection, belt drive and a low seat. It comes as the Classic, the Classic LT (windshield and bags) and the Custom (lower, chopper style). Reviewers like the range and styling and find the brakes weak. We found no well-documented mechanical problem.

Illustration of a bike in the style of the Vulcan 900.
Drawing shows the style of bike, not the exact model.
First bike? With care The seat is low and the engine is easygoing, but the bike is heavy and the front brake is weak.
Known problems 1 listed 1 medium concern. Recalls 1 on record Confirm by VIN with NHTSA. Sold 2006 to present Check which generation you're looking at.
Get the free Buyer's Kit Ask owners on the porch Find a local shop to inspect it

Known problems

Weak brakes, no ABS on tested bikes

medium concern

At least 2014

Rider's 2014 Classic LT test called the front brake woefully underpowered next to its rivals and noted there was no ABS. Rider's 2013 Classic review lists single-disc brakes with two-piston calipers at both ends. We did not confirm whether later model years changed the brakes or added ABS, and we did not test the 2006 to 2013 bikes ourselves.

Ask or check: Ride it and test the front brake hard in a safe spot. Check pad thickness, rotor wear and brake fluid condition, and plan for more stopping distance than you expect.

Sources: Rider: Middleweight touring cruisers comparison (2014 Classic LT) , Rider: 2013 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic review

What to check on a Vulcan 900

  • Confirm which version it is. The Custom has a 21-inch front wheel and a cramped, forward-control riding position. Sit on it before you buy.
  • The seat is low, but the bike is heavy. Check that you can hold it upright and walk it back at a stop.
  • Check the drive belt for cracks, missing teeth or frayed edges, and ask when it was last replaced.
  • On a Custom with fold-up pegs, look for scrapes that show it has been ridden hard in corners.
  • On a Classic LT, check that the windshield, mounts, saddlebags and backrest are solid and that the clamps work.
  • Test the front brake and rear brake. Rider found the front underpowered, so check pads and fluid.
  • Cold start it and check that the battery stays charged at a steady idle and when revved. Ask about any past electrical repairs.
  • Ask for valve adjustment records. Rider's 2013 test lists a 15,000 mile interval.
  • Ride it at highway speed. Rider found vibration through the floorboards on a 2014 LT at 70 to 75 mph, but called vibration muted on a 2009 test. Decide if you can live with it.
  • Look for fuel-injection or fuel-system trouble if it has sat unused: rough idle, stalling or hard starting.

Do these on top of the standard walkaround. The free kit has the full list. Want a pro to look it over? Find a local shop.

Safety recalls

Recalls are fixed free by a dealer, but only if someone took the bike in. Ask the seller for proof, or have a dealer check the VIN. You can also check a VIN yourself at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

2011 tube #11V313000

NHTSA lists this for: VN900D. Check the VIN to confirm it applies.

KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 VN900D, VULCAN CLASSIC LT, MOTORCYCLES. THE TIRE INNER TUBES MIGHT HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING THE MOUNTING OF THE TIRES. DAMAGE TO THE INNER TUBES COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE.

Risk: LOSS OF TIRE AIR PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED TUBES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI CONSUMER SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 1-866-802-9381.

NHTSA data fetched 2026-11-06.

Is it a good first bike?

The seat is low and the engine is easygoing, but the bike is heavy and the front brake is weak. Sit on a Classic and a Custom first, since the Custom's riding position is stretched out.

Generations

Classic and Classic LT

2006 to present

903cc fuel-injected V-twin, five-speed, belt final drive. The LT adds a windshield, saddlebags and a passenger backrest. Factory codes are VN900B (Classic) and VN900D (LT).

Custom

2007 to present

Same engine with a 21-inch front wheel, forward controls and drag bars (code VN900C). Listed from 2007 in one reference we opened; we did not confirm the exact first year.