Saddle up and hit the road, the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT->ke1749 is ready to rumble and take you and your companion for a ride.

That's what you'll probably hear from the sales team at your local Kawasaki->ke299 dealerships, and for the most part, they're not smoking anything up their you-know-whats.

The Vulcan 1700 Classic LT is the epitome of a two-person cruiser that offers more than just a good ride. Excellently combining up-standard looks with excellent handling and powerful performance capabilities, the Classic LT makes for one of the best cruiser rides on the market today.

Whether you're enjoying the freedom of cruiser-ridin' by your lonesome or you've got a companion to enjoy it with you, the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT has all the goods to make for an outstanding cruiser purchase.

There's no going around it, either: The bike is indeed ready to rumble.

Find out more about the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT's specs after the jump. } }

2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT
  • Engine/Motor: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, SOHC, four valve per cylinder, 52˚ V-twin
  • Transmission: Six-speed with overdrive
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Design

For the 2011 model, the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT gets plenty of dressed-up features, including a pair of top-grain, reinforced cowhide saddlebags. These bags come with a slant-top opening held shut by two 1.5-inch wide leather straps, fitted with chrome buckles and concealed quick-release fasteners. Rolled and riveted lid tops along with metal reinforced upper edges maintain the bags’ shape while also preventing unwanted moisture to come anywhere near your cargo. The bike also has comfortable rider and passenger seats that speak to the comfort of riding the bike on your daily commute. The seats come with a classic-style backrest to keep the passenger relaxed and smiling as the miles tick by. Rounding out the new features for the Vulcan 1700 Classic LT are the chrome plated brass studs to match the bags and a large, optically correct, acrylic windshield that comes with adjustable height and delivers serious wind protection for both the rider and passenger.

Performance

The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT is powered by a might 1,700cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, SOHC, four valve per cylinder, 52˚ V-twin engine that produces massive amounts of quick-revving horsepower, all of it delivered with a distinct V-twin character.

A fully electronic throttle valve system feeds that big V-twin all the power it needs. Working with a powerful ECU and the rest of the fuel injection system, the electronic throttle valve enhances response without detracting from its distinctive V-twin feel—delivering ultra-precise intake flow to the engine under nearly any conditions.

The system utilizes an Accelerator Position Sensor (APS) and a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), both of which feed data to the ECU, which then adjusts the throttle plates to tailor intake airflow accordingly. The system also offers a natural throttle feel, because the APS is activated by a throttle body pulley that’s connected by cables to the throttle grip. The Vulcan 1700 Classic LT's engine is then mated to a six-speed transmission that comes with "overdriven" fifth and sixth gears, contributing to a more relaxed ride and better fuel economy at highway speeds. The whole set-up allows the bike to transfer torque from the transmission to the rear wheel through a thin and light 28-mm carbon fiber final drive belt that offers 40-percent higher tensile strength than a Kevlar unit of the same width.

Chassis and Suspension

Kawasaki wanted the Vulcan 1700 Classic LT to be as light and slim as possible so it wasn't surprising to find out that the Classic LT’s single backbone double cradle frame offers a short seat-to-steering head distance, with a correspondingly short wheelbase. In addition to that, the bike also has a an elegantly simple rear swingarm with twin air-assisted shocks that provides 3.1" of rear suspension travel, and features air spring preload and four-way rebound adjustment while the front suspension features a large 43mm fork that offers precise steering feedback and 5.5" of travel. Finally, dual 300mm front disc brakes with twin-piston calipers and a 300mm rear disc brake with a two-piston caliper help bring this stylish machine to sure, powerful stops.

Specification

Engine

Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, SOHC, four valve per cylinder, 52˚ V-twin

Displacement

1,700cc / 103.7ci

Bore x Stroke

102 x 104mm

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Maximum Torque

108 lb-ft @ 2,250 rpm

Cooling

Liquid, plus cooling fins

Induction

Digital fuel injection, dual 42mm throttle bodies

Ignition

TCBI with Digital Advance

Transmission

Six-speed with overdrive

Final drive

Belt

Frame

Steel, double-cradle with box-section single-tube backbone

Rake / Trail

30° / 6.7 in.

Suspension, Front / Wheel Travel

43mm hydraulic fork / 5.5 in.

Suspension, Rear / Wheel Travel

Swingarm with twin air-assisted shocks, with 4-way rebound damping / 3.1in.

Front Tire

130/90x16

Rear Tire

170/70x16

Brakes, Front

Dual 300 mm discs, dual twin-piston calipers

Brakes, Rear

Single 300 mm disc, twin-piston caliper

Overall Length

98.4 in.

Overall Width

40.4 in.

Overall Height

57.7 in.

Ground Clearance

5.1 in.

Seat Height

28.3 in.

Wheelbase

65.6 in.

Curb Weight

798 lbs.**

Fuel Capacity

5.3 gal.

Colors

Metallic Imperial Red/Metallic Titanium

MSRP

$14,199

Warranty

24 Months