The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero puts practicality and comfort on the first place. The motorcycle features an aggressive and muscular style and is powered by a strong 1,700cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, SOHC, four valve per cylinder, 52° V-twin engine. The engine’s features include an overhead cam design, high compression and a long-stroke dimensional design. The unit rewards you with a maximum torque of 108 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm and is mated on a six speed gearbox with overdrive and positive neutral finder.

Apart from its powerful engine, the 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero is also offered with a tasty exterior design which includes blacked-out detail, a beautiful Candy Plasma Blue paint on the abbreviated fairing and a sculpted tank. Moreover, the luxurious chrome accents provide a beautiful counterpoint to the glossy paintwork.

The bike is kept in check by front dual 300mm discs grabbed by dual twin-piston calipers and a rear single 300mm disc combined with a twin-piston caliper.

Hit the jump for more information on the 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero.

2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
  • Horsepower: 72
  • Torque: 94
  • Transmission: 6-speed
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press Release

Vaquero’s throttle valve system works with the advanced electronic fuel injection to optimize engine response without detracting from its distinctive V-twin throb. The system uses an Accelerator Position Sensor (APS) and a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) that feed data to the ECU, which adjusts the throttle plates to tailor intake airflow accordingly. The system offers a natural throttle feel, because the APS is activated by a throttle body pulley connected by cables to the throttle grip. Besides the obvious FI advantages such as improved fuel economy and automatic adjustment for altitude changes, the system also permits easy hands-off warm-up and idle speed control. Vaquero also features a water-cooled alternator that produces a staggering 46.8 amps of electrical output – plenty to power a selection of electronic accessories that enrich motorcycle travel.

The result of all this is a massive quantity of usable torque spread out over a shockingly wide rpm range. With 108 foot-pounds of torque, a mere twist of the Vaquero’s throttle delivers arm-stretching acceleration for freeway passing or spirited riding, and the smooth wave of low-rpm grunt is always ready to please when you’re just boppin’ down the boulevard, checking out the scene and chillin’.

Speaking of just cruisin’ along; the Vaquero offers true touring-bike convenience in the form of its electronic cruise control system, conveniently operated from the right handlebar and usable at any speed between 30 and 85 mph in any of the top four gears. The cruise system can be disengaged in any of the following ways: depressing the brake lever, clutch lever, rear brake pedal, or manually turning the throttle grip past the “closed” position.

Additional touring acumen shines through the engine’s six-speed transmission with overdriven 5th and 6th gears, which contributes to a relaxed ride and excellent fuel economy at highway speeds. Power is routed to the rear wheel via a narrow carbon fiber-reinforced drive belt that has a 40-percent higher tensile strength than current Kevlar belts. And that chopped, custom-look fairing? Although lower than a traditional windshield or full fairing, it still cuts a decent-sized hole in oncoming atmosphere, giving the rider a useful still-air cocoon in which to enjoy the ride.

Lockable side-loading hard bags set the Vaquero apart from its Vulcan 1700 brethren. They’re beautifully integrated and spacious, and styled to highlight the bike’s long, low look. A scooped saddle offers a comfortable rider perch, while a minimalist passenger pad sits atop a wildly shaped rear fender that integrates equally stylish taillight and turn signal assemblies.

The frame holding all this hardware together is a single backbone, double cradle unit designed to be a slim and light as possible for an easy reach to the ground and optimal handling. Bolted to the steering head is a mammoth 45mm fork assembly offering 5.5 inches of wheel travel and a thoroughly compliant ride. Suspension in back consists of twin air-assisted shocks with spring preload and rebound damping adjustability working through a beefy steel swingarm. Nine-spoke cast aluminum flat-black wheels hold fat, 130/90 front and 170/70 radial tires that offer light handling characteristics, superb traction and long life. Braking hardware consists of dual 300mm front discs with twin-piston calipers and a 300mm rear disc with a two-piston caliper.

It all adds up to a truly top-of-the-line bagger that encompasses a perfect combination of traits: It’s functional in a wide range of environments, from inner-city cruisin’ to running down the open road. It’s got highly advanced technology. And it’s knee-shakingly beautiful, a bike that’ll put goosebumps on your arms and neck every time you open the garage door to take a peek.

Engine

-Liquid-cooled, four valves per cylinder, fuel-injected 1,700cc 52-degree V-twin engine

-Long-stroke 102 x 104mm bore and stroke dimensions deliver high torque levels with a distinct V-twin feel

-Valve-actuation system uses a single overhead cam arrangement instead of pushrods for quicker revving and enhanced mid-high rpm power

-Semi-dry sump design allows lower crankshaft positioning and a longer piston stroke without increasing engine height

-Single-pin crankshaft accentuates the engine’s V-twin character by providing strong power pulses

-Large-capacity airbox is located on both sides of the engine

-Small-diameter iridium sparkplugs reach deep into the combustion chamber for high combustion efficiency, especially during low-load operation

-Engine tuning, combined with long-stroke design, offers superior acceleration in the 50-70 mph range

-Even in overdrive (5th and 6th gear) the engine pulls strongly, making highway passing easier

Suspension

-Air-adjustable shocks can be tuned to match varying rider and passenger loads

-4-way rebound damping adjustability helps the shocks compensate for changes in spring pressure

Key Features

-Liquid-cooled 1,700cc V-twin puts out loads of torque

-6-speed transmission allows for relaxed cruising

-Electronic throttle actuation system ensures optimized injector timing and throttle valve position, resulting in an accurate, powerful engine response

-Electronic cruise control maintains speed for more comfort on long trips

-Frame-mounted front fairing directs aerodynamic forces to the chassis to keep steering feel light

-Unique “muscle car” styled instrumentation keeps the rider fully informed

-Audio system has navigation audio prompt capability, FM, AM and WX and is compatible with iPod, XM tuner, or CB radio

-Aggressive and muscular cruiser styling from end to end

-Twin tapered mufflers maximize saddlebag capacity

-Low seat height with sporty one-piece seat contributes to long, low classic cruiser look

-Aggressive black-out look and strong colors emphasize the simple character of the body shapes

Specifications

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 @ 2,750 rpm

Cooling System

Liquid, plus cooling fins

Ignition

TCBI with Digital Advance

Induction

Digital fuel injection, dual 42mm throttle bodies

Transmission

6-speed with overdrive and positive neutral finder

Frame Type

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

Rake/Trail

30° / 7.0 in.

Front Suspension / wheel travel

45mm hydraulic fork / 5.5 in.

Rear Suspension / wheel travel

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

Front Tire Size

130/90x16

Rear Tire Size

170/70x16

Brakes, front / rear

Dual 300mm discs, dual twin-piston calipers / Single 300mm disc, twin-piston caliper

Overall length

98.8 in.

Overall width

38.2 in.

Overall height

50.8 in.

Seat height

28.7 in.

Curb weight

835.7 lbs.**

Wheelbase

65.6 in.

Fuel capacity

5.3 gal.

Color Choices

Candy Plasma Blue, Candy Lime Green / Ebony


Quotes

InfoSport Bike----"It all starts with the Vaquero 1700 cc liquid-cooled V-twin that drives all four models Vulcan 1700 - Voyager ®, Classic, Nomad ™ and Vaquero. Design quite well proven, 52-degree Vee has the latest engine technology seems like a return to the past, a time when the V-twin engine has been run on your bike. Features include an overhead cam design, high compression and a long stroke design dimensions which results in the kind of performance at low and mid range without effort that is so desirable and useful in a large cruiser inches."