Kawasaki Vulcan S - Orwell Motorcycles 

When the Vulcan S first was introduced one of the features Kawasaki promoted was the fact that the seat, pegs and handlebar were adjustable to fit the rider. As far as I know that is still the case.

I bought one new this year and LOVE IT! I’m 5’9 and 170 lbs and have the mid position controls. It’s absolutely perfect! It’s very quick, agile, forgiving and fun to ride. I put a CS Racing exhaust on it which I love as well. I use mine to commute to work every day and so I hit freeways, twisties and city roads on my daily ride and it performs flawlessly.

I love this sportcruiser! There is something special with these Vulcans and I can’t explain what… it’s something! Wouldn’t be surprised with the fact that a Vulcan S will enter our garage some day later. A strange bite, with a great taste🎉

I figured out why I love your channel, not only was I one of your original viewers. But I wake up, use the facilities and get a cup of coffee with you. What a great morning.

There’s something about this bike…. like a strange alien kinda cruiser type of bike…. I must admit I have been drawn to this one and maybe because it’s a little bit “not like all the others” what makes me like it so much…. wouldn’t be surprised if one fine day it’ll be in my garage…. And as usual, thanks for another pleasant saturday morning coffee 😊👍

Kawasaki have made Vulcan s 650 since 2015 - only gear indicator and colour change since then - yep they got it right first time. They have made heavier cruisers since late 1980s - my old Vulcan 800 was a fab machine but too heavy and cumbersome in bends - Vulcan s is completely different concept, derived from Versys and Ninja 600 and it shows in agility and peformance, economical too, real life averaging 67 mpg uk. Can you cruise on it - you bet - just returned from 2500 mile tour northern Spain and central Portugal,solo. Twisties e.g. Picos a real doddle. Yes in stop/start traffic you can stand up - a godsend. They still do ergo fit, look it up. Mine is standard I am 5'10 14 stone - perfect for me, you can also change height of gear peg by simple adjustment of attached rod. Had mine now for 4 years and apart from conmdensation once in the start button (what would we do withput wd40?) never misses a beat. Recommend you take one out, the longer the better, first front feet forward position does seem weird but becomes ultra comfortavle. Enjoy

I was looking at this bike since my injury, knowing it is light and agile. Also at a Harley Sportster used. I was unsure of my knee flex on the left side with keeping it up. Have to ride one in the fall and see. Not sure I told you, I signed up for a Can-am training class next month to ride I hope all three of there models during the training. The bike looks fantastic for a cruiser, I started on a Yamaha V-Star 650. Rode that for 35,000 miles before I sold it. I see why people watch first ride videos as it gives perspective. I remember Exeter Rider on the W800 Café and he had problems finding the side stand. I own one and still have an issue with that. Now it's even harder with the left leg muscle to put it down. Sorry for the long one today. But you got my juices flowing and excited. Be easy on ER tomorrow, i believe you two are a good couple to have a conversation for an hour or two. Thank you for all you do.

I used to want a cruiser until I tried one😂 To be honest, I love the seat height and I loved the forwarc controls. When you have smaller feet, they are much easier to use being above the pegs. However, cruisers are also big lumps to ride around steep, sharp corners and very rough roads. I'm definitely going Scrambler now. Agreed, liquorice or maybe orange jellybean 😉🔴

Good morning TAYM can feel different forward facing controls lot of people have these bikes women riders love them.

You were so underwhelmed with this motorcycle, for the first time I nodded off 😂. Well , I'd just worked a full day, let's chalk it up to that! Love your Churchill paraphrase. Have a great weekend. Happy Mother's Day to Mrs TAYM.💐

had a vulcan s last year untill it was stolen and wrecked /written off by insurance lovely machines you can alter the seat/pegs and bars to suit your hight with the ergo fit system they have (i'm 6ft 2 by the way) .now riding the triumph 865 speedmaster bought with the insurance pay out

Footpegs have 3 positions so easy to accommodate most riders preferences. Seat adjustable too.

That’s a TAYM ‘Marvellous score’ of three, by my count. As I also have long legs I found you test ride useful. Thank you,

Carry on Cruising Mr TAYM I Reckon you are Right about the Gear Change & Foot Position This Engine is used in Many Kawasaki Bikes & Has been Refined over the Years so its very Well Proven Unit

Great review MrTAYM, I'm always impressed by your riding skill and ability to adapt. As a new rider, I always try to watch your clutch hand because your so smooth, but the logo is always in the way now isn't it😂. This seems like a great bike for a beginner who wants to go the cruiser route. Great observation on the shock position as the S Meteor gives a jolt to the taint🤣-Cheers!

Had a couple of flirtations with cruiser style bikes (Yamaha XV950 and Victory Judge) enjoyed XV but just couldn't get on with the Judge for some reason. The Vulcan S does look very nice and sounds lovely. Great review as always. 👍

Mr TAYM, nice test ride. I looked at these, because cruisers as so popular here in the states. After sitting on a few of them, I decided I just wasn't a cruiser guy. I'll stick with my T120 and Tigger with mid controls and a higher seating position.

Mr. TAYM, your "laid back" presentation on the way of the Vulcan S was very real world application, I enjoyed watching you show the bike in real time road life, not, staged to look like something that's not accurate. My living here in the U.S. is no different. I don't enjoy a "staged" road ride presentation, it degrading to the motorcycle brand/intended use. Great work on the video here.😁👍😎🦅🏍️🧸 Doug

Appears there is a lot of adjustability of this bike to accommodate the rider. Foot peg placement, handlebars etc besides the possible mods. Also the exhaust is nice and low to accommodate luggage. It seems like a bike well worth consideration.

Nice little review Mr TAYM. With so many bikes being too tall for ladies and smaller riders the Vulcan is a good addition to Kawasaki's range. Kawasaki don't make poor quality bikes. The one thing that puzzles me is the single front disc. The same engine in a different model gets two discs. Is it safety or is it fashion? Which is right ? P.S. I have three bikes and all have single front discs.

Mr Taym you are knocking this channel out the park, superb. For me this and the rebel in all black are hideous regardless of superb mechanicals. I have ridden rebel 1100 dct. Nice but niche. Just cant stand everything all black, whereas Meteor is very pretty looking. Not my style…… just yet. There’s seems to be plently of rebels on the road where I live. Not seen a Meteor on the road yet

Com on guy's 20👍 likes & 130 views it's TAYM it's not that hard to click on the 👍thumbs up.Look what HE'S done for the DGR more thumbs up needed.

I've seen a few of these in dealers but can never decide if I like it. From your view it looks small to ride and doesn't sound like it has over 60hp! Still it's nice to see differing styles of bike on the channel. Live long and prosp.....hang on, wrong Vulcan... 😆

Entertaining ride Mr Taym, the engine is a really good one and the build quality and ride is typical Kawasaki, top notch but the style, the modern cruiser, nah not for me, I much preferred the Kawasaki VN800/900 that this replaced, they were “proper “ cruiser’s if ever you get the chance to get a ride on one go for it, you will be impressed, all the best 👍

Great video. Just bought a 2021 vulcan s and really enjoying it. It has a Delkevic exhaust (..nice but can't decide if a tad noisy for me, so will try the stock exhaust again, before I go deaf). Also came with a mid reach seat, but being 5'6" I picked up a reduced reach seat on marketplace and have been swapping positions constantly to find what I like best. With the short reach seat and adjusting the handlebars it handles very much like the 650 versys I had in the twisties, but much more fun on the highway. Love just to cruise and know that it handles so well when I hit the winding hills. Looking forward to a long road trip in a couple of months up north (2000kms each way). Its a pretty cool bike, especially for the money, and so versatile. Thanks again for the video.

Great video relaxed and honest as ever. Never tried a cruiser always wondered how they steer and the forward gear and brake pedals. Seems like a motorised comfy chair😂. As with all the Japanese manufacturers looks very good quality and vfm.

Great bikes. For all I had issues, and stepped away. It was a difficult decision and I would go back I think. Nippier than others in its class. Seat and adjustable settings of pegs, seat and bars were deciding factors for me. A great bike for the money. I do love my suzuki vz800 intruder. 😊

Yes I have meteor 350 I want the Vulcan 650 next love this bike 🥂 passed my full licence in Ipswich 🥂 sure I recognise some of those routes 🤣

You mentioned that it "goes well enough" - that isn't doing this bike justice. You don't need to be in the cruiser mindset (slow and steady) to enjoy this bike. Unlike conventional V-twins, this bike _loves_ to be revved high. Get it singing >6k RPM! If you give it revs it is _blisteringly_ fast for a cruiser, with your 0-60mph being about 4-4.5s. You can even wheelie the thing if you want.

A marvellous crusade to explore the virtues of this cruiser, you're fairly getting used to them now, it won't be long before you're converted. I think I know the one which will sway you, you need to try the Rocket 3 GT even if it's just to compare it to the R 🤔 It has a more relaxed riding position and once you find your feet I think you'll find it cruises with attitude 😯😀 Mrs TAYM would love the slightly more padded seat and the reassurance of the sissy bar. Though that in itself would surely present even more of a dilemma 😉🤔😕😀

Gear levers are easily adjusted for height on the connector rod. I had to do this on my Triumph Speedmaster I couldn't get my toe under it,

Grand review Mr TAYM; I wonder what the Giraffe would think to it, as for me, i think I'm going to be sick.

Nice review on the Vulcan. But the title is "comparison with Meteor and Rebel". Not to be rude but there are 1000 reviews about the Vulcan. I was hopping for a comparison. The only think mentioned was the suspensions vs the Meteor and the foot position .... I was hopping for more. The title is a bit deceiving I guess :)

Love it but would choose a different colour personally. I like the grey one best, followed by orange then the green, fit a screen and bags and off on a big trip. I read that Kawasaki do a thing called Ergofit? The bike can be set up with different footpeg and bar/seat positions from the dealer.

The only cruiser style bike I've ever liked is some Harleys. I rather a used Sportster 1200. Hope you manage to get a go on the Fat Boy.

The Vulcan S is a great lil 650 in the cruiser style. If money and space weren’t an issue I’d have owned one by now. Just too many cool bikes out there. 👍

21st like 130th view cooking tea again & left headphones🎧 in.I need a wife to cook tea every other day to give me a chance at watching TAYM.

Hi TAYM that was interesting, I know it's probably a brand new bike but you did seem very gentle with it. I like the concept of a sports cruiser not very heavy plenty of power but I must admit I'm not a big fan of the looks myself. I think you should definitely take it out again and give it the beans a bit I think it might surprise you.

Half a round clock was a good start. It is the ideal bike for Halloween and Herman Munster would look great on it. As soon as I saw it I thought that it would taste like liqorice and then I howled "Yeeessss" when you said the same thing. I can't think of a reason to own one 😂, but I do like that you test all kind of bikes, even some that I would never dream of riding, like the Vulcan 🤣🤣. That was a lot of fun, as usual. 👍👍

watching you drive on the left side of the road with traffic is nerve racking. I would quickly die riding in Europe. lol

I'm no fan of all black, cruisers need a bit of bling, even chrome bars would give it a lift. Would not fancy paying to replace that heart shaped headlight when a stone cracks it. Looks comfy 👍

Cheers TAYM. I bet you would love a Harley Sportster if you had a go on one.👍 Like Bertie but with twice the noise

Super a nice cruiser TAYM I reckon you might be more suited to 1100 version😉 now I reckon that might be a good one it is nice in all black though and that would be the colour I would choose .Nice one 👌👍

Great review 👏 I found exactly the same problem with the gear shifter when I tried one out a while back...looks nice in the matt black though 👍

I tried the Super Meteor yesterday and liked the seating position and quickly got used to the gearbox but the suspension was punishing but i like the style so thats why i am watching this

I like the sound, not sure of the colour (sound like my Mrs there). Personally, I prefer more up front, by that I mean a big instrument panel and a nose fairing or something . .. skinny front ends are a put off for me. Would I have one - well yeeaaahhhh 😎

i test rode one , takes a bit of time to adapt to the laid back bit ;; but bike suits a lot of sizes , i am 6 ft 2 in

Nice bike Tam but prefer the look of the super meteor but heh splendid video 😊😊😊

I realize it's an old video but I just wanted to say that the reviewer is pretty much lugging the bike. That particular bike makes it's power at higher revs. It has a sport bike motor although it is tuned a little differently. Keeping it around 3000 rpms is going to make it feel like a dog.

Morning Taym well she has a very good engine and I know a lot of people love them but I will give this one a miss 🤔 good video though 😃👍

It is a good looking bike, quite different from the ones I remember in the mid 80's. I agree about the taste, I was thinking those licorice scotty dogs! 😂😂

G’day Mr Taym, This bike was on my radar once and they are pretty much the same price as the super meteor over here…but I would definitely choose the Super meteor over the Vulcan S….it’s a Royal Enfield thing 😁

Cruisers do nothing for me either but personally given the choice I could live with the looks of this 'modern' style cruiser look more than the Super Meteor 'traditional' style. I'm in a minority though in thinking the Super Meteor is RE's least successful design effort so far., so what do I know !!

I took a super meteor for a test ride and while it’s a nice bike and well built. It’s lacking something, not sure what it is. It’s not as powerful as I expected. The interceptor has more go. I didn’t like the way it felt slow riding was a bit janky. And as you said the rear suspension is hard, you get bucked out of the seat on speed bumps.

The flow of the tank design loox better than the Rebel 500 but the engine loox a bit more of a lump. Maybe because it's not blacked out like on the Rebel.

Nice video! How tall are you mate? I’m tall(ish) at 6’0 and I find some bikes quite cramped

It always demands a look in the store, never driven one.

Nice looking bike that and it's a Kwaka so as reliable as all getup, but I feel every cruiser bike wants to grow up and be a Harley.

A fine cruise, opposite issue for me, legs are short, off out to test something from Mr Honda today, I will no doubt have a mutter to myself and doing the senses test on the way round.

nice looking bike dont think it would be for me at 6ft 2''

Did you end up getting the Vulcan s, I took a Vulcan s cafe for a test ride. The peg position was my main issue, I'm used to pegs under you, not forward, but a few stops later, I was finding the pegs alright.

VULCAN RIDERS PAST & NOW!! I've got a brand new Vulcan And a tank full of gas. A beautiful woman behind me And we're not driving fast. We're pulling a trailer With a tent packed inside. For camping beneath the stars Just me and my bride. Come morning we’ll go fishing Below the damn of Table Rock Where the big trout all hide From those anglers who talk. We’ll bait our hooks with salmon eggs And catch a pan or two. Strike a fire and cook a meal And fear not the morrow’s new We left our cars at home Cause we chose to go two wheeling. As we cling to our best on wheels It gives us a special feeling! By Tom Zart Most Published Poet On The Web!

Think I’m the 1st like 👍

You ok today Mr T?

Feet forward pegs are an illogical choice for optimal control . Dogwise , it's a dachshund . Live long and prosper.

Interesting bike but not for me. I think if I had to have a bike that style I would go for the Super Meteor. But thats just on looks . 👍

That was a surprise. What next? A Harley lol😆😅🤣😂. Good on you for trying something different.

Wonder who is missing?

"Beauty", as they say.........🤔

Love the bike but the mirrors are a just like the glasses that the guy at primary school school wore while playing top trumps🙈He lost always 👍

Mr. TAYM, may you please share how was the vibration of Vulcan S 650 compared to Super Meteor 650, sir?

Why are you shifting at 4k rpm? This is a sport bike engine.

Its a cruiser Jim but not as we know it. I cant take to the looks of this model at all.

Whats that language ?

Bonjours je comanterai pas c'est vraiment pas mon style et n'y connais rien mais vous qui aimez Suzuki et avez de grandes jambes j'aimerais bien votre opinion sur la DE 800...bon abstraction faite des phares plutôt côté moteur et confort.....bon s'est vilain de réclamer mais je connais vôtre affection pour les vilain garçon en moto....✌️🇨🇵

Morning Mr TAYM. What can I say, other than what a f’ugly thing that is. Ok, as you know I’m not a cruiser style fan, nor a matt black all over fan, so this definitely doesn’t float my boat. I appreciate that some will love it, but I just think it’s hideous 🙄😂

bit of a whiner this 1

Lot of spit in this blokes mouth.

Nice bike 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍