Kawasaki

KAWASAKI

CRUISERS '96

Nine bikes from the God of Fire

VULCAN, THE GREEK GOD OF FIRE, MADE WEAPONS OF war in ancient times. This year, Kawasaki has gone on the warpath with a nine-bike cruiser battalion. Spearheaded by five new models, Kawasaki looks to capture a market that is projected to grow 10 percent by the year 2000. As Motorcycle Product Manager John Hoover tells it, “The cruiser rider said to us, ‘We really want that American styling.’ We said, ‘Yeah, but that’s gonna end up looking like a Harley.’ The customer insisted, ‘We want that style and your motor. We want the liquid cooling, shaft drive, good performance and that look.’’ How can Kawasaki not respond to these demands? We have the capability and technical knowledge to bring the product to market.”

And so the 1996 cruisers evolved. The newest Kawasaki cruisers are based on older Vulcan designs (still available in ’96), but with complete makeovers. That look has been achieved on the flagship 1500 Classic with 16-inch wheels at both ends, valanccd fenders, dual exhausts flowing out the right side and a lowered stance punctuated by a 27-inch seat height. That feel was engineered-in by increasing flywheel weight a full 25 percent and altering internal gear ratios to drop revs. An L-model 1500 comes ready for customizing with spoked wheels, straight bars and a different rear fender.

Based on the year-old Vulcan 800, the Classic 800 brings a new look to the middleweight cruiser ranks. It has a 16inch front wheel, shortened fork, deeply valanced fenders, two-tone paint scheme and revised tranny ratios for more relaxed highway cruising. In the entry-level category, the LTD and Eliminator monikers have been revived. Like the venerable Vulcan 500, the new 500 LTD uses the twincylinder motor lifted from the Ninja 500, revised for more low-end torque. It is wrapped by a longer, lower frame, has a 27.8-inch seat height, spoked wheels, stepped seat, tankmounted instruments and bobbed rear fender. The Eliminator 600 power cruiser, last seen in the U.S. in 1987, is propelled by a shaft-driven Ninja 600 motor, has a 28inch seat height and a claimed dry weight of 434 pounds.

Hoover said demographic trends will put baby boomers back on cruisers. “While out having kids, they missed the whole sportbike movement. Now that the kids are grown, they’re saying, ‘Hey I want to get back into it.’ They came back to the market and all they saw were sportbikes. They said, ‘Those things are awesome, but not for me.’ Now, we’re trying to bring them the bikes they want.” he says.