Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic Noble Knockoff

KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 CLASSIC Noble knockoff

Quick Ride

IF HONDA WANTS TO BREAK cruiser ground with exotic styling statements such as the Rune, Kawasaki offers an alternative approach with its Vulcan 1600 Classic. Instead of blazing trails, Kawasaki is content to make the closest replica that trademark law will allow of a Harley-Davidson Road King, but with traditional Japanese cruiser features, such as shaft drive and a price one-third lower than The Real Thing. If you don’t believe that, compare the two vehicles. The onepiece headlight nacelle of the Harley is replicated on the Kawasaki by a chrome sheetmetal surround and tear-drop headlight. The profile looks the same, but isn’t likely to invite a lawsuit in a world that has allowed the exact profile of a fender to be trademarked. A chrome speedometer surround on the gas tank suggests the Harley design, while differing in detail. The rear fender, support and seat (not to mention the right-side air cleaner) all speak in Harley design language, but

with just enough accent to keep the lawyers away.

Of course, Kawasaki is true to its own heritage in never doing anything half-heartedly; if it’s going to build a Road King, it’s going to do one at 105 percent scale. So the Classic stretches out on a 66.7-inch wheelbase,

and wears a wide 130/90-16

front tire and a wider-yet 170/7016 rear. It weighs more than 700

pounds, and uses a new version of the 1500 Vulcan V-Twin, a liq-

uid-cooled, four-valve design

that once put out 80-some horsepower. The new engine, though,

has been stroked by 5mm to displace 1552cc while being retuned for low-speed torque, so it thumps out 84 foot-pounds at just 2500 rpm, while peak power has been lowered to 58 bhp from essentially 4500 up to 5500 rpm.

The overall result is a big, heavy, smooth-handling and

comfortable touring cruiser. The outstanding low-speed torque encourages you to short-shift, and despite its greater weight, the Classic accelerates comparably to a current Harley. Gears click into place with a delicate precision yet to be achieved by iMilwaukee, and fuel-injection ensures easy start-up and smooth low-speed running. The riding position is roomy, allowing legs to stretch forward with knees bent, your torso leaned slightly aft or upright depending where on the well-padded seat you choose to sit. Handling is solid by cruiser standards, aided by the big 43mm fork. Dual front discs and a single rear ensure plenty of controllable braking power.

Best of all, of course, is the reaction the Classic gets from non-bikers, who go ga-ga over the traditional American styling and the well-done chrome jewelry. If the Kawasaki is a copy, it is a very well executed one, with visual appeal and smooth if not exactly thrilling performance. And at $10,499, it offers Road King style at a high-end Sportster price, a combination that will be irresistible to some, and infinitely resistible to others, thus proving the motorcycle market has room both for an original and a well-done copy.

-Steve Anderson