Finding My Perfect Match with the Kawasaki Vulcan S

 The Custom Fit Cruiser: Finding My Perfect Match with the Kawasaki Vulcan S

Kawasaki Vulcan S

The cruiser world has a certain… formula. It’s a world dominated by rumbling V-twins, laid-back ergonomics, and a distinct aesthetic that hasn’t changed much in decades. And for a long time, I thought it wasn’t for me. I’d sit on bikes at shows and feel cramped, stretched out, or just plain awkward. As a rider of average height but with a slightly shorter inseam, I felt like Goldilocks—nothing ever felt just right. I’d resigned myself to the idea that the classic cruiser silhouette came with a mandatory compromise on comfort.

That was until a Kawasaki dealer, seeing my frustration, pointed me toward a machine that looked familiar but promised something radically different. “Just try the Vulcan S,” he said. “It’s not like the others.” With its sleek, modern lines and absence of overt chrome, it stood out. But the real magic wasn’t in its looks; it was in a concept called Ergo Fit. This one ride didn’t just change my opinion on a bike; it changed my understanding of what a motorcycle could be when it’s designed for the individual.

First Impressions: Modern Muscle Meets Custom Comfort

The Kawasaki Vulcan S immediately breaks the cruiser mold. It’s based on the agile Ninja 650 platform, and you can tell. It has a sporty, muscular stance rather than a long-and-low traditional one. The signature Kawasaki green accent options and the blacked-out engine give it a contemporary, aggressive look.

But the real story is the Ergo-Fit system. Before I even started the engine, the salesman walked me through it. The Vulcan S isn’t a one-size-fits-all machine. It’s a modular platform with three different options for the handlebars (Reduced, Standard, Extended), two for the footpegs (Reduced, Standard), and three for the seat (Low, Standard, Comfort). We swapped out the standard seat for the reduced reach one and opted for the reduced reach handlebars. The transformation was instantaneous. My feet were flat on the ground. My arms were in a relaxed, natural position. My back was straight. For the first time on a cruiser, I wasn’t accommodating the bike; the bike was accommodating me.

The Technical Lowdown: Sportbike Soul in a Cruiser Body

Don’t let the cruiser styling fool you. The Vulcan S is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and its secret weapon is its powertrain.

*   The Engine: Beating at its core is the same 649cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine found in the Ninja 650 and Verseys 650. This is a brilliant powerplant. It produces a very healthy 61 horsepower and 46.3 lb.-ft of torque. The parallel-twin configuration is smoother than a traditional V-twin, and its 180-degree crank gives it a unique, off-beat exhaust note that’s more futuristic pulse than old-school potato-potato rumble.

    The magic is in the torque delivery. It’s all available down low. Crack the throttle at any RPM, in any gear, and the bike surges forward with an eager, linear pull. This makes it incredibly forgiving in the city and an absolute blast on backroads. You’re never searching for the powerband; it’s always right there.

*   The Chassis & Suspension: The diamond-type steel trellis frame is derived from the Ninja, making it exceptionally light and rigid for a cruiser. The curb weight is a svelte 498 lbs (226 kg), which is hundreds of pounds lighter than many of its competitors. This lightness is the Vulcan S’s superpower. It flicks into corners with an agility that feels utterly alien on a cruiser. It’s neutral, predictable, and encourages you to play.

    The suspension is basic—a 41mm telescopic fork and a preload-adjustable rear shock—but it’s tuned for comfort and works well for the bike’s intended purpose. This isn’t a long-distance tourer; it’s a urban scrambler and backroad bruiser.

*   Brakes & Features: It has solid braking power from a single 300mm petal disc with a two-piston caliper up front and a 250mm disc out back, aided by standard ABS. The instrumentation is a clean, easy-to-read digital display. It’s simple, effective, and modern.

The User Experience: The Everyman’s Rocket

Living with the Vulcan S is an exercise in effortless fun.

*   The Urban Jungle: In the city, this bike is an absolute king. The light weight makes it a flickable, filtering dream. The low-end torque means stoplight-to-stoplight dashes are hilarious, leaving heavier cruisers in a cloud of your (surprisingly sporty) exhaust note. The comfortable, upright riding position gives you a commanding view of traffic. It’s manageable, confidence-inspiring, and utterly practical.

*   The Backroad Blast: This is where the Vulcan S truly humiliates its competition. You don’t *cruise* through corners; you attack them. You can carry speeds that would have a traditional cruiser dragging hard parts within inches of the pavement. The sportbike-derived chassis and suspension inspire a level of confidence that encourages you to lean, to push, and to explore the limits of what a cruiser can do. It’s a thrilling, unique experience.

*   The Compromise: The Vulcan S makes its priorities clear. It sacrifices the plush, highway-devouring ride of a big V-twin cruiser. The seat, while customizable, can become firm on very long rides. The engine, while smooth for a twin, will buzz a bit at high-way speeds, and the wind protection is minimal. It’s best enjoyed in bursts of 1-2 hours rather than cross-country slogs. This is a backroad and urban specialist, not a mile-eater.

The 2024 Model: Refining a Modern Classic

For the latest model years, Kawasaki has kept the Vulcan S formula largely intact, focusing on new color schemes and graphics. The platform is so unique in the market that it requires little tweaking. Its success lies in its specific niche: the cruiser for people who don’t like traditional cruisers.

The Verdict: Who Is This Bike For?

The Kawasaki Vulcan S is one of the most brilliantly targeted motorcycles on the market. It is the perfect bike for:

*   The New Rider: Its manageable power, low seat height (thanks to Ergo Fit), and light weight make it an incredibly safe and confidence-building first cruiser.

*   The Sport Rider Looking for Comfort: A Ninja 650 rider who wants a more relaxed riding position without sacrificing all the fun.

*   The Urban Dweller: Someone who values agility and low-speed maneuverability over straight-line power.

*   The Non-Conformist: The rider who wants the cruiser attitude but can’t stomach the traditional cruiser compromises.

It is likely not for:

*   The rider seeking the classic, thunderous V-twin rumble and aesthetic.

*   The long-distance tourer who plans to spend all day on the interstate.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S taught me a valuable lesson: you don’t have to fit the bike; the bike can fit you. It’s a motorcycle that prioritizes ride quality and real-world performance over nostalgia. It’s a pragmatic, intelligent, and wildly fun machine that proves innovation can breathe new life into the most traditional of segments. It’s not just a cruiser; it’s a cruiser solved.