Courtesy of Kawasaki

Kawasaki’s 2019 Model Year Cruiser Line

The new bikes have dropped, but Kawasaki’s cruisers remain mostly unchanged

November 28, 2018

Now that the dust has settled and the biggest of the international moto shows have wrapped up with manufacturers revealing most of their new models, we can better survey who’s got what in their lineups for the 2019 model year.

Kawasaki focused its new-bike spotlight this year on the superport, adventure, and touring categories, with the retro W800 Café also making its debut (see the info here though there's not much action on the cruiser front. But we're still stoked to report that much of the Vulcan line is back in the mix, with a good options in the entry-level, middleweight, and heavyweight categories. Let's jump right in, shall we?

Vulcan S

Entry-level? Bah. Think of the Vulcan S as a wolf in sheep’s clothing—the low silhouette of a bigger-bore cruiser but with a spirited, ready-to-run liquid-cooled 650cc motor derived from Kawasaki’s Ninja sportbikes. The Kawasaki Vulcan S returns to the line for 2019 with all the same bits that made it a hit from the jump, including a light weight, sporty good looks, and the unique Ergo-Fit system, which gives a total of 18 ways to adjust the bike to fit you, by tweaking the seat, footpegs, and handlebar. The littlest Vulcan comes in three configurations for 2019: the Vulcan S in Metallic Matte Covert Green for an MSRP of $7,099; the Vulcan S ABS, available in Metallic Matte Covert Green and Stormcloud Blue, for a price of $7,499; and the Vulcan S ABS Café, which can be had in Candy Steel Furnace Orange/Metallic Spark Black, for $8,099.Courtesy of Kawasaki

Vulcan 900 Classic

The Vulcan 900 Classic rolls with traditional cruiser styling in a midsize platform. It’s a comfortable ride with all the classic cues, plus a liquid-cooled 900cc V-twin engine. Dual slash-cut mufflers plus a reliable belt final drive keeps weight down and gives the rear end a cleaner look. For 2019, the Vulcan 900 Classic comes in Metallic Matte Graphite Gray/Metallic Matte Carbon Gray, and retails for $7,999.Courtesy of Kawasaki

Vulcan 900 Classic LT

“LT” stands for light touring, so don’t be surprised to see the Vulcan 900 Classic LT come equipped with a large, adjustable windshield, deep-dyed saddlebags, and a passenger backrest. What might be a surprise though, is the fat 180/70-15 rear tire, which sets it apart from the rest of the competition. Otherwise you get that reliable liquid-cooled 900cc V-twin powering a classic touring rig, which for 2019, comes in Metallic Graphite Gray/Candy Imperial Blue for the extremely reasonable MSRP of $8,999.Courtesy of Kawasaki

Vulcan 900 Custom

This Vulcan is all about style, from its tall front tire to blacked-out mufflers. Throw in that low-slung gunfighter-type seat, a super-chunky rear tire, stylishly thin 21-inch cast front wheel, and sculpted bodywork and you can see where it gets its moniker. For 2019, the Vulcan 900 Custom comes in Pearl Storm Gray/Ebony, with an MSRP of $8,499.Courtesy of Kawasaki

Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS

Moving up to the heavyweight class, you have 1,700cc of low-slung style in the Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS. It’s a bagger that somehow blends style and function surprisingly well. Throw in a reasonable MSRP—for 2019, the Vaquero will run you $16,799—and a slick new Metallic Spark Black paint job, and call it good.Courtesy of Kawasaki

Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS

True touring acolytes will find plenty to like in the Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS, a touring cruiser with modern comfort amenities and technology. Ample storage capacity, a large fuel tank, ABS—that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The 2019 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS is available in Candy Imperial Blue/Metallic Graphite Gray, for an MSRP of $17,499.Courtesy of Kawasaki