Kawasaki performance and classic good looks will make this new Vulcan a winner.

Kawasaki’s Vulcan® 2000 arrived at showrooms two years ago, featuring the largest V-twin engine in a mass-production motorcycle—literally jumping to the top rung of any ladder measuring supremacy in the cruiser kingdom. This year, Kawasaki adds another variation to its big-bore stable with the introduction of the Vulcan® 2000 Classic.

Keying off all the features found on the Vulcan 2000, Kawasaki engineers and designers raised the ante in this category by incorporating a series of classically styled elements to the aptly-named 2000 Classic. For example, a classic-style headlight, buckhorn style handlebar bend, a thicker, reshaped passenger seat for increased comfort, etched insignia on the right side airbox cover, a longer, reconfigured sidestand to make it simpler to get the 2000 upright, a distinctively styled speedometer face, and a tank-top ignition key.

Coupled with the abundance of power and torque offered by this 2,053cc king of the road, the rider seeking a more traditional style need look no further. Performance from this power plant is a virtual given, and now with an updated, yet classically-driven appearance, riders drawn to Kawasaki’s well-known imagery will have a new answer for their road-going travels.

And if it’s off the showroom floor appearance isn’t exactly what the rider seeks, Kawasaki’s accessories can offer a multitude of options for personal customization.

Power for this stylish cruiser comes from a massive V-twin engine featuring a bore and stroke of 103 x 123.2mm, forged pistons, alloy-steel connecting rods, huge 220mm flywheels, dual cams located within the one-piece crankcase and right-side pushrods actuating four valves per cylinder. Notably, Kawasaki engineers chose to utilize a push rod design in order to reduce engine height, which directly contributes to the Vulcan 2000’s low center of gravity and relatively low seat height. Plus, hydraulic valve lash adjusters automatically maintain zero valve clearance for smoother, quieter operation.

Cruiser fans will appreciate the Vulcan 2000’s classic V-twin sound thanks, in part, to the single-pin crankshaft, while dual counterbalancers and rubber engine mounts keep it running smoothly.

To provide sharp throttle response at any rpm, the Vulcan 2000’s electronic engine control unit (ECU) manages electronic fuel injection with its dual 46mm throttle bodies and sub-throttle valves, as well as the iridium spark plug ignition system. The sub-throttle valves help provide the Vulcan 2000 with smooth throttle response, while the highly sophisticated fuel injection system’s fine atomizing injectors deliver an ultra-fine mist of fuel/air mixture to the cylinders for greater combustion efficiency, increased power and optimum fuel economy.

The top quarter of the V-twin engine is liquid-cooled, while temperatures for the bottom three-quarters of the engine are managed by stylish and highly functional cooling fins. Plus, the engine and transmission feature built-in oil and water pumps, with the transmission also serving as the oil tank.

The chrome air cleaner cover is nestled between the cylinders, which feature a black matte finish, and the cooling fins are polished to a bright metallic shine. Dual exhaust pipes and mufflers emit a distinctive V-twin rumble, and include honeycomb catalyzers to reduce emissions.

A Hyvo primary drive chain transfers torque from the big V-twin engine to the five-speed transmission case, which houses a multi-plate wet clutch. To fully benefit from its advanced electronics, a gear position sensor in the transmission sends signals to the ECU, further enhancing fuel injection volume and ignition timing, and thus improving performance. Final drive to the rear wheel is provided by smooth, quiet and low maintenance belt drive.

The V-twin engine is utilized as a member of the Vulcan’s steel, double-cradle frame, which features a large-diameter, box-section single-tube backbone. Coupled to the frame is a simple but elegant rear steel tube swingarm suspension with a direct-action single shock. The rear suspension provides 3.9 inches of travel, and includes spring preload and rebound adjustment. Up front, large 49mm forks provide precise steering feedback and 5.9 inches of travel.

Styling queues that put the Vulcan 2000 Classic at the forefront of cruiser design include a bullet-style headlight. Adding to its high-end status is the chrome instrument panel with its large-face speedometer; mounted on a stretched, 5.5-gallon fuel tank, the V-shaped panel keeps the rider informed with an LCD display and warning lamps. The bucket-type saddle with matching passenger seat complements the Vulcan’s long, curving silhouette while providing all-day riding comfort.