2011 KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLES

Kawasaki’s first production bagger model is ready to take the street by force. The new Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero™ motorcycle combines the authority of a massive 1700cc liquid-cooled V-Twin engine together with low-slung, streetwise styling of a frame-mounted front cowling and lower chin fairing, sleek side-opening hard bags, and a choice of stealthy Ebony or fiery Candy Fire Red monotone paint. Besides its unmistakable style, the Vaquero also includes a smooth-shifting 6-speed overdrive transmission, cruise control, a full-feature audio system, and a host of custom-designed accessories. Get ready to rumble.

Horizon-chasing touring bikes are nothing new to Kawasaki. The original Voyager® and the sport-touring Concours™ models have been pulling long-haul duty wonderfully for decades now. But not until 2009 did Team Green bless its V-twin cruiser with the full-dress accoutrements necessary to go across the state – or across the country – in wraparound, top-shelf comfort. The result was the Vulcan® 1700 Voyager, a tourer that could not only whisk you and a passenger away in total comfort, but in classic style, too.

The horizon beckons you aboard the Vulcan® 1700 Voyager® motorcycle. With its side cases and trunk packed passenger aboard and the 1700cc liquid-cooled V-Twin engine alive beneath you, there’s no destination too far. And you’ll get there in comfort and style, thanks to the Voyager’s comprehensive range of touring features. Like deeply upholstered seats that soothe even the longest days on the road, a full-coverage touring fairing and protective lowers, and a standard audio system with weather radio. The Voyager ABS model adds Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-Braking Technology (K-ACT) for even more confident stops.

Part cruiser and part weekend tourer – and all Vulcan. That’s the beauty of the Vulcan® 1700 Nomad™. Offering the same powerful engineering as the other Vulcan 1700 models, together with touring equipment including a large adjustable windscreen, weatherproof hard bags, the Nomad is a power cruiser built for the road. The low, comfortable seats and deluxe passenger backrest let you and a passenger soak up the miles with a smile, while standard cruise control, an overdrive transmission and new quieter tapered mufflers add convenience and civility.

It’s a formula that simply can’t be beat: Take the very latest in two-wheeled chassis and engine technology, package it with Kawasaki’s legendary engineering prowess, and then bless it with absolutely gorgeous, drop-dead custom styling. Do it right and cruiser buyers will wear a path to your dealerships. New for 2011: Improved and quieter shifting action via revised 1st gear ratio and taller teeth on the third and fourth gears, Improved EFI settings that match the new intake manifold design more accurately for better throttle response

Drawing from both current and classic styling influences, the Vulcan® 900 Custom and Custom Special Edition cruisers are a distinctive mix of back-in-the-day style and up-to-date imagery; an aggressive flat handlebar and forward footpegs place the rider in a stylish profile that enhances the overall visual appeal when rolling down Main Street. Stylish cast wheels, including a solid-look rear wheel, complete the classic V-twin look. And the 180-series rear tire, the largest in its class, accentuates its big bike style. But you won’t pay big bike bucks to get this affordable middleweight.

Riders who want a big tourer without the big bike weight (or price) need look no further than the Vulcan® 900 Classic LT. Add the touring touches that you’d expect – stylish saddlebags, an adjustable windscreen, and passenger backrest that will keep your favorite person happy – and you’ve got one impressive machine. Throw in all the styling details that you’d expect from a Vulcan cruiser, including the chromed brass studded seat that matches the passenger backrest, and you’ve got a real contender for the middleweight title.

What screams retro better than whitewall tires? Nothing. That’s why Kawasaki included them as part of a Special Edition package for the 2011 Vulcan® 900 Classic cruiser. But the good looks don’t stop there: a bold brushed metal graphic enhances the long, loping lines of the 900 Classic, flowing from the front fender to the tank and ending on the rear fender. A fat 180-series rear tire – the largest in its class – complements the overall look. Couple that with the visceral V-twin rumble that comes courtesy of a single-pin crankshaft, and you have one amazing package that is as affordable as it is beautiful.