The Vulcan S is powered by a liquid-cooled 649cc parallel twin derived from the Ninja 650. It’s a fuel-injected DOHC eight-valve motor with revised cam profiles, plus a modified intake tract, exhaust, and ECU. These changes, along with a 28 percent increase in flywheel mass, have resulted in improved low- and mid-range response and smoother overall operation. Riding through town on our way to some scenic coastal back roads, I could sense an impressive fluidity to the machine as I pulled away from stops and clicked up through the light-shifting six-speed gearbox.
Power delivery is very linear. The usable range is from 2,000 rpm to the 9,900 rev limit. Even at upper revs, the crankshaft-driven counter-balancer maintains a degree of comfort and smoothness, as evidenced by the clear view in the bar-mount mirrors. Steady cruise at 4500 rpm in top gear registers an indicated 60 mph, and there’s plenty of passing-performance headroom without need for a downshift.
The sporty character of the Vulcan S engine is supported by a nimble chassis with superbly neutral steering. It’s a chassis that defies its long and low stature. The Diamond tubular frame utilizes a single laydown KYB shock offering 3.2 inches of wheel travel, while the well damped 41mm conventional fork is kicked out at 31 degrees of rake and offers 4.7 inches of stability-bolstering trail. The Dunlop Sportmax radials fitted to the 18 x 3.5 front and 17 x 4.5 rear five-spoke cast wheels provided excellent cornering grip at peg-dragging lean angles not typical of a cruiser. I found the ride a bit taut on some of the bumpier stretches of our route, but came away thoroughly impressed with my ABS-equipped Vulcan’s braking ability. The single 300mm rotor/twin-piston Nissin front combo is forgiving, having subtle initial bite but plenty of power when a handful is applied. The front tire tracked well when braking hard over rough surfaces, with surprisingly little ABS interaction. The rear anti-lock cycled quite readily, doing an excellent job of keeping the rear in line even when stomping the pedal mid-turn.
