The Motorcycle That Fits Almost Every Rider
We have all been there. We throw a leg over the motorcycle that we have been dreaming about for however long, and once you sit on the thing, you discover it was not built with you in mind. No matter how much we pore over a spec sheet, there is no telling what a bike will really feel like until you sit on it, and most importantly, ride it. Simple economies of scale dictate that a motorcycle needs to fit an average-sized rider, and if your build is closer to one of the extremes, it can be a little tricky finding a bike that fits.
It’s Important To Stop Worrying About How You Look
Any dealership will try to point customers towards one of the more expensive models. They will point out how much better you look on one of those bikes, and depending on how much they think you make, will try to get you to add several options you don’t really need. This is just business, and one of those things we all need to accept. All of this will appeal to the ego and will lead you to spending more than you should on a motorcycle you most likely do not need.
The right motorcycle is not the bike you think you want, but the bike that feels right. So much about motorcycles is about feeling, and while there is only so much you can get from simply sitting on one that has not been set up for your size and weight, it will still tell you more than any spec sheet ever will. Ideally, you need to test ride the bike, but this is not always possible. Unfortunately, it usually won’t even get this far, with most bikes so far away from actually fitting that there really is not much point. One of the few motorcycles currently on the market that really can fit pretty much any rider is an unfancied metric cruiser.
One Size Really Fits All With The Kawasaki Vulcan S
MSRP: $7,649 – $8,749
Metric cruisers may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the Vulcan S is unique in the sense that it really can fit anyone thanks to its Ergo-Fit system. All the controls are adjustable, and with a couple of adjustments here and there, you should find a comfortable riding position. It is also one of those bikes that can appeal to a wide range of riders, from relatively new (Kawasaki claims it to be new-rider-friendly) riders all the way up to experienced riders after a sporty lightweight cruiser.
The Vulcan S Has One Of The Most Reliable Twin-Cylinder Engines
Power: 60 Horsepower
The same parallel-twin you would otherwise find in the Ninja 650 or Versys can be found here. It is in a slightly different state of tune, but if anything, that will make it even more reliable. Even in this milder state of tune, it is still relatively sprightly and rev-happy for a cruiser, which is not necessarily a good thing. Most cruiser buyers prefer the power to come in a little earlier in the rev range, but this is just the price you need to pay for a sport bike-derived powertrain.
Finding The Balance Between Approachability And Fun
As noted by Kawasaki, this is a beginner-friendly motorcycle, but it is right on the ragged edge of what we would call an entry-level motorcycle. In our opinion, the Eliminator would be a better option for first-time buyers. While the Vulcan S is most certainly light enough for most new riders, 60 horsepower is more than what we would consider approachable, and if you want it with ABS, you will need to part with over $8k. Which is more than we would be comfortable spending on a first motorcycle.
The Ergo-Fit System Makes All The Difference For The Vulcan S
Some innovations really are very simple. The Vulcan S is not the only motorcycle in the world that is adjustable, but it is one of the few that offers this level of adjustment thanks to the Ergo-Fit system. In the past, something like this was more or less a given, with all the controls offering a certain amount of adjustment, but it has gone by the wayside, possibly in an effort to reduce costs. It is a shame, because, with this system, Kawasaki reminds us just how important it is for a rider to fit a bike.
With 18 different configurations, split over three levels of reach (reduced, mid, and extended) to give the bike unrivaled levels of adjustment. Anyone can find a comfortable riding position, and this makes a discernible difference. Even though the seat height is pretty low, it won’t feel cramped for taller riders like other smaller cruisers, but even though the bike feels right, you might not feel right.
A Motorcycle Is All About Feeling
A motorcycle is a different kind of vehicle because you are so connected to it. You really become an integral part of the vehicle, and not everyone will connect with a little metric cruiser like the Vulcan S. While we can say with some authority that anyone will be able to fit on the bike, what we certainly can’t say is whether you are even willing to try. Everyone has an idea of what kind of motorcycle they want, and no matter how much better it fits, if your heart wants something else, then it just won’t do.
While it is pretty difficult to ride a bike that is cramped or impossibly tall, you see people doing that all the time for a good reason. That is the simple fact that they are riding the bike that they want to ride. While this is not something that is afforded to beginners who need a smaller, lighter bike (once again, our opinion), it is absolutely essential that you enjoy riding the bike that you chose.
If you are in the market for a bike like the Vulcan S, then you are in the market for a leisure vehicle. It is not something that can ever be described as essential transport, so it should be something that you genuinely enjoy riding. If you don’t, then something is very wrong, and that will be the moment you realize that your bike really doesn’t fit. So while the Vulcan S is built to physically fit everyone, riding is, and always will be, about more than the physical.
Source: Kawasaki
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