Source: Motorcycle Cruiser –
The Vulcan 900 Custom returns to the 2023 Kawasaki lineup in the new Pearl Matte Sage Green hue. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)Kawasaki announced the return of several off-road and street models for the 2023 model year back in June, but we didn’t get word of its cruiser and retro sport situation until just last week. The additional returning models for Team Green include its most familiar standard, touring, and cruiser bikes, with the bulk of them from the brand’s Vulcan series. None of these will roll into the new year with any significant changes, at least mechanically. The upside of that, according to Kawasaki, is that they’ll be available in short order (if they aren’t already) “in the summer months.”We also haven’t heard anything regarding the Z650RS, W800, or Vaquero models just yet, but stay tuned; it’s early.Related: 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic/Classic LTRetro cool is the name of the game for the Z900RS, which rolls into 2023 with a new Imperial Red colorway and a small price increase. (Kawasaki Motors Corp/)2023 Kawasaki Z900RSKawasaki had an instant hit on its hands in 2017 when it rolled out the Z900RS, a riff on the original 1970s Z1. The retro sport formula featured a timeless design with minimal bodywork and no fairing, motivated by a four-cylinder engine and modern technology for a classic yet modern ride. The Z900RS rolls on in the same vein for 2023, keeping the smooth 948cc liquid-cooled inline-four, an assist and slipper clutch, horizontal back-link rear suspension, teardrop fuel tank, a tuned stainless exhaust system, round LED headlight, and bullet-shaped analog instruments to serve up a thoroughly fun, supremely competent riding experience. For 2023, the bike will come in a Metallic Diablo Black/Metallic Imperial Red paint scheme and have an MSRP of $11,949, a $200 bump over last year.The Z900RS Cafe adds sleek bodywork, a different seat and bars, and unique graphics on the tank, but is otherwise mechanically the same. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)2023 Kawasaki Z900RS CafeThe only real difference between the Z900RS and the Z900RS Cafe variant is the latter’s cafe racer styling, but that still makes it seem almost like a completely unique model. Up front is that smart-looking cowl above a dropped handlebar, followed by a ribbed sport-style sea. Underneath it all are the same modern elements found on the Z900RS base model. This year you can get the Cafe in Metallic Diablo Black with an MSRP of $12,399, a $200 price jump from 2022.The highly adjustable 650cc Vulcan S comes in three iterations for 2023, with the base S model in black ringing in at $7,349. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S/Vulcan S ABSAll three trims of Kawasaki’s entry-level but sporty Vulcan S middleweights are geared to fit a wide range of riders thanks to the brand’s impressively versatile Ergo-Fit sizing system, which allows riders to tweak the bike into 18 possible ergonomic configurations, but the main draw for us is still that broad, user-friendly powerband from the Ninja-derived 649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine. With a chassis and suspension focused on the sportier side of the spectrum, the S’ nimble handling belies its entry-level price tag, and the bike should appeal to a wide variety of riders. For 2023 the Vulcan S is available in a Metallic Flat Spark Black colorway with an MSRP of $7,349 (up $100 over 2022), while its up-spec Vulcan S ABS brother comes in a new Pearl Matte Sage Green/Metallic Flat Spark Black and is priced at a suggested $7,899, or just $50 more than last year’s model.We can all agree that the Vulcan S Cafe is a cafe racer in name only; simply adding a dark shield up front doesn’t completely transform the bike’s styling. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S CafeThe only thing distinguishing the Vulcan S Cafe from its base-model twin is literally a piece of dark plastic up front. Well, OK, there are a few other unique touches, like the addition of three-tone paint, different tank badging, and some sporty graphics on the tank, but really, the kicker is that dark-tinted windshield deflector perched atop the headlight. The new color for 2023 is Pearl Storm Gray/Ebony, and the new price tag for the Vulcan S Cafe is $8,099, a mere $50 bump from last year.WIth classic spoked wheels and whitewall tires, the big-fendered Vulcan 900 Classic cuts a purposeful silhouette in black. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 ClassicKawasaki’s core 900cc Vulcan cruiser lineup hasn’t changed much over the years, so there was no reason to believe it’d happen in 2023 either. Sure enough, all three of the carryover Vulcan 900 models still run that tried-and-true liquid-cooled and fuel-injected 903cc V-twin engine, a rangy riding position, a relatively low seat height, and classic good looks. The base-model Vulcan 900 Classic features rider floorboards with a heel/toe shifter, tank-mounted instrumentation, and a fattish 180mm rear tire. For 2023, you can have your 900 Classic in Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Magnesium Gray for an MSRP of $8,999.The classic light-duty touring cruiser returns in the form of the 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT“LT” stands for light touring, and that’s just what the Vulcan 900 Classic LT is set up for with a comfortable deep-dish two-up touring seat bolstered by a standard passenger backrest, leather saddlebags, floorboards, and a height-adjustable touring windscreen. Full fenders, spoked wheels, and studs along the seat and saddlebags give it even more of a throwback style, and for 2023 the Vulcan 900 Classic LT can be had in Pearl Storm Gray/Ebony for a not-unreasonable $9,999 including a two-year warranty.In Custom form, the Vulcan 900 retains its streetwise attitude, but for 2023, gets a new Sage Green paint job. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 CustomIt might not look like it, but the Vulcan 900 Custom shares all of the attributes of the Vulcan 900 Classic, though it spices things up a bit with a 21-inch front tire on a custom-style cast wheel, drag-style handlebar, and blacked-out parts for a more aggressive appearance. The forward-mounted footpegs, custom-look teardrop tank with unique graphics, and sporty gunfighter seat give it even more of an edge, with the new Pearl Matte Sage Green/Flat Ebony colorway to seal the deal in exchange for $9,499.Kawasaki’s flagship full-dress tourer, the Vulcan Voyager 1700, also returns for 2023 unchanged. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABSLast but not least is Kawasaki’s flagship tourer, the full-dress Vulcan 1700 Voyager, which returns for 2023 with its 1,700cc digitally fuel-injected V-twin engine, Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology (K-ACT II) ABS, and electronic cruise control, all calibrated to ease your long-distance journeys on the open road. As before, the big V-twin, stylish frame-mounted fairing, intercom-headset-compatible audio system, and integrated locking luggage including saddlebags and top trunk all combine to deliver power, comfort, and convenience. For 2023, the only changes to the Vulcan 1700 Voyager are the Pearl Storm Gray/Ebony colorway and an MSRP of $19,299, a round $1,000 over the 2022 price.Profile view of the 2023 Vulcan 900 Classic. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)Kawasaki’s Vulcan 900 Custom in action. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)On the road with the 2023 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS. (Kawasaki Motors Corp./)
