Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Classic LT (2008-09) vs BMW R 1200C (1996-97) vs Kawasaki VN 900 Vulcan Classic (2016-17) vs BMW R 1200R (2008) vs BMW R 1200RT (2012)

Comparison technical specifications

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Make:	Kawasaki	BMW	Kawasaki	BMW	BMW
Model:	VN 900 Vulcan Classic LT	R 1200C	VN 900 Vulcan Classic	R 1200R	R 1200RT
Years:	2008-09	1996-97	2016-17	2008	2012
Engine:	Four stroke V-Twin, SOHC, 4 valve per cylinder	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke V-Twin, SOHC, 4 valve	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder
Capacity:	903 cc / 49 cu-in	1170 cc / 71.4 cu in.	903 cc / 49 cu-in	1170 cc / 71.4 cu in	1170 cc / 71.4 cu in
Bore x Stroke:	88.0 x 74.2 mm	101 x 73mm	88.0 x 74.2 mm	101 x 73 mm	101 x 73 mm
Cooling System:	Liquid cooled	Air/Oil cooled	Liquid cooled	Air/Oil-cooled	Air/Oil cooled
Compression Ratio:	9.5:1	10.0:1	9.5:1	11.0:1	12.0:1
Induction:	Fuel injection: ø 34 mm x 2 with dual throttles	Bosch Motronic MA 2.4 Fuel injection	Fuel injection: ø 34 mm x 2 with dual throttles	Electronic intake manifold injection BMS-K	BMW engine management, BMS-K
Ignition:	Digital	Digital CDI Bosch Electronic	Digital	Digital engine management	Digital engine management
Starting:	Electric	Electric	Electric	Electric	Electric
Max Power:	37 kW / 50 hp @ 5700 rpm	44.5 kW / 61 hp @ 5000 rpm	37 kW / 50 hp @ 5700 rpm	80 kW / 109 hp @ 7500 rpm	81kW / 110 hp @ 7500 rpm
Max Torque:	78 Nm / 8.0 kg-fm @ 3700 rpm	98 Nm / 10.0 kgf-m / 72.27 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm	78 Nm / 8.0 kg-fm @ 3700 rpm	115 Nm / 11.7 kgf-m / 85 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm	115 Nm / 11.7 kgf-m / 85 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm
Clutch:	Wet multi-disc, manual	Dry, single plate, hydraulic operated	Wet multi-disc, manual	Single disc dry clutch, hydraulically actuated	Single dry plate clutch, hydraulically
Transmission:	5 Speed	5 Speed	5 Speed	6 Speed	6 Speed
Final Drive:	Belt	Shaft	Belt	Shaft	System Enclosed driveshaft with two universal joints
Gear Ratio:	st 2.786 (39/14) 2nd 1.889 (34/18) 3rd 1.360 (34/25) 4th 1.107 (31/28) 5th 0.963 (26/27)	1st 2.045 / 2nd 1.600 / 3rd 1.267 / 4th 1.038 / 5th 0.800:1	st 2.786 (39/14) 2nd 1.889 (34/18) 3rd 1.360 (34/25) 4th 1.107 (31/28) 5th 0.963 (26/27)	1st 2.375 / 2nd 1.696 / 3rd 1.296 / 4th 0.065 / 5th 0.939 / 6th 0.848	1st 2.28 / 2nd 1.58 / 3rd 1.26 / 4th 1.03 / 5th 0.90 / 6th 0.81:1
Frame:	Double-cradle, steel	Three section composite frame consisting of front & rear section, load bearing engine	Double-cradle, steel	Tubular steel spaceframe, load-bearing engine	Three-section frame consisting of front and rear section, load bearing engine-gearbox unit
Front Suspension:	41mm telescopic fork with 7-way preload	Motorrad Telelever, stanchion ∅35mm, central strut	41mm telescopic fork with 7-way preload	BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 41 mm, central spring strut	BMW Motorrad Telelever, stanchion diameter 35mm, central spring strut, rebound damping electronically adjustable with standard ESA
Front Wheel Travel:	150 mm / 5.9 in	145 mm / 5.7 in	150 mm / 5.9 in	120 mm / 4.7 in	120 mm / 4.7 in
Rear Suspension:	Uni-Trak with 7-way adjustable preload	Die cast aluminium single sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Monolever, WAD strut (travel related damping), spring preload adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of hydraulic handwheel.	Uni-Trak with 7-way adjustable preload	Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; central spring strut, spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable (continuously variable) at handwheel, rebound damping adjustable	Die-cast aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad EVO-Paralever, spring preload hydraulically adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of electronically adjustable ESA, rebound damping with standard ESA
Rear Wheel Travel:	103 mm / 4.1 in	110 mm / 4.3 in	103 mm / 4.1 in	140 mm / 5.5 in	135 mm / 5.3 in
Front Brakes:	Single 300mm disc 2 piston caliper	2 x ∅305mm discs, 4 piston calipers	Single 300mm disc 2 piston caliper	2 x 320mm discs, ABS	2 x 320mm Discs, 4 piston callipers
Rear Brakes:	Single 270mm disc 2 piston caliper	Single ∅285mm disc, 2 piston caliper	Single 270mm disc 2 piston caliper	Single 265mm disc, ABS	Single 265mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre:	130/90 -16	100/90-18	130/90 -16	120/70-ZR 17	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tyre:	180/70 -15	170/80-15	180/70 -15	180/55-ZR 17	180/60 ZR17
Dimensions:	Length 2,465 mm / 97.1 in Width 1005 mm / 39.6 in Height 1480 mm / 58.3 in	Length 2340 mm / 92.1 in Width 1050 mm / 44.3 in Height 1130 mm / 44.4 in	Length 2465 mm / 97.1 in Width 1005 mm / 39.6 in Height 1065 mm / 41.9 in	Length 2145 mm / 84.4 in Width 906 mm / 35.6 in (incl. mirrors) Height 1273 mm / 50.1 in (excl. mirrors)	Length 2230 mm / 79.9 in Width 905 mm / 35.6 in (incl. mirrors) Width 980 mm / 38.5 in (incl. panniers)
Wheelbase:	1645 mm / 64.8 in	1650 mm / 64.9 in	1645 mm / 64.8 in	1495 mm / 59.1 in	1485 mm / 58.4 in
Seat Height:	680 mm / 26.8 in	740 mm / 29.1 in	680 mm / 26.8 in	800 mm / 31.4 in	820 mm - 840 mm / 32.2 in - 33.0 in 780 mm - 800 mm / 30.7 - 31.4 in (special equipment low seat bench)
Fuel Capacity:	20 Litres / 5.3 US gal.	17.5 Litres / 4.5 US gal	20 Litres / 5.3 US gal.	18 Litres / 4.7 US gal	27 Liters / 7.1 US gal