2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Stylish Touring Concep

The 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero new engine liquid-cooled, four valves per cylinder, fuel-injected 1,700cc 52-degree V-twin engine. Long-stroke 102 x 104mm bore and stroke dimensions deliver high torque levels with a distinct V-twin feel. Valve-actuation system uses a single overhead cam arrangement instead of pushrods for quicker revving and enhanced mid-high rpm power. Semi-dry sump design allows lower crankshaft positioning and a longer piston stroke without increasing engine height. Single-pin crankshaft accentuates the engine’s V-twin character by providing strong power pulses. Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero is Large-capacity airbox is located on both sides of the engine. Small-diameter iridium sparkplugs reach deep into the combustion chamber for high combustion efficiency, especially during low-load operation. Engine tuning, combined with long-stroke design, offers superior acceleration in the 50-70 mph range. 

2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero

 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero with Liquid-cooled 1,700cc V-twin puts out loads of torque, 6-speed transmission allows for relaxed cruising and electronic throttle actuation system ensures optimized injector timing and throttle valve position, resulting in an accurate, powerful engine response. With Electronic cruise control maintains speed for more comfort on long trips. Frame-mounted front fairing directs aerodynamic forces to the chassis to keep steering feel light. Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero is Unique “muscle car” styled instrumentation keeps the rider fully informed. With Audio system has navigation audio prompt capability, FM, AM and WX and is compatible with iPod, XM tuner, or CB radio.

Custom, blacked-out details are your first clue to the Vaquero’s mission, and there’s plenty to see. It all starts with the beautiful Candy Plasma Blue paint on the abbreviated fairing, sculpted tank and curvaceous bodywork that looks as if it could be a mile deep. The 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Special Edition takes it a step further with its Candy Lime Green with Ebony paint job and a custom marbleized paint graphic. Luxurious chrome accents (engine guards, exhaust, mirrors, etc.) provide a beautiful counterpoint to the glossy paintwork, but it’s perhaps the multi-textured blacked-out engine and chassis treatment that best highlights the 2012 Vulcan 1700 Vaquero radical aesthetic look. The engine, air-cleaner cover, wheels, fork assembly and tank cover all get the blackout treatment, which gives the bike a true custom look that’s beautiful and menacing at once. It’s definitely not a motorcycle you’ll easily forget.

2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Blue

2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Green

Cool, low, long, ultra stylish all these adjectives fit the Vulcan 1700 Vaquero plus one more plenty functional. This bagger, introduced just last year into the Vulcan cruiser line, proves that practicality and cool can coexist on the same bike. Its aggressive and muscular styling makes any Vaquero rider stand out from the crowd. And with a powerful 1,700cc engine, electronic cruise control and full-featured audio system, the Vaquero begs to be taken out on the open road.

Beneath all that beautiful bodywork, paint and chrome is a superbly engineered motorcycle, one that blends power, handling, durability and confidence-inspiring character in a massively functional package. It all starts with the Vaquero’s 1,700cc liquid-cooled V-twin, which powers all four Vulcan 1700 models Voyager, Classic, Nomad and Vaquero. A thoroughly proven design, this 52-degree Vee boasts the very latest in engine technology yet looks like a throwback to the past, a time when the V-twin was the engine to have powering your motorcycle. Features include an overhead cam design, high compression and a long-stroke dimensional design that results in the sort of effortless low- and mid-range thrust that’s so desirable and useful in a big-inch cruiser.

2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Speedometer

Vaquero’s throttle valve system works with the advanced electronic fuel injection to optimize engine response without detracting from its distinctive V-twin throb. The system uses an Accelerator Position Sensor (APS) and a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) that feed data to the ECU, which adjusts the throttle plates to tailor intake airflow accordingly. The system offers a natural throttle feel, because the APS is activated by a throttle body pulley connected by cables to the throttle grip. Besides the obvious FI advantages such as improved fuel economy and automatic adjustment for altitude changes, the system also permits easy hands-off warm-up and idle speed control. Vaquero also features a water-cooled alternator that produces a staggering 46.8 amps of electrical output – plenty to power a selection of electronic accessories that enrich motorcycle travel.

The result of all this is a massive quantity of usable torque spread out over a shockingly wide rpm range. With 108 foot-pounds of torque, a mere twist of the Vaquero’s throttle delivers arm-stretching acceleration for freeway passing or spirited riding, and the smooth wave of low-rpm grunt is always ready to please when you’re just boppin’ down the boulevard, checking out the scene and chillin’. Speaking of just cruisin’ along; the Vaquero offers true touring-bike convenience in the form of its electronic cruise control system, conveniently operated from the right handlebar and usable at any speed between 30 and 85 mph in any of the top four gears. The cruise system can be disengaged in any of the following ways: depressing the brake lever, clutch lever, rear brake pedal, or manually turning the throttle grip past the “closed” position. 

Additional touring acumen shines through the engine’s six-speed transmission with overdriven 5th and 6th gears, which contributes to a relaxed ride and excellent fuel economy at highway speeds. Power is routed to the rear wheel via a narrow carbon fiber-reinforced drive belt that has a 40-percent higher tensile strength than current Kevlar belts. And that chopped, custom-look fairing? Although lower than a traditional windshield or full fairing, it still cuts a decent-sized hole in oncoming atmosphere, giving the rider a useful still-air cocoon in which to enjoy the ride. Lockable side-loading hard bags set the Vaquero apart from its Vulcan 1700 brethren. They’re beautifully integrated and spacious, and styled to highlight the bike’s long, low look. A scooped saddle offers a comfortable rider perch, while a minimalist passenger pad sits atop a wildly shaped rear fender that integrates equally stylish taillight and turn signal assemblies.