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Kawasaki Vulcan S

Kawasaki · Motorcycle

Vulcan S

₹ 8,13,000ex-showroom · last updated 2026

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Engine
649cc
Power
59.94bhp
EMI starting from ₹5,000/month · subject to bank approval
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Kawasaki Vulcan S — Overview

The Kawasaki Vulcan S is a cruiser bike available at a starting price of Rs. 8,13,000 in India. It comes in 1 variant and 1 colour. It is powered by a 649 cc BS6 Phase 2 engine. It develops a power output of 59.94 bhp and a torque of 61 Nm.

India's only liquid-cooled 650cc cruiser lets you customise its fit to your body - not the other way around. The Kawasaki Vulcan S's ERGO-FIT system adjusts the seat, footpegs, and handlebars across 18 different combinations, making it genuinely accessible for riders from 5'2" to 6'2". Under the retro-cruiser skin is the same 649cc parallel-twin engine that powers the Ninja 650, producing 60.1 bhp - 14 bhp more than the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 at almost double the price. At ₹8.13 lakh ex-showroom for the 2026 E20-compliant update, it's a polarising buy: superbike-derived performance in a beginner-friendly cruiser package, with one serious India-specific caveat. That 130mm ground clearance is going to test your patience on every speed breaker between Mumbai and Pune.

Kawasaki Vulcan S Latest Updates

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  • Kawasaki India launched the 2026 Vulcan S at ₹8.13 lakh ex-showroom - a ₹54,000 increase over the MY2024 model - with the key change being E20 fuel compliance on the 649cc parallel-twin engine. Deliveries commenced from mid-January 2026.

  • The 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S drops the Pearl Matte Sage Green colour for a new Metallic Flat Spark Black finish, while the engine is recalibrated for E20 compliance - peak torque is revised to 61 Nm at 6,600 rpm. No other mechanical changes from the MY2024 model.

What We Like

  • ERGO-FIT system offers 18 adjustment combinations for seat, footpegs, and handlebars - best rider-fit customisation in its class
  • Ninja 650-derived 649cc parallel-twin produces 60.1 bhp - smooth in city traffic, genuinely exciting when you crack the throttle on highways
  • Assist and slipper clutch as standard makes gear changes light and fatigue-free on long rides
  • Only liquid-cooled 650cc cruiser in India - modern DOHC engine tech with E20 fuel compliance

What Could Be Better

  • 130mm ground clearance is dangerously low for Indian roads - the exhaust and belly scrape on large speed breakers and steep ramps
  • Exhaust note is subdued and flat - disappointing for riders who expect a proper cruiser rumble
  • High service costs: first service costs around ₹6,000 and the second ₹8,400+, with spare parts expensive and availability limited

Editor's Verdict

Should You Buy the Kawasaki Vulcan S?

The Kawasaki Vulcan S is a technically impressive machine - ERGO-FIT, liquid-cooling, and Ninja-derived performance make it unlike anything else in the Indian cruiser segment. But ₹8.13 lakh for a bike with 130mm ground clearance on roads that will scrape it regularly is a tough pitch. If you're a shorter rider chasing a perfectly fitted, performance-first cruiser and you're selective about your roads, the Vulcan S is uniquely good at what it does. For everyone else, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 offers 90% of the cruiser experience at half the price.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat is the ex-showroom price of the Kawasaki Vulcan S in India?▾
The Kawasaki Vulcan S 2026 is priced at ₹8.13 lakh ex-showroom across India. This is the same price regardless of which city you buy it in - state road tax and insurance are added on top to arrive at the on-road price.
QWhat is the on-road price of the Kawasaki Vulcan S in Delhi and Mumbai?▾
The on-road price of the Kawasaki Vulcan S in Delhi is approximately ₹9.19 lakh, while in Mumbai it works out to approximately ₹9.91 lakh. The difference is due to varying road tax (RTO) rates between Delhi and Maharashtra.
QWhat is the mileage of the Kawasaki Vulcan S in India?▾
The ARAI-claimed mileage of the Kawasaki Vulcan S is 20.58 kmpl. In real-world Indian conditions, riders report 18-22 kmpl in city traffic and up to 24-26 kmpl on highways. The 14-litre fuel tank gives a practical range of around 280-300 km per fill.
QWhat is the EMI for the Kawasaki Vulcan S base variant?▾
At a 10% down payment (₹81,300) financed over 36 months at approximately 9% annual interest, the Kawasaki Vulcan S EMI works out to around ₹23,500 - ₹25,000 per month depending on your lender. Extending to 48 months reduces the EMI but increases total interest paid.
QWhat is the service cost and service interval for the Kawasaki Vulcan S?▾
The first service for the Kawasaki Vulcan S at 1,000 km costs approximately ₹6,000, while the second service at 6,000 km (which includes an air filter change) costs around ₹8,400. Subsequent services are at 6,000 km intervals, and spare parts are more expensive than domestic brands.
QIs the Kawasaki Vulcan S suitable for shorter riders in India?▾
Yes - the Kawasaki Vulcan S is one of the most accessible 650cc bikes for shorter riders. The base ERGO-FIT seat height is 705mm, which allows most riders under 5'5" to flat-foot comfortably. The ERGO-FIT system offers 18 combinations of seat, footpeg, and handlebar positions to further customise the fit.
QHow does the Kawasaki Vulcan S handle Indian roads given its 130mm ground clearance?▾
The 130mm ground clearance is the Kawasaki Vulcan S's most significant India-specific weakness. The exhaust and belly scrape on large speed breakers, steep ramps, and broken road sections. Multiple owners have reported damage to the exhaust header crossing sharp speed breakers at anything above a crawl. Riders need to approach these obstacles at near-zero speed or use a specific angle to avoid contact.
QHow does the Kawasaki Vulcan S compare to the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650?▾
The Kawasaki Vulcan S produces 60.1 bhp from its liquid-cooled 649cc engine versus the Super Meteor 650's 46.3 bhp from an air-cooled 648cc unit - a significant power advantage. However, the Vulcan S costs ₹8.13 lakh versus the Super Meteor 650's ₹3.99 lakh starting price, making it nearly twice as expensive. The Vulcan S wins on performance, ERGO-FIT ergonomics, and modern engine tech; the Super Meteor 650 wins on price, ground clearance, service network, and cruiser character.

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