Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Davidson Road Glide

• Table of Contents
• 1. Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide
• 2. Detailed Specs Comparison: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide
• 3. Design: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide
• 3.1 Design: Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero
• 3.2 Design: Harley Davidson Road Glide
• 4. Engine and Performance: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide
• 4.1 Engine and Performance: Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero
• 4.2 Engine and Performance: Harley Davidson Road Glide
• 5. Comfort and Ergonomics: Kawasaki Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide
• 5.1 Comfort and Ergonomics: Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero
• 5.2 Comfort and Ergonomics: Harley Davidson Road Glide
• 6. Technology and Features: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide
• 7. Pros and Cons: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide
• 7.1 Pros and Cons: Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero
• 7.2 Pros and Cons: Harley Davidson Road Glide
• 8. Colors and Cost: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide
• 9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• 9.1 Which is More Comfortable: the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero or the Harley Davidson Road Glide?
• 9.2 What are the Key Differences between the Vulcan Vaquero and the Harley Road Glide?
• 10. Which is Better: the Vulcan Vaquero or the Harley Road Glide?

1. Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide

Bagger-style touring bikes are designed for long-distance rides and are typically fitted with saddlebags and large nose fairings. Almost any motorcycle can be transformed into a touring bike by adding a few aftermarket parts. However, factory-made, bagger-style touring bikes already come with stock saddlebags, fairings, windscreens, crash bars, and torquey engines. Many heavyweight touring bikes are fitted with easily removable parts and can be easily transformed into cruisers. The Harley Davidson Grand American Touring models are popular among custom builders due to how customizable they are.

Kawasaki is well-known for its fast sports bikes with reliable build and affordable prices. However, the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero has proven to be good competition to the Harley Davidson Road Glide. This article is a detailed comparison between the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero and the Harley Road Glide.

Also Read: HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE VS. HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE

2. Detailed Specs Comparison: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide

2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero		2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide
Identification
Kawasaki	Maker	Harley Davidson
Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS	Model	Road Glide
2023	Year Model	2022
Bagger-Style, Touring Bike	Motorcycle Type	Bagger-Style, Touring Bike
VN1700KPFAL	Model Code/ID	FLTRX
$18,599	Base Price	$21,430
Engine and Performance
1,700 cc (103.7 cu in)	Displacement	1,753 cc (107 cu in)
52° V-Twin Engine	Engine Design and Type	Milwaukee-Eight® 107 V-Twin
Liquid-Cooled	Cooling System	Air-Cooled
Two	No. of Cylinders	Two
Four	Valves Per Cylinder	Four
82 hp at 5,000 rpm	Horsepower	93 hp at 5,020 rpm
145.89 Nm at 2,750 rpm	Torque	150.5 Nm at 3,250 rpm
4.1 in	Stroke	4.37 in
4.02 in	Bore	3.94 in
DFI 42 mm Throttle Bodies	Fuel Injection System	Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
9.5:1	Compression Ratio	10:1
Six-Speed with Overdrive and Positive Neutral Finder	Transmission	Six-Speed
Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Belt	Final Drive	Belt
Wet, Multidisc	Clutch	Mechanically Actuated, 10 Plate Wet with Assist & Slipper Clutch
N/A	Fuel Economy	43 mpg
Dual Separate Mufflers	Muffler	Dual Tapered Mufflers
Two-Into-One-Into-Two Chrome Exhaust	Exhaust	Two-Into-One-Into-Two Chrome Exhaust
Steel, Double-Cradle with Box-Section Single-Tube Backbone	Frame	Mild Steel Tubular
Electric	Starter	Electric
Yes	Fairing	Yes
Frame-Mounted Fairing	Fairing Style	Frame-Mounted, Shark-Nose Fairing
Small, Fairing-Mounted	Windshield	Small, Fairing-Mounted
Braking
Dual 300 mm Discs, Four-Piston Calipers, K-ACT II ABS	Front	Dual 300 mm Discs, Four Piston Caliper
Single 300mm Disc, Twin-Piston Caliper, K-ACT II ABS	Rear	Single 300 mm Disc, Four Piston Caliper
Standard	ABS	Optional
No	Electronic Linked Braking	Yes
Suspension
45 mm Showa Telescopic Fork	Front	49 mm Dual Bending Valve
Swingarm with Twin Air-assisted Shock Absorbers	Rear	Low, Hand-Adjustable
5.5 in	Front Wheel Travel	4.6 in
3.1 in	Rear Wheel Travel	2.1 in
Tires and Wheels
Bridgestone® Exedra	Tires	Dunlop® Harley-Davidson Series
Nine-Spoke Aluminum Wheels	Wheels	Enforcer II Cast Aluminum
Dimensions and Weight
7 in	Trail	6.8 in
30°	Rake	26°
5.3 gal	Fuel Tank Capacity	6 gal
5.7 in	Ground Clearance	5.5 in
38.2 in	Width	38.6 in
50.8 in	Height	51.6 in
98.8 in	Length	95.7 in
28.7 in	Seat Height	25.9 in
65.6 in	Wheelbase	64 in
844.5 lbs (383 kg)	Wet Weight	855 lbs (387.82 kg)

3. Design: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide

3.1 Design: Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero

The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero is a bagger-style touring bike with a compact and unique design. It is available in a metallic matte graphene steel gray color scheme with chrome handlebars, cylinder heads, side mirrors, and exhaust pipes. Most parts are blacked-out, including the frame, front forks, air filter, gearbox, and wheels. The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is fitted with a uniquely-styled, frame-mounted front fairing with a small windscreen, a round headlamp, four analog gauges, a small digital display screen, an audio system, and two lockable storage boxes. The digital controls are simple and gauges are easily readable, unlike other touring bikes with stock infotainment systems.

The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero has a small, sportier front fender and a large rear fender with a V-style tail/stop light, license plate holder, and rear turn signals. It is also fitted with a large radiator in front of the engine to help maintain the engine’s temperature. The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero also comes with stock side-opening, hard saddlebags with a storage capacity of 20 gal and blacked-out crash bars. It comes with a single-piece saddle capable of two-up riding. The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is also fitted with low-mounted, pulled-back handlebars.

3.2 Design: Harley Davidson Road Glide

The Harley Davidson Road Glide’s most prominent feature is its aggressive style, shark-nose fairing with stylish dual headlights, and a small windscreen. The shark-nose fairing is mounted to the frame, staying fixed even while turning the handlebars. The shark-nose fairing is also fitted with a small display screen, dual speakers, and analog gauges. The chrome side mirrors are mounted to the mid-mounted, pulled-back handlebars. The Harley Road Glide comes with a single-piece step-up seat capable of two-up riding. There is also a dip in the seat to provide lower back support for the rider. Most parts have a chrome finish, including the front forks, handlebars, crash bars, air filter, cylinder head, gearbox, and exhaust pipes which gives it a classic look. The Harley Road Glide also comes with stock saddlebags with a storage capacity of 23 cu ft and floorboards. It has a chopped front fender that gives you a full view of the Enforcer II Cast Aluminum wheels wrapped around the Dunlop tires.

4. Engine and Performance: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide

4.1 Engine and Performance: Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero

The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero is powered by a 1,700 cc liquid-cooled, 52° V-Twin engine capable of a torque of 82 hp at 5,000 rpm and a horsepower of 145.89 Nm at 2,750 rpm. It has a six-speed gearbox that connects to the rear wheel via a carbon fiber-reinforced belt.

The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is fitted with a high-power output V-Twin engine like most heavyweight touring bikes. The 52° V-Twin engine produces smooth and powerful torque and has a quick throttle response. Also, the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero has a liquid-cooled engine with a large radiator behind the front wheel, keeping the engine temperature maintained even when riding through busy traffic. The V-Twin engine does not produce excess vibrations and ensures a smooth riding experience.

The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is fitted with standard safety and ride-assist features, including an ABS, electronic cruise control, Kawasaki Advanced Coactive Braking (K-ACT), and electronic throttle valves. When the K-ACT brake is applied, both wheels stop at the same time without throwing the rider off the motorcycle even if you suddenly stop at high speed.

You can barely notice the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero’s weight while riding at moderate speed. However, riding this motorbike at low speeds can be difficult for novice riders. The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero has a great overall performance despite not being a particularly fast motorcycle, offering a smooth and comfortable riding experience.

Also Read: INDIAN CHALLENGER VS. HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE

4.2 Engine and Performance: Harley Davidson Road Glide

The Harley Davidson Road Glide is fitted with a 107 cu in Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine capable of a torque of 93 hp at 5,020 rpm and a horsepower of 150.5 Nm at 3,250 rpm. The Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine is well-known for its smooth power and torque delivery due to its lightweight piston design. The Milwaukee-Eight 107 produces adequate horsepower and torque for a comfortable, long-distance two-up riding experience. However, the air-cooled system is less effective at maintaining the engine’s temperature, especially while riding through traffic.

The Harley Road Glide provides a smooth riding experience while cruising on highways and open roads. While easy to handle when riding at high speeds, low-speed maneuvering is more difficult due to being a heavyweight motorcycle. The Harley Road Glide also comes with a standard cruise control feature and electronically linked braking (ELB), along with an optional ABS to ensure a safer riding experience.

The Harley Road Glide is available in two variants: the Harley Road Glide Special and the Harley Road Glide Limited. Both Harley Road Glide variants are fitted with large and powerful 114 cu in Milwaukee-Eight 114 engines. The Harley Road Glide Limited also has a large trunk installed to provide more storage capacity and a comfortable passenger seat and backrest.

5. Comfort and Ergonomics: Kawasaki Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide

5.1 Comfort and Ergonomics: Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero

Photo Credit: @bikereview

The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is a big bagger motorbike with a wheelbase of 65.6 inches and a wet weight of 844.5 lbs. Due to being a large and heavyweight motorcycle, it is harder for a beginner or shorter rider to handle. However, for an average or taller rider, it has comfortable ergonomics. The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is fitted with low-mounted, pulled-back handlebars that are within comfortable reach of the rider and provide a relaxed riding position. It also comes with forward-mounted, floating floorboards which provide adequate legroom. Overall, the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is a comfortable bagger-style touring bike suited for long-distance rides and highway cruising.

5.2 Comfort and Ergonomics: Harley Davidson Road Glide

Photo Credit: @harleyofknoxville

The Harley Davidson Road Glide is one of the most comfortable touring bikes in the Harley Grand American Touring models. It is fitted with mid-mounted, pulled-back handlebars that ensure an upright riding position. The Harley Road Glide has a low seat height of 25.9 inches and forward-mounted floorboards that provide adequate legroom. The handlebars’ position, low seat height, and adequate legroom make the Harley Road Glide comfortable for both taller and shorter riders. However, due to being a heavyweight bike, it is difficult to handle at low speeds or when turning. The Harley Road Glide can be transformed into an ideal touring bike by installing a large windshield, sissy bars, rider and passenger’s backrests, and luggage racks.

6. Technology and Features: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide

2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero		2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide
Technology and Features
Standard	ABS	Optional
✕	Electronic Linked Braking (ELB)	✓
Standard	Cruise Control	Standard
✓	K-ACT Braking	✕
Fairing-Mounted	Gauges	Handlebars and Fairing-Mounted
✓	Speedometer	✓
✓	Clock	✓
✓	Tachometer	✓
✓	Fuel Gauge	✓
✓	Low Fuel Warning	✓
✓	Odometer	✓
✓	Gear Indicator	✓
✓	Passenger Seat	✓
Infotainment
✓	Display Screen	✓
✓	Speakers	✓
✓	AM / FM	✓
✕	Bluetooth	✓
✕	USB Connection	✓
✕	Navigation	✓

7. Pros and Cons: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide

7.1 Pros and Cons: Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero

Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Pros	Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Cons
Comfortable ergonomics	Electrical issues
Smooth power delivery	Heavyweight
Smooth riding experience	Oil pump failure
Aesthetically appealing	Speedometer problems
ABS and cruise control are standard	Engine noise issue
Comes with K-ACT braking	Small fuel tank capacity
Cheaper	Smaller windscreen
Forward-mounted, floating floorboards
Stock saddlebags, crash bars, and floorboards

7.2 Pros and Cons: Harley Davidson Road Glide

Harley Davidson Road Glide Pros	Harley Davidson Road Glide Cons
Comfortable	ABS is optional
Smooth power and torque delivery	Not beginner-friendly
Low seat height	Difficult to maneuver at low speeds
Comfortable for taller and shorter riders	Difficult to maneuver while riding through traffic
Large fuel tank capacity	Smaller windscreen
Stock saddlebags, crash bars, and shark-nose fairing
Stock infotainment system
Standard cruise control and electronically linked braking (ELB)

8. Colors and Cost: Vulcan Vaquero Vs. Harley Road Glide

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

9.1 Which is More Comfortable: the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero or the Harley Davidson Road Glide?

The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero and the Harley Davidson Road Glide are designed for long-distance travel and touring. Both motorcycles have forward-mounted floorboards, pulled-back handlebars, adequate legroom, and relaxed ergonomics. However, the Harley Road Glide has a low seat height of 25.9 inches, making it comfortable for shorter riders. Meanwhile, the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero ensures a smooth riding experience with its engine producing low vibrations, floating floorboards, ABS, and K-ACT braking.

9.2 What are the Key Differences between the Vulcan Vaquero and the Harley Road Glide?

Key Differences between the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero and the Harley Davidson Road Glide
Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero	Harley Davidson Road Glide
103.7 cu in 52° V-Twin engine	107 cu in Milwaukee-Eight® 107 V-Twin
Liquid-cooled	Air-cooled
ABS is standard	ABS is optional
Bridgestone® tires	Dunlop tires
Fuel tank capacity of 5.3 gal	Fuel tank capacity of 6 gal
Longer wheel travel	Smaller wheel travel
Single, round headlight	Twin headlights
Blacked-out finishing	Chrome-finishing
Floating floorboards	Simple floorboards
No Bluetooth connectivity and navigation	Comes with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation

10. Which is Better: the Vulcan Vaquero or the Harley Road Glide?

The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero and Harley Davidson Road Glide are comfortable bagger-style tourers with stock fairing, windscreen, saddlebags, crash bars, and floorboards. However, the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is aesthetically more appealing and comes with more standard features, including an ABS, cruise control, and K-ACT braking. Also, the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is $2,831 cheaper than the Harley Road Glide. The Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is a well-rounded, versatile motorbike with smooth power delivery and comfortable riding ergonomics. However, the Harley Road Glide is a popular touring bike with easily available aftermarket parts. Meanwhile, the Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero is not as common and it is difficult to find suitable aftermarket parts.

Photo Credit: @kawasaki ,  @performancehd