Kawasaki has updated its cruiser, the Vulcan S, for 2027 with most of the same mechanicals intact as the current 2026 model. The main change is to the torque produced by the 649cc parallel-twin engine, and a new colour that brings a hint of green back to the touring Kawasaki. The other change is to the brakes, which have become slightly smaller than before.
- Gains the 1.4Nm torque lost with the 2026 model
- Disc rotors have become smaller on both ends
- Offered now in a single Metallic Carbon Gray colour with green highlights
2027 Kawasaki Vulcan S: What’s changed?
The cruiser gains the lost torque back, and a new colour
Most of the mechanicals on the Vulcan S continue to be carried forward with the 2027 version. However, when Kawasaki had updated the Vulcan S for 2026, the 649cc parallel-twin engine did lose 1.4Nm of torque, making 61hp and 61Nm of torque. With the 2027 update, Kawasaki has given that 1.4Nm back to the motorcycle; so it’s back to making 62.4Nm of torque, like the 2024 version. There have been no changes to the power, or the rev range at which the power and torque are delivered.
Also unchanged are the bike’s feature set. Which means the same analogue-digital instrument cluster as last time with dual-channel ABS the only rider aid on offer. Speaking of which, the dual-discs continue to take care of stopping duties, but the diameter of the discs have become smaller on both ends. The front disc rotor is now a 272mm unit (vs 300mm on the 2026 version) and the rear disc is a 216mm unit (vs 250mm). There have been no changes to the suspension on either end. Which means the travel continues unchanged too, the front 41mm fork has a 130mm travel, and the rear linkage monoshock has a 80mm travel with adjustable preload. While they do enable the Vulcan S to have an extremely accessible 705mm seat height, the ground clearance also stays at an anxiety-inducing 130mm. Kerb weight is once again unchanged at 235kg.
The Vulcan S is also offered in a different Metallic Carbon Gray colour with just a hint of bluish green, replacing the 2026 model’s Metallic Flat Spark Black colour. With all these changes, Kawasaki has priced the 2027 Vulcan S at Rs 8.23 lakh (ex-showroom) with the deliveries set to commence mid-September 2026. That is a Rs 10,000 premium over the 2026 Vulcan S it has replaced. The Vulcan S continues to operate in a segment with no direct rivals; and its closest rival, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, continues to cost a much lower Rs 4.05 lakh (ex-showroom).
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
Dinshaw Magol
