2009 Kawasaki Vulcan® 500 LTD

2009 Kawasaki Vulcan® 500 LTD pictures, prices, information, and specifications.
Model Type
Cruiser
MSRP
$5,499
Warranty
12
Insurance
Finance
Generic Type (Primary)
Cruiser
Manufacturer Country
Japan
Introduction Year
1996
Parent Company
Kawasaki
Display Name
Vulcan(R) 500 LTD
Year
2009
Make
Kawasaki
Engine Type
Parallel Twin
Cylinders
2
Engine Stroke
4-Stroke
Torque (Ft Lbs/Nm)
33 / 44.7
Torque RPM
6000
Cooling
Liquid
Valves
8
Valves Per Cylinder
4
Valve Configuration
DOHC
Bore (mm/in)
74 / 2.92
Stroke (mm/in)
58 / 2.29
Displacement (cc/ci)
498 / 30.4
Compression Ratio
10.2:1
Starter
Electric
Fuel Requirements
Regular
Fuel Type
Gas
Carburetion Brand
Keihin
Fuel Injector
No
Carburetor
Yes
Number Of Carburetors
2
Carburetor Size (mm)
32
Carburetion Type
Carburetor
Transmission Type
Manual
Number Of Speeds
6
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel)
Chain
Reverse
No
Wheels Composition
Steel
Tube / Tubeless
Tubed
Chromed
Yes
Front Tire Width
100
Front Tire Aspect Ratio
90
Front Wheel Diameter
19
Rear Tire Width
140
Rear Tire Aspect Ratio
90
Rear Wheel Diameter
15
Front Tire (Full Spec)
100/90 R19
Rear Tire (Full Spec)
140/90 R15
Front Brake Type
Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake Type
Drum
Front Suspension Type
Telescopic Fork
Front Suspension Size (in/mm)
1.6 / 41
Front Travel (in/mm)
5.9 / 149.9
Front Adjustable Fork Pre-Load
No
Front Adjustable Rebound Damping
No
Front Central Suspension Strut
No
Steering Damper
No
Rear Suspension Type
Twin Sided Swing Arm
Rear Travel (in/mm)
3.9 / 99.1
Rear Adjustable Shock / Spring Pre-Load
Yes
Rear Adjustable Rebound Damping
No
Number Rear Shock Absorbers
2
Air Adjustable
No
Steering Control
Handlebar
Length (ft)
7.61
Width (in/mm)
32.7 / 830.6
Height (in/mm)
44.3 / 1125.2
Wheelbase (in/mm)
62.8 / 1595.1
Ground Clearance (in/mm)
4.7 / 119.4
Length (ft/ft)
7
Length (ft/in)
7.3
Dry Weight (lbs/kg)
439 / 199.1
Wet Weight (lbs/kg)
471.9 / 214.1
Fuel Capacity (gal/l)
4 / 15.1
Engine Displacement to Weight (cc)
1.13
Seat Type
One-Piece
Adjustable
No
Seat Material
Vinyl
Seat Location
Driver and Passenger
Folding
No
Seat Height (in/mm)
28.1 / 713.7
Number Of Seats
2
Grab Rail or Strap
Standard
Frame
Steel
Hand Grips
Standard
Foot Peg Location
Driver and Passenger
Adjustable
No
Drive Shaft Guard
No
Fork Guards
No
Belt Guard
No
Hand Guards
No
Brush Guard
No
Heel Guards
No
Light Guard
No
Side Cover
Yes
Front Fender
Standard
Rear Fender
Standard
Top Crown
Standard
Stand Type
Kick
Handlebars
Standard
License Plate
Standard
Trip Odometer
Standard
Speedometer
Standard
Temperature Warning Type
Light
Warranty (Months/Condition)
12 / Limited
Battery Warranty (Months)
0
Metallic
Yes
Headlight Mounts
Standard
Halogen Headlight (s)
Standard
Headlight (s)
Standard
Light Type
Halogen
Folding
Yes
Handlebar Lock
Standard
User Reviews
5 reviews
  • Great first bike and beyond
    By  (I am an Owner) on Jun 12, 2013

    Bought my 2009 on December 2012 with 4400 miles on and in like new condition. This is my first bike and what I could afford and not regreting it one bit. Plenty of power very stable, easy to ride and hone those skills. Managed to customize a great deal with the help of Scootworks.com and Vulcan forums. ...

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  • Great small-size Cruiser
    By  (I am an Owner) on Feb 03, 2012

    I purchased the Vulcan 500 LTD because it had a great price point and had enough size to get around on the freeway. The bike handles well and has enough pep to deal with most traffic situations. Reliability for my first 2600 miles has been great and it will make a good bike for my wife when I buy ...

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  • Awesome Bike!
    By  (I am an Owner) on Oct 19, 2010

    I purchased this model in August of 2010 from my local Kawasaki Dealer in Great Falls. It had 3.5 miles on it and it now has 555. I traded in a 2009 Honda Rebel for it after owning the Rebel for only 4 months. Started out small and realized I went to small.

    Here is what I can tell ...

    There are only a few small things that I have found that could seem odd, but to me they are nice little reminders. When the back tire gets about 2 psi under normal range, it seems a bit wobbly. This is just the reminder that I need to check the air. The other thing that may grab someone off guard (did me the first time it happened) when starting the bike and letting it warm up when you shift into 1st sometimes it lurches BADLY. So far only once bad enough that it killed the engine. But it scared the heck out of me the first time, now I just expect it and if it isn't bad, then I just figure cool.

    All in all, this is a great motorcycle and I would very much urge anyone that is thinking about this as a starter bike to just do it. I wish I would have started here instead of with the Rebel, although that was a great first bike!

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  • A little Wobbly in the Wind
    By  (I am an Owner) on Aug 02, 2010

    This is my first bike - height, weight, reach all great - and I like the way it looks. Handles well around town - and pleanty of power - limited vibration - all great!

    However - I am a small person - 120lbs - over bridges - in dips and valleys - anywhere there is a wind draft - it ...

    Even at slower speeds 50-60 a gust of wind - causes me to fight like the dickens - no biggie on short rides - but think before you go long haul - and weight it down w/saddlebags - or something.

    This is the only thing I'm disappointed about my bike - but to be honest - it's a significant disappointment - as my whole goal - was to cruise on overnight trips... Peace in fellow riders - and god speed!

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  • First impression
    By  (I am an Owner) on Sep 13, 2008

    I bought this motorcycle for my wife but she was scared to ride it home from the dealership, so I did and here's my first impression. The close ratio 6 speed is very smooth. The engine pulls strong in 6th gear anywhere from 35MPH and up, it's like a cruising gear. The bike was very stable and ...

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