2014 Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Nomad™ ABS

43 mm Telescopic Fork

• Optimized damping and spring settings for a plush but controlled ride
• 5.5 inches of travel for excellent ride quality
• Provides superb steering feedback

6-speed Transmission / Final Drive

• Belt drive system is quiet, efficient and offers reduced maintenance compared to a chain
• 28 mm carbon fiber final drive belt has a tensile strength that’s 40 percent greater compared to current Kevlar belts, allowing the Vulcan 1700 to use a slim belt only 2 mm wider than the Kevlar unit on the Vulcan 900
• 5th and 6th are overdrive gears for excellent fuel economy when cruising at highway speeds
• 6-speed transmission with positive neutral finder

9-spoke Cast Wheels

• Tire choice and suspension settings selected augment the chassis’ light handling characteristics
• 130/90 front and 170/70 rear tires
• Allow the use of tubeless tires, and nicely complement the Nomad’s styling

Adjustable Windscreen

• The sub-windshield covers the area between the windshield and headlight when the windshield is in the raised position, while fork-mounted deflectors help direct air away from the rider’s legs
• Sub-windshield and deflectors further increase wind protection
• 2-position height
• Strong, chrome-plated steel supports
• Handlebar-mounted and optically correct, the adjustable windscreen is shaped for optimum airflow management without compromising the Nomad’s cruiser styling

Bodywork

• Front fender design continues through the rear fender, which features an elegant LED taillight
• Elegantly shaped fuel tank contributes to the Nomad’s curvaceous figure
• The fuel tank’s hand-sculpted contours employ constantly varying radii, giving the bike a dynamic flowing style which is pleasing both to the eye and to the touch

Classic V-twin Styling

• All the engine’s non-chromed parts have a Matte Black finish to accentuate the chrome
• Cooling fin edges have a special NC treatment that makes them gleam in sunlight
• Deeply chromed engine covers have curved upper surfaces; their 3-D form adds volume and gives a high-quality appearance
• The line created by the top of the airbox and the cylinder heads forms a curved shape that continues to flow through the bike
• Basic engine architecture positively impacts the V-twin’s overall appearance

Cruise Control

• Pressure on the brake lever, clutch lever or rear brake pedal will automatically disengage the cruise control, as will manually rolling off the throttle
• Cruise control can be activated in 3rd gear or above at any speed between 30 mph and 85 mph
• Cruise control can be engaged and adjusted entirely from the right handlebar

Digital Fuel Injection

• The touring-oriented Nomad utilizes DFI® and exhaust systems tuned to reach peak torque and horsepower at a higher rpm than the engines used in standard Vulcan 1700 cruisers

Dual Adjustable Rear Air Shocks

• Chrome shock covers contribute to the bike’s overall luxurious finish
• 4-way rebound damping adjustments help the shocks compensate for changes in spring pressure
• Air-adjustable shocks can be tuned to match varying rider and passenger loads

Electronic Throttle Valve System

• APS and TPS send 2 sets of signals to the ECU for system redundancy in the unlikely event of a sensor failure
• Accurate throttle position is relayed to the ECU by a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
• Twisting the throttle turns a pulley on the throttle body, which triggers the Accelerator Position Sensor (APS) to send a signal to the ECU, which then modulates the throttle valves via a DC motor
• From the rider’s perspective, the ETV works like a standard cable-operated throttle; the throttle grip is still connected to cables, so the feel at the grip is the same
• Control of both fuel injection and airflow provides easy starting and precise cold-engine idle speed control
• Optimized fuel injector timing and throttle valve position results in accurate, powerful engine response
• Fully electronic throttle actuation system enables the ECU to control the volume of intake air (via throttle valve angle) and fuel (via fuel injector timing) delivered to the engine

Hard, Lockable Side Cases

• Helmet locks are conveniently located on the left- and right-side saddlebag guards
• Front and rear guards help protect the bike’s engine and hard side cases in the event of a tip-over
• The Nomad features hard, lockable, top-opening side cases that each provide 10 gallons (38 liters) of sealed storage space for overnight touring

Instrumentation

• Liberal use of chrome on the engine, fender brackets, light stays, saddlebag accents and front and rear guards contrasts nicely with the bodywork’s deep, lustrous paint
• Multi-function LCD displays on the tank-mounted instrument cluster are controlled by switches on the right handle. Features include a gear-position indicator, fuel gauge, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, remaining range and average fuel consumption.
• Turning the ignition switch to the “OFF” position turns the engine off and necessitates re-insertion of the key to restart
• Ignition switch allows on-position key removal, which prevents keys from scratching the instrument cluster or tank while the bike is in operation

Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-Braking Technology (K-ACT II) ABS

• Dual 300 mm front disc brakes with 4-piston calipers and a 2-piston rear disc brake for sure, powerful stops
• ABS function is disengaged at speeds below 4 mph
• For increased controllability in tight corners and when executing U-turns, K-ACT’s coactive function does not engage when braking is initiated at speeds below 12 mph
• Low battery mode maintains ABS function while reducing signal frequency to conserve power when needed
• Nomad ABS features Kawasaki’s sophisticated K-ACT II system, which helps riders to execute controlled, balanced braking. Designed to complement the riders’ brake inputs, the system distributes the ideal amount of brake pressure to maximize braking efficiency.

Key Features

• Weatherproof, lockable, color matched, top-opening hard saddlebags offer ample, easy to pack storage
• Height adjustable, full-sized, windshield provides classic style and optically correct view
• Low 28.7 inch seat height enhances rider comfort and confidence
• Electronic cruise control maintains speed, reducing rider fatigue on long trips, and interfaces with the electronic throttle valve system for smooth operation
• 6-speed transmission for effortless acceleration and relaxed cruising at highway speeds
• Kawasaki’s sophisticated K-ACT ABS system builds rider confidence by helping execute controlled, balanced braking
• Powerful 1,700 cc single crankpin V-twin offers great sound and impressive torque
• Deluxe passenger backrest with stylish chrome bracket and ergonomic grab handles for passenger comfort

Light Handling Chassis

• This compact design contributes to light handling and facilitates low-speed handling, especially maneuvers such as parking or U-turns
• Lightweight and slim, the frame minimizes the number of forged parts and trims any unnecessary metal. The only forged parts are areas that require additional strength: the down-tube joint, engine brackets, side-stand bracket, and rear fender / shock absorber bracket.
• The frame features a short wheelbase for optimal ergonomics and easy maneuverability

On Board Diagnostics

• System displays codes on the instrumentation, which can be read by owner using accessory manual
• Onboard diagnostic system allows self-testing of the electronic systems on the Vulcan 1700

Powerful 1,700 cc V-twin engine

• Even in overdrive, the engine pulls strongly in this speed range, facilitating overtaking at highway speeds
• Engine tuning offers superior acceleration in the 50 to 70 mph range
• Dual mufflers, 1 on each side of the bike, allow maximum clearance for luggage
• Small-diameter iridium sparkplugs reach deep into the combustion chamber for high combustion efficiency, especially during low-load operation
• Large-capacity airbox is located on both sides of the engine
• Single-pin crank accentuates the engine’s V-twin character by providing stronger power pulses
• Semi-dry sump design allows a lower crankshaft placement and a longer piston stroke without increasing engine height
• Valve system uses a single overhead cam arrangement instead of pushrods for quicker revving and enhanced mid-high rpm power
• Long-stroke 102 x 104 mm bore and stroke helps deliver high levels of torque with a distinct V-twin feel
• Liquid-cooled, 4 valves per cylinder, fuel-injected 1,700 cc, 52 degree, V-twin engine

Touring Seats and Passenger Backrest

• Passenger floorboards add extra comfort to the 2-up equation
• Sturdy backrest with integrated passenger grab bars contributes to passenger confidence
• Sculpted rider and passenger seats offer all-day comfort and support