Touring Motorcycles
1987Kawasaki VN-15
19 fields on record
The 1987 Kawasaki VN-15 is a mid-size touring cruiser powered by a 1470cc liquid-cooled V-twin producing 70 horsepower. Designed for riders seeking accessible cruiser styling with practical touring capability, it delivers smooth low-end torque through a shaft-drive transmission. Best known for combining comfortable highway cruising with manageable weight and affordable ownership, the VN-15 established Kawasaki's foothold in the cruiser market.
- Capacity
- 1470.0 ccm
- Engine
- V-Twin, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 4-speed
- Wet weight
- 284.0 kg
- Seat height
- Not on record
Know it? Add it → - Power
- 70.0 HP (51.5 kW) @ 4500 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built for relaxed boulevard cruising and highway touring rather than outright speed or sharp handling.
- Built for
- A classic big-bore Japanese cruiser with V-twin torque, shaft drive smoothness, and laid-back custom styling.
- Not ideal for
- Not a good fit for riders wanting agile cornering performance, off-road capability, or sportbike-level acceleration.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Engine
- Capacity
- 1470.0 ccm
- Power
- 70.0 HP (51.5 kW) @ 4500 RPM
- Engine type
- V-Twin, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.2465 HP/kg (wet)
- Bore x stroke
- 102.0 x 90.0 mm
- Compression
- 9.0:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Valves per cylinder
- 4
- Torque
- Not on record - add it
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 4-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Shaft
Performance
- Top speed
- 179.0 km/h (111.2 mph)
Dimensions & weight
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Single disc
- Rear brakes
- Single disc
- Front tyre
- 100/90-19
- Rear tyre
- 150/90-15
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1470 cc | 1470 cc | 1470 cc |
| Fuel capacity | 16 L | 16 L | 16 L |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Kawasaki VN-15?
The 1987 Kawasaki VN-15 has a Capacity of 1470.0 ccm (89.70 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Kawasaki VN-15 have?
The 1987 Kawasaki VN-15 has a Power of 70.0 HP (51.5 kW) @ 4500 RPM.
How many gears does the Kawasaki VN-15 have?
The 1987 Kawasaki VN-15 has a Gearbox of 4-speed.
How much does the Kawasaki VN-15 weigh?
The 1987 Kawasaki VN-15 has a Wet weight of 284.0 kg (626.1 pounds).
Shop this bike
Affiliate linksWe may earn a commission from qualifying eBay or Amazon purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Similar bikes
Same category, weighted similarity
1987 Suzuki VS 1400 Intruder
1360 cc · 243 kg · 725 mm
1991 Suzuki VS 1400 Intruder
1360 cc · 243 kg · 725 mm
1988 Harley-Davidson FLTC 1340 (With Sidecar)
1337 cc · 479 kg
1985 Harley-Davidson FLHT 1340 Electra Glide
1337 cc · 345 kg
1988 Honda GL 1500/6 Gold Wing
1520 cc · 387 kg
1989 Honda GL 1500/6 Gold Wing
1520 cc · 387 kg
Please log in or register if you'd like to leave a comment.
Own one? Add it to My Garage and write an owner review with an Owner badge.