2026 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic vs 2026 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec - Spec Comparison
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2026 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic
The 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic is a mid-sized cruiser built for riders seeking accessible, low-slung comfort with genuine American-style character. Its 903cc V-twin engine delivers smooth, torque-rich performance ideal for relaxed riding, while the 26.8-inch seat height and manageable 619.6-pound weight make it approachable for varied rider experience levels. Known for its classic styling, refined handling, and everyday reliability, it excels as an entry cruiser or weekend companion.
2026 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec
The 2026 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec is a nimble custom cruiser designed for riders seeking manageable power and retro styling in an accessible package. Its 942cc V-twin engine delivers smooth torque at low RPMs, making it ideal for urban commuting and weekend cruising. Known for its affordable price point and classic design, the Bolt R-Spec appeals to entry-level and experienced cruiser enthusiasts alike.
2026 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic vs 2026 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec: the key differences
Both are cruisers, so this is a like-for-like choice.
- The 2026 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec makes 3 hp more (51 vs 54 hp).
- The 2026 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec is 35 kg lighter (246 vs 281 kg).
- The 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic carries 7.1 litres more fuel (20.1 vs 13 L).
2026 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic: A classic-styled cruiser built for relaxed boulevard rides and easy weekend cruising rather than outright speed or sport handling.
2026 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec: Built as a stylish, customizable V-twin cruiser for laid-back street riding rather than outright performance.
Verdict: Choose the 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic if you want a bigger tank. Choose the 2026 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec if you want more power and lighter weight. Check the full table below for every figure, and the size comparison for fit.
| Specification | 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic | 2026 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Other | ||
| Category | Cruiser | Cruiser |
| Fuel Tank Material | Metal | - |
| Color Options | - | Raven black. |
| Comments | - | Designed with owner customization in mind. |
| Engine | ||
| Capacity: | 903.0 ccm (55.10 cubic inches) | 942.0 ccm (57.48 cubic inches) |
| CO2 Emissions | 115 CO2 g/km | - |
| EPA Certificate No. | TKAXC.903AAB-008 | - |
| EPA Est. Fuel Consumption | 4.90 L/100km (48.0 US mpg) | - |
| EPA CO Emissions | 3.1 CO g/km | - |
| Engine Type | V-Twin, four-stroke | V-Twin, four-stroke |
| Bore x Stroke | 88.0 x 74.2 mm (3.5 x 2.9 inches) | 85.0 x 83.0 mm (3.3 x 3.3 inches) |
| Compression | 9.5:1 | 9.0:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid | Air |
| Fuel System | Injection | Injection |
| Starting | Electric | Electric |
| Ignition | TCBI with Electronic Advance | TCI |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated | - |
| Valves Per Cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Lubrication System | Forced lubrication, wet sump | Wet Sump |
| Fuel Consumption | - | 4.60 litres/100 km (21.7 km/l or 51.13 mpg) |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 51.0 HP (38.0 kW) @ 5500 RPM | ✓54.0 HP (39.7 kW) |
| Torque | 79.0 Nm (8.1 kgf-m or 58.3 ft.lbs) @ 3500 RPM | ✓80.4 Nm (8.2 kgf-m or 59.3 ft.lbs) @ 3000 RPM |
| Power/Weight Ratio | 0.1815 HP/kg (wet) | 0.2196 HP/kg (wet) |
| Chassis & suspension | ||
| Frame | Double-cradle, steel | Aluminum double-cradle |
| Front Suspension | 41mm Showa telescopic fork | Telescopic fork 41mm |
| Rear Suspension | Uni-Trak swingarm, 7 way adjustable spring preload | Dual piggyback shocks |
| Front Wheel Travel | 150 mm (5.9 inches) | 120 mm (4.7 inches) |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 104 mm (4.1 inches) | 70 mm (2.8 inches) |
| Rake (fork angle) | 32.0° | 29.0° |
| Trail | 160 mm (6.3 inches) | 130 mm (5.1 inches) |
| Ground Clearance | 135 mm (5.3 inches) | 130 mm (5.1 inches) |
| Transmission | ||
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Manual |
| Final Drive | Belt | Belt |
| Clutch | Wet multi-disc | Multiplate wet clutch |
| Brakes & wheels | ||
| Front Brakes | Single 300mm hydraulic disc | Single disc. Hydraulic |
| Front Brakes Diameter | 300 mm (11.8 inches) | 298 mm (11.7 inches) |
| Rear Brakes | Single disc. Hydraulic. Two-piston calipers. | Single disc. Hydraulic |
| Rear Brakes Diameter | 270 mm (10.6 inches) | 298 mm (11.7 inches) |
| Front Tyre | 130/90-16 | 100/90-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 180/70-15 | 150/80-16 |
| Dimensions & weight | ||
| Wheelbase | 1646 mm (64.8 inches) | 1570 mm (61.8 inches) |
| Overall Length | 2464 mm (97.0 inches) | 2290 mm (90.2 inches) |
| Overall Width | 1006 mm (39.6 inches) | 945 mm (37.2 inches) |
| Overall Height | 1064 mm (41.9 inches) | 1120 mm (44.1 inches) |
| Seat Height | ✓681 mm (26.8 inches) | 690 mm (27.2 inches) |
| Wet Weight | 281.0 kg (619.5 pounds) | ✓245.9 kg (542.1 pounds) |
| Fuel Capacity | ✓20.10 litres (5.31 US gallons) | 13.00 litres (3.43 US gallons) |
"Best" (✓) reflects that single spec only, not overall suitability - a bike can win on paper and still be the wrong choice for you. Ties are all marked; specs with no clear better/worse direction (e.g. displacement, wheel size) are never marked, only tinted where bikes differ.
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This tool puts up to four motorcycles side by side across their full specification sheets, drawn from a database of 43,000+ models and 1.60M+ individual specifications. Wherever a spec has a clear "better" direction - more power, less weight - the strongest figure in that row is highlighted automatically.
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Specs are pulled from the same categories used throughout the site: engine and transmission (capacity, power, torque, gearbox), physical measures (weight, seat height, fuel and tank capacity), frame and dimensions, speed and acceleration, and brakes, suspension, frame and wheels (including tyres) - plus general information and maintenance data where it's on record for a bike.
How the highlighting works, and its limits
A highlighted cell means one bike has the clearly better raw number for that spec - more power, less weight, and so on. Fields where "better" genuinely depends on the rider - seat height above all - are deliberately never highlighted: a lower seat isn't automatically the right choice, it's a fit question only you can answer. Winning a row also isn't the same as winning the comparison - a bike can lead on paper in half the rows and still be the wrong bike for you.
Frequently asked questions
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