Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 (Classic, LTD, 2004-2008) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 motorcycles, released as the Vulcan 2000 Classic and the Vulcan 2000 LT. Both also go by the short product code VN2000.
The Kawasaki Vulcan is a cruiser style motorcycle. The Vulcan name has been used for custom or cruiser motorcycles since 1984, model designation VN, using mostly V-twin engines ranging from 125 to 2,053 cc. The VN2000 was kind of an evolution of the previous Vulcan 1600, but it was short lived. The Vulcan 1700 was the truer successor to the VN1600.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Classic is powered by a 2,053 cc (125 ci) 52-degree V-twin engine. It makes a frankly ridiculous 191 Nm (141 lb-ft) of torque at 3,000 rpm, and commensurate power (but cruisers are all about torque!). It puts all that to the ground through a five-speed transmission and a belt drive — contrasting with the shaft drive of the 1600. (The 1700 has a belt drive, too, as well as a six-speed transmission).
The Classic LT had an appearance similar to the Classic but added saddlebags, windshield, passenger floorboards, and passenger backrest to the offering.
Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki Vulcan 2000
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Classic.
The following is the list of maintenance operations and to be done on this motorcycle with a time or distance interval — whichever comes earlier.
The maintenance schedule broken into three sections:
- Engine Related Items
- Chassis Related Items, and
- Change/Replacement Items.
Notes:
- For higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here.
- K: Should be serviced by an authorized Kawasaki dealer.
- #: Service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy,
high speed, or frequent starting/stopping. - (e): Emission related item
1. Engine related items
Operation | Every | 1000 km (600 mi) | 6000 km (4000 mi) | 12000 km (7500 mi) | 18000 km (12000 mi) | 24000 km (15000 mi) | 30000 km (20000 mi) | 36000 km (24000 mi) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Throttle control system (play, smooth return, no drag) – inspect (e) | year | • | • | • | • | ||||
Idle speed – inspect (e) | • | • | • | • | |||||
K | Fuel leak (fuel hose and pipe) – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | |||
K | Fuel hoses damage – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | |||
K | Fuel hoses installation condition – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | |||
Coolant level – inspect | • | • | • | • | |||||
Coolant leak – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | ||||
Radiator hose damage – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | ||||
Radiator hoses installation condition – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | ||||
Evaporative emission control system – function (California model only) (e) | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||
Air suction system damage – inspect (e) | • | • | • | ||||||
Spark plug condition (e) | • | • | • |
2. Chassis-related items
Operation | Every | 1000 km (600 mi) | 6000 km (4000 mi) | 12000 km (7500 mi) | 18000 km (12000 mi) | 24000 km (15000 mi) | 30000 km (20000 mi) | 36000 km (24000 mi) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clutch and drive train: | |||||||||
Clutch operation (play, engagement, disengagement) – inspect | • | • | • | • | |||||
K | Drive belt deflection – inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
K | Drive belt wear- inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
Wheels and tires: | |||||||||
Tire air pressure – inspect | year | • | • | • | |||||
Wheels/tires damage – inspect | • | • | • | ||||||
Tire tread wear, abnormal wear – inspect | • | • | • | ||||||
K | Wheel bearings damage – inspect | year | • | • | • | ||||
Brake system: | |||||||||
Brake fluid leak – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
K | Brake hoses damage – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Brake pad wear – inspect # | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
K | Brake hose installation condition – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Brake fluid level – inspect | 6 month | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
Brake operation (effectiveness, play, drag) – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
Brake light switch operation – inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||
Suspensions: | |||||||||
Front forks/rear shock absorber operation (damping and smooth stroke) – inspect | • | • | • | ||||||
Front forks/rear shock absorber oil leak – inspect | year | • | • | • | |||||
Swing arm pivot – lubricate | • | ||||||||
Steering System: | |||||||||
K | Steering play – inspect | year | • | • | • | • | |||
K | Steering stem bearings – lubricate | 2 years | • | ||||||
Electrical System: | |||||||||
Lights and switches operation – inspect | year | • | • | • | |||||
Headlight aiming – inspect | year | • | • | • | |||||
Side stand switch operation – inspect | year | • | • | • | |||||
Engine stop switch operation – inspect | year | • | • | • | |||||
Chassis: | |||||||||
Chassis parts – lubricate | year | • | • | • | |||||
Bolts and nuts tightness -inspect | • | • | • | • |
3. Change/replacement items
Change/Replacement Items | Every | 1000 km (600 mi) | 12000 km (7500 mi) | 24000 km (15000 mi) | 36000 km (24000 mi) | 48000 km (30000 mi) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
K | Air cleaner element # (e) | every 18000 km (12000 mile) | |||||
Engine oil # | year | • | • | • | • | • | |
K | Oil filter | year | • | • | • | • | • |
K | Fuel hoses | 4 years | • | ||||
K | Coolant | 3 years | • | ||||
K | Radiator hoses and O-rings | 3 years | • | ||||
K | Brake hoses | 4 years | • | ||||
K | Brake fluid (front and rear) | 2 years | • | • | |||
K | Rubber parts of master cylinder and caliper | 4 years | • | ||||
Spark plug (e) | every 48000 km (30000 mile) |
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000
The Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard (tubeless type), as well as the following recommended tyre pressures.
Tyre | Size | Brand(s) | Tyre pressure |
---|---|---|---|
Front | 150/80 R16 M/C 71V | BRIDGESTONE “BT020 F RADIAL” (optional white wall) DUNLOP “D251F” | 250 kPa/36 psi |
Rear | 200/60 R16 M/C 79V | BRIDGESTONE “BT020 R RADIAL” (optional white wall) DUNLOP “D251” | 290 kPa/42 psi |
General information about the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000
The Vulcan 2000 is a strong, stylish motorcycle. It handles well for its weight, but it’s also very heavy, so expectations can’t be that high.
The enormous 2,053cc engine was at the time the largest capacity V-twin engine manufactured by a major manufacturer. To this day, it’s one of the larger. With 141 lb-ft of torque, the Vulcan 2000 has more torque than nearly any other motorcycle, and more than many small cars.
But despite having a brutish amount of power, the Vulcan 2000 is tame and easily controlled. It won’t buck you off, or do uncontrollable burnouts.
Like many superbikes, the VN2000 pulls off easily from idle, but then just doesn’t stop — it keeps pulling and pulling the more you hold the throttle open. Accelerating in higher gears shows that it doesn’t matter what gear you’re in — it all feels the same.
There are a lot of detailed additions that make the VN2000 seems like more than the sum of its parts.
A traditional-style headlight, a “buckhorn” handlebar bend, a plush passenger seat for increased comfort, and several smaller details all add to the high level of refinement that the Vulcan 2000 has.
The Vulcan 2000 Classic’s massive V-Twin cylinders feature a black matte finish with polished cooling fins that provide a nice contrast. A push rod design reduces the 125 cubic inch engine’s height, which directly contributes to the 2000 Classic’s low center of gravity and relatively low seat height.
Sub-throttle valves and fine atomizing injectors help the Vulcan 2000’s fuel injection to provide a linear powerband and optimum fuel economy. The Vulcan 2000 Classic rides on bright, cast aluminum 16-inch wheels with dual 300mm front disc brakes with four-piston calipers and a single rear disc brake with two-piston caliper.
A gear position sensor in the five-speed transmission sends signals to the ECU, further enhancing fuel injection and ignition performance. Belt final drive is smooth, quiet, reliable and low maintenance.
Manual for the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2006-2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Classic, which is available here.