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:

1. Engine Related Items
2. Chassis Related Items, and
3. 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.