VN-15

1987 Kawasaki VN-15 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1987 Kawasaki VN-15 touring motorcycle, Kawasaki relies on a 1470 cc (89.7 cu in) liquid-cooled v2, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 70 HP (51.1 kW) at 4,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 4-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 47.6 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the VN-15 measures 284 kg (626 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.25 HP/kg (4.06 kg per horsepower). The 16-liter (4.2 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 179 km/h (111 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Kawasaki archive, this model family spans 3 indexed model years from 1987 to 1989, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.