2025 Kawasaki Vulcan S 650 1st Ride & Review | Ninja Powered Cruiser

[@Rotasa2]

thank you and god bless you Ray i love the way you make your reviewsit makes me happy

[@RayBowdenRides]

Thanks for being so kind!!! Have a Fantastic weekend!! And please don't be a Stranger 🙏🏻.

[@lancelotray]

This bike is a game changer. I'll never go back to sportbikes again.

[@RayBowdenRides]

Fun just to be able to relax and ride huh? They are Awesome bikes!! Have a AWESOME Holiday season🙏🏻. Let's talk again soon my friend!!

[@lancelotray]

@RayBowdenRides yessir, once rode 900 km in 1 day, didnt feel a thing after..

[@RayBowdenRides]

@lancelotray alot better on the Ole back!! I hear ya.🙏🏻

[@BruceCates-qg4ep]

Keep the great video"s coming! My bike is put away for the winter so love watching your test rides all winter long!

[@RayBowdenRides]

Yes sir Bruce! Hopefully we don't get really bad weather here in Texas. Thanks Bruce for Commenting and Watching my friend 🙏🏻.

[@LordMcKrakenVonLittleBits]

Had a 2020 Cafe ABS version for a few years. Many years ago I had a Vulcan 750. My neighbor had a Ninja 650 and I always wondered what it would be like to combine the two. Kawasaki must have been listening. I had taken a few year hiatus from riding after the 750 was too far gone to fix after putting 75000 miles on it. Saw this for sale up the way and got back on the saddle. This bike had me fall in love with riding again. Put about 6k miles on it and traded it in for a Honda Fury because I missed that V-twin sound but I'll never forget that Vulcan S. Love this channel man.

[@RayBowdenRides]

Thanks for the kind words my friend!! Get what makes you happy my friend!! Honda makes a AWESOME product-- NO DOUBT!!!

[@LordMcKrakenVonLittleBits]

@@RayBowdenRides The Fury is a big ole lumpy cruiser but so well balanced. Once it's moving it's fairly nimble for a 70 inch wheelbase. Makes a lot of Harleys look small. Feel like a king cruising down the boulevard.

[@RayBowdenRides]

@LordMcKrakenVonLittleBits yes Sir!! Thanks for being apart of this channel 🙏🏻. Talk to you soon my friend!!

[@patrickprince8446]

Hello friend 👋🏿 ! As a motorcycle lover its great that you test ride bikes that people don't get to see are hear about.. I can't even stomach any harley or Indian KZbin videos , thank you sir for showing us people who buy what we love different options and opinions ... as a bike lover I personally don't have a reason to buy this bike but I like , I have 2 bikes already and 1 just sitting waiting to do long distance riding and a work commuter . Thankyou!!

[@RayBowdenRides]

Thanks for the Kind words my friend- You made my day with that !! Stay in Touch and have a AWESOME Thanksgiving!

[@brandonclement]

Looks nice in the black color. Great package overall for a daily commuter. Hope all is well Ray!

[@RayBowdenRides]

It is Brandon- how are you buddy? Have a Good Thanksgiving!!

[@brandonclement]

@@RayBowdenRides Yes sir, you have a great turkey day also. I've been slammed with work and family stuff lately so I wasn't trying to be a stranger 😂

[@RayBowdenRides]

@brandonclement hey no problem my friend!! You take care of that family and the money it takes to survive!!

[@Lowend_Chug]

Really nice cruiser Ray. Nice review. Still blown away by the Ninja two tone engine for the price of this bike. That Ergo-fit program offered by Plano sounds awesome .👍👍

[@RayBowdenRides]

It is Chug!! Thanks buddy for Watching and helping on the channel 👍. Your a AWESOME Guy!! I mean that! Have a great Friday!!

[@Lowend_Chug]

@ Thanks Ray. To you as well buddy!🙏

[@duanestiles4821]

Great job ray keep them coming stay safe my friend

[@RayBowdenRides]

Thank you so much, I will! You have a good one too!

[@danielestrada1124]

Man i cant wait until i get mine next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RayBowdenRides]

Your in for a Treat!! Let me know when you get it!!! Thanks for Watching and Commenting my friend 🙏🏻.

[@JohnSmith-sm6oy]

Good job ray. Keep up the good work.😊

[@RayBowdenRides]

Thank you, I will- and you sir have a AWESOME weekend!!

[@shawnaymond]

Great video Ray, that's a nice little bike. It seems to have some pretty good get up and go. I am waiting for the new Ninja 1100 SX, and I didn't know the new GSXS 1000 was getting a TFT display.

[@RayBowdenRides]

Yes the 25 GSXS 1000 Gets a tft!! Have a Great weekend Shawn. Thanks buddy for all you do.

[@christianobrien4465]

Excellent video and this is the bike for me.. I will be contacting Plano Kawasaki after Christmas to buy the standard Vulcan s along with that helmet and Those gloves!! I’m in Marietta Georgia

[@RayBowdenRides]

Talk to Mike Canon- tell him I sent you, he will take great care of you!!!

[@esalinas1817]

Very informative nice bike.

[@RayBowdenRides]

Thanks for Watching and Commenting Esalinas🙏🏻.

[@brentcollins9727]

Another great review, Ray. Which do you prefer, the Vulcan’s forward controls, or the Eliminator’s mids?

[@RayBowdenRides]

Man that's a Tough one, maybe the Vulcans controls a little. Thanks for Commenting and being apart of the Channel Brent!! Have a AWESOME Friday!!

[@brentcollins9727]

@ , you as well. 👍

[@uzielgarrido8235]

great video! any major difference between 2024 and 2025 model?

[@RayBowdenRides]

No not that I'm aware of. Thanks for Watching and Commenting 🙏🏻, Merry Christmas 🎄.

[@JesusNunez-o5j]

I have a 2024 s650. I enjoy it. Great bike and a ride in smooth if you can take it to 85 and up

[@RayBowdenRides]

Awesome bike, Thanks for Watching and Commenting Jesus!!🙏🏻

[@Censuwine]

Great informative video. If I might make a suggestion: how about including specifications in litres, kgs and kms? Gallons, lbs and miles mean very little to 90% of the world. I've owned the Vulcan S for 8 years so I think I know a thing or two about it. It really is an amazing bike. Its most noteworthy virtues are its flickability, deceptive speed, reliability and looks. One major disadvantage for me were the forward controls. The rider's extended legs (I am 181 cms tall (5'11)) mean that all road imperfections are relayed straight to the lower back making it a singularly uncomfortable bike on long trips. I've taken it on 3 day trips and it was perfect on virtually every front but for the fact that I could hardly walk by the end of the trip. There is the build quality (as distinct from reliability) issue which, though not bad, doesn't quite reach the quality of European bikes. Bottom line: if your back can take it, you can do a lot worse than buying this bike.

[@RayBowdenRides]

Good info my friend!! Thanks for Commenting and I'll work on those aspects you pointed out!!

[@chrishynes6091]

Have you tried adjusting the rear mono shock ? I turned mine a couple positions and it's much better. I just do short local roads though. The seats not very good for me anything more than an hour starts hurting my butt. Wish they built a better seat.

[@RayBowdenRides]

@chrishynes6091 thanks for Commenting my friend 🙏🏻. Have a great weekend!!

[@Censuwine]

@@chrishynes6091 Thanks for the suggestion. I did play around with the monoshock. If I have to be honest, there was some improvement but not much. I'm of the view that the problem is not with the seat itself but with the forward controls. I also used to ride the mother of all comfort bikes: the R1150RT. What contributes to the comfort is the overall seating position which the British call "sit-up and beg". This allows the rider to stand up on the pegs with consummate ease when a pothole or bridge spacer looms over the horizon, and if (s)he doesn't, the jolt to the lower back is mostly cushioned by the calf and thigh muscles. Believe it or not, my local dealer actually welded a couple of extra pegs further back on his Vulcan S so that he can sit more comfortably on those long 6th gear motorway stretches. It seems to work for him but I think it's a ridiculous thing to do. If the bike weren't so phenomenally good in almost every other respect, I think I would probably sell it.

[@chrishynes6091]

@@Censuwine 👍

[@Oceanvargas]

Hello Ray, when you show off the Hayabusa 25, can you make the video a little bit longer? Thanks appreciated.

[@RayBowdenRides]

For Sure ! I PROMISE- THANKS for Commenting and Watching my friend 🙏🏻.

[@SwenglishSteve650]

Hi Ray, Enjoyed the post & sent a sub, I own a KVS performance model that I'veturnedinto a touring bike & absolutely love it, started a channel because of it, ride safe

[@RayBowdenRides]

You too my friend!!

[@lesgillard985]

Raymond a truely wonderful bike that offers the genteel rider a starting point for their Church Picnic Special 😀 Here in Oz we dont have all the colours, but here all are fitted with ABS and Eco choise. ( great idea...pity tbe other manufacturers dont follow suit). Ive seen the earlier modles fitted with screens, saddle bags and crash bars... very nice and comfortable. Whats the Chiropractic index on this one 🙂

[@RayBowdenRides]

You and these Church picnics 🤣. Your AWESOME brother! You keep me Smiling!!! Have a AWESOME weekend Outlaw!

[@lesgillard985]

@RayBowdenRides same to you and Chug... keep awy from 😈👹👺....

[@LedosGarage]

Man that cafe model is super sexy .... i really love the cafe one

[@RayBowdenRides]

Yea I like the Cafe too!! 🙏🏻

[@tomsreviews238]

got a 2021, specs on my bike are different than what you quote and have no problem with the pegs dragging, if you had a dyna you would know all about scraping pegs. I guess they changed everything for 2025

[@RayBowdenRides]

Thanks for Commenting and Watching 🙏🏻. Have a great weekend!!

[@BeardedMattOutdoors]

Been watching all of these videos. What has been your favorite 2025 so far?

[@RayBowdenRides]

Probably the Kawasaki Zx4RR in- because of the sound, the mods that are available. Also due to the cost- And it just puts a smile on your face!! Thanks Matt for Commenting and make sure you have a AWESOME turkey Day!!!

[@Artnahc]

​@RayBowdenRides This is the one. One day! Have a good one fellas. Stay happy and safe 🙏

[@LuciferMorningstar-wk8qu]

I have a 2023. Put 7800 miles in the last 14 months. Real world usage is about 45 mpg. Destroked for more torque, less hp than Ninja. Might do better if i took off the bags, crash bars, windshield

[@RayBowdenRides]

Yea that windshield ain't helping for sure! But is nice to pull up to pump and 3 and half gallons is all you have to pay for. Thanks for Commenting and Watching my friend 🙏🏻. Have a AWESOME Friday!!!

[@robertocojones4471]

The curb weight is 470 lbs! When did Kawasaki shave off 20+lbs? Is that new for the 2025 model?

[@RayBowdenRides]

Curb weight is unfueled,around 500 at fueled weight. Robert thanks for taking the time to comment and Watching the video!! Have a AWESOME Thanksgiving!!!

[@careless2101]

Is the ABS model worth getting rather then not having?

[@RayBowdenRides]

Yes , i wouldn't by a motorcycle without it, Thanks for Watching and Commenting Careless!!

[@LedosGarage]

Hold on plano even down there where you are ships? Anywhere in US? Hey ray ask them about financing will they finance either over the phone or website? Like finance to an out of stater or something

[@RayBowdenRides]

Ledo they do it all the time- Yes sir they got you covered!!

[@tritang9650]

Hi Mr Ray. Can you make a video review 2024 or 2025 kawasaki vulcan 900 classic ?

[@RayBowdenRides]

I sure will this Saturday!! Let me double check and make sure they got one!! If they do it's a deal!!!

[@tritang9650]

I am going to buy vulcan 900 but really don’t know which one between 900 classic and 900 custom. Will wait for your opinion. Thank you !🙏

[@nooraliachoongabdullah9129]

Can the Vulcan 650 be changed to mid control instead of front

[@RayBowdenRides]

Not sure on that one, but with the way aftermarket is i could see a company making that set up for them. You'll have to do a some research! Thanks for Commenting and Watching 🙏🏻. Have a great Week!!

[@chrishynes6091]

They have 3 lengths all forward control.

[@RayBowdenRides]

@chrishynes6091 thanks for Commenting!!!

[@nickbrooks4993]

9:16 Drums 🥁

[@RayBowdenRides]

Heck yes!!

[@chromecast8993]

Since you have ridden both, which bike handles better on highway cruising. Vulcan S or Vulcan 900?

[@RayBowdenRides]

Tough Question, there both so close! When you say better to me that means Agile in case of a sudden move you may have to avoid something. I would say the smaller Vulcan because of weight. Is that what you were thinking??

[@chromecast8993]

@ thank you for reply. I was thinking of more of comfort and vibration at highway speeds. Do you feel more vibration on vulcan 900 or the S, when traveling at 70-75 mph? Thanks

[@RayBowdenRides]

@chromecast8993 man that's a Tough one - probably the big bike has more vibration due to no 6th gear. Any other questions Don't hesitate to reach out to me. Thanks for Commenting and being apart of the Channel my friend 🙏🏻

[@templariodelapocalipsis2299]

Honda Shadow aero 750 here 😊

[@RayBowdenRides]

Thanks for Watching and Commenting my friend!

[@pinnymoseson2179]

Wow my new dream bike could you maybe help me out with the cost i only got like 3k

[@RayBowdenRides]

Can't help ya on that one - Sorry. Thanks for Commenting and Watching 🙏🏻.

[@leeinwis]

@@RayBowdenRides 🤣🤣

[@ganuvien]

I'm still mad we never got the H2 version that was a rumor years ago 😂

[@RayBowdenRides]

Thanks for Watching and Commenting 🙏🏻. Have a great Thanksgiving!!!

[@nickbrooks4993]

13:08 did i hear someone say busa!

[@RayBowdenRides]

Yes you did! Any day now!!

[@LedosGarage]

A cruiser look but a ninja sound lol imagine a sport bike type slip on. Other bikes will be confused because it looks like a cruiser but sounds like a ninja lol

[@RayBowdenRides]

Yes sir!! You think like i do ledo!!!

[@donnyj2317]

Video seems familiar

[@RayBowdenRides]

What do you mean?? Thanks for Watching and Commenting 🙏🏻.

[@leeinwis]

😃😃

[@RayBowdenRides]

Hope you liked it! Thanks for Watching and Commenting 🙏🏻.

[@andregrastyan3403]

That is not the new vulcan 650s. It looks different for next year. I had this model 4 years ago.

[@RayBowdenRides]

It sure is!! You must be in a different country? Look at this link and pick metallic flat spark black 👍www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/vulcan/sport-cruiser/vulcan-s/2025-vulcan-s

[@RayBowdenRides]

Tell me I'm wrong?

[@Texas2Step79]

8k credit card purchase..... geez

[@RayBowdenRides]

Yea I know, I thought about that after I said that. Texas2Step have a AWESOME weekend and stay out of trouble this weekend.

[@chrishynes6091]

Curb weights 498.3 on their website.

[@RayBowdenRides]

Okay , can't remember what I said- if it's wrong I'm sorry about that. Thanks for Watching and Commenting my friend 🙏🏻.

[@chrishynes6091]

@@RayBowdenRides You said 470, no offense intended. Just wanted to correct for viewers. Merry Christmas.