Kawasaki Vulcan S (2015-2022) — Maintenance Specs

The Vulcan S is Kawasaki's approachable middleweight cruiser, built since 2015 around the ER-6's 649 cc parallel twin with Ergo-Fit peg/seat options. Its semi-dry sump keeps oil changes light - 1.8 L with the filter - and the low-effort clutch suits new riders. The 18-inch front wheel wears a 120/70 tire at 32 psi, and the belt-free final drive is a chain that needs a tight 10-20 mm slack, the narrowest band in Kawasaki's lineup. Halogen 60/55W lighting and a 14 L tank date the design, but the 2015-2022 run was mechanically stable, so one manual covers the whole generation.

Quick specs

Oil capacity (with filter) 1.8 L1.9 US qt, when filter is removed

Oil capacity (without filter) 1.6 L1.7 US qt, when filter is not removed

Oil type API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2

Oil viscosity SAE 10W-40

Front tire pressure (solo) 32 psi225 kPa, cold

Rear tire pressure (solo) 36 psi250 kPa, cold

Spark plug NGK CR9EIA-9

Spark plug gap 0.8-0.9 mm0.031-0.035 in

Maintenance schedule

Specification	Value	Source
Engine oil & filter	first 1,000 km (600 mi), then every 12,000 km (7,600 mi) or 1 year	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)

Fluids & capacities

Specification	Value	Source
Oil capacity (with filter)	1.8 L1.9 US qt, when filter is removed	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Oil capacity (without filter)	1.6 L1.7 US qt, when filter is not removed	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Oil type	API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Oil viscosity	SAE 10W-40	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Coolant capacity	1.4 L1.5 US qt	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Brake fluid type (DOT)	DOT 4	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Fuel capacity	14 L3.7 US gal	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)

Torque specs

Specification	Value	Source
Rear axle nut	108 Nu00b7maxle nut (11.0 kgfu00b7m, 79.7 ftu00b7lb)	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)

Electrical

Specification	Value	Source
Battery	12V 8.6Ah (10HR)	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Headlight bulb	12V 60W (high) / 12V 55W (low)	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Spark plug	NGK CR9EIA-9	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Spark plug gap	0.8-0.9 mm0.031-0.035 in	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)

Tires & wheels

Specification	Value	Source
Front tire size	120/70R18M/C 59H	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Rear tire size	160/60R17M/C 69H	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Front tire pressure (solo)	32 psi225 kPa, cold	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)
Rear tire pressure (solo)	36 psi250 kPa, cold	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037)

Official manual

Owner's manual on Kawasaki official site

Opens the manufacturer’s official website in a new tab.

Frequently asked questions

How much oil does a Kawasaki Vulcan S take?

1.6 L drain-only, 1.8 L with the filter, 2.3 L total.

Vulcan S tire pressure?

32 psi front, 36 psi rear when cold.

Vulcan S chain slack?

10-20 mm - noticeably tighter than sportbike specs, so check it often.

What spark plug does the Vulcan S use?

NGK CR9EIA-9 with a 0.8-0.9 mm gap.

Sources

Value	Source	Checked
Oil capacity (with filter): 1.8 L	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Engine Oil section, p. 107)	2026-11-03
Oil capacity (without filter): 1.6 L	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Engine Oil section, p. 107)	2026-11-03
Oil type: API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 28)	2026-11-03
Oil viscosity: SAE 10W-40	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 28; Engine Oil section, p. 107)	2026-11-03
Coolant capacity: 1.4 L	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 28)	2026-11-03
Brake fluid type (DOT): DOT 4	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 30)	2026-11-03
Fuel capacity: 14 L	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 30)	2026-11-03
Engine oil & filter: first 1,000 km (600 mi), then every 12,000 km (7,600 mi) or 1 year	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Periodic Maintenance Chart)	2026-11-03
Rear axle nut: 108 Nu00b7m	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Wheel section, p. 121)	2026-11-03
Battery: 12V 8.6Ah (10HR)	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 30)	2026-11-03
Headlight bulb: 12V 60W (high) / 12V 55W (low)	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 30)	2026-11-03
Spark plug: NGK CR9EIA-9	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 28)	2026-11-03
Spark plug gap: 0.8-0.9 mm	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 28)	2026-11-03
Front tire size: 120/70R18M/C 59H	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 29)	2026-11-03
Rear tire size: 160/60R17M/C 69H	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Specifications, p. 30)	2026-11-03
Front tire pressure (solo): 32 psi	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Tires section, p. 130)	2026-11-03
Rear tire pressure (solo): 36 psi	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Tires section, p. 130)	2026-11-03
Chain Slack: 10-20 mm	2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (EN650C) Owner's Manual (Kawasaki Owners Center / KTIVS e-book, US, item 99803-0037) (p. Drive Chain section, p. 119)	2026-11-03

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