Kawasaki India has quietly rolled out the 2027 Vulcan S and, spoiler alert, it isn’t a reinvention of the wheel. The cruiser is now stickered at Rs 8.23 lakh (ex-showroom) — a modest bump over its predecessor — and arrives wearing a fresh dual-tone Metallic Carbon Gray livery. That’s the headline. Everything else underneath stays exactly as you know it.
Honestly? A new paint job and a slightly heavier price tag. Kawasaki hasn’t touched the engine, the cycle parts, the ergonomics, or the feature set. If you were hoping for a TFT dash, cornering ABS, or even a new exhaust note — this isn’t that update. The Metallic Carbon Gray dual-tone does look sharp though, and if you’ve been eyeing the Vulcan S for a while, this is as good an excuse as any to finally pull the trigger.
The Vulcan S runs a 649cc parallel-twin engine borrowed from the Ninja 650, producing around 61 PS. What makes this cruiser genuinely interesting — especially for Indian riders — is Kawasaki’s ERGO-FIT system. You can adjust the handlebar reach, footpeg position, and seat to suit your body type. That’s a rare luxury in a cruiser at this price point, and it makes a massive difference on longer rides. Whether you’re a shorter rider who struggles with reach, or a taller one cramped on a standard cruiser, the Vulcan S can be dialled in for you.
The low seat height and relaxed riding position mean it’s accessible to a wide range of riders — beginners who want to look cool without being intimidated, and experienced riders who just want a no-drama weekend machine. It’s not the fastest thing on the road and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s comfortable, reliable, and has that unmistakable cruiser soul.
At Rs 8.23 lakh ex-showroom, the Vulcan S sits in a segment that’s getting increasingly competitive. The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 and Shotgun 650 are breathing down its neck with strong community support and arguably better value propositions for some buyers. Honda’s CB350RS plays in a different league, but the recently launched Rebel 500 is another one to consider if you’re cruiser-curious.
That said, the Vulcan S brings Japanese reliability, a proven parallel-twin with good highway manners, and that ERGO-FIT system that no competitor in this range can match. For riders who clock serious kilometres and prioritise long-haul comfort over outright performance, the Vulcan S remains a compelling pick.
If you already own a 2025 or 2026 Vulcan S, there’s zero reason to upgrade — you’re not missing anything mechanical. But if you’ve been sitting on the fence, the new Metallic Carbon Gray colourway is genuinely handsome, and Rs 8.23 lakh for a 649cc cruiser with adjustable ergonomics is still a fair deal in today’s market.
Kawasaki could have done more with this update — a new colour every model year is starting to feel a bit lazy from a product standpoint. But the base product remains solid, and sometimes solid is exactly what you need when you’re planning to rack up highway miles weekend after weekend.
Gear up properly, keep your documents current, and if that Metallic Carbon Gray calls your name — you know what to do.
Source: bikeadvice.in
