Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® vs Kawasaki VULCAN® S

Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® vs Kawasaki VULCAN® S

When it comes to Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, no name is trusted in Florida more than Harley-Davidson® of Wesley Chapel. Our team is passionate about the region we serve, and that is reflected in the rallies and other events that we host in this area throughout the year. We are also passionate about the motorcycle community in general and have a Learn to Ride program that helps bring new enthusiasts into the fold. We also offer a wide range of other motorcycle courses for riders of all skill levels. If you need maintenance, repairs or custom work, you can count on the modern service centers at any of our three locations, and if you need parts, accessories or gear, our stores are unparalleled. Something else unparalleled is our selection of motorcycles, and one of our most popular right now is the Street Bob®. It gets compared a lot online to the VULCAN® S from Kawasaki, and with that, we have decided to provide our own take on the 2021 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® vs 2022 Kawasaki VULCAN® S discussion.

Harley-Davidson® Street Bob®

The 2021 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® is a stripped-down bobber. As Harley-Davidson® puts it, it is gritty, and it is draped in black, which references the choice of a blacked-out aesthetic over the more traditional chrome. Key characteristics include a stretched riding position and mid-mount foot controls. The marketing for the Street Bob® emphasizes the dark finish, the two-up seating, the black steel-laced wheels and the Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine, which is currently the most powerful option available on a Softail. It also accentuates that the Street Bob® is the perfect base for customization, and it really is the ideal option for a custom build or for the rider who wants to perfect his or her ride over time.

Kawasaki VULCAN® S

The 2022 Kawasaki VULCAN® S arrived in mid-2021 with the marketing “Bold by Design.” It is one of the motorcycles that Kawasaki includes under its New Rider Friendly umbrella. It also features ERGO-FIT, which allows for adjustable riding positions. While we generally prefer choosing the ideal custom seat for the rider, this can be helpful for shorter riders in a pinch. Kawasaki offers the VULCAN® S in two color schemes: Pearl Robotic White and Metallic Matte Graphite. These have to be two of the more unusual aesthetics in the space, and while we are sure there is a market for them, we are not sure that they speak to the typical rider considering a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.

Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® vs Kawasaki VULCAN® S

Comparing the 2021 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® vs 2022 Kawasaki VULCAN® S reveals a different approach. The VULCAN® S is a fine cruiser. It can even be used as a benchmark for cruisers in general, and is probably fine as a first bike as Kawasaki suggests it is. But as it the problem—as we see it—with many metric cruisers is that it feels like it was designed in a rather perfunctory manner. There is none of the passion or history that you get with a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle like the Street Bob®.

Performance is strong and similar with both the Street Bob® and 2022 Kawasaki VULCAN® S. An advantage the Street Bob® has is that there are stage kits available that let you upgrade your engine should you decide that you want more power. Another notable difference is the feel. The Street Bob® delivers that classic Harley-Davidson® riding experience both in the tactile sensation and the sound. If you are a new rider thinking about this without having experienced it, we highly recommend that you do. Something else to consider is that the Street Bob® is much better suited to grow with you as a rider. There are so many ways to customize it, and personalization is much less of an option with the VULCAN® S.

Test-Ride the Street Bob®

You can see the 2021 Harley-Davidson® Street Bob® up close and personal at Harley-Davidson® of Wesley Chapel. Just visit either of our three showrooms at your earliest convenience. If you would like to test-ride the Street Bob®, call us or set up your appointment online. You can also call us or reach us via email or text to ask questions or request additional details. Our team is also available to assist you via live chat, and we provide a wide range of tools that help you to shop the Street Bob® online.

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