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2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic Overview
Kawasaki VN900 Classic is a custom / cruiser motorcycle, displacing 903 cc. Power comes from a V2, four-stroke engine running SOHC valve actuation, a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Bore and stroke come in at 88 x 74.2 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 78 Nm @ 3700 of torque. On the road, the 2013 VN900 Classic tips the scales at 282 kg, carries a 20-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 680 mm and spans a 1,645 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 18.6 kg lighter than the average custom / cruiser motorcycle in our database. The full 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2013 VN900 Classic - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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📏
Accessible seat height: A 680 mm seat height keeps this manageable for most riders, which helps confidence at parking-lot speeds.
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⛽
Large fuel range: A 20-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
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⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Running Belt final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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ℹ️
Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the VN900 Classic - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injection on the VN900 Classic needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Valve clearance checks
With SOHC valve gear, the VN900 Classic needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from Single disc. Twin-piston - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The VN900 Classic's suspension runs 41 mm telescopic fork with 7-way preload at the front. The rear uses Uni-Trak. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The VN900 Classic runs belt final drive: no lubrication or frequent adjustment like a chain, though belt tension and wear are worth a periodic look.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Double-cradle, steel, the VN900 Classic's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
282 kg puts the VN900 Classic toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
VN900 Classic - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy VN900 Classic should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a VN900 Classic's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the VN900 Classic needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
Valve clearance service
Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used VN900 Classic since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.
2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic have?
The 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic uses a V2, four-stroke engine with 903 cc of displacement.
How much does the 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic weigh?
The 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic weighs 282 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic make?
The 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic produces 78 Nm @ 3700 of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic?
The 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic has a 20-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 333-400 km between stops.
Is the 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic suitable for shorter riders?
The 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic has a seat height of 680 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.
What brakes does the 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic have?
The 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic uses Single disc. Twin-piston at the front and Single disc. Twin-piston at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic use?
The 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic runs 130/90-16 front and 180/70-15 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
Kawasaki VN900 Classic Spec Evolution
The Kawasaki VN900 Classic was produced across 6 model years (2009-2014). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
| Dry Weight |
282 kg / 621.7 lbs |
- |
264 kg / 582.0 lbs |
- |
- |
- |
| Seat Height |
- |
- |
894 mm / 35.2 in. |
894 mm / 35.2 in. |
680 mm / 26.8 in. |
680 mm / 26.8 in. |
| Ground Clearance (mm) |
- |
- |
236 mm |
236 mm |
135 mm |
135 mm |
| Ground Clearance (in.) |
- |
- |
9.3 inches |
9.3 inches |
5.3 inches |
5.3 inches |
| Frame Type |
Double-cradle, steel |
Double-cradle, steel |
Double cradle steel |
Double-cradle, steel |
Double-cradle, steel |
Double-cradle, steel |
| Wheelbase |
1,646 mm / 64.8 in. |
1,646 mm / 64.8 in. |
1,650 mm / 65.0 in. |
1,650 mm / 65.0 in. |
1,645 mm / 64.8 in. |
1,650 mm / 65.0 in. |
| Brakes - Front |
Single disc. Twin-piston |
Single disc. Twin-piston |
Single disc |
Single disc |
Single disc. Twin-piston |
Single disc |
| Brakes - Rear |
Single disc. Twin-piston |
Single disc. Twin-piston |
Single disc |
Single disc |
Single disc. Twin-piston |
Single disc |
Key Specifications
Power
Not published by manufacturer
Torque
78.00 Nm (8.0 kgf-m or 57.5 ft.lbs) @ 3700
Top Speed
Not published by manufacturer
Weight
282.0 kg / 621.7 lbs
Fuel Capacity
20.00 litres / 5.28 gallons
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Full 2013 Kawasaki VN900 Classic Specifications
Colours
Black
Warranty
12 Months
Ground Clearance (mm)
135 mm
Ground Clearance (in.)
5.3 inches
Seat Height
680 mm / 26.8 in.
Wheelbase
1,645 mm / 64.8 in.
Height
1,065 mm / 41.9 in.
Length
2,465 mm / 97.0 in.
Width
1,005 mm / 39.6 in.
Fuel Capacity
20.00 litres / 5.28 gallons
Wet Weight
282.0 kg / 621.7 lbs
Bore x Stroke (in,)
3.5 x 2.9 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm)
88.0 x 74.2 mm
Displacement (cc)
903.00 cc
Displacement (ci)
55.10 cubic inches
Engine Type
V2, four-stroke
Fuel Control
SOHC
Fuel System
Injection
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Engine Lubrication
Forced Lubrication, wet sump
Ignition
Digital
Starter
Electric
Clutch
Wet multi-disc, manual
Final Drive
Belt
Gearbox
2-speed
Primary Drive
Selectable four-wheel drive with Variable Front Differential Control, shaft
Frame Type
Double-cradle, steel
Suspension - Front
41 mm telescopic fork with 7-way preload
Suspension - Rear
Uni-Trak
Rake
30.0°
Trail
169 mm / 6.7 in.
Instrumentation
Speedometer, odometer, clock, fuel gauge and coolant temp light
Lighting system
30W x 2 halogen
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
11.8 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
300 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
10.6 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
270 mm
Brakes - Front
Single disc. Twin-piston
Brakes - Rear
Single disc. Twin-piston
Tyres - Front
130/90-16
Tyres - Rear
180/70-15
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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