2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom Specifications

Name: 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom
Brand: Kawasaki

Custom / cruiser • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom Overview

Kawasaki VN900 Custom 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 2009 VN900 Custom tips the scales at 278 kg, carries a 20.06-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 686 mm and spans a 1,646 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 22.6 kg lighter than the average custom / cruiser motorcycle in our database. The full 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2009 VN900 Custom - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
Accessible seat height: A 686 mm seat height keeps this manageable for most riders, which helps confidence at parking-lot speeds.
Large fuel range: A 20.06-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
Low-maintenance final drive: Running Belt final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.

Considerations

Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the VN900 Custom - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

The fuel injection on the VN900 Custom 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 Custom 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 - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The VN900 Custom's suspension runs 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork at the front. The rear uses Uni-Track swingarm, seven-way adjustable spring preload. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The VN900 Custom runs belt final drive: no lubrication or frequent adjustment like a chain, though belt tension and wear are worth a periodic look.

Handling the weight at a standstill

278 kg puts the VN900 Custom 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 Custom - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom, 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 Custom should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects a VN900 Custom'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 Custom 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 Custom 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.

2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom have?

The 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom uses a V2, four-stroke engine with 903 cc of displacement.

How much does the 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom weigh?

The 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom weighs 278 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.

How much power does the 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom make?

The 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom produces 78 Nm @ 3700 of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom?

The 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom has a 20.06-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 334-401 km between stops.

Is the 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom suitable for shorter riders?

The 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom has a seat height of 686 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.

What brakes does the 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom have?

The 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom uses Single disc at the front and Single disc at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom use?

The 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom runs 80/90-21 front and 180/70-15 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

Kawasaki VN900 Custom Spec Evolution

The Kawasaki VN900 Custom 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
Wet Weight	-	282.0 kg / 621.7 lbs	278.0 kg / 612.9 lbs	278.0 kg / 612.9 lbs	278.0 kg / 612.9 lbs	278.0 kg / 612.9 lbs
Seat Height	686 mm / 27.0 in.	686 mm / 27.0 in.	685 mm / 27.0 in.	685 mm / 27.0 in.	680 mm / 26.8 in.	685 mm / 27.0 in.
Fuel Capacity	20.06 litres / 5.30 gallons	20.06 litres / 5.30 gallons	20.00 litres / 5.28 gallons	20.00 litres / 5.28 gallons	20.00 litres / 5.28 gallons	20.00 litres / 5.28 gallons
Ground Clearance (in.)	-	-	9.3 inches	9.3 inches	5.3 inches	5.5 inches
Ground Clearance (mm)	-	-	236 mm	236 mm	135 mm	140 mm
Wheelbase	1,646 mm / 64.8 in.	1,646 mm / 64.8 in.	1,645 mm / 64.8 in.	1,645 mm / 64.8 in.	1,645 mm / 64.8 in.	1,645 mm / 64.8 in.
Brakes - Front	Single disc	Single disc	Single disc	Single disc	Single disc. Twin-piston	Single disc
Brakes - Rear	Single disc	Single disc	Single disc	Single disc	Single disc. Twin-piston	Single disc

Key Specifications

Engine

V2, four-stroke

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

278 kg / 612.9 lbs

Fuel Capacity

20.06 litres / 5.30 gallons

Full 2009 Kawasaki VN900 Custom Specifications

Colours Black

Seat Height 686 mm / 27.0 in.

Wheelbase 1,646 mm / 64.8 in.

Height 1,120 mm / 44.1 in.

Length 2,405 mm / 94.7 in.

Width 894 mm / 35.2 in.

Dry Weight 278 kg / 612.9 lbs

Fuel Capacity 20.06 litres / 5.30 gallons

Max Torque 78.00 Nm (8.0 kgf-m or 57.5 ft.lbs) @ 3700

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

Ignition TCBI with Electronic Advance

Starter Electric

Valve System 4

Final Drive Belt

Gearbox 5-speed

Suspension - Front 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork / 5.9 in.

Suspension - Rear Uni-Track swingarm, seven-way adjustable spring preload / 4.1 in.

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

Brakes - Rear Single disc

Tyres - Front 80/90-21

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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