The Luxury Cruiser That Now Costs Less Than A Honda Rebel 500

Cruiser bikes are aplenty today, but to get that top-spec luxury experience, one needs to shell out big bucks. Luxury is defined on a cruiser bike with features like bleeding-edge technology and plush appeal. Notable examples from both extremes include the $15,395 BMW R 18, equipped with boxer twins and evoking old-school vibes, and the mighty $26,295 Triumph Rocket 3 Strom GT, powered by the largest displacement engine ever on a production motorcycle.

So what do budget-minded folks do? Look at the used market of course. Unlike today, cruiser bikes from the early 2000s prioritized engine refinement, riding ergonomics, and comfort to define “luxury.” Our pick for a used cruiser bike that costs less than the beginner-friendly 2025 Honda Rebel 500 is a nearly 20-year-old Kawasaki that boasts high luxury appeal and offers a dramatic package with a big V-twin engine that still remains undisputed in terms of sheer size.

The Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Now Costs Less Than A New Honda Rebel 500

Used Price Range: $4,000 – $6,500

Kawasaki 

Today, the Kawasaki Vulcan line-up consists of the sporty Vulcan S, the classic-vibing Vulcan 900, and the Harley-Davidson-rivaling Vulcan 1700 Series (Vaquero and Voyager) tourers. However, the most iconic of the Vulcan line-up was launched in the 2000s—the Vulcan 2000 Series. It had a short timeline from 2004 to 2010, but the big daddy of the Vulcan Series is still relevant, thanks to its gigantic V-twin engine. Moreover, thanks to depreciation, the cruiser bike with the biggest Kawasaki engine ever made can be yours for dirt cheap.

The Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 (specifically the 2007 MY) ranges from $4,000 to $6,500 in the used marketplace, according to various listings from Autotrader and CycleTrader. Kelley Blue Book has listed the typical trade-in value of this huge Kawa cruiser bike at $3,470, and the typical listing price is $5,045. In both instances, the value is significantly lower than that of a brand-new $6,499 Honda Rebel 500. Despite being close to 20 years old, the Vulcan 2000 outclasses the baby Rebel in sheer size, charisma, old-school charm, and most importantly, an authentic big-twin riding appeal.

Packs The Largest V-twin Ever On A Series-Production Motorcycle

Engine Displacement: 2,053 cc

Kawasaki 

This is why the nearly 20-year-old Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 still makes jaws drop. We now do have a production-spec mill that has surpassed the Kawa with the 131 cu-in (2,153 cc) V-twin on the race-bred Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR. However, it is a limited-run model that prioritizes sheer performance and track appeal over comfort and luxury. Hence, the 20-year-old 2,053 cc liquid-cooled V-twin continues to be an engineering marvel that fuses a one-off big-twin appeal with the utmost refinement levels. The massive V-twin produces 116 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque, in case you’re curious.

Contrary to the intimidating size of this V-twin, the Vulcan 2000 is designed to be a tractable and comfortable mile-muncher. This is evident from the fact that peak power and torque surges at just 4,800 RPM and 3,200 RPM, respectively. Moreover, the torque curve is substantial from the low end, and Kawasaki has incorporated a lot of refinement-focused engine internals to tame this big twin while also giving it a distinctive rumble.

Notable Engine Features

• Semi-dry sump lubrication system
• Forged pistons and alloy connecting rods
• Four valves per cylinder with pushrod operation
• Electronic fuel injection with a pair of 46 mm throttle bodies
• Single-pin crankshaft with a 52-degree V-twin configuration for its signature rumble
• Dual counter-balancers and rubber engine mounts to keep vibrations to a minimum
• Hyvo primary drive chain for smooth transfer of power from the engine to the gearbox
• he cylinder head and top section are liquid-cooled; the rest of the engine is air-cooled.

Engine And Gearbox Specs

Underpinnings Designed To Give It A Planted And Plush Character

Chassis: Double-cradle Frame

Kawasaki 

The gigantic V-twin is held in place by a steel double-cradle with a box-section single-tube backbone. It is suspended using chunky 49 mm telescopic forks up front. The rear gets a monoshock that offers preload and rebound damping adjustability. Braking duties are courtesy of dual 300 mm discs coupled to 4-piston calipers up front. The rear gets a bigger single 320 mm disc coupled to a 2-piston caliper.

This is one of those rare cruiser bikes that has the same wheel size (16-inch) at both ends. The tire sizes differ, though, with the front getting a 150-section rubber and the rear flaunting a chunky 200-section rubber. The quintessential cruiser bike stance is achieved by combining the differences in tire thickness and varying suspension travel (5.9 inches at the front and 3.9 inches at the rear).

Hardware Specs

Ergonomics To Make Mile-Munching A Cozy Affair

Seat Height: 27.2 inches

Kawasaki

Despite its sheer size (almost 100 inches long) and weight (well over 800 pounds), the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 has the makings of a comfortable cruiser bike perfect for laid-back weekend runs. The seat height is low at 27.2 inches, making it an accessible motorcycle for shorter riders. The gorgeous-looking teardrop fuel tank is large enough to hold 5.5 gallons of fuel. For reference, that’s identical to the tank size of the Honda Gold Wing luxury touring bagger. The rider triangle of the Vulcan 2000 is laid-back and relaxed with forward-set footboards, a scooped-out seat, and tall and wide handlebars.

Apart from the standard model, Kawasaki also offers two other trim levels of the Vulcan 2000, with heightened old-school appeal and comfort. The Vulcan 2000 Classic had more chrome and classic-vibing visual elements. A unique feature of the same is a large “bug-eye” 7.3-inch wide headlamp. The most touring-friendly trim is the Vulcan 200 Classic LT that adds a tall windscreen, saddlebags, and other comfort-oriented features to the base cruiser.

Dimensions And Weight

Barebones Technology Gives It A Timeless Appeal

The Rider Has Full Control Of This Big Twin Cruiser Bike

Kawasaki

There is nothing fancy in terms of technology on the Vulcan 2000. The instrument cluster is an old-school digital-analog unit, with a huge analog dial populating the cockpit. A small LCD is located in the lower section, displaying the fuel level, trip meter data, and other vital information. It doesn’t have a tachometer.

The Vulcan 2000 is even devoid of an Anti-lock Braking System. The remaining bunch of its minimal electronics suite is designed to provide a smooth riding experience, with features such as electronic fuel injection, a standalone ECU for enhanced throttle mapping and improved fuel efficiency, and a digital ignition system for precise spark timing and efficient combustion.