The Kawasaki Vulcan S LAMS (2026) is a cruiser with 35 kW and a wet weight of 226 kg. That’s 155 kW per tonne, in the light tier. LAMS twins, dual-sports and maxi-scooters. Enough go that tyre quality shows in the wet.
155kW/t
LAMS approved. This variant is on the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme list, so learners and provisional riders can ride it. Check your exact model year on the list before you buy. LAMS rules
For a mild, wet climate, ridden solo.
Commuting
Cruisers are heavy, long and torquey. A cruiser tyre's strong carcass, high load rating and long-wearing compound suit them better than sport rubber.
Touring & long trips
Cruisers are heavy, long and torquey. A cruiser tyre's strong carcass, high load rating and long-wearing compound suit them better than sport rubber.
Your owner’s manual, or the tyre sticker on the swingarm or chain guard, is the authority on sizes, load index and speed rating.
Cruiser & V-twin: character
Fit a matched pair
Run the same make and model front and rear. Tyres are designed as a pair, and mixing them changes how the bike steers and where it lets go. Rears usually wear out first; if you replace only the rear, match the front's model.
Scrub new tyres in
New tyres are slippery until the release agent wears off. Take the first 100–150 km gently, building lean angle gradually, and be extra careful in the wet and on painted lines.
Check pressures weekly, cold
Bike tyres lose air faster than car tyres and pressure changes the handling more. Check them cold, before you ride, against your owner's manual or the swingarm sticker, and add the pillion figure when two-up.
Replace by age as well as tread
Rubber hardens with age even when there's tread left. Check the DOT date code and replace tyres older than about five years, sooner if they're cracked.
155 kW per tonne (208 hp per tonne), from 35 kW and a 226 kg wet weight. With a 75 kg rider aboard it's 116 kW/t. That puts it in ratio's Light tier for motorbikes.
120/70 R18 front and 160/60 R17 rear as standard. Check your owner's manual or the tyre sticker on the swingarm for your exact bike, including the load index and speed rating, and never fit lower.
For commuting, cruiser & V-twin tyres. Good options include the Michelin Commander III Cruiser, Michelin Commander III Touring, Metzeler Cruisetec. Fit the same model front and rear.
Yes, this variant is on the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme list. Check the exact model year on the official list before you buy.