The Largest V-Twin Engine Ever Featured On A Production Motorcycle 

Summary

• V-twin engines offer soulful character and low-end power in cruiser motorcycles.
• Kawasaki’s VN2000, with its massive four-inch piston, provides exceptional low-end torque and impressive performance despite its age.
• While inspired by Harley-Davidson, the Vulcan 2000 stands out as a comfortable cruiser with a design that has left a lasting impact on the segment.

Say what you will about the downsides of V-twin engines, but they have a soul that’s lacking in other engine configurations. Plus, their construction allows for incredible low-end grunts, a linear power delivery, and a soulful exhaust note. This engine type has become a staple for cruisers; without a V-twin, bikes don’t feel cruiser-y enough, honestly. And generally, one would think there’s no displacement for replacement when it comes to V-twins (at least until the current decade).

In this stride for making the best V-twin cruisers, manufacturers have gone overboard with the displacement. So much so that a near-1000cc cruiser is often considered a middleweight. Some manufacturers have gone as far as making some of the largest displacement engines for their cruisers, and the leader in this aspect is a Japanese giant. Yes, not Harley-Davidson or Indian Motorcycles! We’re talking about the Kawasaki Vulcan 200, which has the largest V-twin production engine.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Kawasaki and other authoritative sources, including Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Cruiser, Auto Evolution, and Cycle World.

The Gentle Giant’s Massive V-Twin Engine

Torque Output: 141 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM

The Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 or VN2000 features the largest ever V-twin engine on a production motorcycle. Kawasaki’s objective with this bike was to produce maximum performance without making the engine high-strung. As a result, the VN2000 set a benchmark that’s still unsurpassed in terms of displacement. Yes, some newer smaller V-twins have overtaken it in terms of real-world performance, but hey, this is two decades old.

So, what’s all the fuss about? For starters, a massive four-inch piston displaces more cubic capacity than the four pistons of the Ninja ZX-10R combined. After all, this is the world’s largest production V-twin engine ever we’re talking about! Designed to deliver seamless performance, the engine packs so much low-end torque that it propels you the moment you let off the clutch.

Don’t get us wrong, the Vulcan 2000 is by no means intimidating. Despite some calling it a power cruiser, the bike is anything but that. The V-twin engine is unbothered, producing thudding power pulses that make the hefty bike feel light. Despite the under-stressed character, the bike holds at 70 MPH at 2,500 MPH. This one isn’t designed to be the quickest off the line, but the most comfortable on the long slab.

Engine Highlights

• Single-pin crankshaft with a 52-degree V-twin configuration for the signature rumble
• Four valves per cylinder with pushrod operation and semi-dry-sump lubrication to keep the engine height low
• Fuel injection with a pair of 46 mm throttle bores
• Dual counter-balancers and rubber engine mounts to keep the vibes in check
• Hyvo primary drive chain transfers the power from the engine to the 5-speed transmission
• Wide belt final drive, which is facilitated by a third shaft beyond the gearbox
• Top portion is liquid-cooled, but the bottom is air-cooled with fins, giving the engine a tapered shape

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Auto Evolution and Motorcycle News)

Looks The Part, Rides Better Than You’d Expect

Weight: 750 LBS

When it comes to cruiser motorcycles, the mindset must be relaxed. That’s exactly what the VN2000 accentuates with its real-world performance and design. It’s a quintessential cruiser, with its torque-rich V-twin, plenty of chrome, and a low, long flyline. But you wouldn’t want to rush it at all. The suspension is soft, the ground clearance is almost nonexistent, and the handling is predictable but slow. You might say it feels at home when you’re cruising along with a gentle throttle (even if you’re riding at 80 MPH on the freeways!)

But there’s no denying where the Vulcan 2000 draws its inspiration from. Hint: it’s Harley-Davidson. Kawasaki may make claims about consumer testing, but one look at this motorcycle confirms it’s clearly designed to look like a Harley. Yes, this one gets a twin-cam, pushrod valve actuation, belt final drive, and separate-looking engine and transmission cases, just like its American nemesis. Also, there’s plenty of chrome and bulk to the design. Replace the Kawasaki logos with HD ones and no one would bat an eye.

Fortunately, this is a terrific metric imitation of American metal. The design of the bike works, and it performs much better than you’d expect. It’s hard not to fall in love with this motorcycle. Remember, this bike came out when metric cruisers were trying to outpace American cruisers. What better way to do that than to use the same template but perfect the imperfections?

Motorcycle Specifications

(Specs sourced from Auto Evolution)

The American V-Twin That Is Inches Away, Literally

Torque Output: 135 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM (CVO Road Glide)

The Vulcan’s V-twin engine may be the largest, but there’s one American engine that’s way too close for its comfort. We’re talking about the new Harley-Davidson Milwaukee Eight 121. Sure, the Milwaukee Eight moniker has been around since 2016 with several versions, including the 107, 114, and 117 ci versions. Some crate versions of the engine have even gone as high as 131 ci. But the 121 remains the largest production V-twin of 2024, present in Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide and Street Glide.

Compared to the Milwaukee Eight 117, the 121 produces 9.5 percent more horsepower and 8 percent more torque. Plus, with variable valve timing and high compression compared, this engine performs like a beast. It’s unbothered when you want it, but it unleashes torque when needed. Existing Harley fans will be impressed by the engine, but this one has the power to convert even sporty riders! The only thing that would act as a barrier is brand prejudice.

Engine Highlights

• First Milwaukee Eight engine to get variable valve timing
• VVT advances camshaft timing by 40 degrees and retards it by 20 degrees
• Higher compression at 11.4:1 over 117’s 10.2:1
• Power is delivered via a six-speed Cruise Drive transmission
• Improved cooling system with tweaks to the exhaust valves, new coolant channels, and a thermostatically controlled fan
• Wider throttle bodies from 55 mm (on 117) to 58 mm, which now sit closer to the intake valves
• Aluminum manifold intakes increase mass flow by 7.5 percent compared to 117
• Heavy Breather on previous CVO Glides is replaced with a new lighter airbox that reduces intake sound

Performance Specifications (2024 CVO Road Glide)

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson)

Kawasaki’s Battle for Big Bait That Failed

The Kawasaki Vulcan 2000’s production didn’t last long. It was in production for six years, and it was soon replaced by smaller Vulcans, including the 900 and 1700 models. Despite its short production run, the VN2000 has left a mark in the cruiser segment that still lasts. It secured Kawasaki’s dominance in the segment and cemented the bike’s reputation for having one of the largest engines ever produced, second only to the Triumph Rocket 3’s inline triple.

Why have Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles still not dethroned this old metric cruiser? When it was introduced, the VN2000 was touted as the start of the Battle for Big — think speed wars but for cruisers. Kawasaki even noted that the engine had more room to play with, and could reach a displacement of 2,100cc. Unfortunately, no manufacturer took the bait. Modern Harley-Davidson engines, while smaller, perform much better. The biggest V-twin engine ever produced, in many ways, shows that there is always a replacement for displacement.