Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic vs Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero® ABS (2026)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classicstacks up against the Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero® ABS. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic | Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero® ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2017 | 2026 |
| Price | $17,549 | $19,999 |
| Engine | 1690 cc | 1700 cc |
| Horsepower | 78 hp | — |
| Torque | 125 Nm | — |
| Weight | 333 kg | 383 kg |
| Seat height | 27 mm | 729 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 L | 20.0 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 6-speed | Manual, 6 speed, Belt |
| Front brakes | Single disc. ABS. 4-piston. | Dual Hydraulic Disc |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. ABS. 2-piston. | Disc |
| Tires | MT90-B16 / 150/80-B16 | Bridgestone® Exedra: 130/90-B16 67H / Bridgestone® Exedra: 170/70-B16 75H |
Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic vs Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero® ABS — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic and the Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero® ABS usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic brings 78 hp in a 333 kg package, while the Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero® ABS counters with its own power figure at 383 kg. On price, the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic has the lower MSRP.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: