MyMoto Comparison
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Kawasaki Vulcan S: Which Should You Buy?
These are the two mid-size cruisers value-minded riders cross-shop most: both around 650cc twins, both within a few hundred dollars of $7,800 for 2026, but with completely different souls. The Super Meteor 650 is the classic-retro pick; the Vulcan S is the modern, more powerful, more adjustable one. With the price gap essentially closed, this is a pure choice between character on one side and performance with fit flexibility on the other. Here is the honest breakdown.
Photo: iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The classic retro cruiser. Genuine timeless looks, a relaxed and characterful 648cc twin, and Bluetooth turn-by-turn navigation. It has the most old-school cruiser soul of the two, but it is also the heaviest and tallest-seated here. The pick if style and character matter most.
Photo: Addvisor, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The modern, versatile cruiser. More power, lighter weight, a lower seat, and Kawasaki's adjustable Ergo-Fit setup that tailors the seat, pegs, and bars to your body. It trades some classic character for performance and everyday flexibility, and for 2026 it is actually the slightly cheaper bike. The pick if power, fit, and highway ease matter most.
Specs head to head
| Super Meteor 650 | Vulcan S | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 648cc parallel twin | 649cc parallel twin |
| Power | ~47 hp | ~61 hp |
| Wet weight | ~241 kg | ~226 kg (lighter) |
| Seat height | 740 mm | 706 mm (lower) |
| Ergonomics | Fixed, classic cruiser | Adjustable Ergo-Fit |
| Price (new) | ~$7,899 | ~$7,649 |
| Character | Classic retro, most soul | Modern, sporty-practical |
| Tech | ABS, Bluetooth nav | ABS |
| Best for | Retro style and character | Power, fit, versatility |
Figures are catalog approximations and vary by model year and market; always verify the exact spec and price for your region.
Where the Super Meteor 650 wins
Character. The Super Meteor looks and feels like a proper classic cruiser, with a relaxed, easygoing twin and styling that turns heads, and it adds Royal Enfield's Bluetooth Tripper navigation. If you want that timeless, laid-back cruiser soul, this is the one that stirs something. Just know you are trading away some power, carrying the most weight of the two, and, at 2026 prices, no longer saving money by choosing it.
Where the Vulcan S wins
Performance, fit, and versatility. The Vulcan S makes about 14hp more, is around 15kg lighter, and has a lower seat, so it is easier to manage and more comfortable holding highway speed. Its Ergo-Fit system, with reduced, mid, and extended seat, peg, and bar setups, means you can tune the riding position to your body rather than accepting one fixed layout, which is a real advantage for shorter, taller, or fit-sensitive riders. If you want the more capable, more adaptable everyday cruiser, it has the edge.
Which should you buy?
Buy the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 if classic retro style and character are the whole point and you are happy with relaxed, easygoing power. It has the most soul here, as long as the taller seat and heavier weight suit you.
Buy the Kawasaki Vulcan S if you want more power and highway ease, a lighter bike with a lower seat, and the ability to dial the ergonomics to your body. It is the more versatile and more beginner-forgiving of the two. Whichever you lean toward, both are heavier than a small starter cruiser, so sit on each and paddle it around before you decide.
Still not sure which fits you?
The right call depends on your height and inseam, your experience, how much highway you will ride, and whether you value classic character or modern versatility. Tell the MyMoto advisor about yourself in your own words - it weighs all of that, including the regret risks most comparisons skip, asks only what matters, and builds your free personal report in a few minutes of chat.
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MyMoto is an early beta. Always verify current specs, pricing, A2 options, insurance, and local availability before buying any motorcycle. Figures are sourced from our catalog and may vary by model year and market.
See all the best beginner cruisers →
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Shorter rider? Read the short-rider guide →
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