Voyager is a sled

[dank]

My gosh, take a look at the data on this site. The Voyager is a sled.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/122_0909_harley_davidson_vs_kawasaki/kawasaki_tech_specifications.html

I think top gear roll-ons are a meaningless comparison in the era of overdrive. A good top gear on a bike like this is for low rpms and high mpgs, not acceleration. Even so, 60-80 in 10.6 seconds says the bike lacks power. (The Harley is even worse.) My Buick Park Avenue get 32 mpg on the freeway and will easily beat 10.6 seconds from 60-80. AND look at the quarter mile time! 14.7 seconds at 86 mph for a 1700 cc bike. The thing is a dog. Hardly faster than a V-star 650, which is so slow it isn't very competent entering freeways. (My son had one.)

I'm good with BD's new ride slow philosophy, but I do like to have the ability to scoot when I'm in the mood for more speed. This bike with the new motor should have been engineered to be down in the low 13's, not high 14's. With 65 hp and that big screen, I bet it has trouble even making 100 mph (actual, not on its speedometer) downhill with the wind.

I'm truly disappointed in Kawasaki. I had figured to give them a couple years to work the bugs out and it might be my next ride.

[dogdoc]

I've even heard of kawa dealers saying if you ride an older 1500 or 1600 Nomad you won't probably like the newer kawas.

[emu]

I've even heard of kawa dealers saying if you ride an older 1500 or 1600 Nomad you won't probably like the newer kawas.

True ... I test rode the Nomad and Voyager at Americade back in June ... Really got to abuse the machines. The Nomad is not a Nomad to me. It just came in short of being comfortable like a real Nomad. But the Voyager setup was just off from the Nomad to be good. I found it "Nomad" comfortable. The dyno charts can say what they want ... Who cares ... The real test is in the wind and my assometer says the 1700 bikes move pretty darn good. A heck of a lot faster than the old Nomads and any Harley of comparable styling and size. At Americade you get interstate riding as well as back road twisties. I got to push the bikes on both. The Voyager I really enjoyed ... Threw her around in the twisties sling shoting within the demo to see how she would really handle. I was not disappointed.

[trosco]

10% more HP and 15% more torque than the 1600 Nomad when mixed with 12% more weight yeilds similar performance between the two bikes. Wheather you buy a 1600 or a 1700 Nomad you are NOT buying a performance bike.
The new nads benefit in MPG area from the new 6 speed trans. That's good! I'm not buying one because there's not enough gain to make me want to replace the 07 but that doesn't mean evryone should not buy it!

[Top Cat]

Here's the thing, if you want to pass someone who is doing 60 mph DOWNSHIFT, problem solved. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[heath3n]

After testriding both an '08 and an '09...I've found the '09 is a lot better fit for me. I don't have to "reach" for anything. I'm 5'7" btw. I could see where taller people may feel cramped on an '09.

(haha.. whoops..I'm talking about the Nomad of course...not the Voyager. :))

[sarge1057]

TC your up way to late at night.

[dank]

Here's the thing, if you want to pass someone who is doing 60 mph DOWNSHIFT, problem solved. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Obviously that is true, but, look at the 1/4 mile time (14.7 sec) and end speed (86 mph). Even downshifting won't produce dramatic acceleration.

I know these aren't sport bikes, but I had hoped that with the increased engine size and all their talk about power, that Kawasaki would gear it and increase the HP to give it a bit more punch. A 13.5 1/4 mile would have been nice for what it would mean in available acceleration in the 60 - 90 mph range. I'm guessing that with it's torque curve it can come out of a stop sign nicely, but they needed to follow that up with power to perform in the 60- 90 range. There are a lot of reports of mid-30's mpgs too. I'm a bit disappointed.

[fish]

I tested the voyager riding 2-up, I liked it on back country roads up to 55 mph, handled good, didn't seem heavy, fit good I'm 5'10". Although I didn't get it on the freeway, but I wanted to. I'm no speed demon but with the gearing you could just dump it down a gear or two at just about any speed. and be on your merry way.

[dogdoc]

YES TC way past 10:00pm LOL

[fish]

But he doesn't have to get up in the morning, except for making CC breakfast ;)

[Top Cat]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
Sarge, I'm usually up until around 1 am on nights Cindy works. Then I usually get up around 9 am when Cindy gets home from work.
Doc, I'm just getting my second wind at 10 pm.
Fish, Cindy works night shift, she eats breakfast at 3 or 4 in the afternoon. I am retired. Pretty much do what I want when I want.
As long as Cindy says it is OK ;)

[cdneh]

Doc must feel threatened by the change in the new Nomad as usually his posts are not complimentary to the newer model. For what it is worth, the two dealers I spoke to before buying said that the previous models tended to 'fall' into turns and the 09s handle much better. To me it is a moot point, as we all ride what we like. As for power I have never even looked at stats on 1/4 mile times etc. What I do consider is whether I can turn on the gas and pass a vehicle at highway speeds, and for this the 1700 works just fine.

[jamiep24]

That does sound awful slow. I know my Nomad can get from 60-80 pretty damn quick.

[mrclean]

My 07 Nomad was a dog compared to my Voyager. If you want response from 60-80mph leave it in 5th gear.

[ells]

I test rode a 1700 and it was no dog compared to my 1600. Specs don't tell the entire story.

[cactusjack]

I test rode a 1700 Nomad and it had plenty of get up and go. It seemed "snappier" than my 1600.

[billz410]

Dank- Why don't you just go ride your new smooth, V-4 powered, aerodynamically superior, more comfortable ST1300 and leave the rest of us to our problems???? :) lol

It's certainly true it would be disappointing to spend the big bucks on something that is supposed to be 'new and improved' and then be disappointed. But I've been disappointed before, so I'm not worried. ???

There's little point in doing roll-on acceleration tests in 6th gear on any V-Twin that I know of; maybe even 5th gear. The HD's are hardly comfortable in 6th gear below 65 MPH. Not sure how the new 1700's are geared, but I would guess something similar.

It can be difficult to find one bike that does everything you want it do given what particular mood you are in at the moment.

When I was on my trip I enjoyed the chug-chug cadence of the V-Twin in the morning; by the end of the day I wanted every refinement available on the finest of touring bikes. On the hills I wanted 150 HP, on the flats I wanted a Ninja. And a Nomad ain't no Ninja! http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif

I'm sure with the Caddman mod and a TFI that 1700 would open right up. ;)

[dogdoc]

cdneh: I was only quoting what a friend had told me a dealer told him on this post. And your right Im not big on the newer models compared to my 1600 but I guess thats my opinion now. :-)

[Idaho]

The way I see it, a big cruiser that is part "sled" is a good thing. Fewer speeding tickets.

That said, I think that it is all relative as others have said. If you want a big cruiser that is a rocket go get a Suzi 109 and be happy.

[emu]

If you want a big cruiser that is a rocket go get a Suzi 109 and be happy.

Suzuki 109 ... That little thing ... If you want a rocket cruiser ... get a Rocket 3 ... be Triumphant ... LOL

The article was by Jamie Elvidge ... I learned more about her failed marriage from that article than any motorcycle information. I mean what a three way ride comparison ... Harley, Voyager, Jamie ... :)

[dank]

Dank- Why don't you just go ride your new smooth, V-4 powered, aerodynamically superior, more comfortable ST1300 and leave the rest of us to our problems???? :) lol)

That's what I've been doing: 4000 miles in the past month. Oddly, you missed the feature I like best: 300+ mile fule range. Never occured to me it would be my favorite.

But doesn't mean I'm not thinking about opions for my next bike a couple years from now!

[billz410]

I hear you loud and clear, brother.