Kawasaki Dealer's Show Report - Oct. 4-7, 2010

[trip]

First, let me apologize about this report being so late. I honestly planned on getting this done last weekend, but things have been hectic at home and work, so it didn't get done till now.

I had a fabulous time in Las Vegas... and did it without any gambling (if you can believe).

I flew to LV by way of American Airlines on Monday, Oct. 4th. Kawasaki was gracious enough to plan a flight from Tyler to Dallas, then from Dallas to LV to keep me from having to drive to Dallas. Very nice of them. I left Tyler around 1:40pm and arrived in LV about 6:30pm. Checked into the Hilton hotel and got some dinner.

My accommodations at the Hilton were great. Kawasaki supplied breakfast and lunch everyday at the show. I stuffed myself so much, I couldn't really eat anything for dinner each night.

Tuesday, October 5th, was the big day and at 10:00am, Kawasaki unveiled their new 2011 product lineup to the dealers and the world. I was impressed with their multi-media show.

I took pics of parts of the show, but took video of the actual unveiling of the new Vaquero.

After the unveiling, we all walked over to the LV convention center to get a first hand look at all of the products. Be sure and check out the pics I have below of the Vaquero at the show.

On Wednesday, the show was much of the same, but I was able to meet and talk with a few people in the Marketing department of Kawasaki and plan some things for our National Rally for next year. More on that later.

Tuesday night, Brian Gibson with the ROK took all of the Affiliate Leaders out to dinner at the Bilagio. Had a good time and got to meet all of the Affiliate leaders for such groups as the Voyager, Concours and got to meet the reps from the VROC and Delphi.

Thursday..... well, it was time to fly home. Left LV at about 9:00am and got back into Tyler, Texas about 5:30pm.

In conclusion, I want to thank Kawasaki for inviting me to the show and for accomodating me the way they did. They are excellent hosts.

- Trip

Video of Vaquero Introduction at Dealer's Show:
(Be sure to watch it to the end where they mention KawaNOW)

[flash=350,287:tht6papx]http://www.youtube.com/v/htTZwQ7ylOo&hl=en&fs=1[/flash:tht6papx]
</td><td valign="top">
<iframe src="http://images.proboards.com/300x250.html" width="300" height="250" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
</td></tr></table>

Pics from the Dealer's Show:
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow007.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow008.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow009.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow010.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow011.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow012.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow013.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow014.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow015.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow016.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow017.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow018.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow019.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/kawashow020.jpg

Vaquero media package pics:
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq001.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq002.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq003.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq004.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq005.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq006.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq007.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq008.jpg
http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq009.jpg

[medicaldawg]

dude that flat white is awsome

[nightmare]

Awesome pics Trip! I sure like the Vaquero. Not really to sure about the wild colors on some of the other bikes though

[jesse]

Wow, I didn't know Victor had ordered a Voyager? http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif In custom colors too! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Ha Ha Ha!

[schoeney]

Interesting. Did MawKaw indicate if the "old" bags will be on next years Voyager and Nomad?

[jandreu]

Trip, thanks...what the hell is with those colors? Almost looks like they were highlighting the "NEW" parts. I like the flat white also. The "V" looks much better in Red. The all black detail is getting a little tired looking.

[audiogooroo]

Cool! Thanks for the report and pics Trip.
I have stayed at the LV Hilton many times while exhibiting at the convention center. I have always had a great experience there.

[paul]

Love that flat white with the accents. If they'd done it in green, they'd of had me. Will the old bags be available on the 2012 and/or later voyager? Thanks Trip.

[petenomad]

Trip, sounds like you were booked solid out there, would have been hard to find time to gamble. Glad you had a good time - too bad the big news leaked out before the "announcement" but that seems to be the way things go now days.

[trip]

To answer some questions.....

The flat white or gray and orange and yellow are part of the new SVO program at Kawasaki. SVO stands for Special Vehicle Operations. It's much like the SVO program Harley has. You can order special paint jobs and accessories through it.

And, Kawasaki never indicated to me if they were ever going back to the old style hard bags on the Nomad or Voyager. If they ever do.... it may take a while.

[Top Cat]

Well I hate to nit pic Trip but the bags seem to be one of the main concerns of the members here. It seems it would have entered your mind to ask as long as you had the attention of the marketing department. ;)

[billmac]

It is great to see Kawasaki interacting with us. Thanks to Trip for representing us and sharing the info.

I like the look of the new bike, in black, of course. Although the seat looks harder than my stock Nomad. :)

[cajun2wheels]

Great report.Makes me want to go spend some money.

[VulcanE]

Great report.Makes me want to go spend some money.

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Idaho]

Hey Trip,

I have been waiting for you to post this. Sure was hoping for more info on the 2011 Nomads. Are they planning to undo any of the things they did, like saddlebags and shorter frame? I like the larger engine, six speed tranny and cruise but the ergonomics just won't work for my size. Very dissappointing.

Again, thanks for posting.

Bud

[cactusjack]

I can tell you if the Vaquero didn't have the side-opening bags, I wouldn't be considering getting one.

Trip,

Sounds like they showed you a real good time in Vegas. I don't know if everyone here gets it, but it's a huge deal to have an official affiliation with the manufacturer. Congrats to you for what you've built here.

[Netnorske]

Awesome Trip! Glad you had a good time and thanks for the report...I was wondering when you were going to get around to it... ;)! That Vaquero would look great with a few more accessories....aux lights, trunk...etc!

[fish]

I'm sure that was an opportunity of a life time.

[Kawhead]

I can tell you if the Vaquero didn't have the side-opening bags, I wouldn't be considering getting one.

Trip,

Sounds like they showed you a real good time in Vegas. I don't know if everyone here gets it, but it's a huge deal to have an official affiliation with the manufacturer. Congrats to you for what you've built here. Like CJ said, I'm thrilled with the fact Kawasaki recognized Kawanow and invited "you/us" to the show. Thanks for the photos and I'm glad you had this opportunity and you enjoyed yourself at the same time.

[jestephens]

I'm excited !!! I had all but convinced myself my next bike would be the Victory CrossCountry. http://s2.images.proboards.com/lipsrsealed.gif

Now I'll never have to leave you guys!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

And you'll never get rid of me!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif

[trip]

TC,
Sometimes drilling things home with the manufacturer doesn't really get the point across. First of all, everyone that is employed with Kawasaki that was at the dealers meeting had no idea what lies in store for the future of Kawasaki. The people making decisions on bag style and the like are back in Japan. Why bother them with it?

Kawasaki made a decision in 2009 to go to the top-open bags, which most users don't like. But, it's going to take a while for them to admit it and convert back, IF they ever do. They're not going to admit they made a mistake with the consumer... at least not right away. The fact that they went back to the side-open bags on the Vaquero is saying that they might admit they made a mistake.

But don't expect me to argue the point at a Dealer's show. It's a moot point with them.

To answer some other questions.....

As far as accessories for the Vaquero.... one can get just about anything for the Vaq..... trunk, removable sissy bar, front riding lights (like what's on the Voyager)... the skies the limit.

[GIBBY]

Congratulations Trip on Kawasaki recognizing your contribution to the success of the Kawasaki Nomad. I am certain that many people (including myself) have purchased Nomads after having found Kawanow during our research. Be proud of what you have achieved here.

[Griz]

Thanks for the great report Trip, I've been waiting for your post on the Las Vegas visit. I'm glad Kawasaki treated you so well and are recognizing your contributions. I really like the looks of the Vaquero and have my fingers crossed that bags will migrate to the Nomad and Voyager.

[cnc]

Thanks for the report and pics. It is especially nice that Kawasaki found it fitting to include present Nomad owners, through Kawanow, in it's unveiling to dealers of the 2011 models. I imagine that they see this forum and maybe some others as a important player in the consumer end of things.
I believe only good things can come of this in the future.
Well done Trip

[chainsaw]

Nothing mentioned about pricing?

[Kawhead]

Nothing mentioned about pricing?How much you got? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[rayski271]

dealer by me says 16,400

[Jared]

Nice report, Trip!

I love how involved Kawi has been recently with KawaNOW and it's customers.

[coacha]

Thanks for the report boss man.

[skimo]

Interesting. Did MawKaw indicate if the "old" bags will be on next years Voyager and Nomad?

This quote is from the overview of the Vaquero on the MawKaw web site. So I think the answer is no.

"Lockable side-loading hard bags set the Vaquero apart from its Vulcan 1700 brethren."

Congrats to you Trip and Thanks. I, would like to have one of each.

[Loafer]

Congrats to you Trip and Thanks. I, would like to have one of each.

One of each? I heard we could pick the ONE we wanted. I'm not sure what Trip did in Vegas, but it sure will be fun for all of us to ride our brand new bikes home from the National next year. Thanks Trip!!! ;)

[voyager]

Okay Trip, now you can tell us about what else happened in Vegas..............

[audiogooroo]

Okay Trip, now you can tell us about what else happened in Vegas..............
Ah, but remember...what happens in Vegas...ends up on FaceBook! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[qvcjim]

Thanks for the report and the diplomatic way you handle things. This is a great site and I appreciate it........

[Cajunrider]

Great report and pics. KawaNOW is $hittin in high cotton now. Thanks Trip.

[audiogooroo]

Great report and pics. KawaNOW is $hittin in high cotton now. Thanks Trip.
Perfect! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
Thanks for that expression there Beaudreux! ;)

[Cajunrider]

Great report and pics. KawaNOW is $hittin in high cotton now. Thanks Trip.
Perfect! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
Thanks for that expression there Beaudreux! ;)

Derien Daryl. = You're welcome Daryl in Boudreaux's tounge. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[elvis]

Trip, thanks for the report all of us have been waiting for.

And like other members have said, you have been instrumental to the success of Nomad and Kawasaki's acknowledgment is a proof of that.

How are you planning on including the Vaquero on KawaNOW?

And that top view of the Vaquero is really hot, smoking hot. I need to see this baby in person.

http://www.kawanow.org/vaquero/vaq004.jpg

Cheers,

Elvis

[1badbagger]

Thanks for the report Trip. Glad you had a good time. I certainly hope the new SVO team takes a look at Nomads that are already customized and uses that as a starting point. Those flat white with the Bozo the Clown colors are ridiculous. Tell me they were just highlighting the available accessories.

Other than that - Kawasaki seems to be headed down the right road.

[unwind2]

I can tell you if the Vaquero didn't have the side-opening bags, I wouldn't be considering getting one.

Trip,

Sounds like they showed you a real good time in Vegas. I don't know if everyone here gets it, but it's a huge deal to have an official affiliation with the manufacturer. Congrats to you for what you've built here.

What he said.

[phenrichs]

Ok so from the video it sounds like they may come out and demo one at the national rally? Or a similar event?

[trip]

Yep, they sure will OP. I'll be setting up a demo truck with a Vaq, Nomad and possibly a Voyager at the National.

[phenrichs]

They better bring a truck load of em with some trade-in paperwork folks. I think that is gonna be a hot seller.

[usranger74]

Trip - Txs for taking the time to rep KawaNow and its members.

But I must be the odd man out. I did not like the looks of any of those bikes http://s2.images.proboards.com/angry.gif:(" title=">:(" border="0"/>. Just me, but I don't think any of them look as good as a 2005-2008 Nomad.

[pronghorn]

Great Job Trip Thanks for taking your time to represent us. Always love looking and riding new bikes. I also like the 05-08 Nomads best so I just keep e-mailing MAKAWA and telling them to adjust their thinking. If all of us who prefer the the side bags etc. keep contacting Kawasaki with our preferences, it will help to enlighten them.

[unwind2]

Great Job Trip Thanks for taking your time to represent us. Always love looking and riding new bikes. I also like the 05-08 Nomads best so I just keep e-mailing MAKAWA and telling them to adjust their thinking. If all of us who prefer the the side bags etc. keep contacting Kawasaki with our preferences, it will help to enlighten them.

Hi Prog....just wondering when you email them about the side opening bag preference (which I love looks, like side opening better) do they respond at all and if so is it just a standard kind of response...ie 'thank you for contacting etc' or do they give a more personable response?
BTW - 05 Blue/Silver - nice bike ;)