Voyager vs Nomad ?

[mnbk]

For those of you that have gone from a 1600 Nomad to a 1700 Voyager, why? I am looking at a new 2011 Voyager and getting rid of my 2008 Nomad. The Voyager has some nice upgrades for me. Questions for you: Do you have any regrets changing? What do you see as the advantages? Are you happy?

TIA

dave....

[Monkeyman]

I can see some of the advantages (although I've never owned a Voyager). CC, fairing, stereo, gauges, trunk, etc. I'd consider a 1600 Nomad to 2011 Voyager swap but only if the price was really good. In my case, it would almost have to be even up as I've got low miles on my '07 and by spring, I'll have everything a Voyager has except CC and trunk (which I don't want anyway) so I wouldn't really be gaining anything.

[jlreeves]

Read up on the heat problems being reported by Voyager owners. Kawasaki put out a heat shield fix but I have friends who tried it and said it didnt fix the problem. It was bad enough for them to sell the bike at a loss. I further understand that they made an engineering change in 2012 but dont know if it fixed it. Apparently the front end fairing and lowers funneled heat directly from jugs to rider. No such problem with the Nomad.

[ringadingh]

From what Ive seen the Voyager is definately a step in the right direction. But I like bikes with all the bells and whistles included.

[Jared]

What is it exactly you are hoping to get from upgrading to the Voyager?

[markclark57]

Sorry, I think you are going backward. If for some reason I had to replace my '06, it wouldn't be with a 1700. I would either find another 1600 or change model, brand, or both. :shrug:

[twowheeladdict]

Since you are getting opinions from guys who have not owned the 1700 I guess I can post my opinion even though I didn't own the 1600 Nomad.

I do own a 1600 Mean Streak after 3 failed attempts to buy a 1600 Nomad due to each bike having vibration issues, so I am familiar with the driveshaft, 5 speed, etc.

I love the 1700 Vulcans. I have two of them. I chose the Voyager after doing extensive test rides on the Goldwing. The Voyager is a superior motorcycle for me and the type of riding I do. Once you experience the 6 speed, cruise control, comfort and ride you'll wonder why you didn't upgrade sooner. Sorry to step on toes here but the 1700 line just handles the curves so much better than the 1600 Nomads I test rode. I am 5'11" and the Nomad was just too stretched out for me. I would have needed to get different handlebars and/or risers to cruise the twisties in comfort.

Yes, the fairing and lowers trap the heat so if most of your riding is stop and go, you'd be better off getting a 250cc scooter. When riding the back roads or the interstate the top of my legs get hotter from the sun than the inside of my legs do from the engine.

Heck, my 1200 Voyager was too hot in the summertime even though it channeled all the engine heat away from you. All touring bikes are hot in the summer time because you are sitting in a pocket of still air.

Some Baker Air Wings, Clearview Vented windshield, and a sheepskin pelt can help.

For me the Voyager is no hotter than my Mean Streak when I am caught in traffic. The only difference is when I start moving I cool down quicker on the mean streak because there is nothing to block the breeze on that bike.

Only you can determine if there is too much heat or not. One of the reasons I picked up the 1700 Nomad was to be able to ride without a windshield during the heat of July and August.

Get out there and do the Kawasaki demo rides. Maybe there is one close enough to you this year. Otherwise, go to Kawasaki's website and find a dealer near you that will have a 2012 demo bike that you can take out.

Good Luck.

[Dave]

I chose the Voyager after doing extensive test rides on the Goldwing.

I'm curious as to why you took the Voyager over a Wing, other than price?

To me the 2012 Goldwing is perfection. Even more so than my Ultra.


Regards,
Dave

[jestephens]

I had an '05 1600 and put 55,000 miles on before trading in for my Vaquero.

The Vaquero shifts louder than the 1600 Nomad, but not louder than many other bikes I used to ride with.

The Vaquero was much hotter when I first got it, but when I gutted the stock mufflers and got rid of the catalytic converters, heat dropped drastically. My opinion is reducing the restriction helped, as well as the heat from the cats themselves.

Regarding GoldWings, I've had old ones (1100 and 1200), and found the leg positions uncomfortable.
Fast! Fast! Fast!, but I wanted a cruiser.
-I had a GL1100 (no fairing or bags) when I was 17. At 50mph, you could drop to 2nd gear and explode to 70 in an instant, then rip through the rest of the gears. My '81 had a speedo that only read to 85 mph, but I calculated from RPM that I once hit 140 mph on the interstate. At that point the handle bars started their wobble, and there wasn't enough left to accelerate through it. - I miss that bike

[bigsid1]

I had a 2011 voyager for 3000 miles and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Problems for me: hot, heavy hard to get off side stand, worst handling bike at highway speeds i ever owned. When i got it i couldn't here the stereo so i bought the 300 dollar rear speakers, still couldn't here the stereo at highway speeds. I traded a 2008 nomad 1600 for it and it was the worst mistake i ever made. Just my opinion since you asked.

[twowheeladdict]

I'm curious as to why you took the Voyager over a Wing, other than price?

To me the 2012 Goldwing is perfection. Even more so than my Ultra.


Regards,
Dave

The ride position just did not work for me. My Voyager 1200 was a better handling bike. I felt like they gave the passenger too much room and rider not enough room. The goldwing did not handle parking lot maneuvers as well as my old voyager or the new voyager. The throttle response was kinda twitchy. I really wanted to like it and was ready to buy. Found a nice all black one with just enough chrome accents.

My wife actually likes the Voyager better as well. She felt the Goldwing was too plastic looking.

[twowheeladdict]

I had a 2011 voyager for 3000 miles and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Problems for me: hot, heavy hard to get off side stand, worst handling bike at highway speeds i ever owned. When i got it i couldn't here the stereo so i bought the 300 dollar rear speakers, still couldn't here the stereo at highway speeds. I traded a 2008 nomad 1600 for it and it was the worst mistake i ever made. Just my opinion since you asked.

I would like to know what your past bikes were if you consider this the worst handling bike at highway speeds. I'd also like to know what you had your rear shock settings at and how much air in the rear shocks as well as air pressure in the tires.

I ask this because I could almost fall asleep on my Voyager at highway speeds.

On another forum there was much discussion about the radio and setting the AVC so today I decided to crank it all the way up. I had on a FF helmet and a neck gaiter and my chest was thumping from the bass music and it was very loud.

Yes, the bike might seem heavy for some (it does weigh 900lbs) and when I am in my twilight years I might have to get something lighter or trike it but we shall see. Right now I just bring the bike off the side stand as a I sit down letting the momentum carry it off the side stand.

[jestephens]

Regarding handling. When I got my '05, I called it the best handling, most comfortable bike I've ever ridden, and it was. But I was just as impressed by the Vaquero and it's nimbleness. It's bigger and heavier than my 1600 was, but I feel like I can throw it into any maneuver comfortably.

I'm 6'1", wear a half-shell helmet and can hear the radio fine (only front speakers on a Vaquero, and a 9" aftermarket windscreen). I did have to adjust the bass/treble ratio from factory settings to make that work though.

[Caddyman]

I had a GL1100 (no fairing or bags) when I was 17. At 50mph, you could drop to 2nd gear and explode to 70 in an instant, then rip through the rest of the gears. My '81 had a speedo that only read to 85 mph, but I calculated from RPM that I once hit 140 mph on the interstate. At that point the handle bars started their wobble, and there wasn't enough left to accelerate through it. - I miss that bike

I'd miss that bike too!

[bigsid1]

I would like to know what your past bikes were if you consider this the worst handling bike at highway speeds. I'd also like to know what you had your rear shock settings at and how much air in the rear shocks as well as air pressure in the tires.

I ask this because I could almost fall asleep on my Voyager at highway speeds.

On another forum there was much discussion about the radio and setting the AVC so today I decided to crank it all the way up. I had on a FF helmet and a neck gaiter and my chest was thumping from the bass music and it was very loud.

Yes, the bike might seem heavy for some (it does weigh 900lbs) and when I am in my twilight years I might have to get something lighter or trike it but we shall see. Right now I just bring the bike off the side stand as a I sit down letting the momentum carry it off the side stand. Previous bikes were yamaha vstar 1100, yamaha royal star,nomad 1500 and 1600. On the voyager shocks the settings were 2 with o air prressure. I tried different settings and it made no difference. About the handling. It seemed to me that the fairing was making the bike wander while cruising at hiway speeds. It was like it was catching the air and throwing the bike around. This was my first fairing bike but i can't believe this is normal. After 300 miles i felt extremely tired from fighting the bike to keep a straight line. The weight was only a factor lifting off the side stand because the stand is so short.

[ramdam1]

Still have a 81 Honda Goldwing. Excellent condition. Too many new parts to list and a spare engine. Any of you guys interested? PM me.

[spil99]

Hi Traded my 05 nomad for a 11 voyager. Love it I think it is a big up grade. Did a demo ride at the kawanow rally.Things i like are c.c. 6 speed, radio,tour pack. You do get some heat when stopped on a hot day. If that is a problem for you check in to the 2012 voyager. Kawasaki did a upgrade ( All V-twins present engine heat challenges, especially full-dress models with leg shields, since the rear cylinder and exhaust pipe are almost directly under the rider. Kawasaki is the first manufacturer to provide, as standard equipment, an effectively designed air management system to help increase rider comfort at a stop.

The primary part of the Kawasaki Air Management System (KAMS) routes radiator heat to the ground, below the engine, while the secondary part of the system draws heat away from the rear cylinder and exhaust pipe and directs it to the ground on the left side of the motorcycle. This system is particularly effective in warm weather while stopped in traffic or for extended periods of low-speed operation, such as during staging for group rides or parades.)
Good Luck All I can say is take 1 for a ride and you will know.

[jestephens]

Still have a 81 Honda Goldwing. Excellent condition. Too many new parts to list and a spare engine. Any of you guys interested? PM me.

That is so tempting! Mine was the Midnight Metalic Black (black with teal metalic fleck).
For nostalgia sake, it was my favorite bike. I was so proud [later] to find the '89 Thunderbird that totaled it also got totaled by my Goldwing! - She hit me right in front of the engine and that opposed-4 ripped off her front clip! (and probably saved my leg)
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/sick/injured.gif (http://www.sherv.net/injured-emoticon-1322.html)

[dmyers]

there is a reason the touring bikes and sport tourers have all that plastic.It keeps the heat off the rider. everything is a compromise I road a friends vaq last summer in about 100
degree heat and didnt seam to be that much worse than my 1600 nomad. stop and go in town and everything. that said it was still very unconfertable on either bike. road my brothers 14 concours the next day and what heat? the problem with it is you cant hear or feel it running I started it up and could just barely feel a buss. grab ahold of the throttle and you will know its running though. Man that thing is fast. I just cant ride it to far. It makes my knees hurt.if I could have two bikes It would be a Vaquero And Concours. just one bike I would take the Vaquero. If you cant take the heat then look for something else. Everything is a compromise

[dank]

Everything is a compromise

You obviously have not tried a ST1300! :D

[dmyers]

the only thing I would even consider over a conny is the new 1600GT and I would have to be stupid rich to spend 21,000 on a bike. and I still coudnt ride it all day every day with my knee.
cruser works best for me
I REALLY MISS THE HP and what you can do with it though :)

[Bdog]

Yes yes yes to the connie..very nice bike..reasonably priced too, and of course, its a kawasaki. Fortunately I'm not interested in fully dressed cruisers. I like the mechanical look that the15/16 Nomad has.

[dmyers]

Yes yes yes to the connie..very nice bike..reasonably priced too, and of course, its a kawasaki. Fortunately I'm not interested in fully dressed cruisers. I like the mechanical look that the15/16 Nomad has.
DITO:cheers:
I wouldnt mind haveing a 1700 though
if the faring comes out like i hope I will just keep it sell the bike and get a 1700

[trosco]

Not to Hi-Jack the thread (well sort of Hi-jack it?), but Mike (BigSid1) you went from the 08/1600 Nomad to a 2011 Voyager then on to a Victory Cross Country, right. How does the Victory compare to the other two?
Just wondering?

[twowheeladdict]

You obviously have not tried a ST1300! :D

Compromise on the looks department. :wave: :lol:

[twowheeladdict]

Previous bikes were yamaha vstar 1100, yamaha royal star,nomad 1500 and 1600. On the voyager shocks the settings were 2 with o air prressure. I tried different settings and it made no difference. About the handling. It seemed to me that the fairing was making the bike wander while cruising at hiway speeds. It was like it was catching the air and throwing the bike around. This was my first fairing bike but i can't believe this is normal. After 300 miles i felt extremely tired from fighting the bike to keep a straight line. The weight was only a factor lifting off the side stand because the stand is so short.

zero air is for a 150 lb rider with no gear on the bike. It sounds like you did not have the bike set up correctly for you. I currently have close to 26,000 miles on my Voyager and have topped 100,000 miles in just the last 5 years, and have been riding for 30, so I think I have enough miles under my belt to express an opinion. If you thought the bike was wandering because of the fairing do not get a fork mounted fairing bike. I went on a trip with a friend who was riding a Royal Star Venture. We got into some gusty crosswinds. While i felt the gusts, the bike remained on line. My friend, who was following me, commented how he was being blown all over the road and I wasn't even moving.

That is the benefit of a frame mounted fairing. It does not affect steering. My very first bike when I was 19 was a full dress Yamaha XS750. It has a factory frame mounted fairing on it and it was a dream to ride.

Sport bikes have frame mounted fairings as well so there definitely has to be an advantage to have frame mounted vs fork mounted.

[Caddyman]

Yes yes yes to the connie..very nice bike..reasonably priced too, and of course, its a kawasaki. Fortunately I'm not interested in fully dressed cruisers. I like the mechanical look that the15/16 Nomad has.

DITTO+1:tup:

[dmyers]

zero air is for a 150 lb rider with no gear on the bike. It sounds like you did not have the bike set up correctly for you. I currently have close to 26,000 miles on my Voyager and have topped 100,000 miles in just the last 5 years, and have been riding for 30, so I think I have enough miles under my belt to express an opinion. If you thought the bike was wandering because of the fairing do not get a fork mounted fairing bike. I went on a trip with a friend who was riding a Royal Star Venture. We got into some gusty crosswinds. While i felt the gusts, the bike remained on line. My friend, who was following me, commented how he was being blown all over the road and I wasn't even moving.

That is the benefit of a frame mounted fairing. It does not affect steering. My very first bike when I was 19 was a full dress Yamaha XS750. It has a factory frame mounted fairing on it and it was a dream to ride.

Sport bikes have frame mounted fairings as well so there definitely has to be an advantage to have frame mounted vs fork mounted.
this is why several people have comented that there voyager and vaquero's seam to be so much more nimble. its because even at slow speeds the air on the front end is noticable. just pop the windshield of your nomad and you will notice a huge diffrance in how lite the front end feels. this is why im building a frame mount faring for my nomad

[ramdam1]

send me your email address and i will send you some pictures.

[ponch]

You obviously have not tried a ST1300! :D

Or a R1200RT. :D:yep:

A couple references.

http://www.lasdhq.org/sites/motorcycle-test/2011.pdf

http://www.bamarider.com/The%20Motorcycle/rt_or_st.htm

[Monkeyman]

Both good reads, ponch. Still not a sport tour fan (and never will be) but if someone is even remotely in the market for that genre of bike, this helps.

[jestephens]

here's a Goldwing someone ruined
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_Up4up4GCM/TwYMx00YXjI/AAAAAAAAAz4/ibFwaG5K4I4/s1600/motorcycle+001.jpg

[coacha]

Or a R1200RT. :D:yep:

A couple references.

http://www.lasdhq.org/sites/motorcycle-test/2011.pdf

http://www.bamarider.com/The%20Motorcycle/rt_or_st.htm

A buddy of mine had an RT and sold it to get a GT. He said he really wants to get an RT again. Personally, I love the LT and the Nomad. I just have to keep them both happy:tup:

[ponch]

A buddy of mine had an RT and sold it to get a GT. He said he really wants to get an RT again. Personally, I love the LT and the Nomad. I just have to keep them both happy:tup:

I never rode a LT or GT. Both are different from the RT and each other. Looking at the cycle ergo site, I would pass on the 1300GT. The LT is a fine bike and initially wanted a new one, but they had killed it the year before. If I bought a different BMW, I'd like to look at the 1600GT. Ergos a lot like the RT with a lot more stonk. More weight too though. The problem is not enough $$. If I had more, I'd have more bikes. So I gather you bought the LT?

[redjay]

BigSid. My Voyager runs straight as an arrow at high speed.

[george james]

here's a Goldwing someone ruined
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_Up4up4GCM/TwYMx00YXjI/AAAAAAAAAz4/ibFwaG5K4I4/s1600/motorcycle+001.jpg

Ruined? U r nuts put bags and gps on then my wife and i could travel the world:cheers::bs::lmao:

[Voyager_PWS]

So just to post up my 2 cents worth here. I went from an 800 Classic to my Voyager. I know there is HUGE difference from the 800 - 1600 so there is no real way for me to say what the 1600 is like. I will say I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Voyager. For me it is a smooth steady ride no matter what speed or what kind of road I am on. I have taken it 80+ on the freeway with no issues what so ever. Going by tucks and other cars with little to no impact to the ride. I have also taken it on the tight twisty roads of Southern Ohio and it handled wonderfully there as well. I was comfortable and never once felt that it was not doing what I wanted it to do. I am 6'2" and over 290 lbs and I have never had an issue lifting the bike off the stand even with a passanger on it. As for the radio, I haven't had any issues hearing it with a full face helmet or an open face helmet. I will admit the heat is an issue when sitting still. But once I get moving the heat isn't as bad. I leave the doors open on the lower fairing when it is warmer to allow more air flow through and close them in the colder weather.

With that said, I think a person needs to ride both - Echoing Twowheeladdicts statement - And figure out what you like and what you want. Bottom line for me they are both great bikes but I like what the Voyager offers over the nomad. So That's what I picked!!!

[ponch]

I went from a 800 Classic to 1660 Nomad. It was a big difference, but less of a difference between the 1600 and 1700. The former is more revolutionary. the latter more evolutionary. The biggest difference between the 1600 and 1700 is low speed handling and then ergonomics. The 1700 is tighter, at least for bigger people. Overall though, any of those bikes are fairly elemental.

[fammdw]

2006 Nomad to a 2012 Voyager... Love It! Now for a new windshield to make it perfect.

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc516/fammdw/DSC01006.jpg

[nomadrider1600]

The wife and I had new Gold Wings for 20 years. Then in 2005 I was riding along with my 440 lights on, listening to a CD and talking on the CB. I started thinking this bike is getting to be "how much crap can I put on two wheels".

Traded it for a 2005 Nomad and it is hands down the best bike I have ever had. It has what I need. But, we rode a new Voyager at Americade and we both love it. The problem is money. We are coming out of some very tough years and almost could not pay for the Nomad. It is paid for now and I never want to go though the rotten feeling of thinking you are going to lose your bike.

We want a Voyager. When we can save up enough and pay cash for it.

[Jared]

We want a Voyager. When we can save up enough and pay cash for it.

Wise man. Paying cash for toys is the only way to go. :tup::tup:

[AZ Voyager]

fammdw... Congrats on the new ride, I went from an 06 Classic to the Voyager, and I do miss the Classic at times, but I love the Voyager, had it 4 months and turned 4400 miles today, and that is riding in one of the hottest summers in Arizona in a while, alot of 110+ days, but I can't stay off of it.....

[ponch]

fammdw... Congrats on the new ride, I went from an 06 Classic to the Voyager, and I do miss the Classic at times, but I love the Voyager, had it 4 months and turned 4400 miles today, and that is riding in one of the hottest summers in Arizona in a while, alot of 110+ days, but I can't stay off of it.....

I can't get used to this heat...May be next year.

[AZ Voyager]

Ponch.. from where you are one quick corner and a hard turn of the throtle and you are on the Rim, weather is great up there now spent the weekend in Christopher Creek and it was great...

[ponch]

Ponch.. from where you are one quick corner and a hard turn of the throtle and you are on the Rim, weather is great up there now spent the weekend in Christopher Creek and it was great...

I took someone up to Payson on Friday. It's about 15˚ cooler.

I need to get a little more wind on me. I wish I kept the stock windscreen. I got the larger one because I used to ride in the winter in Iowa. Well, I won't be doing that anymore.

[Voyager_PWS]

2006 Nomad to a 2012 Voyager... Love It! Now for a new windshield to make it perfect.

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc516/fammdw/DSC01006.jpg

I just bought the 6.5" Smoke windshield for mine and I love the looks of it. Enjoy that new bike!!!

[fammdw]

I ordered the 14" smoke windshield from Cee Bailey's yesterday. I want to keep some wind protection, but don't want to look through it. I'm hoping this one will put it between my nose and lip. I measured using CB's instructions so we'll see.

I just bought the 6.5" Smoke windshield for mine and I love the looks of it. Enjoy that new bike!!!