Hi! new to the site

[redking]

So I must confess, I am not an owner of a Kawa bagger, but I saw the Vaquero and had some serious lust in my eyes. I thought I would come here and ask around before I made a purchase. I currently own a VN900 and dont get me wrong its a great bike I love it but it is what it is. So....

How do people like the vaquero?

How is it around town?

Is the six gear too much?

What don't you like about it or what could be better (come one there has to be something)

Is it the same old game I played with my 900 adding an exhaust, air intake and PCV? Why add all these things? a 1700 cc engine should give me all the power I want unlike the 900.

Weight? It's a heavy bike!

All opinions welcome and the more the better.

Thanks

[redking]

oh does it really only get 36mpg? That kinda sucks.

[bearbait]

Welcome aboard.

The Vaquero has a major problem . . . the horn button is in a lousy location.

Other than that, it's a great bike. Heavy, yes, like any bike of that engine size, but it's still handy in traffic and a real sweetheart on the slab. Sixth gear is a grand help on the interstate at, say, 65 mph and above.

If you end up getting a Vaquero, I predict you'll end up loving it.

(Mine gets 40-42 mpg most of the time, but occasionally 38 or so when I'm hammering it on short trips.)

[rickyboy]

I don't own either but I've spent a bit O' time reading the threads and haven't many, if any complaints. Stick around Jared or someone will be around soon I'm sure.

Welcome by the way......from Langley, BC Canada. Be sure to hit the new members page and introduce yourself, redking....if you haven't already. S

[jestephens]

Redking, welcome to the forum!!
it's a heavy bike by shear weight, but extremely nimble on the road. Another member, Cheriann, recently made the same switch from a 900.

Here's the pros and cons already contributed to her: http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27552
Cheriann ended up getting a Blue Vaquero and has later made countless posts saying how much she loves it! :tup:

I had a 1600 Nomad for 6 years, and the Vaquero just under 12 months. I love it!! Anyone who has said the sixth gear is absolutely unnecessary doesn't have one already. It makes highway cruising a little more casual and comfortable. Take a test drive if possible. I use 6th at 60mph and above on flat ground, 70 and above on hills or with a passenger. I regularly average 45 mpg, which I only got on my Nomad on full days of 50-60mph riding.

[redking]

Here is another concern, I have purchased two seats for my 900, an arlen ness air intake, cobra pipes, PCV, scootworks forward pully ect. all because I wanted more power. after do all of the changes I am unhappy. Now the bike is louder than I like. I think the pipes added some vibration and my fuel economy has tanked to 35mpg (granted i still need to get it dyno tuned) Basically, short of buying a new seat (how is the stock seat btw) and maybe a tall wind screen (im 6'2) I want I bike i can enjoy and like w/o adding $1000+ in upgrades just to find out they dont make that big a difference or dont like them at all

[jestephens]

Here is another concern, I have purchased two seats for my 900, an arlen ness air intake, cobra pipes, PCV, scootworks forward pully ect. all because I wanted more power. after do all of the changes I am unhappy. Now the bike is louder than I like. I think the pipes added some vibration and my fuel economy has tanked to 35mpg (granted i still need to get it dyno tuned) Basically, short of buying a new seat (how is the stock seat btw) and maybe a tall wind screen (im 6'2) I want I bike i can enjoy and like w/o adding $1000+ in upgrades just to find out they dont make that big a difference or dont like them at all

Everyone has their own seat preference. I seem to always get along with the stock seats. I have the Kawasaki gel aftermarket seat, and I only use it when my wife rides along, and only because it has a wider passenger area.

For your height, a windshield will be a must, but there are LOTS of options out there too. Rumor has it, air intake alone adds 8 Hp.?? "Enjoyment" is too subjective. I enjoy changing everything I can. Best of luck!

[highwayman2011]

I just got a Show Chrome adjustable flip windshield for my Voyager, will get it on later this week. It changes from 8" to 12.5" without tools. $135 at westendmotorsports.com Got the gel seat from kawasaki and will test it as well with a long ride this week. The stock seat on the Voyager is fine if you are getting a seat and windshield I suggest the seat first because most are higher making a difference in looking through or over the shield. The bike is a 2010 and I think the 1700 stock has plenty of power.

[bouson]

So I must confess, I am not an owner of a Kawa bagger, but I saw the Vaquero and had some serious lust in my eyes. I thought I would come here and ask around before I made a purchase. I currently own a VN900 and dont get me wrong its a great bike I love it but it is what it is. So....

How do people like the vaquero?

How is it around town?

Is the six gear too much?

What don't you like about it or what could be better (come one there has to be something)

Is it the same old game I played with my 900 adding an exhaust, air intake and PCV? Why add all these things? a 1700 cc engine should give me all the power I want unlike the 900.

Weight? It's a heavy bike!

All opinions welcome and the more the better.

Thanks
Here is another concern, I have purchased two seats for my 900, an arlen ness air intake, cobra pipes, PCV, scootworks forward pully ect. all because I wanted more power. after do all of the changes I am unhappy. Now the bike is louder than I like. I think the pipes added some vibration and my fuel economy has tanked to 35mpg (granted i still need to get it dyno tuned) Basically, short of buying a new seat (how is the stock seat btw) and maybe a tall wind screen (im 6'2) I want I bike i can enjoy and like w/o adding $1000+ in upgrades just to find out they dont make that big a difference or dont like them at all

I just sold my '09 900 classic (see pics here.) (http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28252)
Then I bought a new 2011 RED VAQUERO.
I love it!


Around town the bike handles better then the 900 on all counts.
It is a blast riding 40 mph at 1200 rpm in 6th gear or charging up an on ramp in 2nd, shift at 5000 grand (red line is 6000 rpm) charge to 5000 again and realize I'm doing 85 mph as I shift to 4th.
The only draw back I've found is the pin that holds the controls in one position compared to the bars that can't be adjusted up without changing the risers. I'm thinking of cutting and filing the pin smooth ending the problem. On the plus side I love the stereo, cruise control, the ease of adjusting the damper on the air shocks (use an inspection mirror to see the dial and just stick your hand up behind the bag to count the clicks), we get this great website and the fact that this site has the shop manual in pdf file form FOR FREE HERE (http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13049).
It is a little heavier coming of the stand, but like the 900 it doesn't go all the way to the ground when dropped (forgot I had put up stand to bump starter while working on headlight.) I picked it up with about the same effort as the 900.
Around town I'm averaging around 40 mpg running premium which is the exact same gas and mileage as I was getting on the 900 before and after adding the fairing.
I'm 6' 235 lbs I find the stock seat on the Vaquero a little better then the stock one on the 900 classic or custom (had both for mine.)
I just added the Kawasaki 16" windshield (see post & pictures here.) (http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27727&page=2) I find the 16" windshield about right. I can sit up real straight and have my face in the wind or really relax and be completely out of the wind. I was running the stereo at 18 out 30 with the automatic volume control on max and having trouble when riding into a head wind of 30 mph at 65 hearing it clearly. After had the windshield I've turned it down to 12-14 range and hear everything easily no matter what speed (85 mph) with a 30 mph head wind or how I sit.

Of course over the years I've learned I don't care how great the bike is we will change something to be different. The longer you keep the bike the more you'll want to change it to be yours.

[ringadingh]

Welcome from Ontario!

[usranger74]

Welcome from Nebraska.

[Sin City Stan]

Welcome from Sin City, Nevada. :wave:

[redking]

Thank you all, glad to be here!

[bj31702]

Welcome from NE Ohio

[Pitchinguy]

Welcome from the heart of Virginia!

[landman]

welcome from wyoming and i love my vaquero.

[Sgt. Country]

Welcome from Port Richey, FL.

[sacarriker]

Welcome from Texas. The 1700 has plenty of power as is but i like messing with it. Welcome!

[racinfan101]

I have a Nomad not a Vaquero so can't comment much other than no shortage of power on the 1700's IMO I will at least upgrade the intake at some point that seems to be the one thing you can do that is simple and will give you a bump in power. Welcome by the way!!

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Welcome from Alabama.

[BandC]

Welcome from Northern Minnesota!

[davetherave]

Sorry, I do not have a Vaquero, but the first purchase I made for the Nomad was a Mustang seat with drivers backrest. I had put one on my old 800 Vulcan and loved it. Wouldn't do without it!

[bap]

Hello from TN and welcome. I too am a new member to the vba and the website. I also just purchased a 2011 red vaquero and at this point I really enjoy the bike. I added a 12in windshield which helped greatly. I also purchased the gel touring seat from kawasaki and at this point I am going with a mustang because the gel sets to high for me. I am only 5ft 9in so it brings me up a bit high. Overall i am pleased with the bike. I also have a 900 custom with cobra pipes and a ramair intake. As you can well guess my wife prefers the vaquero.

[jestephens]

The gel seat is too high for me too, But not for reach. The windscreen I put on is just barely tall enough. The gel seat make it too short.

Is the mustang seat lower than stock? That wouldn't be bad, and allow for same or shorter shield.

[bap]

I just replaced the gel seat with a mustang seat and took it for a test ride, it puts me at the right height and has made it more comfortable. It was well worth the money.