2014 Vaquero SE Fisrt ride impressions

[Duc796canada]

So, I finally got to ride my Vac, upon leaving the dealer ship, the first application of the brakes, felt like they weren't working!! Panic city!! I just came off riding my Ducati Monster, one finger brakes!! There is definitely more pressure required to stop the Vac.

Moving forward, my foot couldn;t fit under the shift lever, now I know why the have the heal shifter, lol. Bike rides great, have to get used to the floor boards for sure, hahaha. Love how she soaks up the bumps, definitely more comfy than the Monster and that is why I got it. I'm 170lbs, what air pressure should I keep in the rear suspension, solo riding.

Now, the whole keeping it below 2500 rpm, that is very hard to do, and I'm not saying I wasn't trying. The dealer told me to stay below 4000 unless I had an emergency, they had heat cycled it before I got there. How did the break in go for most of you?

I installed my KW 9 inch winshield, pretty good, I'm 5' 8", and the wind is just over the top of my head, I can see clear over the windshield. It works so well, that my helmet was fogging up due to lack of airflow lol, that is good, I'm not complaining :)

Bike is very quite, lol

Cheers

PS. I definitely feel that dead spot in the throttle travel at the beginning. The fix is on the way :)

[Duc796canada]

Oops that is "First ride"

[OldSchool]

Congrats :tup: Many Many more to come :tup:

[Allen S]

I had to get used to the clutch, didn't realize how much play my 02 Suzuki intruder 1500 had until I rode the vaquero. Damned near took off without me:wtf: I have the metallic black 2014, personally I think it's one of the best looking bikes on the rode. Sounds great with the v&h slip ons, and the ejk with the k&n air filter...sweet ride. Gotta couple more mods to do and she's finished.

[skullbagger]

I had to get used to the clutch, didn't realize how much play my 02 Suzuki intruder 1500 had until I rode the vaquero. Damned near took off without me:wtf: I have the metallic black 2014, personally I think it's one of the best looking bikes on the rode. Sounds great with the v&h slip ons, and the ejk with the k&n air filter...sweet ride. Gotta couple more mods to do and she's finished.

I didn't think they were ever totally finished ? LOL

[HwyRider]

Most people keep the rear shocks at about 10 psi riding solo. You don't want them empty.

[HwyRider]

Make sure you use a hand pump to put the air in the shocks.

[Ken Vega]

I had the opposite. I had to get used to the extreme stopping power. I had not ridden a bike with dual front disks since my sportbike days. I just clicked 2700 miles and I love more and more. I am going to pull the trigger soon on a Chuckster BAK and let the girl breathe. You will like the Vaq more once you change the exhaust. I love my V&H slip ons. Not loud just nice rumble until you romp on it.

Oh and aI picked up a shock pump on ebay for 29.00 shipped. I keep them at 15psi. I am 6 feet 225 lbs. When the wife comes aboard I go to 20 psi with pre load on 3.

[Top Cat]

Break in ?
Ride it like you are going to ride it.
The bikes are pre run at the factory anyway.

[dank]

You are relatively new and need to understand that Tim’s an acquired taste. :D

Next thing you know he’ll say “They come from the dealer with air filters and oil. Don’t worry about what design engineers say about changing those!”:shrug:

[rick6375]

I asked about the revs when I got my Voyager. Mostly highway at 70mph getting home, but can go back roads. They told me no real hard accelerating and try to avoid 4000rpm for the 1st 100 or so miles, just ride it like I intend to. 2800-3000 most of the way home and never looked back. Even now at over 26k, I rarely go over 3000rpm, no real need to, but I do know it has a rev limiter to prevent over revving.

[bgome]

just came back from my third ride this season with the new Vaquero. Still waiting for my klockwerks windshield, just a little cold. !

[bgome]

Hey guys is the EJK the preferred tuner amongst the forum readers. ? I have heard the V&H pipes on a Voyager-sound nice.

[Ken Vega]

Hey guys is the EJK the preferred tuner amongst the forum readers. ? I have heard the V&H pipes on a Voyager-sound nice.

I have the EJK but others prefer the extreme flexibilty of the Power Commander 5. I simply enjoy being able to tweak the EJK as I please and where I please without a computer.

I also have the V&H pipes and love the sound. Not obnoxious loud at all, unless you romp on the throttle.

Feel free to chime in now Tim on how you hate loud exhaust blah blah blah...lol

[Top Cat]

Break in ?
Ride it like you are going to ride it.
The bikes are pre run at the factory anyway.

You are relatively new and need to understand that Tim’s an acquired taste. :D


I asked about the revs when I got my Voyager. Mostly highway at 70mph getting home, but can go back roads. They told me no real hard accelerating and try to avoid 4000rpm for the 1st 100 or so miles, just ride it like I intend to. 2800-3000 most of the way home and never looked back. Even now at over 26k, I rarely go over 3000rpm, no real need to, but I do know it has a rev limiter to prevent over revving..

Attention Dan :wave:
See, like I said, ride it like your going to ride it :yep:

[ponch]

So, I finally got to ride my Vac, upon leaving the dealer ship, the first application of the brakes, felt like they weren't working!! Panic city!! I just came off riding my Ducati Monster, one finger brakes!! There is definitely more pressure required to stop the Vac.

Moving forward, my foot couldn;t fit under the shift lever, now I know why the have the heal shifter, lol. Bike rides great, have to get used to the floor boards for sure, hahaha. Love how she soaks up the bumps, definitely more comfy than the Monster and that is why I got it. I'm 170lbs, what air pressure should I keep in the rear suspension, solo riding.

Now, the whole keeping it below 2500 rpm, that is very hard to do, and I'm not saying I wasn't trying. The dealer told me to stay below 4000 unless I had an emergency, they had heat cycled it before I got there. How did the break in go for most of you?

I installed my KW 9 inch winshield, pretty good, I'm 5' 8", and the wind is just over the top of my head, I can see clear over the windshield. It works so well, that my helmet was fogging up due to lack of airflow lol, that is good, I'm not complaining :)

Bike is very quite, lol

Cheers

PS. I definitely feel that dead spot in the throttle travel at the beginning. The fix is on the way :)

I know what you mean about the brakes. I had the opposite happen. I went from a Nomad to a BMW. Stops a lot better and has ABS, the Nomad didn't. I am sure you'll get used to it. May be if you change the pads to HH compound, it'll have more bite.

[Duc796canada]

Thanks all, great advice :) I shall pump in some Psi in the shocks, for my 170 lbs, maybe 10 psi to start. I will keep her below 3400 rpm for the first 100 miles or so. I'm going to adjust that shift lever, so I can shift conventionally lol. Exhaust, I don't want loud, but the bike is very quite, lol. Still loads of sand on the roads in my parts, so taking her easy to get used to her. Brakes, I will see if they break in a little more and get better, otherwise, stainless steel lines and HH pads. clutch is awesome!! I will be talking to D-meyers about the bars for sure, the stock position on these ones feels low.

[ponch]

The steel braided brake lines help. My bike came with them from the factory.

[Duc796canada]

The steel braided brake lines help. My bike came with them from the factory.

Definitely, my Ducati did too and I used to swap out my motocross bikes' brake lines to steel braided, makes a difference. Not kidding, two finger is all I need on my Monster and even then, the rear wheel is off the ground.

[ponch]

Definitely, my Ducati did too and I used to swap out my motocross bikes' brake lines to steel braided, makes a difference. Not kidding, two finger is all I need on my Monster and even then, the rear wheel is off the ground.

I'm a bit heavier as is my bike, so it takes a bit more leverage to make that happen. It almost did last month. I was going to work doing about 80 when someone decided to make a left turn. I probably less than 200' from him. I grabbed for all the brakes I had and stopped before I could hit him. Had I been on my Nomad, I would have become an astronaut. The rear of my bike started to lift up, but the wheel stayed on the pavement.

[landman]

Definitely, my Ducati did too and I used to swap out my motocross bikes' brake lines to steel braided, makes a difference. Not kidding, two finger is all I need on my Monster and even then, the rear wheel is off the ground.

keep in mind that you are trying to stop a bike that weighs well over 800 pounds now.

[Duc796canada]

keep in mind that you are trying to stop a bike that weighs well over 800 pounds now.

Definitely a learning curve hahaha. @ Ponch, yes, amazing how far one push the brakes. I usually practice emergency braking on remote roads.

[RACNRAY]

The characteristics of all new skoots change over miles, especially over the first 1000 mls. Engines will get smoother and peppier, brakes will bed in and get better, mpg will get better. I was pleased to feel the improvements on my skoot in those first 1000 mls and it continued to improve for a few more miles. A serious dyno session at 1100 or so miles seemed to help!!

That being said I did s/s lines over 2 years ago and with good pads I have 2 finger brakes, NOT like my Busa but so much better than stock.

Best part of all this is WE make our skoots better...YEA!!!

RACNRAY

[ponch]

The characteristics of all new skoots change over miles, especially over the first 1000 mls. Engines will get smoother and peppier, brakes will bed in and get better, mpg will get better. I was pleased to feel the improvements on my skoot in those first 1000 mls and it continued to improve for a few more miles. A serious dyno session at 1100 or so miles seemed to help!!

That being said I did s/s lines over 2 years ago and with good pads I have 2 finger brakes, NOT like my Busa but so much better than stock.

Best part of all this is WE make our skoots better...YEA!!!

RACNRAY

That's true. My Nomad broke in relatively quickly as you say, but my beemer took almost 20K miles, which is normal for an air/oil cooled boxer. I find that bizarre, but it's been borne out.

[CBO Vaquero]

I just picked up my new 14 SE as well and noticed the same thing on the brakes. They do get a lot better with a few more miles on them. My is stopping with a one finger pull now. Now to just figure out how to set the clock....:wtf:

[Ken Vega]

I just picked up my new 14 SE as well and noticed the same thing on the breaks. They do get a lot better with a few more miles on them. My is stopping with a one finger pull now. Now to just figure out how to set the clock....:wtf:

Hold the S button above cruise control. You will then see only the clock. Move to the left to pick hour, minute. Then hold the button in again to set. The same button is used to set idle and whether you want to measure speed by MPH or Kilometers PH. Took me a while. Also know that you cannot set idle till the bike is fully warm and in neutrel

[Romans5.8]

Brakes will wear-in. As they scuff up the pads and rotors and 'mate' the surfaces. The same is true really when replacing pads, you wanna give it a good chunk of miles to bed it all down. If you think about it, without being 'mated' then only a portion of the pads are actually touching the rotor, even if the naked eye can't tell there are portions not touching it.

[ponch]

Brakes will wear-in. As they scuff up the pads and rotors and 'mate' the surfaces. The same is true really when replacing pads, you wanna give it a good chunk of miles to bed it all down. If you think about it, without being 'mated' then only a portion of the pads are actually touching the rotor, even if the naked eye can't tell there are portions not touching it.

On a new bike, there's not much to bed. The surfaces are new.

[Romans5.8]

On a new bike, there's not much to bed. The surfaces are new.

The surfaces are new but they aren't perfect. When operating, they have no choice but to become machined in sync!

I could be wrong (it's happened before!), but It's my understanding that there's a level of wear-in even with a brand new vehicle. And in every new vehicle I've had, I've noticed gradually improving brakes on the first few rides/drives.

Take, for example, the CPU in the computer you're using. Both it, and it's (likely copper) heatsink are lapped, machined and polished to be as flawlessly flat as possible so that they come into 100% contact with each other. And even so, they use a thermal paste in between the two because there will be imperfections (And, admittedly, also because metal isn't, at a microscopic level, a solid service. It has pores and imperfections). Surely, a brand new rotor and brand new brake pad can't have flawless mating right out of the box.

[ponch]

The surfaces are new but they aren't perfect. When operating, they have no choice but to become machined in sync!

I could be wrong (it's happened before!), but It's my understanding that there's a level of wear-in even with a brand new vehicle. And in every new vehicle I've had, I've noticed gradually improving brakes on the first few rides/drives.

Take, for example, the CPU in the computer you're using. Both it, and it's (likely copper) heatsink are lapped, machined and polished to be as flawlessly flat as possible so that they come into 100% contact with each other. And even so, they use a thermal paste in between the two because there will be imperfections (And, admittedly, also because metal isn't, at a microscopic level, a solid service. It has pores and imperfections). Surely, a brand new rotor and brand new brake pad can't have flawless mating right out of the box.

Reread what I wrote. Not much to bed. Not nothing, just not as much. The thermal grease aids in heat conductivity. I don't know if it's because of imperfections as much as the differences in conductivity between the materials. Some computers, like laptops use what is like tape instead of thermal grease. There is a lot more bedding going on with a worn rotor and new pads. That takes a lot more time.

[Romans5.8]

Reread what I wrote. Not much to bed. Not nothing, just not as much. The thermal grease aids in heat conductivity. I don't know if it's because of imperfections as much as the differences in conductivity between the materials. Some computers, like laptops use what is like tape instead of thermal grease. There is a lot more bedding going on with a worn rotor and new pads. That takes a lot more time.

Gotcha, makes sense!

[Duc796canada]

Thanks everyone, atleast now I know I wasn't just imagining things lol

[Duc796canada]

Update, bike is awesome, getting more used to it. I got a progressive pump, found that it didn't have any air in the shocks, I put in 15 psi, and what a difference in handling!! Now the only issue I have is the valve stems, they are straight!! How do you get air in the wheels? Are there right angle adapters? So I've seen recommendations for 36-39 front and 41 rear?

[HwyRider]

The rear tire is tough getting to the valve on all of the 1700s. There is an angled valve stem but not sure about the adapter.

[CBO Vaquero]

My 14 SE came with a "90 degree angled" rear stem but the front is a straight one. I will bend over slightly to get air in there.

[Duc796canada]

Yes the front is straight and no room, lol

[hlknvlcn60]

The Vaquero is a great bike. The more I ride my 2012 S.E. the more I love it. Some things always take some getting used to on a new bike, but after 6500 miles mine is running awesome. The 1700s run a little hot when breaking in, then start to loosen up and run better, stronger, cooler as the miles pile up. Mine has a 2-1 pipe and big air and Cobra FI2000 Tri-pot tuner (refer to my new thread on tuning) and runs real strong and cooler now. I keep my rear shocks at about 30 psi using my little Progressive shock pump for a firmer ride as I weigh about 220.....and for great cornering clearance and handling. So far, so good no complaints.

[Duc796canada]

I just pumped mine to 15 psi, I'm only 170lbs. The bike is starting to ride nice, I'm keeping at 3000rpm for now. I got a map that is working awesome for me right now, no popping, I mean none!! Now a question about riding in rain or washing the bike, what after care should I do? The speakers are they good with being wet? Now, when is someone going to make a kit to convert to Harley 18" front wheels? :) Thanks

[hlknvlcn60]

The speaker grills can get a little wet but prolonged soaking may penetrate. so far mine haven't leaked, like when I wash the bike. Duc79 nice to hear that your bike is in a good tune state, and that you didn't have to go through what I did at first. The new tuner I have is a cinch, just have a little teeny micro flat driver in your tool kit for any needed adjustments...no maps, no laptop, no flashing. Okay to ride your S.E. in the wet...when washing just try to keep the hose off the dash and speakers. I blow dry mine with my electric leaf blower.

[hlknvlcn60]

CBO Vaquero...I see you had a meanstreak. here is my '02 1500P.

[Duc796canada]

Awesome thanks, I guess riding in the North West, you'd know about the rain lol. I'm from out West originally, Vancouver BC, was in Bellingham all the time and lots people would come up to party in Canada due to a lower age in the clubs lol.

[hlknvlcn60]

Duc I have been to Canada many times and love to come up there and party.

[schoeney]

Bend, Bellingham, and BC... great places!

[Duc796canada]

So I noticed, if I stop in second and try to shift to first, it ends up in neutral as soon as I release the clutch; I then have to get it into first. The gear indicator doesn't show neutral until I release the clutch. I always try to stop after getting into first, sometimes not. Anyone else found this?

[ponch]

So I noticed, if I stop in second and try to shift to first, it ends up in neutral as soon as I release the clutch; I then have to get it into first. The gear indicator doesn't show neutral until I release the clutch. I always try to stop after getting into first, sometimes not. Anyone else found this?

I know Kawasaki has a positive neutral finder. I don't know if that would have an affect.

[Duc796canada]

Oh I have to get used to coming to stops lol. I have discovered the rear brake is my friend coming to stops lol. I'm almost relearning riding...I did my first U-turn on the beast, I was watching "Ride Like Pro," it is quite maneuvreable or maneuverable.