I feel the need , the need for speed .

[Ipack]

I was rollin down the interstate last evening , and the over whelming desire to roll on the throttle just took over . at one point I was right just a tad over 100mph and the voyager was as smooth a silk , didn't maintain that speed very long but slowed to the speed of traffic right around 80 , Then a black Mercedes SUV type car rolls past like I'm going backwards so I fall in behind him and rolled it on again back up to 100 .....well as with all other good things in life the fun didn't last but a few miles and I got off at my exit .... I don't normally drive like that but sometimes the bike just needs to clear its throat .....bike was smooth with plenty of throttle to spare , no hint of wobble or other high speed issues.....:D

[redjay]

I had my Voyager up to 100 mph and it was very stable and effortless at that speed.
Much less tiring than the Nomad at the same speed.

[RACNRAY]

Hooligans!!!

Lol

[redjay]

Hooligans!!!

Lol

Yes, I know. The days of me riding my Rickman Bonneville as fast as I could everywhere I went (in the U.K) are long gone :)
I rarely get the need for speed these days.

50 kmph over the posted speed limit could get you a $10,000 fine, license suspension and your vehicle impounded here in Ontario where the maximum speed is 100 kmph.

[Gypsy Dragon]

I've cruised mine at 120 mph a few times. Had it up to 130 a couple times. I think with enough flat road, it will hit 140. I love the feel of the bike up there in the 120-125 range. very settled and smooth.

[otter]

compared to my 900 Vulcan, 75 mph on the Voyager feels like I'm standing still.

[ponch]

There's indicated and then there's GPS. A lot of the japanese bikes are off on the speedo, I've experienced as much as 12%. Not sure I'd want to go much faster than 100 on a 900lb bike as stopping is important too. My 1600 Nomad liked to run at around 80 indicated. It could go faster, but not a lot. I think I had it up to 100-105 and it just wasn't motivated.

[blowndodge]

Did 100 MPH on my Victory. Never tried in in 5th or 6th gear.

[shepsvoyager]

My 09 voyager made it to 113 (GPS) still on the history. It took a little time to get there(three miles) maybe. Qiuck miles I might add. Just wanted to see what she would do. I am happy at 55-60 generally. It was smooth but I seemed to have a little tunnel vision approaching. I never tried 4th 5th or 6th gear BD. LMAO.

[RACNRAY]

I felt the need for speed last night so I took the Busa out. I'm fixed for now, for awhile.

But boy o boy these old bones don't handle that riding position like they used to. That's why I say..."for awhile"!!!

RACNRAY

[ponch]

I felt the need for speed last night so I took the Busa out. I'm fixed for now, for awhile.

But boy o boy these old bones don't handle that riding position like they used to. That's why I say..."for awhile"!!!

RACNRAY

time to get a gentleman's express.

[RACNRAY]

time to get a gentleman's express.

My Vaquero is nice and comfy and at this point suffices for my cruiser duties and plays the role of "gentleman's express" purty well. It is still a "cowboy" at heart tho.

RACNRAY

[ponch]

My Vaquero is nice and comfy and at this point suffices for my cruiser duties and plays the role of "gentleman's express" purty well. It is still a "cowboy" at heart tho.

RACNRAY

I meant as a replacement for the Hayabusa. A C14 or FJR might suffice.

[RACNRAY]

I meant as a replacement for the Hayabusa. A C14 or FJR might suffice.

NO WAY NOT AT ALL...those things are pigs compared to my Busa. The Busa is 500 pnds with half tank of gas (SIXTY POUNDS lighter than a stock Busa) and last time on my dyno 165 H.P.

If I didn't have a Vaquero a C14 or FJR might be a consideration, but for now what I have suffices.

Besides, I am marginally a "gentleman"!!!

LOL

RACNRAY

[ponch]

NO WAY NOT AT ALL...those things are pigs compared to my Busa. The Busa is 500 pnds with half tank of gas (SIXTY POUNDS lighter than a stock Busa) and last time on my dyno 165 H.P.

If I didn't have a Vaquero a C14 or FJR might be a consideration, but for now what I have suffices.

Besides, I am marginally a "gentleman"!!!

LOL

RACNRAY

YEah, but the Vaquero is a pig compared to those. They are still plenty quick and fast in comparison.

[redjay]

NO WAY NOT AT ALL...those things are pigs compared to my Busa. The Busa is 500 pnds with half tank of gas (SIXTY POUNDS lighter than a stock Busa) and last time on my dyno 165 H.P.

If I didn't have a Vaquero a C14 or FJR might be a consideration, but for now what I have suffices.

Besides, I am marginally a "gentleman"!!!

LOL

RACNRAY

I had an FJR after I sold the Voyager and never got comfortable on the FJR
even after adding risers, forward pegs and a Daylong seat.
I felt beat up after every ride.
They are a blast to ride but not for me.

[RACNRAY]

I had an FJR after I sold the Voyager and never got comfortable on the FJR
even after adding risers, forward pegs and a Daylong seat.
I felt beat up after every ride.
They are a blast to ride but not for me.

I am totally happy with the Vaq and feel no need to add onto my collection. The Vaq suits me even if it is "piggy" compared to the FJR/C14. I did not want that style of skoot as I already had a ZX14 decked out for long distance, Helibars, sport tour shield, lowerd pegs etc.With my bad hip I just didn't feel the need to have 2 sportin skoots (the Busa and the 14) that I could not do long distance. Havin already ridden a C14 and finding it not to my liking, I did the Kawi demo ride on a Vaq. Bought the Vaq 2 weeks later and sold the 14 a week later and have not looked back.

RACNRAY

[rolfe]

Yes its a good kind of feeling. No traffic and just open up.

Visualize with me here.

There is this stretch of road heading south / west and as I come around on a gradual slow right curve. Then with a slight incline going down. I start my acceleration and making sure no traffic is in front of me. And another right curve a bit sharper.
Then I open up RED full throttle crossing the backside of Mansfield Dam in Austin,Texas.
RED is now just flying hitting an easy 100
Just on the other side of the Bridge veering to the left I let up and start up a hill.

It was a quick with turns change of road elevations and road conditions.

For a 1999 Nomad well RED still does have that get up and go!

Check out google maps ... for Mansfield Dam in Austin,texas to see the location.

I haven't done this in years, well maybe last year, could have been a couple months ago?

[ponch]

I had an FJR after I sold the Voyager and never got comfortable on the FJR
even after adding risers, forward pegs and a Daylong seat.
I felt beat up after every ride.
They are a blast to ride but not for me.

My RT has UJM like ergos. With bar risers and peg lowering kit it's like a KZ1000 or some other UJM. Very easy to ride, sit straight up position. I imagine if I had a Russell seat, it would be about perfect. A K1600GT is very similar, but with about 35 more HP and 40 ft/lbs more torque at the rear wheel. More weight too though. My RT is 570lbs with a full tank, which is 7.1 gallons. The new RT is about 30lbs heavier and the KGT is about 700lbs total.

[juice]

ive heard some say the vaquero will not hit 140 well it does on the speedo as effortless as 100---I bought the bike to take a rest from my vmax and turbo bike in the garage but was challenged by a co worker in his bmw I bought this bike to finally go slow lol I waved bye bye as he got scared at 125-- only mod my bike has is left side removed and capped stock exhaust and drilled caps--love this bike raced gs 1100 gs 1150s and kz 1000s all my life:wave:

[ponch]

ive heard some say the vaquero will not hit 140 well it does on the speedo as effortless as 100---I bought the bike to take a rest from my vmax and turbo bike in the garage but was challenged by a co worker in his bmw I bought this bike to finally go slow lol I waved bye bye as he got scared at 125-- only mod my bike has is left side removed and capped stock exhaust and drilled caps--love this bike raced gs 1100 gs 1150s and kz 1000s all my life:wave:

I find it hard to belief a Vaquero will do 140 indicated or otherwise, at least stock. My RT will probably do 135, may be 140 with better fuel, but it will get there quicker than any stock 1700 that's for sure and it handles/stops better too.

[ponch]

Here are the results of the LA Sheriffs Motorcycle test. Note the performance differences in all the categories, but especially braking and acceleration. The HD should have similar if not better specs than the 1700 Vulcan.

http://shq.lasdnews.net/shq/vehicle_testing/2015%20MY%20Motocycle%20Test%20Book%20Final%20Draf t%203-24-15%20ha-2.pdf

[dank]

I find it hard to belief a Vaquero will do 140 indicated or otherwise,

If they could hit the speeds reported here they would come with "V" or "Z" rated tires. My understanding is that they come "H" rated.

[RACNRAY]

ive heard some say the vaquero will not hit 140 well it does on the speedo as effortless as 100---I bought the bike to take a rest from my vmax and turbo bike in the garage but was challenged by a co worker in his bmw I bought this bike to finally go slow lol I waved bye bye as he got scared at 125-- only mod my bike has is left side removed and capped stock exhaust and drilled caps--love this bike raced gs 1100 gs 1150s and kz 1000s all my life:wave:

It has been well documented the potential top speed for the 1700's, (which at the rev limiter in 6th gear is 154 mph), is really only about 125-130 mph, and that will be achieved in 5th gear.

These engines make low to mid 80 H.P. with the external mods (intake, exhaust and F.I. tuning), add to that the serious overdrive ratios in 5th and 6th along with the absolutely poor aerodynamics, 140+ will only be seen with additional horsepower, bunches more.

OEM speedos are so far off that to even consider them close is a mistake. Most speedos are off at least 6-8% or more (on Jap bikes) so the most accurate method to determine speed is by GPS or a speedo recalibrated by GPS or on a dyno, both methods are usually accurate to well within 1 mph.

RACNRAY

[ponch]

If they could hit the speeds reported here they would come with "V" or "Z" rated tires. My understanding is that they come "H" rated.

It must be some other time continuum.

[ponch]

It has been well documented the potential top speed for the 1700's, (which at the rev limiter in 6th gear is 154 mph), is really only about 125-130 mph, and that will be achieved in 5th gear.

These engines make low to mid 80 H.P. with the external mods (intake, exhaust and F.I. tuning), add to that the serious overdrive ratios in 5th and 6th along with the absolutely poor aerodynamics, 140+ will only be seen with additional horsepower, bunches more.

OEM speedos are so far off that to even consider them close is a mistake. Most speedos are off at least 6-8% or more (on Jap bikes) so the most accurate method to determine speed is by GPS or a speedo recalibrated by GPS or on a dyno, both methods are usually accurate to well within 1 mph.

RACNRAY

I have my doubts about it. HD police bikes don't hit that, I doubt the Vulcan will.

[RACNRAY]

I have my doubts about it. HD police bikes don't hit that, I doubt the Vulcan will.

Doubts about what? Please clarify.

RACNRAY

[ponch]

Doubts about what? Please clarify.

RACNRAY

That a stock vaquero will do 125-130. The HD police bikes don't do that. In fact they are downright slow getting to 100. I figure 115-120 max.

[RACNRAY]

That a stock vaquero will do 125-130. The HD police bikes don't do that. In fact they are downright slow getting to 100. I figure 115-120 max.

I never ran my skoot when it was stock to document what it could do for top speed. With the typical stock 1700 makin around 70 H.P. a stock 1700 may see that 110-120 area, but it will take a LONG time to get there.

My skoot, makin in the mid 80 H.P. area (with the Big 3) runs past 100 mph purty easy. The potential top speed in 5th gear at the rev limiter is 127 mph. I just don't run it to the higher speeds, not what I bought this for. I gotta Busa that makes this Vaq a pathetic pig in comparison!

Even me being a motorhead, in the 4+ years ownin this Vaq I have had absolutely no concern for top speed. It's the giddy-up, the gittin there that is what matters to me, and most of us.

Maybe the title of this thread shoulda been..."I feel the need for better acceleration"!!!

RACNRAY

[ponch]

I never ran my skoot when it was stock to document what it could do for top speed. With the typical stock 1700 makin around 70 H.P. a stock 1700 may see that 110-120 area, but it will take a LONG time to get there.

My skoot, makin in the mid 80 H.P. area (with the Big 3) runs past 100 mph purty easy. The potential top speed in 5th gear at the rev limiter is 127 mph. I just don't run it to the higher speeds, not what I bought this for. I gotta Busa that makes this Vaq a pathetic pig in comparison!

Even me being a motorhead, in the 4+ years ownin this Vaq I have had absolutely no concern for top speed. It's the giddy-up, the gittin there that is what matters to me, and most of us.

Maybe the title of this thread shoulda been..."I feel the need for better acceleration"!!!

RACNRAY


Look at the PDF for the police bikes. The difference between the cruiser bikes and the STs are pretty marked. One of the HDs takes almost twice as long to reach 100 than the RT. That's sad. The brakes on the HD are decent though, the victory not so much. The differences under adverse conditions even more so.

[RACNRAY]

Look at the PDF for the police bikes. The difference between the cruiser bikes and the STs are pretty marked. One of the HDs takes almost twice as long to reach 100 than the RT. That's sad. The brakes on the HD are decent though, the victory not so much. The differences under adverse conditions even more so.

This thread is about the op's need for speed on a Voyager and his foray into triple digits. What does police bikes have to do with this and why does police skoots vs ST's even matter? Or cruisers VS ST's even matter? I looked at the file and considered it just not important enuff.

So what ST's make cruisers/Harleys/whatevers look sad. This is a Kawi Bagger forum and just seems to be a waste to bring up anything else.

I know it will be more beneficial and less of a waste of time reading about OUR SKOOTS than any ST/RT/whatever.

RACNRAY

[ponch]

This thread is about the op's need for speed on a Voyager and his foray into triple digits. What does police bikes have to do with this and why does police skoots vs ST's even matter? Or cruisers VS ST's even matter? I looked at the file and considered it just not important enuff.

So what ST's make cruisers/Harleys/whatevers look sad. This is a Kawi Bagger forum and just seems to be a waste to bring up anything else.

I know it will be more beneficial and less of a waste of time reading about OUR SKOOTS than any ST/RT/whatever.

RACNRAY

That's because you weren't following the thread. Someone brought up doing 130 and accelerating past an old BMW. I said hogwash. The police write up is fairly objective of the performance of the various police bikes, some of which encompass the area occupied by Vulcans, others that are STs of a newer generation to that of what the OP bespoke of spanking. SO, in the end, I was just challenging the bike religion with something factual rather than hearsay and since it is an open forum regardless of the particular denomination of bike religion, any member can post as they choose. :yep:

[RACNRAY]

That's because you weren't following the thread. Someone brought up doing 130 and accelerating past an old BMW. I said hogwash. The police write up is fairly objective of the performance of the various police bikes, some of which encompass the area occupied by Vulcans, others that are STs of a newer generation to that of what the OP bespoke of spanking. SO, in the end, I was just challenging the bike religion with something factual rather than hearsay and since it is an open forum regardless of the particular denomination of bike religion, any member can post as they choose. :yep:

OIC...OKEEDOKEE...hopefully that will clear up his claim and my confusion.

RACNRAY

[Gypsy Dragon]

ive heard some say the vaquero will not hit 140 well it does on the speedo as effortless as 100---I bought the bike to take a rest from my vmax and turbo bike in the garage but was challenged by a co worker in his bmw I bought this bike to finally go slow lol I waved bye bye as he got scared at 125-- only mod my bike has is left side removed and capped stock exhaust and drilled caps--love this bike raced gs 1100 gs 1150s and kz 1000s all my life:wave:

Ponch, the claim wasn't that the Vaquero would blast up to or past 140, it was that there was a guy on a BMW that rolled off at 125, and the Vaq owner kept going. We all know these bikes aren't sport bikes, or even sport touring bikes. They are big, heavy baggers. But that doesn't mean we don't like to get out there and push some limits every now and then.

Personally, I found the document you posted interesting and informative, but pretty useless as far as this thread is concerned. It's OK if you don't believe some of the stories told here. After all, sometimes we all embellish a bit...even you.

[ponch]

Ponch, the claim wasn't that the Vaquero would blast up to or past 140, it was that there was a guy on a BMW that rolled off at 125, and the Vaq owner kept going. We all know these bikes aren't sport bikes, or even sport touring bikes. They are big, heavy baggers. But that doesn't mean we don't like to get out there and push some limits every now and then.

Personally, I found the document you posted interesting and informative, but pretty useless as far as this thread is concerned. It's OK if you don't believe some of the stories told here. After all, sometimes we all embellish a bit...even you.

Actually, I am a truth teller to a fault. If you think I piss off the Vulcan crew here, you should see how I piss off the BMW crowd. I'll speak the truth about the shortcoming of the bikes. The difference though is that they will post a screen shot of their GPS, so the speed is recorded. Just saying. Also, the BMWs that were races were over a decade old. They improve over the years with upgrades every 4-5 years at most often with more power, sometimes lighter, better aerodynamics and brakes etc. If I could only get them to get their QA/QC/testing better...

[Gypsy Dragon]

Actually, I am a truth teller to a fault. If you think I piss off the Vulcan crew here, you should see how I piss off the BMW crowd. I'll speak the truth about the shortcoming of the bikes. The difference though is that they will post a screen shot of their GPS, so the speed is recorded. Just saying. Also, the BMWs that were races were over a decade old. They improve over the years with upgrades every 4-5 years at most often with more power, sometimes lighter, better aerodynamics and brakes etc. If I could only get them to get their QA/QC/testing better...

:tup::tup:

It would be nice for all the companies to put a little more in to the final QC process. Nothing says "we are cheap bastards" like a brand new bike that has some really stupid things wrong, like say, a drive belt that is way too tight...

[ponch]

:tup::tup:

It would be nice for all the companies to put a little more in to the final QC process. Nothing says "we are cheap bastards" like a brand new bike that has some really stupid things wrong, like say, a drive belt that is way too tight...

Or the waterpump leaks, or the buttons on switch gear stop working or shocks have to be recalled with a stop riding warning.

[Texas nomad]

I've had my '06 Nomad at around 130... Yes, I know.... I'm a cop. I should know better. Sunny day, on the interstate, no other cars, headed home from Leavenworth one day in '09... Felt like I was going about 75...handled extremely well!

[MarkZ28]

Havent tried topping out my 13 Viyager, just had it to 80 mph, onky 2600 miles on it. Its slooooowwwwww. Lol, Im used to R1, Hayabusa, and R6 power. Had my 07 up to 80 moh in 1st gear in what seemed s3conds without out even knowing it, wasnt on he trottle that hard. Thing was fast but it beat you up on long rides. Busa was an 09, only had it up to 120 once, smooth as silk. Had a ZRX1200R ip to speedo read 150 moh, probably really 140, that was scary. I may try topping out the Voyager someday, but I know I will be dissappointed, lol.

[landman]

I've had my '06 Nomad at around 130... Yes, I know.... I'm a cop. I should know better. Sunny day, on the interstate, no other cars, headed home from Leavenworth one day in '09... Felt like I was going about 75...handled extremely well!

I wonder why your nomad is so much faster then my 08 was as my gps said it
was done at 105,my vaquero would do 118.i will probably not see the top end
on my concourse 14 as I chickened out at 135.

[kawboysix]

I wonder why your nomad is so much faster then my 08 was as my gps said it
was done at 105,my vaquero would do 118.i will probably not see the top end
on my concourse 14 as I chickened out at 135.


my 06 nomad topped out at 105 also stock intake, vance & hines exhaust and cobra 2000. I have since reconfiguered my pipe baffles and improved it. runs better and tops out at indicated on the speedo speeds of 115

[ponch]

I wonder why your nomad is so much faster then my 08 was as my gps said it

was done at 105,my vaquero would do 118.i will probably not see the top end

on my concourse 14 as I chickened out at 135.


The c14 souls be good for 155 for sure.

[Gypsy Dragon]

I wonder why your nomad is so much faster then my 08 was as my gps said it
was done at 105,my vaquero would do 118.i will probably not see the top end
on my concourse 14 as I chickened out at 135.

I had my C14 up to 140 once, and 130 several times. At 140, it was still pulling like a freight train. Such a fun bike to ride!

[otter]

I've had my Voyager up to 160km/h / 100mph for a short stretch. A little on the weird side as to how smooth it was and how I couldn't really feel the speed. Until I looked down at the speedo.

Backed off real quick, 50km over is an automatic vehicle impound and 7 day license suspension, 6 demerit points. Then you get your license back. Then you go to court. On conviction, it's a two year suspension on top of everything else.

Just can't have fun here.

[ponch]

I've had my Voyager up to 160km/h / 100mph for a short stretch. A little on the weird side as to how smooth it was and how I couldn't really feel the speed. Until I looked down at the speedo.

Backed off real quick, 50km over is an automatic vehicle impound and 7 day license suspension, 6 demerit points. Then you get your license back. Then you go to court. On conviction, it's a two year suspension on top of everything else.

Just can't have fun here.

Seems that Europe is the only place where higher speeds are legal and it's kind of odd as they are nanny state with everything else.

[landman]

since they raised our interstate speed limit to 80 mph the statie cops seem less tolerant on how much over that they will allow before lighting you up.

[Scootergptx]

I see I'm a month late, but a month ago, I didn't have the bike.

Not sure what my top speed is. By that, I mean my nerves not the bikes ability.

I do have a stretch of road on the way home that I can open it up a bit. When the police aren't sitting there. On this bike, I'm finding it really hard to remember to look first.

Anyway, I'm only going up to 5th gear and hitting 100mph easily. A little room left before redline and another gear to go. Then it goes into a corner and I'm really not interested in finding out the slip point on the tires. I am looking forward to a nice open set of highway soon.

You'd have thought the ticket I got a few years back for 76 in a 40 would have cured me of doing this.

[smokier]

:cheers:The only "cure" for speed, is more speed.:tup:

Ride safe,
Smokier

[RACNRAY]

:cheers:The only "cure" for speed, is more speed.:tup:

Ride safe,
Smokier

HMMMM....now THAT makes a TON of sense to me!!!

YEA MAN!!!

RACNRAY