Feedback Needed - Caveats of the 1700s

[VulcanJeff]

As a long time 1500 Classic owner, I don't spend any time hanging around the bigger displacement lounge, you might say :D

I'm hoping I can get some feedback from you all about the nature of the 1700cc bikes. The 15s and 16s seems to have their clutch woes, cam chain tensioner woes, front master cylinder return hole clog woes and so on. What kind of stuff goes on with the 1700s?

[Chuck A.]

10,000 miles on the odometer and all I've done is the Ivan's reflash on the ECM and adjusted the drive belt, as far as performance goes.. This bike is great so far but the reflash brings out the best in the engine hands down. The factory suggested belt tension is way too tight. The seat is not comfortable at all for a bigger frame man. RDL rebuild is great for all day riding. Other than those three things I'm good and couldn't be happier with any other bike.

[Burky]

I have owned a 1500cc mean streak and now have a 1700 vaquero. I found the 1500 was a smoother motor (up till I Ivanized the 1700 ) the low level throttle was jerky (abrubt) on the 1700 also, the 1500 WAS better on fuel again untill Ivan did my ecu now the 1700 is very good (ridden conservatively) and not so good when ridden hard. I think overall the 1700 is a much more consitantly rideable and, reliable motor from everything I have read on different forums.Even stock (before ecu remapping) the 1700 is more fun to ride for me. You should have more torque, better fuel economy, a better exhaust note and , more reliability.There seems to be very few problems with this design overall.

[mbarr10]

Yes, all of the above. I came from the 1500 classic also. The flash is the most important part, I hated the 1700. I mean hated it so bad I was going to take it back, Then after the ECU flash I'm Keeping it forever.

Gone are the 1500 motor rattles, And the 28 rake on the Vaquero is so much better handling than the 30 degree rake on the 1500 Classic.

[BrokeAss]

Bought a Mean Streak brand new in '04, bought this '09 Nomad used in 2014 with 3396 miles. I'm a Vulcan guy for life. Love both bikes. Worth mentioning the belt drive is lighter and far more efficient than the shaft drive.

[smokier]

Another 1500 rider to 1700 here too. IVAN's PERFORMANCE (http://www.ivansperformanceproducts.com/vn1700.htm) Was the first thing done when the current VAQ came home. *This is my second VAQ, both were done. Literally drove the second VAQ home, with less than 150 miles on the clock pulled the ECU and sent to IVAN. :tup:
The CLUTCH SLAVE cylinder, seems to need regular maintenance.
Other than those two recommendations, there isn't much. Normal maintenance .

Enjoy and ride safe,
Smokier

[markc9503]

I've had my Voyager for 6 years and I have done nothing to it, enging-wise. I'm really happy with it, far happier than I was with my BMW K1200. The most significant thing I have had to do it to replace the steering bearing to eliminate a front wheel wobble.

[VulcanJeff]

Thanks for the feedback!

[DragonLady58]

As a long time 1500 Classic owner, I don't spend any time hanging around the bigger displacement lounge, you might say :D

I'm hoping I can get some feedback from you all about the nature of the 1700cc bikes. The 15s and 16s seems to have their clutch woes, cam chain tensioner woes, front master cylinder return hole clog woes and so on. What kind of stuff goes on with the 1700s?
OK, I gather you might be gathering info, maybe feeling out getting a newer bike....just curious....etc.
The 1700 is a completely redesign of the 1500/1600 engine, a upgrade if you will.
Its a completely diff. animal, is about what can be taken away from this....
If you can imagine that the 1500/1600 is sat right beside the 1700 engine, both having a Vaquero frame and body....
The 1700 only needs 2 things and 2 things only....You know the 1500/1600s are totally floundering until you desmog the engine, put coasters on, a custom intake and some exhaust, and a tuner?
Imagine a tuner or a reflash for the 1500/1600 engine that straightens all that out....
Thats what the Ivan flash is to the 1700. That, and readjust your return throttle cable, and your rear drive belt....
The 1700 is head and shoulders above the 1500/1600 as far as just jumping on, riding, and going cross country.
The 1500/1600s have alot more personality....they are bikes that like to have hands laid on them, they respond well to the personal touch of the owner.


Get the 1700 bikes if you like to top off fluids, wash, wipe her down, throw your leg over her, and ride on 3000+ miles at a time....with never a belch or rattle....
The 1500/1600 needs you to nuture it, love on it, pet it.
The 1700 doesn't need that....Hope and pray to god that the 1700 wiring doesn't give out and the 1700 engine doesn't need repairing, its made to be ridden, with minimum of fuss....the 1700 doesn't need fuss, it just needs you and the open road....


If you have a 1500/1600, as long as its rattling, thumping, thudding, its alive and happy. Start worrying when you cant't hear all that going on.
The 1700 is smooth, quiet, powerful with the Ivans flash a few miles under her belt, belt and throttle cables adjusted, the intake and exhaust of your liking. Start worrying when you can hear anything going on with the engine....Complete personality opposites...

[oldbeezer]

Hello, I've been following this thread as I have just bought a '12 Nomad last month. I'm hoping to find minimal bad news. This is directed mainly to Dragonlady58. In the above post you say the 1700s have minimal problems but then go on to say "Hope and pray to god that the 1700 wiring doesn't give out and the 1700 engine doesn't need repairing". By this are you saying one shouldn't have many problems but if you do it will be a pita to fix? Also in reference to the wiring are you referring to the ignition wires chafing under the tank? Finally you mention the drive belt, I am assuming you mean it is too tight.

Thanks, Jim

[DragonLady58]

Hello, I've been following this thread as I have just bought a '12 Nomad last month. I'm hoping to find minimal bad news. This is directed mainly to Dragonlady58. In the above post you say the 1700s have minimal problems but then go on to say "Hope and pray to god that the 1700 wiring doesn't give out and the 1700 engine doesn't need repairing". By this are you saying one shouldn't have many problems but if you do it will be a pita to fix? Also in reference to the wiring are you referring to the ignition wires chafing under the tank? Finally you mention the drive belt, I am assuming you mean it is too tight.

Thanks, Jim
Theres no bad news to be had about the 1700s, they just don't break down like the other bikes....I'm sure they will eventually....but none as of yet.
The saying I used was in regard to the Kawasaki Stealerships....we will be at their mercery as far as alot of the 1700 repairs....
I have a feeling they are gonna be like the Old Honda Cars, ie, the Accord, the Celica, etc. The car lasted and lasted, well past 250K which I like, it says they have a commitment to their loyal buyers.

Theres nothing bad you can say about the 1700s, no yet....What few 1700s I've had to delve deep into....its been shit that should not have happened....like folks leaving their crankcase dry, etc....Wiring, not a problem, but it is pretty damn complex....


What I am saying....as bikes become newer, they become more complicated. As that grows, the amount of people working on their own bike drops. The complexity is too high.
I can take a late 60's Shovelhead engine & trans apart and put them together in my sleep. I gotta be awake, but the same with the 1500/1600 Nomads....
The 1700s are more complicated. Just gotta follow your repair book. The 1700 is the modern bike....
What I'm trying to say, it seems like the 1700 is the Hondas equiv. of the wing....reliable as a rock....

[mbarr10]

Well Put DL58. Thank You

[oldbeezer]

Thank you Ms. Lady58
Or may I call you Dragon :)

[VulcanJeff]

OK, I gather you might be gathering info, maybe feeling out getting a newer bike....just curious....etc.
The 1700 is a completely redesign of the 1500/1600 engine, a upgrade if you will.
Its a completely diff. animal, is about what can be taken away from this....
If you can imagine that the 1500/1600 is sat right beside the 1700 engine, both having a Vaquero frame and body....
The 1700 only needs 2 things and 2 things only....You know the 1500/1600s are totally floundering until you desmog the engine, put coasters on, a custom intake and some exhaust, and a tuner?
Imagine a tuner or a reflash for the 1500/1600 engine that straightens all that out....
Thats what the Ivan flash is to the 1700. That, and readjust your return throttle cable, and your rear drive belt....
The 1700 is head and shoulders above the 1500/1600 as far as just jumping on, riding, and going cross country.
The 1500/1600s have alot more personality....they are bikes that like to have hands laid on them, they respond well to the personal touch of the owner.


Get the 1700 bikes if you like to top off fluids, wash, wipe her down, throw your leg over her, and ride on 3000+ miles at a time....with never a belch or rattle....
The 1500/1600 needs you to nuture it, love on it, pet it.
The 1700 doesn't need that....Hope and pray to god that the 1700 wiring doesn't give out and the 1700 engine doesn't need repairing, its made to be ridden, with minimum of fuss....the 1700 doesn't need fuss, it just needs you and the open road....


If you have a 1500/1600, as long as its rattling, thumping, thudding, its alive and happy. Start worrying when you cant't hear all that going on.
The 1700 is smooth, quiet, powerful with the Ivans flash a few miles under her belt, belt and throttle cables adjusted, the intake and exhaust of your liking. Start worrying when you can hear anything going on with the engine....Complete personality opposites...

Yup, you nailed it: considering a newer machine. I had read a review several years ago stating the rider triangle had shrunk with the 1700s. I've sat on them and didn't feel uncomfortable but the tighter quarters was definitely felt. More importantly was the mechanical side of things. It sounds like all the quirks of the 15/1600s are no more. And the Ivan's flash sounds kick a$$!

So what about the 2000 Vulcan. What's that big monster like? Its roots are what, at least 2004 time frame? I think that was the first year for them.

[DragonLady58]

The 2000, I'm suprised that they didn't go longer, its a damn good bike. But I think that they got in hot water again with Harley Davidson. If you look at the engine, it looks alot like the HD, pushrod tubes and all....a big V-Twin....especially at a glance.
I would like to purchase a 2000, it'd make a great trike....have plently of power, pep, the 2000 is a fraking huge bike!
They are durable, powerful, smooth....evidently they didn't sell well....hell, I like them, but they are a big bike. Perfect to trike....
You think the 1700s have some torque? You need to ride the 2000....just barely touching the throttle gives you all the power you'd ever need....
For the bike rider that wants and craves BIG Power!

[blowndodge]

The Vulcan 2000 had engine reliability issues. Mostly top end issues. MaKaw also put a resistor in so you couldn't go wide open until 3rd gear due to tire spin.

[mike07nad]

Ok - I'll add my 3 Voyager 120,000 Voyager miles opinion. #1 - I love this bike - It just fits me and my riding style.
#1 - The Ivan reflash IS everything they say.
#2 - It's a big bike. It's Hot. Ivan Reflash makes it better.
#3 - The Wobble. Many Voyagers/Vaquero's develop a front end wobble soon after there first front tire change. Kawasaki chose to put Ball Bearings for the steering stem. Replacement and normal interval maintenance using tapered bearings from All Balls helps resolve this issue.
#4 - Tires - Many options - Many Good - Some not so good. Some wear out quickly, Some wobble worse, Very few options in Stock Rear size.
#5 - Gear Shift Indicator. They Fail and don't always show you the correct gear. If left unfixed it this issue may cause problems in the working of the Cruise Control. I'm about to have my second one replaced on my 2014 with 57,000 miles. (Still under Warranty)
#6 - Warranty - 3 years from new and you can extend. Mine has 6 on it now - Not sure if I can extend again - time will tell.

All that said - While those are some of the WARTS of the 1700 Voyager - It's my horse and My Baby. You can't have MINE. After fixing the warts it's a dream to ride.

Oh and NO MORE PINGING - These things don't PING
Oh and They don't use OIL (At least my 3 haven't - Put 4.5 quarts in and do it again in 5 - 7000 miles)
Hope that helps.

[VulcanJeff]

Very good mike07nad! Great stuff!! That helps me get to know the machine and move toward a decision.

[Bikerfred]

I have had the Voyager 1700 for three years. It is a trouble free terrific long distance bike. I have had the Ivan Flash done, added the XM radio, LED spot lights, and few other little items. I have gone across country 2 times and will for a 3rd time this August. I wanted a bike I did not have to worry about. I am a not a great wrench and I don't want to worry about the bike in the middle of Montana. A great value for the money. I still have my 1500 Vulcan but it is retired from long rides. Just around town and short jaunts. The 1700 is built for the highway or mountain sweeping road. You can't go wrong with it.