New Voyager?

[jon]

I hate to bring this up on a Nomad board, but:

I talked to a Kawasaki dealer in Dallas last week and he confirmed the new Voyager. His quote was " if your looking to buy something, wait six months and you should know about the new Voyager."

I like my Nomad, but would really like something bigger (6'7" 275 pounds) for trips. I drove a new Gold Wing a couple of weeks ago and loved the handling, but comfort sucked. My knees were into the fairing and foot pegs were underneath me. I felt like I was on a silent crotch rocket more then an all day touring bike.

H&W Honda was cool letting me test ride and offered me advice for a Tall guy. Bottom line about $2,500 in seats and accessories would get me sitting somewhat comfortable.

I took a ride on the Royal Star Venture and it was nice but not any bigger then my Nomad and not the quality of the Gold Wing. I am hoping the new Voyager will meet my needs and enter the competition for my future ride.

[jon]

Groundhog

My wife is against the touring bike because she likes the cool factor of the Nomad. I think if I took her on a trip longer then a few hours on a real touring bike she would change her mind.

On the flip side, at least my wife thinks my bike's cool. Could be worse.

Hope to see you on the road some day or at a rally. The Boo Benefit Rally in Jefferson was great.

first I have heard about a new bike. So guys fill us in. When and what is this new voyager gonna have and why?

[bobzinger]

Before I bought my Nomad my wife and I went on a ride using a friends 2003 Goldwing. I got caught at a light and all my buds were outta sight by the time I got to Rt580. I took off up the Altamont Pass to catch up and never really paid any attention to the speedo. Carving thru traffic I looked down and asked my wife if she had any idea how fast we were going (yes she heard me and we communicated at this speed). She though maybe 75-80. We were over 115MPH and it felt like 75. It handled and rode awesome. I was sold, but my wife likes the looks of a cruiser. But I might be interested in a Voyager one day!

[jon]

I agree. I am looking forward to seeing the design of a future Voyager and hope it fits someone my size, damn little people.

[blowndodge]

<marquee>Traitors,,,all of you!!!!!!!1</marquee>

[dank]

I don't understand this thread. The Nomad is designed for touring. The Nomad has fantastic styling, gets good mpg, is designed for touring, has a great seat, and bags, has an outstanding passenger seat and floor boards, has a record for phenomenal service life, is value priced, and delivers great low end torque and power. Why is it automatically assumed that this undefined new Voyager is a far superior bike?

Maybe the voyager will be better, but it would take something pretty special to turn my head from my Nomad. (But, like BD, I have the superb green and silver model, so maybe that explains our devotion and others' lack thereof.)

[tex]

Still gotta think that the red and grey version is the better of crowd.....
but I am biased.
http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Scoot]

<marquee>Traitors,,,all of you!!!!!!!1</marquee>

I agree with Brad, Thought this was a nomad site ??? ;)

Had Goldwing. (1999 GL1500SE) Nomad is much better for my motorcycling enjoyment, like the engine characteristics of the big V-Twin more than a flat 6.
The Goldwings have too much plastic, hard to work on even the basics like spark plugs and air filter. Couldn't get rid of the plastic rattles when going over railroad track type bumps. Not at all fun around town.
On the plus side I really liked the electric reverse gear that only Wings have. And the Gold Book offered by the GWRRA is great on the road support. Never rode an 1800 Wing , I understand they are better handling that the 1500.

[socwkbiker]

GH, if you need all that stuff, wouldn't you prefer a cage? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

<marquee>Traitorous voyager fiends</marquee>

[Todd]

GH, if you need all that stuff, wouldn't you prefer a cage? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

<marquee>Traitorous voyager fiends</marquee>

OUCH...that stung!! ;) ;)

[socwkbiker]

OOOHHHH, well said GH! lol

[dank]

What's not to understand? [/quote]

The part I don't understand, which by the way was actually indicated by the question mark at the end of the sentence, is why it is automatically assumed that the yet to be seen or ridden bike will be superior to the Nomad. Maybe it will and maybe it won't. I don't see a great deal of room for improvement. Concours owners made that assumption about the C14, but it now seems to be getting very mixed reviews and coming up short for many due to it being more sport than touring and having very poor passenger accommodations.

[jon]

I was only posting this as a joke ???(see: Gold Wing + VN2000 = Voyager).


http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/Jons_Nomad/2009KawasakiVoyager-1.jpg

[dank]

I was only posting this as a joke ???(see: Gold Wing + VN2000 = Voyager).



Well, it looks pretty good....until the right saddle bag melts.

[socwkbiker]

Or until the Goldwing riders gang up on you and hit you with their empty Starbucks cups. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I was only posting this as a joke ???(see: Gold Wing + VN2000 = Voyager).


http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/Jons_Nomad/2009KawasakiVoyager-1.jpg

[oldbiker]

I guess it's just a matter of what you like. I own a 2004 Nomad and a 99 GW. My wife has a lot of trouble getting on the Nomad and no problem with the wing. The wing is smooth and quiet, the Nomad is smooth and loud. Around town the wing is a pain in the a$$. We've taken the wing on a 1600 mile trip to Florida and 1800 miles to NY and it was easy to do 500 miles a day. I like the Nomad she likes the comfort. Say what you want , but put in a long day on a wing compared to a long day on a Nomad and you'll feel better at sunset on the wing. Been there done that.

[naugaman]

I have had other Goldwing riders tell me the same thing. You feel better after a long day on a wing then other bikes. One went on to say, at 3 in the morning all you will see on the road are Goldwings. Everyone else has gone to bed. Does that say everyone else is smarter then a Goldwing rider or are they really that much better?

[oldbiker]

Naugaman,
I think it's a matter of protection. You get the feeling of security on a wing. You have the option of blowing fresh air on your legs or engine heat if it gets chilly. You're protected from the wind and as long as you keep your speed up you can ride in the rain without getting soaked. For LONG trips they can't be beat.

[Top Cat]

Quote by Dan--from the thread titled "you guys will be happy"
As some of you know, I have recently traded my 2007 Nomad for a 2008 Gold Wing. I do love my new bike and cannot believe the ability to take the curves and I cannot believe the power, BUTT, BUTTTTTTT , BUTTTT, You guys have, without a doubt one of the best riding bikes made. My Gold Wing cannot take a gust of wind from the side without feeling like I am getting blown off the road. The Nomad was not affected no where near as bad as the Wing. I miss my Nomad but don't want to pay for two bikes. Just thought I would share that with you guys and gals.......Take Care.......

I'll stick with the Nomad. It has every thing I need form a motorcycle http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[bobzinger]

What's not to understand?

The part I don't understand, which by the way was actually indicated by the question mark at the end of the sentence, is why it is automatically assumed that the yet to be seen or ridden bike will be superior to the Nomad. Maybe it will and maybe it won't. I don't see a great deal of room for improvement. Concours owners made that assumption about the C14, but it now seems to be getting very mixed reviews and coming up short for many due to it being more sport than touring and having very poor passenger accommodations. [/quote]

I love my Nomad...But it is a dinosaur. There hasn't been a lot of improvement made to it in many years. So hey there can always be an improvement to...lets see; the seat, more power, add-ons like trunk or fairing, etc.

[dank]

I love my Nomad...But it is a dinosaur. There hasn't been a lot of improvement made to it in many years. [/quote]

Let's see...2005, 2006, 2007. I guess you can call three "many" but 2005 seems pretty recent to me.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005models-Kawasaki-Vulcan1600-Nomad.htm

[bobzinger]

Here's the 3 things the article states...
"The new Vulcan® 1600 Nomad™ retains the elegant style of the Vulcan 1500 Nomad, but features more chrome, enhanced passenger comfort, and the big V-twin engine’s displacement has been boosted to 1,552cc to give it an even keener powerband."

Chrome...
Enhanced Passenger comfort...
bigger motor...

It's basically the same motor and drive train. I've heard many people say the 1600 isn't as comfortable for the rider as the 1500 was. No real redesigns for many many years. It works well, but who wouldn't like better use of 1600cc (better power and mileage) and maybe a quieter motor. And they should be able to make this motor with this low compression run on regular gas.

I'm just saying....

[Top Cat]

I think they sell enough of them so they figure don't fix it if it isn't broke.
My stock seat on my 07 is fine. I don't need an aftermarket
$600 seat. Yes I ride two-up for 200 to 400 miles in one trip.
that being said, I do understand your point bob. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif