New Nomad or Voyager?

[dantama]

Curious how the new model developments might translate into bike sales here.

Before the 09's, I would have bought a low mile used, or a new Nomad next.

I suspect that It'll be a Voyager next, now.

[gnomad]

I am going to be looking hard at the Voyager in Late 2010 when I retire. For now I am gonna stick with my Nomad because 1: I love it and 2: I don't need the full dress just yet. But after I retire, I will be 49 when I do, I am looking to need the extra luxuries and trunk capacity. Hopefully Kawanow looks at it as just what it appears to be, a fully loaded Nomad.

[nolan]

Have to see the '09 Nomad before I will commit to saying I will buy one. I like it's looks and the top opening saddlebags. Cruise control is sweet too. Will have to see what others who buy them say about them, If Kawasaki has fixed the past problems of them and what kind of mileage they are getting. What accessories you can get for it. But yeah, if it passes all that, it will be on my very short list for a new motorcycle in two to four years.

[donguer]

Message to Trip,
I'm figuring the way the 2009 Nomad Morph's into the Voyager maybe this forum should pick up on the common traits. Just like alot of members have done already installing trunks and Fairings on their earlier models.
How's KawaNomAger sound to you? :)

[radco]

Im am 99% sure my next bike will be the Voyager... One of my sons wants my Nomad :) so it may be sooner then I expext.:O Rich

[glwilson]

As I said; I am eyeing the Voyager myself and leaning hard toward it.

Gonna have to talk to Trip about adjusting the "bike" requirements of this group though.

[scion0]

The Voyager's are nice but they remind too much of the Harley look so for now, I will have to stay Nomad!

[cactusjack]

All things being equal, I was leaning toward the Royal Star Venture for my next bike. I don't want a Harley, and the Goldwing really isn't my cup of tea. Thankfully, Kawasaki announced the 1700 Voyager. It's almost as if they have been listening to us, since many of the features were on our various "wishlists". I can't wait to see one up close. I'm not in any hurry to give up my Nomad, so any thoughts of a new bike are a few years out still, and who knows - things may change again.

[ponch]

I think it will depend on price. The venture is a good value, but I found it a tight fit. When you get beyond that price point, it opens other options, like HD, Victory, Honda, and BMW. So if Kawasaki prices the Voyager above 17-18K, it may not not be a good buy. I still would liek to ride one though.


All things being equal, I was leaning toward the Royal Star Venture for my next bike. I don't want a Harley, and the Goldwing really isn't my cup of tea. Thankfully, Kawasaki announced the 1700 Voyager. It's almost as if they have been listening to us, since many of the features were on our various "wishlists". I can't wait to see one up close. I'm not in any hurry to give up my Nomad, so any thoughts of a new bike are a few years out still, and who knows - things may change again.

[audiogooroo]

Tough call. I do like the Voyager, but I definitely have alot of miles left in my Nad before I replace it. In a perfect world, I'd buy the Voyager and also keep the Nomad.

[ringadingh]

I'll wait and see what the guys say about the Voyager before I make a purchase. I like most of it, but the bags may have to grow on me over time. Id like to take one for a ride also. More than likely I'll buy a used one when I decide to get one.

[paul]

From the standpoint of looks alone, I much prefer my 2000 Nomad to the new one. The old style Nomads, with the tank, engine, and bags configured and sculpted the way they are , are entirely unique and strangely beautiful. They tend to stand out wherever they are found, and yet never seem to be gaudy or over done, no matter how much or how little modification is done. In my mind the Nomad has out-classiced the "classic" Harley. It will never replace the Harley, nor should it. It is a beautiful bike all on its own. Even that, the fact that it does stand on it's own, is a tribute to the machine. It is probably not the perfect bike, but capacity, comfort, size, feel, rideability, handling, colors, accessory availability, power, and price all seemed to come together to make the "perfect storm" and create a bike that will never be again. No matter how the thing is modified, when viewed close up or from afar, there is no mistaking it's a Nomad!

I think I will have to keep mine and add a Voyager to the stable. But I'm loving the Nomad for now so there is no hurry.

[Idaho]

Love the Nomad. Do not want a belt drive. That ruled out the Yamaha's and Victory's for me in the first place. Too bad that Kawi went with the belt on the Voyager. I'm also not so sure that I want a complete fairing and lowers. Really like the open front end of the Nomad. 1700 Nomad, maybe, after I wear this one out.

[dantama]

I like a lot about the new Voyager. I like the extra power and torque, and with the six speed trans perhaps not paying a gas mileage penalty for it.

I like the electronics and the trunk.

Don't know if the fairing is worth the trouble, other than a place to house electronics. The present windshield seems to do just fine for me.

I think I got burned a little buying my 99 Nomad with the plastic oil gear going bad in the first year or two, and leaky cam plugs among other things. I doubt that I'd want a first year bike.

I've had two new Nomads, sandwiched by two used ones. Chances are I'd wait until a second or third year Voyager, or later became available with low miles and buy it.

[skeeter]

I hope the trunk will fit my 07.

[ells]

Thankfully, Kawasaki announced the 1700 Voyager. It's almost as if they have been listening to us, since many of the features were on our various "wishlists"..

Yeah, I even recall mentioning that it might be nice, sometimes, if the bags opened from the top. Sorry.

[landman]

i have to admit that i miss the power of my m109 suzuki that i
traded for my 08 nomad.overall i really like the nomad better so
the additional 20% horsepower and 15% torque of the new
1700 motor will most likely get me to trade in another year or
so.also the six speed transmission is anothr plus.

[ponch]

The new Nomad is 50 lbs heavier, and has the same wheel base. If you haven't noticed, the V2K prices went up a bit.

[coacha]

Tough call. I do like the Voyager, but I definitely have alot of miles left in my Nad before I replace it. In a perfect world, I'd buy the Voyager and also keep the Nomad.

That is what I'm thinking too audiogooroo. I love my '99 but the new Voyager sure does look purty!

[rksaw]

I'm sticking with my '99, but if I ever upgrade, the Nomad gets my vote. I can't wait for the bikes to show up in the showroom and I can put a leg over.

[bosko]

Just got my 08 last week and it's gonna stay with me a very long time. Years from now there will be newer models, so I can't say what my next bike will be. ??? Maybe a 2015 Nomad when they change the bags back to the beauties we have now. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[caddman11]

I don't know, I guess I'm missing something. Since we ride in hot weather, sometimes I just like to feel the wind in my face and take the shield off. that would be pretty tough with the Voyager. The old Nomad runs pretty hot so I'm also not sure about the front hard chaps either(don't know what you call them) holding in the heat.

Kawasaki also stated in their short video the at the frame was lighter and the wheel base shorter for better handling and faster response, but when looking at the specs, the bike weighs in 50 lbs heavier and the wheel base is the same; well, it's that way for the Nomad, who knows how much more the Voyager weighs? They changed the rake by 2 degrees, maybe that's a shorter wheel base.

Looking forward to seeing them live, but I'm sure I'll enjoy my Nomad for many years to come. Did anyone also notice, no for factory 2 year warranty, it's down to one.

[ringadingh]

Im wondering if the extra weight of the bike will eat up the extra power that the 1700 has. It may work out about the same, the 6th gear will be nice and hopefully increase the range of the bike.

[nomad561]

I have alot of miles to put on my Nomad yet,so I won't be in the market for a new bike for awhile.That should give me enough time to compare and make the right choice for my next one.

[moenko]

I can't wait for the first impressions on the usual motorcycle sites that test the new mules. I'm sure they will be dominated by comparisions to the 1600s; let's see what they have to say and wait for the "birth defects" (if any) to be solved...

[nomad561]

After looking at the new lineup,I think I would go with the Voyager.

[rksaw]

Message to Trip,
I'm figuring the way the 2009 Nomad Morph's into the Voyager maybe this forum should pick up on the common traits. Just like alot of members have done already installing trunks and Fairings on their earlier models.
How's KawaNomAger sound to you? :)

I think that the requirements are that you love the Nomad and love to ride--regardless of bike. So if you get the Voyager, you'll still have to check in and keep in touch!!!

[dogdoc]

Anybody heard what the MSRP is on the new Voyager(standard edition-no KACT brakes)????
DAMN pretty bike for sure. Looks like what everybody is trying to do with their Nomads. WOW!

[misunderstood]

I voted used because I probably won't be able to afford a new one. That being said, it won't be the first year or two used ones until we see possible issues and what they are.

[michiganmike]

I voted for the Nomad. I would love to have the Voyager, but I hate to think what the weight will be on the Voyager. The Goldwing is 886 - 926 pounds depending on the extras.

Give me the trunk pack off the Voyager and I will be happy.

[dhelfritz]

The Voyager looks great, but the Nomad is a proven platform. I have an 06 Nomad and I would wait at least a year for them to get the bugs worked out of the Voyager. I cant wait to start seeing some of the reports on this forum.

[capthowdy]

My vote goes for the Nomad. I like the idea of the Voyager, but that fairing is just hideous. I don't like the gauges on it either. I don't like the fly by wire throttle or brakes, but at least the fly by wire brakes are optional. I guess I'll just have to get over the throttle being that way.

[bigjohn]

IF I were to get a new bike, it would probably be the Voyager. Ever since I gave up my '86 Venture, I've missed the full coverage fairing, the radios, intercom and the enclosed storage space. I was wanting a slightly used Goldwing wien I found my 2000 Nomad and fell in love. Now, I'm just too old and fat to fit on a 'Wing anymore. Legs just don't bend like they use to.

I'm just wondering wha tthe power output is going to be like. The Nomad was adequate when pulling my Bunkhouse at altitude, on the flats. Mountian passes were just too much work on her. Hense, the "new" semi, the V2K. Just wonder if either the new Venture or Nomad can really handle the weight of both myself, my wife AND the trailer.

Regardless, I've got the 2K for a while and will just have to be content with what I got. But, I do see a new set of bigger Nomad bags in my not too distant future.