International Motorcycle Show

[chainsaw]

The International Motorcycle Show will be in Dallas, at the convention center, the weekend of November 15th. I plan on checking them all out then. For those who haven't been this show travels all around the country on different weekends. Just type in International Motorcycle Show for times and location in an area close to you. Good show, bikes all in one place and vendors too. Good way to spend a Saturday or Sunday or Friday Night even.

[bosko]

If the shows are anything like the ones held here in Edmonton, I suggest people go early in the morning. Unless you like crowds.

Two years ago I brought my wife to the show and by the time we showed up it was after noon on a Saturday. The place was packed. It felt like we were cattle being herded. You couldn't even go where you wanted to, had to just follow the flow. I didn't enjoy that at all.

But if you attend in the early hours the crowds are usually thin and it's a very pleasant experience.

[bobt]

I plan on being there on Saturday.

Bob

[cactusjack]

This show will be in Phoenix (Glendale) the weekend of 10/31-11/2. I am taking the 31st off in order to beat the crowds. My hope is to be able to see the new 1700s up close.

[chainsaw]

Bob, I will be there Saturday also.

[schoeney]

Here is the link to find the dates for the show near you!

http://www.motorcycleshows.com/

[cactusjack]

Here is the link to find the dates for the show near you!

http://www.motorcycleshows.com/


Thanks for the link to the shows. I guess I won't be going on Friday to the show. I assumed it would be open all day Friday, not just during the evening. There's also no demo rides on Friday.

I'll go early on Sat or Sun. Since I already have that Friday off from work, I'll go riding instead.

[rksaw]

Here is the link to find the dates for the show near you!

http://www.motorcycleshows.com/


Thanks for the link to the shows.

Ditto. Too bad there's not a show at the Portland Expo Center.

[schoeney]

I am going to the one in Seattle w/some buddies in December. I will be driving the cage unless we have some global warming issues that day.

[chainsaw]

rksaw, there ya go, Take to wife to Seattle for a second honeymoon.

[rksaw]

That would be a third honeymoon. In '99 I took her to see the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC. I wish that we had been able to ride that day, the Blue Mountains are gorgeous!
Rich

[chainsaw]

rksaw, been to the Biltmore twice, both times on the bike. That sure is some great riding no matter which way you go.

[trip]

I plan on making it too. Bob, Chainsaw....maybe we can get SWB and some others to meet up at a certain time on Saturday?

[chainsaw]

Sounds good to me.

[chainsaw]

After reading the 1700 discussion and if all of us show up at the same time at the show I pity the poor factory rep that walks up and asks, "Can I answer any question's?" Boy is he or she in for it.
Hope they have plenty of pencil and paper with them.

[trip]

I hope it's a she.

[chainsaw]

Guess we need to decide when and where will meet at the show. Time would be most important
to everyone. The more the merrier. We've got a month yet.

[jussmatt]

Checking out the link it looks like it's hitting Houston right after you guys!! I'm planning on going...just not sure what day/time. If any of the Houston area guys are planning on going, let me know and maybe we can meet up too......???

[bobzinger]

Does anyone have a promotion code for discounts. Last year ROK offered one.

[cactusjack]

Yeah, there's a code that can save you $4 if you buy online before midnight Friday. I'll go look for it.

edit: I found it! It's "ENEWS10".

[bobzinger]

Thanx CJ. I just found this one.

ENEWS10 is a code that gets you $3 off online.

[cactusjack]

Oh? well, I had already bought my ticket when somebody posted that code on another forum. It was they who said it was good for $4 off. Sorry.

$3 off is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

[MarkG]

Went out to the motorcycle show this afternoon. The 2009 Voyager and Nomad are static display only. Best guess is the middle of next year at the earliest. They have not told the Kawasaki reps about the pricing. However, the bet is that it will be around $16k.

First impressions:

Unless you are really short, risers and pull backs will probably not be necessary. The handlebars and grips are a lot closer to the rider, about the only thing I would have them do for me would be to rotate them up about an inch.

The driver floor boards seem a little flimsy, there was quite a bit of give when I stepped down on them. I would have them rotate the push button controls toward me a bit. Some of the buttons were back a little farther than I would like.

The seat is longer and deeper than the present ones. Same seat on the new Voyager and Nomad. Might not need the Mustangs and other custom seats. I thought it was pretty comfortable all things considered. CJ will be in a better position to answer that question since he runs the Mustang seat. I still use the stock seat on mine.

Asked about the belt drive. Everything else that Kawasaki has is belt instead of shaft drive. With the new improved methods it is considered to be better. Belts are expected to last between 50k and 65k miles. Provided the maintenance is done at regular intervals it shouldn't be a problem. Asked about rocks, too. With the way the belts run on the Voyager and Nomad it shouldn't be much of a issue. It appears the belt is protected fairly well. (Dan is probably the exception to the rule on this one.)

Pushed the bike back into a better position for my picture with the same force I would use to back up my Nomad. Wow what a difference, I grabbed the brake quick to keep it from getting away from me. The Voyager may weigh around the mid- 800 lb. range, however it felt light as a feather moving it. Obviously our present shafts have quite a bit of drag pushing the bike around.

http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-19.jpg
http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-2.jpg
http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-8.jpg
http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-9.jpg
http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-11.jpg
http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-15.jpg
http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-16.jpg
http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-20.jpg

Can't leave out the new Nomads.

http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-21.jpg
http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-22.jpg

I will ask all sorts of questions tomorrow, the rest of the Kawasaki team will be on site. Maybe I can get a demo ride on the new Concours 14. I'll have to check out the rest of the vendors, too.

[bobt]

Just two more weeks and I'll be able to see them up close. Can't wait.

[cactusjack]

This is where I'm heading this morning. Great pics, Mark! I can't wait to sit on one myself. I know they aren't offering demo rides on these, but I plan to ride some others. I want to ride a Gold Wing and a Vision. If Yammy has a Venture there, I'd like to ride one of those, too.

[cactusjack]

I went to the show in Phoenix this morning. I was a little disappointed in that the demo rides were already booked for most of the day for the Gold Wing and Venture and I got there before my ticket said it opened. I could have ridden these If I wanted to hang around until 3:30 or so. Oddly, you could probably walk up to the Harley booth and take your pick of rides.

I did ride a Victory Kingpin Tour. It felt like a toy. It had power and could really accelerate, but it had a noisy drivetrain.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/08_IMS_Show/PB010009_RSZ_009.jpg

I went inside University of Phoenix Stadium to look at the vendor displays. We all know where I went first:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/08_IMS_Show/PB010012_RSZ_012.jpg

What a sweet machine! You can't tell from sitting on a bike for a couple of minutes, but the seat feels nice.

The fairing looks great and the gauges are easy to read:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/08_IMS_Show/PB010013_RSZ_013.jpg

Sorry for the poor quality photos. I should have taken my "good camera".

I looked at the 2009 Nomad 1700:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/08_IMS_Show/PB010017_RSZ_017.jpg

I got the feeling a lot of people were there to see the Nomad and Voyager. There was a lot of traffic in the Kaw booth.

The saddlebags have kind of a notch taken out of them to permit access to the air shocks. That's a gorgeous blue color, BTW - these pics don't really do it justice.:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/08_IMS_Show/PB010015_RSZ_015.jpg

Hmmm...apparently there is a football team in PHX, after all:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/08_IMS_Show/PB010019_RSZ_001.jpg

[glwilson]

Thanks for the added pics guys.

Tell me... am I going to want to buy the Voyager? I have been seriously considering it and just wondered your thoughts.

[cactusjack]

My thoughts...if it was available now and if I was in a position to buy one - I'd have one in my garage.

[paul]

Thanks for the pics! But now my wait is going to seem even longer. Plan on being there when the show comes to Houston. Biggest decision, Which color voyager?

[MarkG]

Got home from the show a little while ago. Had the opportunity to ride one of the Victory sport bikes. They don't schedule demos like the other vendors. Stand in line, first come, first served. The touring bikes were taken so I rode what was available. I guess their sport bikes would be okay for certain types of individuals around town. Other than that, I was underwhelmed. Victory's tour ride is a bit more wild card than the other vendors. Their only rule is don't pass the lead rider. Other than that, it is almost a free for all. I was passed several times during the ride by others that were cranking the throttle. Not my style of bike or my style of riding.

Sorry CJ, I was one of the lucky ones to get on a Wing. They would have to do some serious setup time with me, if I bought one. The fairing was far enough back to interfere with my foot shifting. Almost back to my knees and legs. Banged my boot every time I went up or down in the gears. Just no way to stretch out if needed.

The foot pegs were a bit too far back to suit me. When I made a sharp turn and leaned the bike down coming back from the ride, my boot, on the ball of my foot, became the dragging floorboard. That will get your attention. Hold your toes way up on sharp corners or you will drag things unexpectedly. Those pegs are not very far off the ground either so you would definitely have to get used to holding your feet level or slightly up.

On the plus side, the Wing was very stable. I can see why people would like it if they were spending a lot of time on the Interstate. Seemed quiet, smooth, etc. Everything seems to be made for a rider that is around 5'7" or so. Being over 6' and a heavyweight, the Wing felt a bit cramped for me.

I am going back out tomorrow for the heck of it. I have a Concours ride scheduled in the morning. Might try for a Vision ride if the line is down a bit. Just not too keen on the free for all pack situation that Victory allows.

Several of the regular vendors chose not to attend this year. Combination of what the Motorcycle Show charges and the economy. There are enough missing vendors, they did the motorcycle stunts indoors this year.

So far my Nomad wins. Gee the others look nice and if you are into the latest toys it will stroke the ego. I can get the same riding position of a Wing by changing the stock seat to Mustang or another equivalent if so inclined. Much cheaper option. The Victory's will accelerate really fast. So does the Nomad if we grab the throttle.

Even looking at the new Voyager / Nomad (wish we could have had a demo ride on them) there isn't much of a difference. How much money do you want to spend for a 100cc's more, cruise control, radio, and automated diagnostics?

For now, my Nomad does everything the other bikes will do. In most cases better, more reliably, and a lot less expensive out the door. Bike envy aside, I'm keeping the Nomad. We still have the best ride out there.

[glwilson]

My thoughts...if it was available now and if I was in a position to buy one - I'd have one in my garage.

Thanks

I guess I'll try to go to the show in Chicago. I am still waiting on the final price anouncement as well -- expecting it to be around $18-20k given comparables of other companies.

[cactusjack]

All I heard yesterday at the Kawasaki booth was: "no, we haven't announced an MSRP yet". The 1700's were generating a lot of interest.

[MarkG]

The Kawasaki guys on the show floor are guessing $16 for the Voyager, less for the Nomad. It will be interesting to see the final price.

Rode the Concours this morning, I was the 2nd bike in the stack behind the leader. The lead rider cleared the ride area nice and slow. Made the turn onto the street and I was a second slow grabbing the throttle. That put me almost a block behind. Fortunately the light was red, they had to stop. After that I kept up for the most part. Yes we stayed within reasonable speed limits (I think), nobody said you had to take your time getting to the limit. Very nimble, very very quick. For people that are more touring oriented, I understand 1" risers and a larger windshield make it much easier for long distances.

Tried the Honda Silverwing scooter. I guess it is alright for some people, it was a bit small for me. I did not feel stable leaning into the corners. There was quite a bit of lag in the throttle when starting up, too. The engine seemed to be revving fairly high even for an automatic at all speeds. Overall it seemed cheaply made.

This afternoon I got to ride the Burgman 650. Totally the opposite of the Honda. Handling is real good. Leaned it into a couple of corners and it was rock solid. Acceleration is good enough to keep up and merge with traffic. You can drive it in automatic or manual, even has an overdrive. Controls are easier to use and the display is easier to read. Had a pretty good crosswind and did not have any problems. When old age starts to creep in, this might be a good alternative as it becomes harder to swing the leg over the saddle. I was impressed with the capabilities.

Had a pretty good time at the show. Less vendors this year. Our next one will be bike week in March. Maybe by then they will have the Voyager and Nomad and we will be able to ride them.

[trip]

I just started a thread in the SouthCentral board concerning who's going to attend the show in Dallas on November 15, 16th. Let's get a group up and go.

[ice793]

For a stock seat it seemed pretty comfy and hugged my backside, very stable bike for a short rider as i am 5'7 i felt in control,not sure about the foot rests thought they did give when wieght was applied to them.All in all i was impressed cant wait to demo. when they come out sometime in the distant futur it seems cause no one has any answers on price or availability.

[glwilson]

Trip;

I wouldn't make it to Dallas mid-november; but would like to!

Regarding the Voyager; I am hearing more and more about its size. Being only 5'6"; the size sounds like it is for me; however it doesn't sound like it is going to fit a majority of rider's heights. Kind of mystery to me that Kawasaki would make a bike that fits a "minority" size person.

However; once I see one, I may be glad they did. (It won't do much for trade-in value though.)

[darthvulcan]

Wow, great insight and pictures! Thanks!

Man, that "Carolina Panthers" Blue/Black combo on the Voyager DEFINITELY does things for me! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[bobzinger]

Hey Markg. The Voyager doesn't look very big. I'm wondering how big a guy you are...Height/weight? I'm 5"11" and 265lb. I bought the Nomad because I can stretch out on it. On my Roadking my wife and I were really jammed up. It looks like there's not much room behind you in the picture.

[cactusjack]

Hey Markg. The Voyager doesn't look very big. I'm wondering how big a guy you are...Height/weight? I'm 5"11" and 265lb. I bought the Nomad because I can stretch out on it. On my Roadking my wife and I were really jammed up. It looks like there's not much room behind you in the picture.

I'm bigger than you are, Bob. As I said, I felt comfortable on it. I don't ride two-up, though so that isn't a major deal to me. I would say the rear seat space is comparable to the 1600 Nomad with passenger backrest. I thought the same thing when I saw Mark's photos, but I think it's more of an illusion created by the wrap-around passenger backrest than anything else.

[MarkG]

bobzinger, I am 6'1" and around 285 with a 30" inseam. I also like to stretch out rather than being cramped. Except for the seat difference the new bikes felt exactly the same. Seemed like the same size, if not just a little bigger, than my Nomad and has extra frills of course. The lower fairing has plenty of room for very large boots. I noticed the pullback on the handle bars put things closer. That will probably mean most of the guys will not need risers. I would guess at most that loosening the bolts and rotating the handler bars up a bit will work just fine. The rear seat is larger than the 2008, just hard to tell with the camera angle.

http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-4.jpg

http://www.grifftec.com/kawa/show/show-23.jpg

[schoeney]

Great input guys. Now I know what to look for when the show hits Seattle in December.

Thanks for taking pics as well.

[leeceliz]

Went to the one last year. It was great. Got some good stuff cheap. Wish they would have it in Fort Worth instead.