500 miles on the new Vaquero, goods and bads

CBO Vaquero · 04-12-2015, 07:23 PM

Ok I'm only 500 miles in and here's my take so far. First off the bike is getting stronger every day. Seems to be shifting smoother and the engine is idling better. The power is coming on stronger and pulls harder at lower speeds so now I'm not downshifting as much. With only 500 miles on it I'm still reluctant to pull above 3 grand to see what it will really do. Now for some down sides that maybe someone has some answers for,... first anything that goes in the fairing storage compartments is a rattling nightmare making them almost useless. I have changed out the stock wind deflector for a Kawasaki 16 inch shield and that thing has some horrible squeaking noises coming out of it at the corners? This is the same setup as the Voyager so do they squeak?? If I just put my hand on the top of the shield at speed the noise is gone, I have tried tightening the screws and even tonight I tried putting the rubber between the shield and the body instead of the shield and the chrome strip, haven't got to ride this way yet to see it that helps. I got the Racnray throttle mod with new Avon grips and that was money well spent.

redjay · 04-12-2015, 07:45 PM

I don't remember any squeaking from my stock Voyager windshield.
I noticed quite a difference in my Voyager between 5,000 and 10,000 kms. It ran cooler, pulled harder and was better on gas.

robj · 04-12-2015, 09:42 PM

even when i had the 6.5 on mine it squeaked i took the soft side of some velcro and put it in a few spots along the fairing where the shield meet. took care of it for me.

ponch · 04-12-2015, 10:49 PM

If you want a quality shield, try this: http://www.ceebaileys.com/kawasaki/v...aquero_ws.html

A lot of beemer riders buy windscreens from them. Very high quality and works well.

Duc796canada · 04-12-2015, 11:17 PM

Awesome to hear :)

**schoeney** · 04-13-2015, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

If you want a quality shield, try this: http://www.ceebaileys.com/kawasaki/v...aquero_ws.html

A lot of beemer riders buy windscreens from them. Very high quality and works well.

I bought one right before I sold my 2003 Nomad. Very good quality shield.

CBO Vaquero · 04-13-2015, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robj

even when i had the 6.5 on mine it squeaked i took the soft side of some velcro and put it in a few spots along the fairing where the shield meet. took care of it for me.

That's actually a good idea, i'll give that a try!

hlknvlcn60 · 04-13-2015, 06:52 PM

My 2012 Vaquero has gotten better too with more miles on the ticker. I am around 6600 now and the motor runs cooler, much stronger, gets good mileage and is even smoother going down the highway. As far as those little compartments go, if you place something hard in there that can rattle, place it in a little cloth bag like the ones that come with a bottle or Royal Crown whiskey. Problem solved.

Allen S · 04-13-2015, 07:02 PM

Longest 600 miles I've ever had! Wanted to roll the throttle just to see what she'd do and hear those v&h slip ons. I have about 3200 on mine and love the bike. Lots of compliments. You're gonna enjoy the vaquero. Don't see too many on the road, actually I haven't seen any around my area, lots of nomads though(another gorgeous bike) and sounding great.

Ken Vega · 04-13-2015, 08:09 PM

I had squeaks and rattles when new. It turned out to be the black tank bib. There was a spot up front by the ignition where the manufacturer forgot to put a piece of foam up by where it meets the tank.

Kaneld · 04-13-2015, 11:01 PM

I put a 9" Windvest on my 13' Vaquero. It has a recurve at the top that deflects the air over my head. Works great, no squeeking. http://windvest.com/products/kawasaki/tb/vaquero.html

As for the storage compartments, you could line them with felt. I like the bag idea better.

AZ Voyager · 04-16-2015, 09:14 AM

+1 on the Windvest, have had one on my Voyager for 2 years now and NO complaints at all, and no squeaking either...

RACNRAY · 04-16-2015, 11:16 AM

My Vaq has squeaks n rattles the whole time I have had it. Come to find out they are comin from ME!!!

LOL

A common source is the ignition switch ring squeaking in the bib, can drive ya crazy!!!

RACNRAY

redjay · 04-16-2015, 06:25 PM

A rubber band under the ring cures that problem.

MET-RICK · 04-16-2015, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

My Vaq has squeaks n rattles the whole time I have had it. Come to find out they are comin from ME!!!

LOL

RACNRAY

Now that right there is fuuuuuny!

. Thanks RACNRAY.

04-12-2015, 07:23 PM	#1
CBO Vaquero Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Preble county Ohio Posts: 259	500 miles on the new Vaquero, goods and bads Ok I'm only 500 miles in and here's my take so far. First off the bike is getting stronger every day. Seems to be shifting smoother and the engine is idling better. The power is coming on stronger and pulls harder at lower speeds so now I'm not downshifting as much. With only 500 miles on it I'm still reluctant to pull above 3 grand to see what it will really do. Now for some down sides that maybe someone has some answers for,... first anything that goes in the fairing storage compartments is a rattling nightmare making them almost useless. I have changed out the stock wind deflector for a Kawasaki 16 inch shield and that thing has some horrible squeaking noises coming out of it at the corners? This is the same setup as the Voyager so do they squeak?? If I just put my hand on the top of the shield at speed the noise is gone, I have tried tightening the screws and even tonight I tried putting the rubber between the shield and the body instead of the shield and the chrome strip, haven't got to ride this way yet to see it that helps. I got the Racnray throttle mod with new Avon grips and that was money well spent. __________________ My new ride.... 2015 Honda F6B Deluxe Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-12-2015, 10:49 PM	#4
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,014	If you want a quality shield, try this: http://www.ceebaileys.com/kawasaki/v...aquero_ws.html A lot of beemer riders buy windscreens from them. Very high quality and works well. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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04-12-2015, 11:17 PM	#5
Duc796canada Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 146	Awesome to hear :) __________________ 2014 Vaquero SE Cirius engine guard lights Vizi-Tec Supa-brake II Afterburner 4500LM LED headlamp Ivan's Performance 12 VDC plug-in BAK Thunder mfg. Cobra Tri-Flo 2011 Ducati Monster 796 2006 GSXR 600 (track bike) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-13-2015, 08:09 PM	#10
Ken Vega Advanced Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: South Florida Posts: 710	I had squeaks and rattles when new. It turned out to be the black tank bib. There was a spot up front by the ignition where the manufacturer forgot to put a piece of foam up by where it meets the tank. __________________ 2004 Vulcan 1500 Classic "Sasha" (SOLD) 2014 Vulcan Vaquero ABS SE "Candie" On the 1500, too much to list. On the Vaquero: V&H slash cut slip ons Power Commander 5 and Ivan-ized ECU Chuckster's BAK Aux Audio adapter with bluetooth receiver. Mustang 2 up Touring Seat w/ driver and passenger backrest Kuryakyn Longhorn highway pegs. Kawasaki 12 volt charger Longer 1600 meanstreak SE kickstand Full LED Daymaker light mod.
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04-16-2015, 09:14 AM	#12
AZ Voyager Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 119	+1 on the Windvest, have had one on my Voyager for 2 years now and NO complaints at all, and no squeaking either... __________________ Kevin 2015 H-D Ultra Limited 2012 Voyager / Gone 2006 Vulcan Classic Anniversary Edition / Gone VBA #02052 VROC #34932
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04-12-2015, 07:45 PM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	I don't remember any squeaking from my stock Voyager windshield. I noticed quite a difference in my Voyager between 5,000 and 10,000 kms. It ran cooler, pulled harder and was better on gas.
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04-12-2015, 09:42 PM	#3
robj Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: St Louis Posts: 64	even when i had the 6.5 on mine it squeaked i took the soft side of some velcro and put it in a few spots along the fairing where the shield meet. took care of it for me.
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04-13-2015, 06:52 PM	#8
hlknvlcn60 Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: crooked river ranch oregon Posts: 723	My 2012 Vaquero has gotten better too with more miles on the ticker. I am around 6600 now and the motor runs cooler, much stronger, gets good mileage and is even smoother going down the highway. As far as those little compartments go, if you place something hard in there that can rattle, place it in a little cloth bag like the ones that come with a bottle or Royal Crown whiskey. Problem solved.
	0

04-13-2015, 07:02 PM	#9
Allen S Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Florida Posts: 78	Longest 600 miles I've ever had! Wanted to roll the throttle just to see what she'd do and hear those v&h slip ons. I have about 3200 on mine and love the bike. Lots of compliments. You're gonna enjoy the vaquero. Don't see too many on the road, actually I haven't seen any around my area, lots of nomads though(another gorgeous bike) and sounding great.
	0

04-13-2015, 11:01 PM	#11
Kaneld Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 29	I put a 9" Windvest on my 13' Vaquero. It has a recurve at the top that deflects the air over my head. Works great, no squeeking. http://windvest.com/products/kawasaki/tb/vaquero.html As for the storage compartments, you could line them with felt. I like the bag idea better.
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04-16-2015, 11:16 AM	#13
RACNRAY Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SOUTH FLORIDA Posts: 1,210	My Vaq has squeaks n rattles the whole time I have had it. Come to find out they are comin from ME!!! LOL A common source is the ignition switch ring squeaking in the bib, can drive ya crazy!!! RACNRAY __________________ "TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY"
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04-16-2015, 06:25 PM	#14
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	A rubber band under the ring cures that problem.
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