Voyager vs Vaquero

chucks1911 · 08-12-2011, 11:59 AM

Probably going to end up trading my Nomad in on one or the other in a month or two. I thought that I had settled on the Vaquero, until I sat on the Voyager yesterday. After looking online at the stats of each, they seem to be pretty much the same base bike, with the only real differences being the way they are dressed out.

It would appear that the only difference is the taller shield on the fairing and the trunk.

Same frame, motor, wheelbase, seat height, etc, etc. Am I missing something?

Has anyone ridden both that can explain any difference in the rides?

wiz · 08-12-2011, 12:32 PM

The Vaquero has the old style Nomad saddlebags and does not have the driving lights in the fairing.

fish · 08-12-2011, 12:33 PM

I didn't notice any difference. For myself I'd get the voyager for the touring that I do. With the vaquero I would have to add a sissy bar and rack to put a pack on it. With the voyager I wouldn't need a pack. Well maybe a pack on the rear seat to haul more junk.

more lighting with the voyager

cactusjack · 08-12-2011, 12:44 PM

The Voyager has the top-opening saddlebags, the Vaquero has the side opening bags like the <'09 Nomads. I think the gear ratios are a little different, too.

landman · 08-12-2011, 03:51 PM

i rode both models back to back a few weeks ago and for me i found the
riding position on the voyager to be more comfortable.in particular the position and angle of the grips caused me to have some wrist uncomfort on the vaquero.also the voyager seat was more comfortable and it pisses me off that they can't even include the power outlet that is standard on the voyager with the vaquero.when i priced out the sissy bar,rear rack and
spot lights the vaquero cost more then the base voyager and you still would have to do something with the seat if you plan any long trips.having
said all that,i love the look of the vaquero and like most much prefer the
side opening bags.i went to the test ride looking for an excuse to buy a vaquero and came away thinking i would be happier with the voyager.that
kinda makes me mad :(

Sin City Stan · 08-12-2011, 04:05 PM

Different gears and torque curve too.

aldridgekennedy · 08-12-2011, 08:41 PM

If you don't mind me asking, what made you decide to not go with another nomad?

chucks1911 · 08-12-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aldridgekennedy

If you don't mind me asking, what made you decide to not go with another nomad?

A couple of things really.
The new Nomad feels a bit more cramped to me.

Come to find out that I like a fairing and want a radio.

Now I'm in trouble since I test rode a Victory Cross Country today

aldridgekennedy · 08-13-2011, 06:40 AM

makes sense. I hate to say this then, but i ran into a rider a couple of weeks ago on the road and i couldn't get him to shut up about how great his cross country was. (of course he payed some good $ for it)

Good luck on the decision. For what its worth, If i ever sell my nomad, i'd look hard at the voyeger.

ponch · 08-13-2011, 03:38 PM

ABS

cactusjack · 08-13-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

ABS

Yep. That was a "must have" for me.

ponch · 08-13-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

ABS

Yep. That was a "must have" for me.

After having it, I won't go back.

dank · 08-15-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Yep. That was a "must have" for me.

After having it, I won't go back.

Same here. I'll never buy another road bike without it.

Chili · 08-15-2011, 03:04 PM

I'm very seriously considering the 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour now that it has ABS.

rewindgy · 08-15-2011, 06:37 PM

Just my opinion - I test rode the Voyager / Vaquero & Cross Country Tourer back to back @ Sturgis. In order of best to worse: CCT - Vaquero and Voyager coming in last. Then I went and rode my 06 Nomad and I liked it better than the 2 Kawi's. If I was to stay with the Kawi the Vaquero would be the one - but it doesn't have ABS and it needs a different seat and a trunk. Vaquero had more umph than the Voyager and didn't seem as clumsy - really don't like how cramped the Voyager seems. Cross Country did put out more heat on legs in town however after I figgered out that you don't open the lowers all of the way when it's really hot out, heat seemed about same as the Kawi's. All three shifted somewhat clunky compared to 06 Nomad but on Interstate test ride at speed the Victory out pulled the Kawi's by quite a bit. I cannot say for sure but it appears the Victory's get better fuel mileage - that needs to be confirmed? The Vaquero is the better looking of the 3.

08-12-2011, 11:59 AM	#1
chucks1911 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sterling, Oklahoma Posts: 361	Voyager vs Vaquero Probably going to end up trading my Nomad in on one or the other in a month or two. I thought that I had settled on the Vaquero, until I sat on the Voyager yesterday. After looking online at the stats of each, they seem to be pretty much the same base bike, with the only real differences being the way they are dressed out. It would appear that the only difference is the taller shield on the fairing and the trunk. Same frame, motor, wheelbase, seat height, etc, etc. Am I missing something? Has anyone ridden both that can explain any difference in the rides? __________________ Chuck Stephens 12 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic 07 Nomad (Traded) 86 Kawasaki 454 LTD VBA member #1578 HOG Member #4541840 AMA Member # 2700186 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-12-2011, 12:32 PM	#2
wiz Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 498	Voyager vs Vaquero The Vaquero has the old style Nomad saddlebags and does not have the driving lights in the fairing.
	0

08-12-2011, 12:33 PM	#3
fish Top Contributor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Aquashicola Pa. Posts: 6,377	Voyager vs Vaquero I didn't notice any difference. For myself I'd get the voyager for the touring that I do. With the vaquero I would have to add a sissy bar and rack to put a pack on it. With the voyager I wouldn't need a pack. Well maybe a pack on the rear seat to haul more junk. more lighting with the voyager __________________ I'm not prejudice I hate everyone equally;) 08 nomad blue/silver MaryJane 74,010miles VBA #299 Her's 10 900LT 36,700 09 Bath NY. 10 Lake George NY. 11 National Maggie Valley NC. 12 Pa Wilds (Wellsboro) Pa. 14 Lincoln NH. 17 National Lake George NY.
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08-12-2011, 12:44 PM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Voyager vs Vaquero The Voyager has the top-opening saddlebags, the Vaquero has the side opening bags like the <'09 Nomads. I think the gear ratios are a little different, too. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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08-12-2011, 03:51 PM	#5
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	Voyager vs Vaquero i rode both models back to back a few weeks ago and for me i found the riding position on the voyager to be more comfortable.in particular the position and angle of the grips caused me to have some wrist uncomfort on the vaquero.also the voyager seat was more comfortable and it pisses me off that they can't even include the power outlet that is standard on the voyager with the vaquero.when i priced out the sissy bar,rear rack and spot lights the vaquero cost more then the base voyager and you still would have to do something with the seat if you plan any long trips.having said all that,i love the look of the vaquero and like most much prefer the side opening bags.i went to the test ride looking for an excuse to buy a vaquero and came away thinking i would be happier with the voyager.that kinda makes me mad :( __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-12-2011, 04:05 PM	#6
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	Voyager vs Vaquero Different gears and torque curve too. __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
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08-12-2011, 08:41 PM	#7
aldridgekennedy Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 200	Voyager vs Vaquero If you don't mind me asking, what made you decide to not go with another nomad?
	0

08-13-2011, 06:40 AM	#9
aldridgekennedy Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 200	Voyager vs Vaquero makes sense. I hate to say this then, but i ran into a rider a couple of weeks ago on the road and i couldn't get him to shut up about how great his cross country was. (of course he payed some good $ for it) Good luck on the decision. For what its worth, If i ever sell my nomad, i'd look hard at the voyeger.
	0

08-13-2011, 03:38 PM	#10
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,014	Voyager vs Vaquero ABS __________________ 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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08-15-2011, 03:04 PM	#14
Chili Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Posts: 409	Voyager vs Vaquero I'm very seriously considering the 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour now that it has ABS. __________________ Doug Engstrom 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour 2001 Vulcan Nomad 1500FI, (Sold at 83,000 km)
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08-15-2011, 06:37 PM	#15
rewindgy Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 959	Voyager vs Vaquero Just my opinion - I test rode the Voyager / Vaquero & Cross Country Tourer back to back @ Sturgis. In order of best to worse: CCT - Vaquero and Voyager coming in last. Then I went and rode my 06 Nomad and I liked it better than the 2 Kawi's. If I was to stay with the Kawi the Vaquero would be the one - but it doesn't have ABS and it needs a different seat and a trunk. Vaquero had more umph than the Voyager and didn't seem as clumsy - really don't like how cramped the Voyager seems. Cross Country did put out more heat on legs in town however after I figgered out that you don't open the lowers all of the way when it's really hot out, heat seemed about same as the Kawi's. All three shifted somewhat clunky compared to 06 Nomad but on Interstate test ride at speed the Victory out pulled the Kawi's by quite a bit. I cannot say for sure but it appears the Victory's get better fuel mileage - that needs to be confirmed? The Vaquero is the better looking of the 3.
	0

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