Seattle IMA Show (Lots of Pics)

[Netnorske]

Last night I attended the Seattle IMA show to get a look at the new Kawa bikes everyone has been drooling over. I also had the pleasure to meet Greg Schoenkopf (Schoeney) at the show and we did our best to give the Nomad and Voyager a once over.

Without rehashing what everyone has said previously about these bikes, I do have a few observations to add. First, there is indeed WAY too much cheap plastic on these bikes. The bags ARE flimsy (not to mention Fugly... :-[) and the trunk seemed smaller to me than a HD Tour Pack...not as deep. The engine guard faring on the Voyager seems vulnerable as well.

Much of what was metal on previous models is now plastic, such as the chrome spacer between the bags and the fender, the grab rails, etc. You can now access the valve stems on the shocks without removing the bags, but the shocks no longer have the adjustable damper on them.

What I really did not like on either bike was that the engine guards have been moved substantially forward, making adding highway pegs nearly impossible on the Voyager and tough even on the Nomad. The ability to use a "heel on board, toe on peg" riding position I believe is lost for good on these models and that's too bad, because it is my favorite riding position... :'(

The seats do seem a bit more comfy, but I think I would still add some handlebar risers on the Nomad. The cruise-control is obviously nice and I can only imagine the additional power and torque on the 1700 will be huge...

All in all....I think Kawasaki is on to something, but they're not quite there yet. If I could have the 6-speed 1700 with cruise-control on my current frame ('08) with a tour pack and my current bags....I do believe I would have the perfect bike... !

Here are some shots of both bikes....









Me and Schoeney....

[coacha]

Thanks for the pictures. I saw them both at Biketoberfest and I had similar feelings about the plastic and the engine guards. I know that David and I both felt that the seating position on the Voyager seemed a little cramped because the floorboards seemed higher.

[davidjones1]

+ 1 this will not be my next bike I like the six speed trans but at the price I have seen posted here it is way too high for what you would get, so I will just continue to outfit mine with all the mods I want for haft the cost.
ride safe.

[lomax]

....Thanks for the report and pics of the bikes. I sure see what you mean about the engine guard placement. It looks way forward. The more I see of the bike (have not seen it in person) the more I'm thinking its not for me. I'm liking the new bags less and less. I think MaKaw really screwed up by not leaving the bags the way they were. But some will like the new ones more. The 6 speed doesn't excite me so much cause I don't do a lot of higher speed stuff. There are just to many twisty roads around here to get her going fast enough to need the extra gear! I'm hoping to see the bike in Vancouver in January. Thanks again!

[VulcanE]

Nice post Kris, I think that when I get around to it, and get my cruise control installed (Thanks again Rich), I'll have my "Ideal bike".
I do like the tail light on those 1700s.

[redjay]

If it is a long stretch to put highway pegs on the new 1700's it is a deal breaker for me.
I have a bad leg that has to go on the highway peg at every opportunity (sciatica and circulation problems) and if that is not possible I cant ride the bike. The comfort factor was the main reason I bought my 05 Nomad, and the longhorn dually highway pegs. The Daylong seat also helps a lot.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by redjay

If it is a long stretch to put highway pegs on the new 1700's it is a deal breaker for me.
I have a bad leg that has to go on the highway peg at every opportunity (sciatica and circulation problems) and if that is not possible I cant ride the bike. The comfort factor was the main reason I bought my 05 Nomad, and the longhorn dually highway pegs. The Daylong seat also helps a lot.

You might be able to get your longhorn duallys to work on the Nomad if you turn them around to make them extend....but I dont see how you could get a set on the Voyager and I'm like you...thats a deal breaker!

[rksaw]

Kris,
Looks like you guys had a blast! I'm really wanted to go and was pretty bummed, but maybe I'll be able to join y'all next year. Thanks for the great pics,
Rich

[taranis]

Didn't it look like the bags are thinner in capacity on the Nomad/Voyager than the '08's to you? I really think they missed the mark there, both in form and function.

I just can't see going with the '09 Nad when my '06 does just about everything I want it to. The Voyager on the other hand... Damn... if they fix the quality of the plastic and I have the cash on-hand, you bet. Otherwise... no.

Great review, Kris!

[ruruson1]

did they have a price posted. I see a reflection on the voyager in the left mirror that says 16,799.00.

[ruruson1]

never mind I went to the Kaw site and found out.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Taranis

Didn't it look like the bags are thinner in capacity on the Nomad/Voyager than the '08's to you? I really think they missed the mark there, both in form and function.

I just can't see going with the '09 Nad when my '06 does just about everything I want it to. The Voyager on the other hand... Damn... if they fix the quality of the plastic and I have the cash on-hand, you bet. Otherwise... no.

Great review, Kris!

I agree the bags are really weak, both in form and function. I don't think you can get as much in them either. After I played around with the bags and trunk on the Voyager, I walked right over to an HD Ultra Classic to compare. There was no comparison....the HD's were solid as a rock and the Voyagers were flimsy and weak.

I'm greatly disappointed in that aspect (on both bikes) and hope that Kawasaki addresses the issue before going too far into production. I think the sooner they react and improve the quality in that area....the more bikes they will sell....especially at the prices they are asking.

I have a lot of years and miles left on my '08 as I just reached 4K...but down the road a guy might need an upgrade ya know... ;)?

[gghost]

I'm very happy with my '07 and everything that I am seeing makes me even happier that I have the bike I do.

Great pics and a very well done report. You appeared to notice items others had missed or forgot to mention...hope you had a blast there.

[schoeney]

Nice write up and pics Kris!

It was great meeting you.

I concur on all points except I did not think the bags were ugly just not as nice looking as the older ones....and as you said not as well constructed.