Vaquero

[vulcans2]

I was down at my local dealer the other day and they had just rolled out a brand new red Vaquero onto the floor. The pics in the magazines don't do it justice. That is one gorgeous motorcycle. Not my cup of tea, but really nice, just the same. That red really jumps out at you, and the detailing is great. I like the blackout treatment on the frame, forks, etc., with a little splash of chrome to set it off. What do you all think of it? And yes, I've read the riding reviews here, too. This was just a visual impression on my part. I didn't dare sit on it for fear I might change my mind about it. I still love my Nomad.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I'm like you as I think it is a sharp bike. I have only seen it in pictures but still a great looking bike. I will still with my Nomad.

[ringadingh]

I havn't seen one in person yet myself, but I'll be going to my local dealer before long, and maybe he will have one I can kick the tires on in the showroom. They are a nice looking bike but it wouldn't suit me on the longer trips, I couldn't live without the Tour Pak on the bike, they are the best when needing lots of room to pack stuff.

[Cajunrider]

Great looking bike but it's not very practical for me and the wife. I keep seeing a Voyager in my crystal ball. Hopefully they will correct some minor issues the Voyagers have before I bite the bullet. It will be at least a couple of more years. I'm about 100 miles from 30,000 on the odometer.

[Idaho]

Kawasaki has a winner with the Vaquero. As Mitch noted though it is not practical for two people. If the bolt on back rest allows you to travel with a T-bag or other MC luggage then that will help with marketing.

I do agee that they are very nice eye candy.

[cactusjack]

I sat on a red Vaquero at a local dealer last week. I liked the way it felt. It is a gorgeous shade of red, too. The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is the lack of accessories.

[Idaho]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I sat on a red Vaquero at a local dealer last week. I liked the way it felt. It is a gorgeous shade of red, too. The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is the lack of accessories.

Scott, MaKaw is not going to come up with a bike with as many accessories as you have on your Nomad.......at least not one that is affordable. Your bike is set up perfectly with the different configurations that you have. Except for the color that is.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Idaho (High Plains Drifter)

Scott, MaKaw is not going to come up with a bike with as many accessories as you have on your Nomad.......at least not one that is affordable. Your bike is set up perfectly with the different configurations that you have. Except for the color that is.

I think if we added up the intial bike cost and the cost of all the goodies CJ has added ....affordable would be arguable.... . I feel uniquely qualified to comment for similar reasons..... ! Still....I'm certain neither of us would change a thing!

[taranis]

The Vaquero is a nice bike. Got to sit on one at the Int'l MC Show over in Dallas. I must say though, the new Victory Crossroads has my name on it... that quick-detach trunk, the legroom, the low seat height.. mmm hmmm..

[timebandit]

I also sat on one at the Int'l MC Show over in Toronto. very nice ride.

They do have the option of the removable tour pack add-on as per what the dealer was saying. The victory Cross country is also a wicked bike and has the tour pack add-on. Both of them feel "right" when you get on them.

The only thing I've noticed with the Vaquero and Cross Country is both have factory engine guards but nothing to cut the wind. No lowers on the Victory and the cowling on the Vaquero doesn't cover much, mostly here for appearance only.

I love my 08 and wouldn't part with it

[canuckrider]

I checked out the Vaquero and sat on it at the Calgary Bike Show last weekend. A really sweet ride in my mind. As I ride solo anyways, it would be an ideal bike for my needs. Sounds like Kawi does or will be offering a quick release sissy bar/backrest for it but a quick release trunk mount would be ideal for me.

I can see it and the Cross Country both as possible candidates for my next ride. Mind you that's a few years off so who knows what else will be on the market then.

[cactusjack]

Yesterday as I was putting my bike back together, Toophun rode up and spent some time chatting with me. He hadn't seen my solo rack yet and was asking about it. I told him that Kawasaki never made a rack for the Nomad. This got me thinking that Kawasaki must be under the impression that nobody would want to "solo out" a Nomad, or add a fairing or tourpak, for that matter. If they did, they would offer them as options/accessories. I don't know many people who ride a completely stock motorcycle. In fact, I don't think I know anyone who does. If people from Kawasaki visit this and other Vulcan-oriented forums, would they realize they are missing out on millions of dollars spent on accessories? Personally, I am tired of having to modify accessories and of "making stuff work" because Kaw gives you no other option.

I know this is an old argument, and a pet peeve of mine, but the Vaquero and Kawasaki's "impressive list of 35 accessories" for the Vaquero got me thinking about it again.

[goose]

Dealer here in Cleveland, Tennessee has 2 on order, 1 Red & 1 Black he thinks
one guy, if he hasn't already, is going to go ahead and purchase 1 before it gets
here in mid feb. I still prefer the looks of the Nomad with a fairing added, than a
Vaquero with the stationary fairing. Just my 2cents.

[timebandit]

Originally Posted by Goose

Dealer here in Cleveland, Tennessee has 2 on order, 1 Red & 1 Black he thinks
one guy, if he hasn't already, is going to go ahead and purchase 1 before it gets
here in mid feb. I still prefer the looks of the Nomad with a fairing added, than a
Vaquero with the stationary fairing. Just my 2cents.

I'd like to see the old 1600 nomad with he Vaquero fairing
Tha could be

[coacha]

No Vaqueroes around these parts yet. Taz said the dealer in Jackonsville has two and is actually letting people test ride them. He also said that they will have multiple ones at Bike Week down here to test ride...gotta get up early and get over there to ride one.