1700 Nomad Discussion........

[blowndodge]

I've actually kissed the tank on my girl!!! I did because she told me she loves me!!!

[cactusjack]

Speaking as one who has actually seen and touched a 2009 Voyager, I don't share these opinions. I didn't get the "made in China" vibe looking at one. I'd like to know where these comments came from - earlier model Voyager owners, maybe?

[dantama]

Good point Cactus, I wonder what a group of Nomad owners would report on the new bike vs a group of the older Voyager?

[cactusjack]

It's fairly well known that the "old" Voyager crowd doesn't hold the "new" Voyager in very high esteem. They're mad because it is a V-twin and don't consider it a true touring machine for that reason. There's a number of other things they aren't happy about. The comments mentioned a couple of posts back sound more like whiny, sour grapes than real objective observations.

[burkazoid]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

They're mad because it is a V-twin and don't consider it a true touring machine for that reason. There's a number of other things they aren't happy about.

Soooo...maybe I'm just dense, but what's the issue with it being a V-Twin? What are some of the other things? Can you give me a link to some of these comments?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by BurKaZoiD

Soooo...maybe I'm just dense, but what's the issue with it being a V-Twin? What are some of the other things? Can you give me a link to some of these comments?

I'll have to look, I read them on the Voyager forum. There were a bunch of posts regarding the new Voyager, mostly guys ranting about how the 09 can't be a real touring bike. To them, if it doesn't have 3 or more jugs, it's a cruiser.

Ah, here it is...the American Voyager Association. Below is the link to the 1700 Voyager section.

http://www.amervoyassoc.org/forum/vi...7afddb7b38ba3d

[dantama]

About 10 years ago I didn't get the V-twin thing either. I had V4's and had ridden inline 4's of family members. I was in a dealer talking about buying a bike and the sales guy was saying that he would never buy anything besides a V-twin.

I was shocked, I couldn't picture why somebody would want a bike with 50-60 hp when they could have 120 hp.

I considered a Valkyrie, but the look of the nomad talked to me. I had only test ridden an underpowered Honda Shadow 1100, but fell in love with the look and usefulness of the Nomad.

I'm not stuck with only wanting a V-twin, but I like the torque curve and really like it, but was baffled at one time how somebody could be passionate about a 50 something hp bike?

[glwilson]

Thanks for the comments CJ since you have seen the new Voyager in person.

I was simply searching thru the web for comments about the belt-drive and ran across quite a few comments on various different blog sites that were not complimentary.

I realize no one really knows who these people are -- for that matter they could work for another bike company.

As mentioned before; I am very interested in the Voyager based on the 2-up - longer distance riding I do.

Fortunately for me this time around; price isn't really a factor thus I have ridden plenty of other bikes in my search -- however they do not "fit" or feel very comfortable to me. Being only 5'6" finding a "touring" bike for someone my size is difficult.

On another subject; an old acquaintance of mine (in the auto business) suggested that Kawasaki may be monitoring "web-posts"; comments at trade shows; and other sources to determine what the public's "price-resistence" is before finalizing their MSRP for the 1700's.

My guess is it will list around $18k -- we'll see.

[cactusjack]

On another subject; an old acquaintance of mine (in the auto business) suggested that Kawasaki may be monitoring "web-posts"; comments at trade shows; and other sources to determine what the public's "price-resistence" is before finalizing their MSRP for the 1700's.

In that case...If they give the Voyager an MSRP above the $14,000 mark - then I'M NOT GOING TO BUY ONE! C'mon, who's with me???

[paul]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

In that case...If they give the Voyager an MSRP above the $14,000 mark - then I'M NOT GOING TO BUY ONE! C'mon, who's with me???

Then, By God, my top price is 13,900.00 on the Voyager and that's final. Maybe I'll just buy a Suzuki. (can't say it with a straight face )

[glwilson]

CJ;

I agree, which is what bothered me about the "reviews" I have read.

If the price is high -- the quality had better be very, very good -- down to the last detail.

If it lists much above what you said; then it would make it a difficult decision to buy one.

[dantama]

I'm a careful buyer (code for cheap) :)

I'd have a hard time going from a $10,477 Nomad, to anything too much more. I'm not sure right now what too much more is, but $8,000 is certainly too much more.

I've got a set of balance scales in my mind that weight what I'm paying, with what I'm getting. So far the Nomad balances out very nicely. Not sure that a Voyager would.

When I bought my 99 Nomad I had the cash to buy a Road King; it didn't balance out and the difference sat in my bank acct for the next 7 years for peace of mind or a rainy day fund.

[cactusjack]

Well sure, it is an individual decision based on needs vs wants and not everyone has the same level of discretionary income. To me, the fairing, trunk, sound system, cruise control and 6th gear is worth a few grand extra. To someone else, it may not be. Figure out how much it would cost to add these amenities on a Nomad, for example.

I'm confident the 1700 Nomad will remain the best value in big-displacement motorcycles. Likewise, I am sure the 1700 Voyager will be the best value in full dress touring bikes.

[dantama]

Cactus, another part of it is what you need, but didn't know you needed.

I wanted hard bags because I wanted to go on long rides. Now that I have them, I couldn't live without them.

If I had a Voyager, I may similarly find that a fairing is something that I wouldn't want to live without.

[fish]

very interesting! Since I like cruising the highways (without a lot of traffic) more and more because of the stability of the nomad, so before i spend 18,000 for a voyager I'll buy a goldwing. But I'll keep the nad because its beautiful. :)