Vaquero

[nomaken]

Well, I'm a Nomad guy wanting to buy a Vaquero.
What is the general thought about this new model?
Any comments on the 1700 engine?

[cactusjack]

I know 2 guys who ride Vaqueros (1 red, 1 black). They both love them. They are very nice bikes. The owner of the red one ditched the stock mufflers and replaced them with Cobra triple oval slip-ons. Those really sound great.

[nomaken]

Are these guys on the forum?
I would like to ask them a few questions.
When did they get their bikes?
My dealer still doesn't have them.
Thank you
Ken

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Nomadken

Are these guys on the forum?
I would like to ask them a few questions.
When did they get their bikes?
My dealer still doesn't have them.
Thank you
Ken

One of them is a member here. He goes by "azcruiser". His came from Kelly's Kawasaki in Mesa, AZ and he got his around Christmas. His is the red one.

The other guy put a deposit on his the day after Kaw announced the Vaquero at North Valley Kawasaki in Phoenix. He picked his up in early December.

Kelly's is probably one of the bigger dealers in the country, they move a lot of bikes for Kawasaki. They had a red one on the floor a couple of weeks back when I was there.

[mdgeorge]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I know 2 guys who ride Vaqueros (1 red, 1 black).

The Bikes?

Sorry, I couldn't resist that one.

I ride a 1700. It's the Classic but the same engine as the Vaquero.
I put Cobra pipes, and K&N Filter.
It runs great.

[azcruizer]

Hey Nomadken....I'm the guy with the red Vaquero that Scott was talking about. I got it for Christmas and I love this friggin bike. I came off of a V2K and was afraid I was going to miss the power, and while it's no V2K when it comes to raw power, I find the 1700 to be plenty powerful for me. I'm really enjoying the radio and cruise control, something my V2K didn't have. I think the bike handles and rides better too. If you want any more information, just let me know....

Jim
"AzCruizer"

[cactusjack]

Thanks for chiming in Jim, I was hoping you'd see this thread.

[finger]

azcruizer-
Do you still have the stock mufflers off you Vaq? If so would you be willing to sell 'em? I like the look of those better than the slash cuts on my '09 Nomad, besides it would be nice to have a gutted pair of mufflers for fun and a quieter pair for not waking the neighbors at 4:30 am

[bullman]

How about a picture of the Vaquero!

[elvis]

Originally Posted by bullman

How about a picture of the Vaquero!

Yes, we need pictures.

[nomaken]

I'm a member of the Kawanow site because I owned a new 2007 Nomad 1600.
Put 16,000 miles on her in less then two years and sold it when the economy tanked.
As it turned out I bought four or six new bikes since then, can't really remember but it's time
to sell these 800's and get a new bagger with good suspension.
I have a 2004 vulcan drifter 800 with Roadhouse pipes and a bunch of other goodies to sell.
Anyone out there you know needing a Drifter send them my way.
I have a Red Vaquero on hold at my Kawi dealer, same guy I've bought the last five bikes from since 07. I'm a nut but loyal Kaw owner.
My dealer is the best in the country which is one reason why I buy Kawi.
Tell me more about your experience with the Vaquero azcruiser.
I'm really concerned about the lean angle. One video review says it's not a good bike for technical twisty riding, that bums me because if it doesn't handle as well as my Nomad I don't want it.
I like to drag my floorboards and must have a technical bike not just something you can point in a straight line.
My Boulevard M50 is fickable and runs twisties with great ease and power. I enjoyed the Nomad just as much in fact I felt that the weight of the bike was great for planting her in a corner hard.
Tell me what you think about the Vaq's abilities as compared to a 1600 Nad if you know it.
Thanks
Ken
ken@shape-master.com

[azcruizer]

I can't compare the Vaquero to a 1600 Nomad because I have never ridden one. I can tell you that I owned a 2001 1500 Nomad and just came off an 07 Vulcan 2000... the Vaquero rides and handles better than both of them. I'm probably not as an agressive rider as you sound, but I have no complaints about the cornering abilty of the Vaquero. It is a cruiser, not a sport bike. If you really want to carve up the corners, I would suggest a Concours 14. The Vaquero is exactly the bike I have been waiting for....outstanding looks, great ride, decent power, cruise control, and a nice audio system. If you do decide to purchase one, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have mine.

Good luck,
Jim

[deadant]

I just saw the new Vaquero at the sport show in Bismarck, ND. Its a beautiful bike. However, I'm not to crazy about the black tank bezel. Chrome would have been a much nicer touch here, or just leave it off, its not needed. I didn't get to open the saddle bags, but they seem smaller than the bags on my 1500. IMO more chrome is needed, especially the air cleaner covers. As I write this I'm at least a dozen beers into it, and by closing one eye, I think my review looks ok, but I will review in the morning and update if needed.

[azcruizer]

Having owned a 1500 Nomad, I can tell you the saddlebags are exactly the same. The only difference is the lack of silver trim on the lower portion of the door. As for the black trim on the fuel tank? It's a cheap piece of rough black plastic. I didn't like it at first, but after about a week of ownership, I didn't even notice it anymore <g>. Hopefully the aftermarket will come up with something better. The rest of the bike more than makes up for a few shortcomings.....

[Loafer]

I sat on a Vaquero yesterday. I liked it very much, didn't care for all the black but thats me. I am 5'9" and it fit me really nice. I would put a taller screen on it. If I could afford to buy one, I would.