Nomad/Voyager saddlebag question

alwhite00 · 05-28-2017, 10:31 AM

I looked at a 1700 nomad recently and i noticed the bags looked the same as a voyager. On the nomad there is a very noticeable notch on the front inside corners of the bags. It looks like something is missing. So much so i don't know if i could own one. On the voyager is this void used for something? Anyone have a decent picture showing this area on a voyager? Im hoping to step up to a voyager as my next bike so i am kind of interested.

cactusjack · 05-28-2017, 04:04 PM

A 1600 Nomad and a Voyager have distinctly different saddle bags. The Nomad has side opening bags (like a Vaquero) and the Voyager has the top loaders, same as the 1700 Nomad.

alwhite00 · 05-28-2017, 04:27 PM

Sorry, I changed it to 1700

**Framer** · 05-28-2017, 04:56 PM

If your talking about the top notch I think it's there for passenger leg room

gv550 · 05-28-2017, 06:13 PM

When the 1700 was unveiled in 2009 there were a lot of negative comments on that gap between the saddlebags and frame, big enough to "throw a cat through" some said! It does look goofy, but after 8 years of ownership it doesn't bother me at all, in fact can't even see it when I'm riding. Same saddlebags on the Nomad and Voyager, only difference is color.

alwhite00 · 05-28-2017, 07:38 PM

Anyone have a good picture of that area on a voyager? It looks to have some sort of chrome piece in that gap?

gv550 · 05-28-2017, 08:52 PM

Framer's picture is of a Voyager. There is no difference in this area between a Nomad and Voyager, same saddlebag, same chrome trim, same engine guard, same passenger footboard, same gap.

Vulcanrider03 · 05-29-2017, 04:27 AM

I even have the voyager trunk on mine

terryd · 05-29-2017, 07:36 PM

I have a 1700 Nomad and the only comment I have concerning that gap is, what a waste of space. I just don't get what Kawasaki was thinking in designing it that way. As massive as those bags look they could and should have more capacity.

Peg · 05-30-2017, 01:45 AM

It's hard to get anything into the lids at all. I've hung a cargo net from the bolts behind the saddle bag guards on each of mine, and stuff things like jacket liners up in there, but otherwise that space up in the lids is completely wasted.

redjay · 05-30-2017, 08:05 AM

I think a lot of people would have been happier had Kawasaki fitted the side opening bags on the Voyager like they did on the Vaquero, and make the trunk adjustable for more room between rider and passenger. I think those were the 2 biggest complaints of the Voyager.

terryd · 05-30-2017, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peg

It's hard to get anything into the lids at all. I've hung a cargo net from the bolts behind the saddle bag guards on each of mine, and stuff things like jacket liners up in there, but otherwise that space up in the lids is completely wasted.

I can occasionally use the space in the lid by carefully piling stuff up and holding it in place while closing it, but then you have to be careful that stuff doesn't fall out when you open it. That's a clever idea with the cargo nets, I'm going to have to try that.

Scootergptx · 05-30-2017, 11:13 AM

I'm having some issues with stray cats, if anyone is needing parts to fix this.

Lumberjack · 05-30-2017, 01:52 PM

I get my entire jacket in one side and stack stuff up (and close carefully) to fill the other side. Yes it is a PIA but they don't leak like Vaquero's do...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peg

It's hard to get anything into the lids at all. I've hung a cargo net from the bolts behind the saddle bag guards on each of mine, and stuff things like jacket liners up in there, but otherwise that space up in the lids is completely wasted.

OhioVoyager · 05-31-2017, 02:09 PM

If I am thinking of the "notch" you are describing on the backside of the main portion of the bag it appears to be notched to clear for the rear shocks/springs. I cannot recall if it aligns on the Voyager but it does on the Vaquero. Now before you all blast this and explain the Voyager and Vaquero have different bags, I know they do. I had to deal with that inner notch on the Vaquero/Nomad bags when designing the rear speaker mounts.

I never looked closely at the Voyager but I assume that notch is on the bag to clear for the spring/shock as it would be on the Nomads (I know some Nomads have side-open, some have top open). The lid, then, would need to match up and since the shape of the bag lid narrows down near the front that notch detail is exacerbated.

05-28-2017, 10:31 AM	#1
alwhite00 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 539	Nomad/Voyager saddlebag question I looked at a 1700 nomad recently and i noticed the bags looked the same as a voyager. On the nomad there is a very noticeable notch on the front inside corners of the bags. It looks like something is missing. So much so i don't know if i could own one. On the voyager is this void used for something? Anyone have a decent picture showing this area on a voyager? Im hoping to step up to a voyager as my next bike so i am kind of interested. Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by alwhite00; 05-28-2017 at 04:27 PM.
	0

05-28-2017, 04:04 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	A 1600 Nomad and a Voyager have distinctly different saddle bags. The Nomad has side opening bags (like a Vaquero) and the Voyager has the top loaders, same as the 1700 Nomad. __________________ 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
	0

05-28-2017, 06:13 PM	#5
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	When the 1700 was unveiled in 2009 there were a lot of negative comments on that gap between the saddlebags and frame, big enough to "throw a cat through" some said! It does look goofy, but after 8 years of ownership it doesn't bother me at all, in fact can't even see it when I'm riding. Same saddlebags on the Nomad and Voyager, only difference is color. __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details. Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by gv550; 05-28-2017 at 08:49 PM.
	0

05-28-2017, 08:52 PM	#7
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	Framer's picture is of a Voyager. There is no difference in this area between a Nomad and Voyager, same saddlebag, same chrome trim, same engine guard, same passenger footboard, same gap. __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details.
	0

05-30-2017, 01:45 AM	#10
Peg Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Coast, North Island, New Zealand Posts: 1,375	It's hard to get anything into the lids at all. I've hung a cargo net from the bolts behind the saddle bag guards on each of mine, and stuff things like jacket liners up in there, but otherwise that space up in the lids is completely wasted. __________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like wrinkles in the duct tape '02 1500 blonde Nomad (Sold) '97 800 burgundy Classic (Sold)
	0

05-28-2017, 04:27 PM	#3
alwhite00 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 539	Sorry, I changed it to 1700
	0

05-28-2017, 07:38 PM	#6
alwhite00 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 539	Anyone have a good picture of that area on a voyager? It looks to have some sort of chrome piece in that gap?
	0

05-29-2017, 07:36 PM	#9
terryd Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Iowa Posts: 305	I have a 1700 Nomad and the only comment I have concerning that gap is, what a waste of space. I just don't get what Kawasaki was thinking in designing it that way. As massive as those bags look they could and should have more capacity.
	0

05-30-2017, 08:05 AM	#11
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,952	I think a lot of people would have been happier had Kawasaki fitted the side opening bags on the Voyager like they did on the Vaquero, and make the trunk adjustable for more room between rider and passenger. I think those were the 2 biggest complaints of the Voyager.
	0

05-30-2017, 11:13 AM	#13
Scootergptx Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 654	I'm having some issues with stray cats, if anyone is needing parts to fix this. __________________ 2011 Vaquero V&H slip ons Roaring Toyz intake PCV (removed) Ivan's ECU flash
	0

05-31-2017, 02:09 PM	#15
OhioVoyager Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 80	If I am thinking of the "notch" you are describing on the backside of the main portion of the bag it appears to be notched to clear for the rear shocks/springs. I cannot recall if it aligns on the Voyager but it does on the Vaquero. Now before you all blast this and explain the Voyager and Vaquero have different bags, I know they do. I had to deal with that inner notch on the Vaquero/Nomad bags when designing the rear speaker mounts. I never looked closely at the Voyager but I assume that notch is on the bag to clear for the spring/shock as it would be on the Nomads (I know some Nomads have side-open, some have top open). The lid, then, would need to match up and since the shape of the bag lid narrows down near the front that notch detail is exacerbated.
	0