Kawaski Voyagers

[Justyntym]

The new voyagers look really nice and you can dog kawi all
you want but they know how to build a motorcycle.

I saw these models as displays at daytona this past october
(and hope like heck they got 'em as demo's this comming bikeweek)
and the pictures do not do this bike justice. The chrome is deep and
rich looking. The motor is all new and appears to take aim at the M109
powerplant, although slightly smaller @ 103ci ...108lbs of torque is pretty
healthy.

Where I think Kawi really came thru was in price. They seemed to sharpen
their pencils. The base model is only $12,2000 which is pretty low considering
it's an all brand new model and of this apparent quality. The full dress voyager
which takes a direct aim, fire, and destroy approach to the Harley electra
glide is a full 5 grand cheaper (and we all know, a hellaofa stronger motor
than the hog) plus water cooled.

The other thing I think Kawi did better was weight. The voyagers are
considerably lighter than the C109 versions. I rode the C109RT at daytona
and it is a friggen boat. One huge bike that rivals a goldwing in weight
(but the wing handles better). Yeah it's got the 109 motor but the shear
inertia of trying to get that bus moving, just about turns it into a Hardley
in terms of acceleration. Don't remember the torque figures of the 109 but
I bet the voyager motor is close and with about 100lbs lighter, she should
scoot and almost $2,000 cheaper.


worth a look
Kawasaki Motorcycles, ATV, Jet Ski Watercraft, Utility Vehicles, Recreational Utility Vehicles

 

[Justyntym]

Some pics

Check out this chrome

 

[Cerberus]

Nice looking bike. I can see the appeal, but that price is kinda high to me. HD was selling Street Glides for similar pricing...give or take a couple of grand. I'm sure it is a better bike over all, but if I was going to spend that kind of money, I would consider a HD...only because they tend to hold their value better then the import bikes.

That blue does look good though!!!

 

[Dweezel]

But the money you won't put into this bike in repairs, parts shaking off, stock in Loc-Tite, you'll make allot more actual pocket money on the sale of an import.

 

[runeight]

Very nice. I like the fact that the rear trunk appears to open form the side. Side bags look large, front cowling looks awesome and 1700 cc FI engine.

They did a nice job on it for sure.

I have Yamaha's version called the Venture. I call it the Buick. Still has carburetors and only 1300 cc however the V-4 is a smooth engine. Only the five speed transmission but a wide one at that. Don't even think of high gear until 70 mph.

I really feel in love with it after riding a few hundred miles. I had to realize that this was designed for comfort and the "long haul". You just putt around and basiclly "enjoy the ride" which quite frankly, I forgot. It's a fantasic motorcycle for Jailbait and I. $15,500 OTD at the dealer. The 09 "S" model is now $18,690 so I would assume that Kaw will knock there socks off with this one.

Yamaha makes only 1500 Ventures a year for the US market according to the forums. I love the bike. It is the ride of choice due to comfort, wind protection and it is just a big old boat. Did I say Buick? The five (5) year warranty and free roadside assistance offered by Yamaha speaks for it's self.

Kawasaki raised the bar in Sport Touring against the Yamaha FJR and now in Touring against the Venture.

That is a very nice motorcycle.

r8

View attachment 1513432

View attachment 1513433

 

[runeight]

Just looked at the specs. It's heavier than the Buick!



r8

 

[GMbusa]

Run, If your cruiser is the Buick, would that make your Busa a "Grandsport"?

Ooh, if you turbo it, it would become a Grandsport stage1.

 

[txbikerdude]

looks like a very nice bike

 

[runeight]

I have been reading the specs. Voyager is heavier, smaller tank and 1700 cc. I'm averaging 43 mpg with break in thus around a 250 mile range. (variable)

I did not see if it is shaft drive. Seat height is lower but does not look as comfortable. It is longer then the Venture but a shorter wheelbase and smaller tires.

Would like to go see one in the future. Very sweet looking motorcycle.

r8

 

[runeight]

Run, If your cruiser is the Buick, would that make your Busa a "Grandsport"?

Ooh, if you turbo it, it would become a Grandsport stage1.

Pual..Paul..Paul.

Yeah, I guess so huh?

r8

 

[Mr Bogus]

used to be a day when any thread like this was only one bike.... the "Wing" now they do not get honorable mention... could be the $25G +?

 

[runeight]

used to be a day when any thread like this was only one bike.... the "Wing" now they do not get honorable mention... could be the $25G +?

Had a Wing. Wonderful. Just wonderful. A lot of heat and a cramped foot position. Hard to strech the old legs. All in all a wonderful machine.

Doyle material huh? (keep on truckin)

r8

View attachment 1513436

 

[semperfi]

Had a Wing. Wonderful. Just wonderful. A lot of heat and a cramped foot position. Hard to strech the old legs. All in all a wonderful machine.

Doyle material huh? (keep on truckin)

r8

View attachment 1513437

If I have to take all that on the road I will take my minivan. Sorry.

 

[64PolarBear]

Sheesh ! The day I go around something that big and heavy, I'll get myself a Miata or some other convertible. If Suzuki would only make a sport tourer using the busa platform, like Kawasaki did with the ZX-14 & Concours 14. I would save a ton on insurance rates and license plate rates (supersport plates in Quebec = $ 670) and still enjoy the Busa's wonderfull engine, brakes and overall handling. Sigh !

 

[runeight]

Sheesh ! The day I go around something that big and heavy, I'll get myself a Miata or some other convertible. If Suzuki would only make a sport tourer using the busa platform, like Kawasaki did with the ZX-14 & Concours 14. I would save a ton on insurance rates and license plate rates (supersport plates in Quebec = $ 670) and still enjoy the Busa's wonderfull engine, brakes and overall handling. Sigh !

My FJR was more to insure then the Venture. By a long shot. Sport Tourers are expensive to insure.

r8

 

[Justyntym]

Nice looking bike. I can see the appeal, but that price is kinda high to me. HD was selling Street Glides for similar pricing...give or take a couple of grand. I'm sure it is a better bike over all, but if I was going to spend that kind of money, I would consider a HD...only because they tend to hold their value better then the import bikes.

That blue does look good though!!!

The Kawi voyager ain't a street glide so your compairing apple to oranges.
It's got all the bells and whistles and then some, it's more compairable
to the electra glide ultra which is MSRP starting at $20,999 vs $16,799

or if you want to compair the base model, which to me is similar to a fat boy
A kawi 1700 classic for $12,200 and 108 ft lbs of torque vs
a harley fat boy for @ $15,999 and 89 ft lbs of torque...
(and I think 89 is a little bit on the high side, maybe that's crank)

bear in mind the harley price is greatly reduced from $18,000 in 2008
guess harley has eased up on the rape of your wallet due to econimic poor
sales.

2ndly the resale value argument is one poor last resort argument for buying
a harley. Usually it's this model has more power, this model cost a bit less,
this model is more reliable,etc...if all you've got to hang your hat on is
"I'll get more when I sell it..." ewww. Not worth buying...

I would rather have twice the bike for half the price and twice the fun
EVERYDAY for the 5-10+ years I own it vs the little bit more I get IF and I
said IF...I sell it.

Lastly...I rode and rode and rode probably every single model harley makes
(professional demo rider here, bikeweek/biketoberfest...I love it) as well as
the big Jap twins and Victory's and beyond any shadow of a doubt....Harley
makes the absolute worst motor and bike of them all and cost the most
(except for Victory and they about even in price, but the Victory SPANKS
harley every where else).

You know what kills me and this sums up harley in a nutshell...I was reading
a review of the crossbones (I rode one BTW) and you know that big heavy
bike only has one tiny little rotor and caliper on the front wheel. When harley
execs were asked about it, they said the front spring designs of the cross
bones would not withstand any more stopping force of an additional rotor
or a bigger rotor and more calipers. So they beefed up the rear brake as best they
could....

So if you get a crossbones make sure you go nice slow down to the local
winghouse to park your bike.

 

[runeight]

I have been reading more on this Voyie. Boy, it has a lot of nice features.

Storage in the fairings. A 12 volt plug where you can actually use it. I-Pod connections and finally a nice looking LED light in the rear trunk! What a novel idea.

Yamaha wants $275.00 for a trunk light.

Front fairing appears to offer excellent protection and the driving lights are to die for. Instument panel is well done with tons of info.

Very nice. I want one in blue and black.

r8

 

[runeight]

If I have to take all that on the road I will take my minivan. Sorry.

It was a 5000 mile two week trip. Unfortunately my best friend was killed the next day so the trip ended. Wife was banged up bad but survived.

RIP David.

r8

View attachment 1513447

 

[runeight]

Looks like a belt drive if you look close at picture 14. Picture 24

r8

 

[Justyntym]

Looks like a belt drive if you look close at picture 14. Picture 24

r8

It is belt drive but they switched from kevlar to carbon fiber, supposed
to be 40% stronger and still lighter and smaller.