New Kawasaki Voyager..

[slick97spirit]

Has anyone been able to find the $MSRP$ on this yet? My local dealer Does not even know yet.

 

according to Kawa site 16,800 to 17,800

[slick97spirit]

I don't know about you guys, but I learned my lesson several years ago about buying a first year model, whether it is a motorcycle, car, or truck. I'll let em get the kinks out before I'll even consider it.

[gambi]

I know I'm new to the site , but can answer some questions, luggage is almost identical in size rear trunk does open from the side which is more convient. No vibration it's based on the vulcan line, I do not care for the belt drive prefer shaft drive, seat height is the same as the venture for driver a little lower for passenger. 37 mpg , $17,999.00 on the price. it is nice up close and personal weight is about the same aswell and I do like the 6th gear overdrive. I have owned a vulcan and never had an issue ,the warrenty should be 2 years though. In either case I'm sticking with the Royal ride I am very happy with it and do not see a reason to change , it still turns heads where ever we go.

 

-James

[Snarley Bill]

I know I'm new to the site , but can answer some questions, luggage is almost identical in size rear trunk does open from the side which is more convient. No vibration it's based on the vulcan line, I do not care for the belt drive prefer shaft drive, seat height is the same as the venture for driver a little lower for passenger. 37 mpg , $17,999.00 on the price. it is nice up close and personal weight is about the same aswell and I do like the 6th gear overdrive. I have owned a vulcan and never had an issue ,the warrenty should be 2 years though. In either case I'm sticking with the Royal ride I am very happy with it and do not see a reason to change , it still turns heads where ever we go.

 

-James

there was a time when i was anti belt drive. i thought it was cheap and silly looking, kind of motorbikish. i have since had two bikes with belt drive. the plusses over shaft drive are 1) zero maintenance never had to adjust one between tire changes. 2) they will last 100,000 miles. 3) much less unsprung weight than a shaft drive. the only minus is when properly adjusted i get a belt whine when coming to a stop. not noticable at any other time, and you have to know what your doing on the initial ajustment so it does'nt ride to one side of the pulley. i have been converted almost totally. on the other hand i prefer the shaft drive on my wing cuz of the single sided swingarm and ease of removing the rear wheel.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

there was a time when i was anti belt drive. i thought it was cheap and silly looking, kind of motorbikish. i have since had two bikes with belt drive. the plusses over shaft drive are 1) zero maintenance never had to adjust one between tire changes. 2) they will last 100,000 miles. 3) much less unsprung weight than a shaft drive. the only minus is when properly adjusted i get a belt whine when coming to a stop. not noticable at any other time, and you have to know what your doing on the initial ajustment so it does'nt ride to one side of the pulley. i have been converted almost totally. on the other hand i prefer the shaft drive on my wing cuz of the single sided swingarm and ease of removing the rear wheel.

 

I too have had mostly good things to say about belt drive..UNTIL...I broke one. That can get expensive to fix out on the road. And you get no warning thats its about to break.

 

Sharp edged gravel is the main culprit, for taking one out. You never know if the gravel road that your on is going to be the last mile you travel. Nothing wrong with belts on low-mileage 'around town fun machines'...but long distance touring bikes? I'm not so sure.

 

One question: If you were buying a new car and you looked under the frame and it had a belt drive...would YOU buy it???

 

Something to think about.

 

[indydog]

The recent testing of cruisers would suggest that Kawasaki missed the target. Read this story http://www.ridermagazine.com/output.cfm?id=2226349

[Snarley Bill]

I too have had mostly good things to say about belt drive..UNTIL...I broke one. That can get expensive to fix out on the road. And you get no warning thats its about to break.

 

Sharp edged gravel is the main culprit, for taking one out. You never know if the gravel road that your on is going to be the last mile you travel. Nothing wrong with belts on low-mileage 'around town fun machines'...but long distance touring bikes? I'm not so sure.

 

One question: If you were buying a new car and you looked under the frame and it had a belt drive...would YOU buy it???

 

Something to think about.

 

you have a point, but i would rather have a belt break than a rearend go caput. it's like anything new or old, stuff can happen. i had a new escort and broke a timing belt at 5000 mile. got it replaced and never had another problem. drove it 130,00 mile and gave it to my niece she ran over 150.000 miles. a rear end can go out and your talking really big bucks. mostly if your out in the middle of nowhere. most dealers don't stock rear end assemblies. a wing rear end assembly is over $1200.00 plus labor to install it. i imagine they all run about that. i like shaft drive fine. i'm just saying i have come to like and accept belt drive also.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

you have a point, but i would rather have a belt break than a rearend go caput. it's like anything new or old, stuff can happen. i had a new escort and broke a timing belt at 5000 mile. got it replaced and never had another problem. drove it 130,00 mile and gave it to my niece she ran over 150.000 miles. a rear end can go out and your talking really big bucks. mostly if your out in the middle of nowhere. most dealers don't stock rear end assemblies. a wing rear end assembly is over $1200.00 plus labor to install it. i imagine they all run about that. i like shaft drive fine. i'm just saying i have come to like and accept belt drive also.

 

Yep...belts break and rear diffs go out...but usually you get a warning about those.

 

My belt repair with labor was $760. They have you over a barrel. Last time I checked on the replacement rear drive for the Venture, its around $600 or so, not counting labor...but your right, it wont be 'instock'...and the belt was...

 

It's a wash as far as I'm concerned...Belt or shaft...they all work till they dont!

 

[Snarley Bill]

 

Yep...belts break and rear diffs go out...but usually you get a warning about those.

 

My belt repair with labor was $760. They have you over a barrel. Last time I checked on the replacement rear drive for the Venture, its around $600 or so, not counting labor...but your right, it wont be 'instock'...and the belt was...

 

It's a wash as far as I'm concerned...Belt or shaft...they all work till they dont!

 

them belts are expensive. i think one for my v-star is several hundred bucks. ouch!

[Sylvester]

I wish one of you would buy one and give an honest opinion.

[SilvrT]

I wish one of you would buy one and give an honest opinion.

 

one did... read back a bit ....

 

[ame=http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showpost.php?p=365127&postcount=148]VentureRider.Org - View Single Post - New Kawasaki Voyager..[/ame]

[Sylvester]

To all you folks that think the new bike is Everything or near to it, take a test ride first. I didn't and purchased a new 2009 Voyager based on looks and perceptions that new technology must be better. Wrong!

 

I had this new machine for 6-7 days and sold it for another 2008 RSV.The Voyager was extremely hot on my left inner thigh and crotch area. The transmission was very loud and clunky up thru at least the fourth gear. Fuel mileage per the bikes readouts showed 34.4 MPG at 55-65 MPH. It also showed at the gas pump when I had to refuel. My wife felt very uncomfortable as the passenger backrest didn't come down far enough and also felt the heavy heat. And last for now I had to downshift quite frequently and repeatedly from approximately 60-65 MPH to keep the bike from lugging.

 

Kawasaki has their work cut out if they want to compete in the touring bike world. I tried to express my views to them over the internet and by a survey they sent me. I must say though the bike was very comfortable for me and handled quite well. The controls were informative also.

 

As they say, Let the Buyer Beware.

 

Happy Riding

 

Mr.Clean

 

I take back my request for an honest report. I believe this is it. It is hard to read eleven pages of posts and remember them.

[BuckShot]

Buzzman and I took another look at the Kaw. today.

Rear lights were great in trunk and taillight, LED's

Exhaust sounded great.

Plastic was very thin and flexed very easily, fairing and everything else.

Vents in lowers were nice, but hinge system was weak

Two pockets in fairing,but had to use key to open

Bag lids flimsy --did have a strap to help keep them on. Didn't want to close easily.

No intercom

No CB

Fairing looks like a flat pigs face, needs to blend in more ( our 2 cents)

Plastic on whole bike looked cheep.

Grab hold of any piece of plastic and shake it and the whole piece shakes and twists.

Evan if Yam. keeps the same old RSV, neither of us would consider the Kaw. over the RSV. Not even a contender, in our minds.

Harley and Yam. just seem to have a better built,stronger built bike.

Was disapointed- the old Kaw's. were nice bike's.

Price was 16,800.00 plus taxes, etc. WE were told 1 yr warrenty

Just my opion, everyone needs to decide for themselves.

[Vulcaneer]

Just wondering if anyone that has ridden the new Voyager.. does it gives the same feed back from the road like the rest of the Vulcan line.. That feel that comes through the bike from the road is what sells for me.. My brother owns a RST, after riding it for a no. of miles I noticed a disconnection from the pavement. Hard to explain in words but you soon understand when riding the two.. Hoping the the Kaw engineers managed to keep that part of the package in tact for this model..