09 Kawasaki Voyager price posted finally..

[MadMax96]

I'm shocked... they really undercut the competition.  Starting at $16,799 and $17,899 for ABS (I'm assuming).

[chornbe]

Well, there's really only one true competitor to that bike... Well, maybe two.

The ElectraGlide, et al
The Victory Vision

It's a pretty specific creation; fully faired, full-luggage, v-twin powered, cruiser-styled touring bike.

And you're right, the price is just below those offerings.

The Star Royal Star Venture is also in that league, except that it's powered by a V-4, but frankly it's quite long in the tooth and a poor seller. I don't see it staying in the lineup much longer.

I wouldn't put a non-faired or leather-bagged touring cruiser (ala, Soft tail Heritage, C90T, C109T, VTX1800-T, etc) in that same class of vehicle.

[SilverHound]

Kawi has really put some thought into the Voyager IMO. Cruise control, built in radio/intercom with MP3 hook-up. Nice dash arrangement with the retro dials and the modern digital readout, 6 speed overdrive....shweet. If I were in the market for a 900 lb cruiser/tourer it would be at the top of my list. The stock seat even looks like it might actually be comfortable  

The Victory Vision on the other hand looks like something George Jetson should be riding. I guess you either love 'em or hate 'em. I fall into the latter catagory.  

[gritsngravy]

A decent price for sure.  If the tests reveal the bikes got decent on the road performance and is relatively smooth it will sell well.  

[OldBob]

As a potential Road King buyer, I am leaning more toward the 1700 Nomad.  However, I hope that Kawasaki has changed a couple of things since the 1600 Nomad.  

Chrome-plated plastic just reeks of cheap.  Yes, I realize that plated pot-metal is not necessarily a better product, but I still prefer it.

The rear exhaust pipe (on the 1600) is not what it appears to be.  Look closely, and you will see that Kawasaki has employed a chrome-plated "falsie".  Minor point, and the exhaust can be replaced with something from the after-market.

The 1700 is still heavier than the Road King, but the Kaw costs much less and ... is probably much more reliable.  Got to love water cooling.

Bob

[MadMax96]

As a potential Road King buyer, I am leaning more toward the 1700 Nomad.  However, I hope that Kawasaki has changed a couple of things since the 1600 Nomad.  

Chrome-plated plastic just reeks of cheap.  Yes, I realize that plated pot-metal is not necessarily a better product, but I still prefer it.

The rear exhaust pipe (on the 1600) is not what it appears to be.  Look closely, and you will see that Kawasaki has employed a chrome-plated "falsie".  Minor point, and the exhaust can be replaced with something from the after-market.

The 1700 is still heavier than the Road King, but the Kaw costs much less and ... is probably much more reliable.  Got to love water cooling.

Bob

It might weigh more than the HD, but I don't think the Road King is putting out 108 lb-ft of torque.  

I see the water cooling as a plus too, but a friend here at work (who wants a HD EG Ultra) thinks of it as more of a hassle.  Might be more of a hassle if you're doing engine work, etc.... but I figure being a Kawi you probably won't be worrying about that stuff that much.  The water cooled engine has to be easier on your legs on those hot summer days.

[OldBob]

According to Kawasaki's web site, the 1600 Nomad weighs 772 lbs, and the 1700 Nomad weighs 833 lbs.  Considering the change from shaft to belt, I cannot understand a 60 # increase.

The motor will not have a problem with that much weight, but I will.

Bob

[MadMax96]

According to Kawasaki's web site, the 1600 Nomad weighs 772 lbs, and the 1700 Nomad weighs 833 lbs.  Considering the change from shaft to belt, I cannot understand a 60 # increase.

The motor will not have a problem with that much weight, but I will.

Bob

I didn't look at the specs, but no two ways about it - 833 lbs is a handful!  

[chornbe]

My 770# Harley is downright svelte compared to that.

[OldBob]

I went by the Kawasaki dealer today, and discovered that some of my criticisms about the 1600 and 1700 lack accuracy.

First off, the 1700 Nomad's advertised weight of 833 # is a wet weight.  The advertised weight of the 1600 is dry.  So, they probably weigh about the same.  The 1700 suddenly appears more attractive.

I complained about plated plastic on the 1600.  Other than the horn, it doesn't have any.  Not even the air cleaner cover is plastic.

You just cannot believe the stuff you read on the Internet.  (I'm ridiculing myself.)

Bob

[OldBob]

The more I read and think about the upcoming 1700 Nomad, the more "excited" (not the best word choice) I get.

I have been seriously considering a Road King, but have not warmed (pun intended) to their emissions-related heat issues.  Water-cooled H-D tourers seem inevitable, but when?  The 1700 Nomad, while not having H-D's legendary fit-and-finish, seems pretty cool (again, pun intended).

Imagine a water-cooled Road King with a 103-inch upgrade.  That's how I view the new Nomad.  I will readily concede that the Kaw will never have H-D's resale value.  I'll get over it, too.

I am truly eager to see one at the dealer.

Bob

[atadaskew]

Good grief the Nomad is ugly.  Sorry, but I'd do whatever it took to get the Road King over this:


Hot running conditions are fixed with an SE air filter kit and re-map. Totally worth it.

[chornbe]

The Road King is an icon and the '09 frame... it kicks ass!

[MadMax96]

The Road King is an icon and the '09 frame... it kicks ass!

Icon= you can't tell the 2009 from the 1995 model.  

Yeah yeah - HD is good at hiding their updates.  The important thing is to find out what works better for you rather than riding something to gain approval of everyone else.  

[PhilBiker]

Good grief the Nomad is ugly.  Sorry, but I'd do whatever it took to get the Road King over this:


Hot running conditions are fixed with an SE air filter kit and re-map. Totally worth it.

I think they both are beautiful.  The Nomad is a very blatant and obvious copy.  The older generation Nomad saddlebags were goregeous.

[chornbe]

Icon= you can't tell the 2009 from the 1995 model.  

Yeah yeah - HD is good at hiding their updates.  The important thing is to find out what works better for you rather than riding something to gain approval of everyone else.  

Did I suggest otherwise?

[Mach VIII]

Good grief the Nomad is ugly.  Sorry, but I'd do whatever it took to get the Road King over this:


Hot running conditions are fixed with an SE air filter kit and re-map. Totally worth it.

Meh, neither one of 'em are exactly "stunning" but I think the pictured Kawi is the cleaner and nicer looking of the two.  Sorry, but I think that H-D is just flat out ugly - I've always hated those stupid front fenders and the bags look like something off a cop bike.  Yeah, I know they've been that way for a very long time, but then I've disliked them for a very long time too.    Oh well, what do I know, they sell, and millions of trailer dwellers can't be wrong can they?    

I've seen some pics/articles on the new Voyager (the full bagger) and thought it wasn't bad looking for that type of bike.  Maybe I just liked the nice rounded lines and the pretty metallic blue color of the one in the pics.  [shrugs]  I think I'd still rather go out and buy a nice used Valkyrie Interstate if I were looking for a cruiser styled touring bike.

[OldBob]

Saw a Nomad at the dealer today.  A few observations.

Nice fit and finish.  Unfortunately, a few of the chrome-plated parts (including the instrument surround) are plastic.  Although the bags are listed as having a relatively large volume, they are oddly-shaped and don't seem as if they would hold much.  Surprisingly, the tires are not radials.

The Nomad has some good details, too: easy oil filter access, nicely-shaped steel fenders, trip computer.  No more "falsies" in the exhaust.

Overall, I think it is a viable alternative to the Road King.

Bob