New Owner Reports- 2010 Voyager 1700

[jwthegman]

After logging hundreds of thousands of miles on several of Yamaha's Royal Star Venture we decided to look for something different. Yamaha's lack of keeping up with technology (still have a cassette deck on the 11's) and a very weak rear shock ($700.00 a piece) were the reasons for the fishing trip.

In late March we drove to the local HD dealership and tried out the Ultra Classic. I must say I was very impressed with HD's attention to detail and quality. My only issues were the 96ci power plant was lacking in power when riding 2 up and the cockpit was a little cramped ( we are spoiled from the long wheel base of the rsv). When I inquired anbout the bigger motor we walked away at the close to $30,000.00 price tag.

The next week we pulled into the local Kawasaki dealership and there was a 2010 VV staring at us through the window. It goes without saying that these bikes do catch a person's eye.The problem we had was that we couldn't ride it before purchase. We did sit on it though and is a little more room than the HD we tried out. We returned home and thought about it along with conducting a little research.

We ended up purchasing the bike the following week. Now, living in Western NY and between 2 of the great lakes,we have only logged around 500mi. So far, so good. The vtwin lacks the top end the v4 had but really makes up for it with it's bottom end torque. The vtwin vibration goes away after getting up to speed so that really isn't an issue me. Also, I have read complaints concerning the heat around the rear cylinder. Any bike with a power plant this size is going to be hot. Especially with the jugs being air cooled. The Venture wasn't quite as hot at slow speeds, however, stop lights would make me feel like bacon(extra crispy). The Ventures entire engine is liquid cooled. I am also happy with the power riding 2 up and loaded with hair styling equipment. Oops, I mean luggage. The technology is up to date and maintenance is easy compared to the rsv.
I haven't experienced any vibration from the fairing either. The 2 issues I have are 1. the small gas tank. 2. I wish Kawasaki would have utilized an air suspension on the front end also.
Time will tell on the reliability of my new ride.

John Warner

[David (N. Alabama)]

Welcome to the forum John. I have 15,500 miles on my Voyager and am just coming up on one year of ownership. I did just get a 4 inch shorter windshield in dark tint to allow a little more air flow for the summer. For my height the windstream just hits the top of my helmet and hopefully will push some air into the vents.

[Wandering Man]

I'm currently just a shopper.

I've got a 2006 Suzuki M50, which has been a great bike for around town, and between here and work. I've started a part-time job about 70 miles away, and am pretty sure I'd get beat to death by the 40 mph winds that are common along the gulf coast if I were to try to ride my bike to that job.

So now, I think it might be time to step up to a touring bike. My wife loves the back seat. The seat hits her in just the right place (back problems), and she likes the arm rests. Among all the bikes we sat on (the Harley, the Yamaha, the Goldwing, and the Victory) the Voyager is rated the best, according to her back.

I'm glad I've found this forum, and especially this thread. Sounds like the bike is going to be a good choice for us.

Once concern, and I'm not sure things would be better on another bike, is the heat. We hit 99 degrees yesterday. We typically have one or two days a year that dip below freezing, and sometimes have none.

Temps tend to run between the upper 80's and lower 90's (triple digit temps are rare, despite yesterday's 99).

-WM

[David (N. Alabama)]

Hello wandering man, Welcome to the forum.

I have put close to 16,000 miles on my Voyager in the first year of ownership. I have also been to the gulf coast of FL quite a bit. The only time I have felt a lot of heat from the Voyager was while sitting in traffic. I have draped a sheepskin pelt over the seat and fuel tank which help provide some protection.

While moving the heat from the engine is not an issue for me. sometimes the outside of my legs are hotter from the sun than the inside of my legs from the engine. Black riding pants don't work well in FL

If you desire more air flow you can take the lower fairing off, or you could get a nomad with the Voyager trunk option. Let us know what you decide.

[HMB Don]

I did it, went out and got the 2012 Voyager 1700, still missing the 1200, seems like a little less every day. Yesterday I took the 1700 in for the 600 mile service. Great dealership Tracy Motorsports in Tracy CA, I was in and out in 2h 20min the cost was $173.00. After the AVA Rally this year if you ride into CA and your near stop by, you'll be taken care of.

With every mile I ride that big V-twin frees up a bit more, in the mtns of San Mateo County it handles good. More like those long framed Duciti's of the Seventys. The brakes are what they should have updated the 1200 with years ago. But the rear shocks, what a pain to adj the air pressure, transmission a joy, engine still can't rev passed 3,500 rpm but on those winding roads it has lots of get up and go. The more I ride the cooler the engine runs, mileage is 40 to 42 mpg. I do run higher gears at low speeds, did I tell you I like the Transmission 6 speed, I have to remember the extra down shift. That fan for the rear cyl does work the heat is no different then the Yamaha Virago 1100. The speedo reminds me of my 51 ford, never had a Mustang, by that time I was Mopar, 68 RoadRunner.

Tomorrow Trisha and I ride down to Cobin and get a custom seat made for just my back side. I know a lot of people don't like those hard seats. With a bad back I need firm or hard seat with that large back rest. I plan on getting the heated seat. If anyone needs a stock 1700 seat email me. Trisha will ride her Trike.

My two longest rides have been a 180 mile and a 150 mile day. The closer to 3,000 rpm the smoother the engine, but even on the freeways here that's fast.

Seems like everyone likes the look, yesterday I had a fellow in a car honking a waving plus the thumbs up. Even HD riders remark on they wish there HD's looked that good. Seems that Kawasaki out Harleyed the Harley.

Don Medina
President
NorCal Voyagers Club
AVA Board Member
AMA Charter Life Member
2012 Voyager 1700, 730 miles

[David (N. Alabama)]

Congrats Don. Are you going to post some pictures? At least tell us the color you got?

[Dion]

So we will get to see the new bike in Aug. in Idaho

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Congrats Don on the Vulcan Voyager 1700, after the Rally in Degray , I too pulled the trigger and purchased one. I get more compliments on how nice it looks than any motorcycle that I've owned. I enjoy the ride and the transmission having 6 speeds. I'm figuring that seeing mine and David's at the Ride to Ripley was what pushed you over the edge to purchase one So which color scheme did you get? Definitely a fun bike to ride with lots of thumbs up wherever you roam.


Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President
VV 1700 owner

[HMB Don]

Here are some pictures of my new 1700

In the shop before installing battery and adding gas

After signing on the dotted line

Don Jr, me (with the big grin), Trisha


And a big thank you to Charlottel Ash for help with tinypics.

Don Medina
President
NorCal Voyagers Club
AVA Marketing Director
AMA Charter Life Member

[HMB Don]

This is the picture of me after signing on the dotted line



Don Medina
President
NorCal Voyagers Club
AVA Marketing Director
AMA Charter Life Member

[David (N. Alabama)]

Looking good Don. Let me know if you want some part numbers for some bling for your new ride. The best bang for the buck are the Chrome floorboard covers for the bottom of the passenger floorboards. Between $10 and $14 a pair depending on where you buy them.

[TheAudiDoc]

sweet ride Don....congrats

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Thumbs up!!!! Defintely looks good and ready to put on the miles. Congrats, Brother on the new ride!!!


Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President

[David (N. Alabama)]

David
Where did you find the floor board covers?

I got mine from http://www.Motosport.com when they were having a sale. Part Number 14091-0229. They came standard on the 1600 Nomads and the VN2000 LT.

[HMB Don]

Ordered mine from Kawasaki part # 14091-0229 with the discount that I got from the dealer they were less then $15.00.

David thanks for the picture, I was thinking that they had a plug just for the seat with it's own fuse, like the Goldwing. When the tech at Corbin began to wire the seat into the ACC plug I stopped him. I rode down to Corbin seat yesterday. It was 37 here in HMB and as I go closer to Hollister the temp dropped to the high 20's. I used the heated seat and my first gear liner and gloves. Kept me warm but my feet were very, very cold. Will be adding headed grips soon and heated socks.

The 1700 does not like Ice, when I turned onto the street that leads to Corbin they had watered the grass. With water on the roadway and freezing temps, when I got there it was ICE. Maybe my old age but the 1700 was moving all around, I didn't fall.

I'll post some pictures soon of my new Corbin seat. Yes it is very firm or hard, the stock seat was nice and soft. But with my back, I was in pain after every short ride. Yesterday was a joy even in the cold, I now sit higher I had them add extra padding but still very firm.

Got to rev the engine to 4k yesterday trying to get is used to some high speed running. That was in 4th gear and I was already braking the law, and I still had two more gears.

Don Medina

[David (N. Alabama)]

Ordered mine from Kawasaki part # 14091-0229 with the discount that I got from the dealer they were less then $15.00.

David thanks for the picture, I was thinking that they had a plug just for the seat with it's own fuse, like the Goldwing. When the tech at Corbin began to wire the seat into the ACC plug I stopped him. I rode down to Corbin seat yesterday. It was 37 here in HMB and as I go closer to Hollister the temp dropped to the high 20's. I used the heated seat and my first gear liner and gloves. Kept me warm but my feet were very, very cold. Will be adding headed grips soon and heated socks.

The 1700 does not like Ice, when I turned onto the street that leads to Corbin they had watered the grass. With water on the roadway and freezing temps, when I got there it was ICE. Maybe my old age but the 1700 was moving all around, I didn't fall.

I'll post some pictures soon of my new Corbin seat. Yes it is very firm or hard, the stock seat was nice and soft. But with my back, I was in pain after every short ride. Yesterday was a joy even in the cold, I now sit higher I had them add extra padding but still very firm.

Got to rev the engine to 4k yesterday trying to get is used to some high speed running. That was in 4th gear and I was already braking the law, and I still had two more gears.

Don Medina

I look forward to riding with you again Don. I picked up a pair of Wolverine Shearling lined leather boots that so far keep my feet nice and warm. Best $50 I've spent on boots. Of course I will have to use my rain covers if I get caught in the rain with them on.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LW ... 00_details

[Fooch]

I got mine from http://www.Motosport.com when they were having a sale. Part Number 14091-0229. They came standard on the 1600 Nomads and the VN2000 LT.

So these will fit the 2010-2011 Voyager? I can't find anywhere where it says that. And there's no pics of the part anywhere either.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I got mine from http://www.Motosport.com when they were having a sale. Part Number 14091-0229. They came standard on the 1600 Nomads and the VN2000 LT.

So these will fit the 2010-2011 Voyager? I can't find anywhere where it says that. And there's no pics of the part anywhere either.

Yes, they fit the 2009 - present Voyagers and Nomads. Least expensive bling you can add to your bike.

[Fooch]

Thanks, just ordered.

[HMB Don]

I just installed those chrome covers, made the 1700 look much better. David I look forward to riding with you again, maybe at the AVA rally we can do an early morning ride. I really like the way this bike handles, no hinge in the middle of the frame. I've be riding in the mtns and the brakes are great but I did get them to heat up a bit and the brakes lost some bite. Also getting to grips with the six speed transmission, it's fun running through all the gears and then running down the gears.


Don Medina
President
NorCal Voyagers Club
AVA Board Member
AMA Charter Life Member