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10-01-2009, 07:09 AM | #1 |
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Location: Michigan
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Voyager is a sled
My gosh, take a look at the data on this site. The Voyager is a sled.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ro...fications.html I think top gear roll-ons are a meaningless comparison in the era of overdrive. A good top gear on a bike like this is for low rpms and high mpgs, not acceleration. Even so, 60-80 in 10.6 seconds says the bike lacks power. (The Harley is even worse.) My Buick Park Avenue get 32 mpg on the freeway and will easily beat 10.6 seconds from 60-80. AND look at the quarter mile time! 14.7 seconds at 86 mph for a 1700 cc bike. The thing is a dog. Hardly faster than a V-star 650, which is so slow it isn't very competent entering freeways. (My son had one.) I'm good with BD's new ride slow philosophy, but I do like to have the ability to scoot when I'm in the mood for more speed. This bike with the new motor should have been engineered to be down in the low 13's, not high 14's. With 65 hp and that big screen, I bet it has trouble even making 100 mph (actual, not on its speedometer) downhill with the wind. I'm truly disappointed in Kawasaki. I had figured to give them a couple years to work the bugs out and it might be my next ride.
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Dan K Member #100 2009 ST1300: Performance exceeding even Victory riders' boasts. Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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10-01-2009, 07:27 AM | #2 |
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Voyager is a sled
I've even heard of kawa dealers saying if you ride an older 1500 or 1600 Nomad you won't probably like the newer kawas.
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10-01-2009, 08:08 AM | #3 | |
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Voyager is a sled
Quote:
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10-01-2009, 08:51 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,464
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Voyager is a sled
10% more HP and 15% more torque than the 1600 Nomad when mixed with 12% more weight yeilds similar performance between the two bikes. Wheather you buy a 1600 or a 1700 Nomad you are NOT buying a performance bike.
The new nads benefit in MPG area from the new 6 speed trans. That's good! I'm not buying one because there's not enough gain to make me want to replace the 07 but that doesn't mean evryone should not buy it!
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trosco: just call me Ross 2007 Black & Titanium Nomad (Nomad made 65K but got replaced 2014) 2010 Titanium Goldwing 2014 KLR 650 New Edition |
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10-01-2009, 11:07 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
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Voyager is a sled
Here's the thing, if you want to pass someone who is doing 60 mph DOWNSHIFT, problem solved.
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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10-02-2009, 01:13 AM | #6 |
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Location: Iowa City, Ia
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Voyager is a sled
After testriding both an '08 and an '09...I've found the '09 is a lot better fit for me. I don't have to "reach" for anything. I'm 5'7" btw. I could see where taller people may feel cramped on an '09.
(haha.. whoops..I'm talking about the Nomad of course...not the Voyager. :)) |
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10-02-2009, 06:31 AM | #7 |
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Voyager is a sled
TC your up way to late at night.
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10-02-2009, 07:09 AM | #8 | |
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Location: Michigan
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Voyager is a sled
Quote:
I know these aren't sport bikes, but I had hoped that with the increased engine size and all their talk about power, that Kawasaki would gear it and increase the HP to give it a bit more punch. A 13.5 1/4 mile would have been nice for what it would mean in available acceleration in the 60 - 90 mph range. I'm guessing that with it's torque curve it can come out of a stop sign nicely, but they needed to follow that up with power to perform in the 60- 90 range. There are a lot of reports of mid-30's mpgs too. I'm a bit disappointed.
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Dan K Member #100 2009 ST1300: Performance exceeding even Victory riders' boasts. |
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10-02-2009, 08:03 AM | #9 |
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Voyager is a sled
I tested the voyager riding 2-up, I liked it on back country roads up to 55 mph, handled good, didn't seem heavy, fit good I'm 5'10". Although I didn't get it on the freeway, but I wanted to. I'm no speed demon but with the gearing you could just dump it down a gear or two at just about any speed. and be on your merry way.
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I'm not prejudice I hate everyone equally;) 08 nomad blue/silver MaryJane 74,010miles VBA #299 Her's 10 900LT 36,700 09 Bath NY. 10 Lake George NY. 11 National Maggie Valley NC. 12 Pa Wilds (Wellsboro) Pa. 14 Lincoln NH. 17 National Lake George NY. |
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10-02-2009, 08:18 AM | #10 |
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Voyager is a sled
YES TC way past 10:00pm LOL
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10-02-2009, 08:31 AM | #11 |
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Voyager is a sled
But he doesn't have to get up in the morning, except for making CC breakfast ;)
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I'm not prejudice I hate everyone equally;) 08 nomad blue/silver MaryJane 74,010miles VBA #299 Her's 10 900LT 36,700 09 Bath NY. 10 Lake George NY. 11 National Maggie Valley NC. 12 Pa Wilds (Wellsboro) Pa. 14 Lincoln NH. 17 National Lake George NY. |
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10-02-2009, 11:53 AM | #12 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
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Voyager is a sled
Sarge, I'm usually up until around 1 am on nights Cindy works. Then I usually get up around 9 am when Cindy gets home from work. Doc, I'm just getting my second wind at 10 pm. Fish, Cindy works night shift, she eats breakfast at 3 or 4 in the afternoon. I am retired. Pretty much do what I want when I want. As long as Cindy says it is OK ;)
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] |
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10-02-2009, 08:35 PM | #13 |
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Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 126
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Voyager is a sled
Doc must feel threatened by the change in the new Nomad as usually his posts are not complimentary to the newer model. For what it is worth, the two dealers I spoke to before buying said that the previous models tended to 'fall' into turns and the 09s handle much better. To me it is a moot point, as we all ride what we like. As for power I have never even looked at stats on 1/4 mile times etc. What I do consider is whether I can turn on the gas and pass a vehicle at highway speeds, and for this the 1700 works just fine.
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10-02-2009, 09:46 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Yazoo City, Ms
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Voyager is a sled
That does sound awful slow. I know my Nomad can get from 60-80 pretty damn quick.
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10-03-2009, 11:30 AM | #15 |
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Muskegon MI
Posts: 82
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Voyager is a sled
My 07 Nomad was a dog compared to my Voyager. If you want response from 60-80mph leave it in 5th gear.
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