What does Ma Kaw need to do to keep us?

[Idaho]

It occurs to me that the competition is getting pretty darn stiff in the big cruiser market. The Victory Cross Country Tour is sure turning heads and it sounds like a lot of Vulcan owners will defect if/when the time comes for a new ride.

Kawi shortened up the 1700 Vulcan frame and when I sit on a Victory it fits me better even than my 2007 Nomad. The Nomad will be all mine this month so I'm not looking to buy another bike but one has to wonder.

I would like to see them stretch out the frame again, put more ponies under the tank and get better mileage. (hey others do it)

What do you think they should do?

[BudMan]

I know this isn't really what you mean but...
Factory accessories would be nice.
The make the bike, what anything extra, look elsewhere.
I don't understand that. And they discontinued what they did make for the 1600. ???

[moloprintz]

Lower the center of gravity.

[Chili]

Currently the 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour is at the top of my list if I pull the trigger next year. For me it has everything I want so for the Nomad to take it's place it would need a Batwing, Quick detach trunk, more range and ABS.

[azcruizer]

Victory sells a great bike...but be prepared to shell out $23,000+ big ones if you want to buy a Cross County Tour. I work for a dealer that sells both Kawasaki and Victory. My buying decision came down to styling and price. Personally, I like the shorter frame of the 1700's. My Vaquero fits me just right and honestly, I really don't think it's underpowered. That being said, everyone has their preferences, and that's why they make so many different bikes. Buy what ya like and ride the hell out of it

[VulcanE]

V2K dressed Nomad........with a Fairing, Quick detach trunk, and ABS.
Better quality paint, and painted trim/pinstripes, not the stick on kind.

[Top Cat]

I have my 07 Nomad just the way I want it.
When I buy another bike it will be a 2007 or 8 with low mileage.
I will then move all my accessories to the new to me bike.
I like the nomad just as it is. No faring or trunk, no abs or radio,no heated seat, if you guys want that stuff buy a Voyager. Leave the Nomad as it is.

[markclark57]

I'm +1 with TC.
My '06 didn't even need the power mods that I put on her. That's just some toys for my toy. I do like it better as a Solo than a 2 up since Patricia has her own. I wouldn't suggest that Kaw make a different model just to loose the 2nd seat, I can do that myself in 20 minutes. I was a bit miffed to see the side opening bags go away, then they came back on the Vaquero (almost). If someone "gave" me a bike with a faring, I'd replace it with a windshield. I like the 6th gear idea, but they didn't make it very much taller than the old 5th gear IMO.
VulcanE, I actually asked the dealer if they would put the 2k motor in the Nomad when I bought mine, they said it wouldn't work. V2k was my "second choice" but I like the Nomad looks and bags better.

[Jared]

I like the V2K engine/frame much better than the 1700s too. I think that would have been a great platform to build off of!

I think they are going in the right direction with the Vaquero, but while I was in CC I spent some time looking over Teri's Vaquero and was somewhat disappointed. It has great styling, and a few good options, but lacks in a lot of ways. I am always surprised at what the manufactures cut in order to save a few $$. As far as value, it's a great purchase, but I would end up putting another $2-3K into it before it was what I wanted.

I am very very happy with how I have my 1600 set-up and don't think I could find anything else comparable to it for under $20K.

[sharps45100]

They need to fix the way a passenger sits on their voyager. My wife said she was leaning way to far back. Same with the goldwing, but get this she was very comfy on the harley! If kawa cant get some ergonomics right then when its time for another bike it will be something other than a kawa. Right know we love our 2007, probabley keep it even if we get another bike.

[skeeter]

shaft drive , side open bags, spot on speedometers, comfortable stock seats....

only things I've changed on my 07 are the seat and the handlebars.

seating position on the 1700 may be a boon for me but I like the shaft drive.

the shorter frame set up is supposed to handle better especially slow speeds... I'm willing to check that aspect out when I wear this bike out. Maybe they'll go back to shaft drive by them.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I'm with you Skeeter in that I really like the shaft drive. Better fuel mileage would be a plus.

[ringadingh]

Id like to see better handling, and more power, although I havn't been on a new 1700 yet, so maybe they did address those points already. Im 6'2" and the bike fits me well with risers, since they shortened the 1700's they should still fit, just without the need for risers. More factory accessories like they had for the 1500's before they discontinued most of them would also be good.

[wiz]

Lower the price of the Voyager. Right now the H-D Ultra beats it in value especially when you consider resale in 4-5 years. Compare the price and be sure to add on the Kawasaki CB and rear speakers. They are very spendy. And you are still left with a bike that has inferior performance while using more gas. H-D's 103 does quite well versus the Kaw 1700. I like the Voyager, but it need a steep discount off MSRP to be competitive. I do see some dealers who discount them to an attractive level. I see my '07 under my butt for another year or two then I'll be in the market to answer this question in the one way that really counts.

[jestephens]

I've recently modified the stock exhaust on my 1700 Vaquro and regularly average 45mpg using the cruise control at 75mph. I think it has a load of power too once the stock cans are opened up.

I like the styling of the vaquero, but the couple things that made me think a little longer before trading in the 1600 Nomad was:

-the new Belt final drive instead of drive shaft
-the price of adding the sissy bar assembly ($770 for mounting kit, sissy bar, luggage rack)

Of course I'm only at about 1500 miles total on this bike, but I haven't had any issues of discomfort