Improvements of the Vaquero from 2011 to current

[Mlindecker]

My 2011 Vaquero is way faster and out handles my buddies ultra classic. Paid thousands less than him, not including upgrades. Harley gets you on accessories.

[badboy194]

[QUOTE=redjay;617859]The Vaquero (and Voyager) are both cruisers and if an individual wants them to perform better it can be done, at a price.

Congratulations Redjay, you get it. Kaw can not afford to go head to head with HD on price. They understand that and make some allowances to provide what they feel is a Quality vehicle at a Quality price. If Kaws were the same price as HD's even most of those who say they would not trade their bike, would go with HD. You see it on these forums every month. People praising their bikes, making videos, swearing it is the best bike ever. Then trading it for a Harley. It is always about price and perceived value.

I think Kawasaki is finally doing a good job at meeting this. The 2011 Vaq was @ $16.5K. The 2014 was @ $ 18.3K with ABS. The 2015 dropped the MSRP on the Vaquero back to @ $16.7K with ABS. (and you can get money off MSRP) I agree they need better colors and can lose the stick on flames. I also like not seeing a parking lot full of Vaqueros and trying to find mine.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by redjay

I never meant to say they physically asked people. They do their research and come up with a plan like every other company. What do the majority of 1500/1600 owners do to their Nomads, add a lightbar and a trunk, maybe a batwing fairing. How about Kawasaki fixing the issues with the Nomad drivetrain (Bevel gear,UJ,final drive leaks). Maybe fix the pinging issue. How about better forks.

They did all that with the Voyager and still people complained about the hardbags, the plastic, the heat and on and on.

It is apparent the 1500/1600 Nomads have issues but not many complained about those to the extent they have complained about the Voyager/Vaquero.

Maybe the next generation of Vulcans will suit everyone, but I doubt it.

HD actually has focus groups and does surveys. I've done surveys for Victory, HD and BMW, never for Kawasaki. Wherever they get their info, it doesn't seem to be from people that already own the product or have.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by canuckrider

Can't speak for the U.S., but in Canada I'm pretty sure that ABS has been available on the Vaquero since day one. It wasn't a separate option but a model designation and unfortunately offered in only specific colours, typically black.

Yes, I agree that Kawasaki needs to offer more color selections. Flat/matte black and lime green with gaudy decals aren't everyone choice.

Canada and Europe got ABS from the get go, we didn't get it until 2014.

[redjay]

The Vaquero probably inherited the improvements made to the 2011 Voyager, transmission changes and different piston rings ?

[Duc796canada]

Funny, I was looking for a black Vaquero with ABS from 2014, nope, no dealer had one out west. I ended up with the ABS SE in Candy burnt orange. Yes, in Europe I believe after 2011, all bikes above a certain CC had to have ABS. My 2010 Ducati Monster 796 was the last few that didn't have ABS.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Duc796canada

Funny, I was looking for a black Vaquero with ABS from 2014, nope, no dealer had one out west. I ended up with the ABS SE in Candy burnt orange. Yes, in Europe I believe after 2011, all bikes above a certain CC had to have ABS. My 2010 Ducati Monster 796 was the last few that didn't have ABS.

You're ok with the flames?

[HwyRider]

Originally Posted by redjay

The Vaquero probably inherited the improvements made to the 2011 Voyager, transmission changes and different piston rings ?

What improvements are you talking about? Did they redesign the transmission between 2009 and 2011? I didn't think any redesign was done on the 1700 engine itself. Kawasaki came out with the KAMS kit and recalled the ECU on the 2009 and 2010 models but that was it.

[redjay]

I think they made some changes to the design of the gears and changed the piston rings to a better design. I think that was done starting with the 2011 models.


I have asked the guy that rebuilt his 1700 engine with these modifications to post on this thread.

[HwyRider]

I read most of the thread and the person rebuilding the engine said that the parts looked a little different but without the machine to compare them that he doesn't own he could not confirm that the parts were indeed different. They are a different part number and that was what gives him the impression that something has changed.

I have to take my bike in for an oil change and inspection sticker in April. I'll have to ask them at Kawasaki if they did in fact change anything.

[redjay]

Why would the guy tear down his engine to improve the shifting if he had not already confirmed changes were made to the transmission that would improve things ?

Does he not state that shifting was improved after the rebuild ?

[HwyRider]

Why did you remove the link?

[HwyRider]

Here's his quote from the first entry in to his write up.

"the 2011 rings have a different part number from the 2010 parts, even though the pistons remain unchanged."

[HwyRider]

Here's the quote on his impressions after the reinstall.

"The transmission is quieter! Shifting action is buttery. Needless to say, it still gives a good clunk when I tap it into first gear, but it doesn't clunk at all up-shifting. And down-shifting clunks only as loud as most other motorcycles I've ridden. More importantly, the gear whine is way quieter."

Evidently there are a couple of gears that have changed and that's pretty much it. The rest of the transmission is the same. So they did do something to the tranny but not the pistons and rings.

I have a 2010 Nomad and don't have the whine that the person talks about and my transmission seems to shift just as he describes his after he did the upgrade.

[RACNRAY]

On a slightly different note I have made many many improvements to MY Vaq since 2011.

Muckin with our skoots is normal and natural, combine that with havin my own shop has made it a non-stop process. It has been fun, actually still is, and there are still some things I'd like to do.

When a stock Vaq or one with the normal go-fast stuff comes in my shop and I get a chance to ride it, I am very much pleased as to what my mods have done to transform my Vaq from the norm. All of the areas that I have addressed with the mods have proven to improve my skoot and it really does show me how those improvements meet my needs and desires.

Each of us go our own way(s) and with this and other Vulcan forums, the members and the non-member owners we get to see Vaqs in various stages of modification.

RACNRAY