Vaquero still a bit heavy...

cheriann · 07-08-2012, 09:22 PM

....I am still adjusting to the weight difference from my old 900LT. I was backing it out of the garage yesterday and it tipped over on me a bit. Not all the way and no damage. I told Chaz it just feels heavier than when I ride his Nomad. He tried to tell me they weighed the same...until he checked the stats on the web.....my bike is 50 pounds heavier than his 07 Nomad!!!!

Riding it and straight on parking is no problem. It's the slower stuff that tests my strength! I think I'll start working out with weights instead of my pedal bicycle

AlabamaNomadRider · 07-08-2012, 09:26 PM

Going from a 900 to the Vaquero is a huge weight increase. Do be careful until you have adjusted.

I went from a Honda VTX1300 to the Nomad and it is about 100 pounds heavier. I found out the hard way the extra weight can cause you to drop the bike and get your leg trapped under it.

Monkeyman · 07-08-2012, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheriann

He tried to tell me they weighed the same...until he checked the stats on the web.....my bike is 50 pounds heavier than his 07 Nomad!!!!

Of course it's heavier. You have a full fairing, stereo, lowers, etc plus some added electronics for the stereo and cruise control. I'm surprised it's only 50 pounds heavier.

mrtelefoneman1 · 07-08-2012, 10:42 PM

Check out Jerry 'Motorman' Paladino's DVDs if you haven't already. Lots of good tips and tricks to help you handle a heavy bike.

**glwilson** · 07-08-2012, 11:29 PM

Hey Cherie... use short, small steps when moving the bike manually.

Too long of steps and the bike rocks back-n-forth more. If that happens when you are taking longer strides.. and one of your feet slips... it will go over easier.

Also... are your feet flat-footed on the ground when you straddle the bike? If not, get different shoes with higher soles on them so they are.

You should have seen one of the Kawasaki reps down in Maggie Valley. She was all of about 4' 11" -- if that. Her boots were custom-made with 4" soles on them to make here taller. Looked strange, but worked.

Just a suggestion...

**ringadingh** · 07-08-2012, 11:42 PM

I remember her, she could sure ride a bike with no problems, and she was an older gal as well.

ponch · 07-09-2012, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheriann

....I am still adjusting to the weight difference from my old 900LT. I was backing it out of the garage yesterday and it tipped over on me a bit. Not all the way and no damage. I told Chaz it just feels heavier than when I ride his Nomad. He tried to tell me they weighed the same...until he checked the stats on the web.....my bike is 50 pounds heavier than his 07 Nomad!!!!

Riding it and straight on parking is no problem. It's the slower stuff that tests my strength! I think I'll start working out with weights instead of my pedal bicycle

The Nomad is close to 820lbs wet, meaning oil, antifreeze and a full gas tank. The Vaquero is about 835lbs wet. Both are heavy bikes.

Monkeyman · 07-09-2012, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwilson

Also... are your feet flat-footed on the ground when you straddle the bike? If not, get different shoes with higher soles on them so they are.

Higher soles are GROOOVY, man!

cheriann · 07-09-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider

Going from a 900 to the Vaquero is a huge weight increase. Do be careful until you have adjusted.

I went from a Honda VTX1300 to the Nomad and it is about 100 pounds heavier. I found out the hard way the extra weight can cause you to drop the bike and get your leg trapped under it.

Thank you! You can certainly understand what I going through!!! I hope I don't have to learn the hard and painful way like you did....YIKES!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrtelefoneman1

Check out Jerry 'Motorman' Paladino's DVDs if you haven't already. Lots of good tips and tricks to help you handle a heavy bike.

Excellent idea! Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwilson

Hey Cherie... use short, small steps when moving the bike manually.

Too long of steps and the bike rocks back-n-forth more. If that happens when you are taking longer strides.. and one of your feet slips... it will go over easier.

Also... are your feet flat-footed on the ground when you straddle the bike? If not, get different shoes with higher soles on them so they are.

You should have seen one of the Kawasaki reps down in Maggie Valley. She was all of about 4' 11" -- if that. Her boots were custom-made with 4" soles on them to make here taller. Looked strange, but worked.

Just a suggestion...

You make a good point!!!! Now that I think about it, I am probably making those longer stride steps!!!!! What a brilliant suggestion, to make shorter ones!!! I am going to consciously think about that when I get on my bike again! Thank you!

As for flat footed...I confess....sitting on level ground, I am flat footed. I notice that when I stop at a traffic light and the ground is sloped more to one side, I can only flat foot on one side of the bike. So, I just barely make it...I may need to shop for higher heeled boots !

Thanks for the great ideas and suggestions......and not making fun of me!!!!

cheriann · 07-09-2012, 08:29 AM

Chaz told me if I think the Vaquero is too heavy, he'll give me his Nomad and trade the Vaquero in for a Voyager for him!!!!

LOL! Every time we go to the dealership to get something, or oil changes, he goes over and sits on the Voyager. We were there Saturday and here he is, sitting on a pretty Voyager! (Not the best quality, taken with my Blackberry)

Loafer · 07-09-2012, 08:35 AM

Greg has 6" heels on his boots, (custom made at the 'Disney for Dwarfs' leather shop) I'm
surprised he didn't give you the link. Or......maybe he was embarrassed and sent a PM. Sorry,
none of you heard this. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Monkeyman · 07-09-2012, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loafer

Greg has 6" heels on his boots, (custom made at the 'Disney for Dwarfs' leather shop) I'm
surprised he didn't give you the link. Or......maybe he was embarrassed and sent a PM. Sorry,
none of you heard this. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Just double checking. You do or don't want anyone to hear this?

Loafer · 07-09-2012, 12:18 PM

Well the potato is out of the sack now!

gman47 · 07-09-2012, 12:33 PM

In order to gain more footing, I took my seat apart and cut off the flanges on the seat pan. Not sure a Vaq has flanges but I gain maybe an inch of extra reach.

**glwilson** · 07-09-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loafer

Well the potato is out of the sack now!

I AM an expert at being short... YOU should have more respect!

07-08-2012, 09:22 PM	#1
cheriann Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 1,250	Vaquero still a bit heavy... ....I am still adjusting to the weight difference from my old 900LT. I was backing it out of the garage yesterday and it tipped over on me a bit. Not all the way and no damage. I told Chaz it just feels heavier than when I ride his Nomad. He tried to tell me they weighed the same...until he checked the stats on the web.....my bike is 50 pounds heavier than his 07 Nomad!!!! Riding it and straight on parking is no problem. It's the slower stuff that tests my strength! I think I'll start working out with weights instead of my pedal bicycle __________________ Cheri Ann 2012 Vulcan Vaquero VBA #2069 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-08-2012, 09:26 PM	#2
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Going from a 900 to the Vaquero is a huge weight increase. Do be careful until you have adjusted. I went from a Honda VTX1300 to the Nomad and it is about 100 pounds heavier. I found out the hard way the extra weight can cause you to drop the bike and get your leg trapped under it. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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07-08-2012, 11:29 PM	#5
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Hey Cherie... use short, small steps when moving the bike manually. Too long of steps and the bike rocks back-n-forth more. If that happens when you are taking longer strides.. and one of your feet slips... it will go over easier. Also... are your feet flat-footed on the ground when you straddle the bike? If not, get different shoes with higher soles on them so they are. You should have seen one of the Kawasaki reps down in Maggie Valley. She was all of about 4' 11" -- if that. Her boots were custom-made with 4" soles on them to make here taller. Looked strange, but worked. Just a suggestion... __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-08-2012, 11:42 PM	#6
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I remember her, she could sure ride a bike with no problems, and she was an older gal as well. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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07-09-2012, 08:29 AM	#10
cheriann Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 1,250	Chaz told me if I think the Vaquero is too heavy, he'll give me his Nomad and trade the Vaquero in for a Voyager for him!!!! LOL! Every time we go to the dealership to get something, or oil changes, he goes over and sits on the Voyager. We were there Saturday and here he is, sitting on a pretty Voyager! (Not the best quality, taken with my Blackberry) __________________ Cheri Ann 2012 Vulcan Vaquero VBA #2069
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07-08-2012, 10:42 PM	#4
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Check out Jerry 'Motorman' Paladino's DVDs if you haven't already. Lots of good tips and tricks to help you handle a heavy bike.
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07-09-2012, 08:35 AM	#11
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	Greg has 6" heels on his boots, (custom made at the 'Disney for Dwarfs' leather shop) I'm surprised he didn't give you the link. Or......maybe he was embarrassed and sent a PM. Sorry, none of you heard this. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
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07-09-2012, 12:18 PM	#13
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	Well the potato is out of the sack now! __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
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07-09-2012, 12:33 PM	#14
gman47 Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Elk Grove, Ca. Posts: 187	In order to gain more footing, I took my seat apart and cut off the flanges on the seat pan. Not sure a Vaq has flanges but I gain maybe an inch of extra reach. __________________ When you come to the fork in the road ..... take it!
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