Improvements of the Vaquero from 2011 to current

[Duc796canada]

I'm just wondering, has Kawasaki improved any of the "cons" from the reviews of the frist 2011 Vaquero to the current model? I've just been reading about the scraping floorbards(lower than Harley), the vague front end, funky gearing, it almost makes me want to take it back(2014 SE) and get a diffrent bike!! I haven't even picked it up from the dealer yet!!! Other than the different colours through the years, what improvements has Kawasaki done, since inception?

[HwyRider]

It's a cruiser. It's suppose to do those things when you ride it like a crotch rocket.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Duc796canada

I'm just wondering, has Kawasaki improved any of the "cons" from the reviews of the frist 2011 Vaquero to the current model? I've just been reading about the scraping floorbards(lower than Harley), the vague front end, funky gearing, it almost makes me want to take it back(2014 SE) and get a diffrent bike!! I haven't even picked it up from the dealer yet!!! Other than the different colours through the years, what improvements has Kawasaki done, since inception?

Well, if you haven't picked it up, then you can't take it back, can you? My advice is to ride it and see for yourself. If anything, this underscores the necessity of doing test rides. I'll never buy a bike without doing a test ride first. It's lunacy to buy and not try.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by HwyRider

It's a cruiser. It's suppose to do those things when you ride it like a crotch rocket.

It all depends. Not all cruisers have the same ground clearance and suspensions, etc. Some do touch down earlier than others. He's going to have to ride it to find out. It really amazes me that people buy bikes without riding that model before hand. May be that's why cruisers are customized so much (this happens with other bikes as well). If people always test rode, they'd be more apt to look for a bike that worked for them out of the box or closest to that instead of having to make a lot of changes. You don't see this with cars as much.

[HwyRider]

The majority of cruisers sit 4.5 to 5.5 inches from the ground and have floorboards. If you lean in to curve like you do on a crotch crocket with that height your almost guaranteed to scrape the floorboards. The floorboards also have wear pads on them suggesting that the manufacturer thinks that the boards will get scraped in a a good lean. I've scraped mine in a good lean and it wakes you right up.

As far as buying a bike without test riding it I agree. Even if it's the middle of winter when you buy the bike I would ask for a ride around the dealers lot.

The comparison between the Vaquero and the Road Glide is about a 4k price difference from the reviews that I've seen just to bring the Road Glide up to the same options that the Vaquero comes standard with.

As far as the question on what's new. Nothing. They are basically the same bike. It works for Kawasaki. Then you have to ask yourself the question of what's new on the Harley. Neither manufacturer is going to come out with a significant improvement or deviation on something that works for them.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by HwyRider

The majority of cruisers sit 4.5 to 5.5 inches from the ground and have floorboards. If you lean in to curve like you do on a crotch crocket with that height your almost guaranteed to scrape the floorboards. The floorboards also have wear pads on them suggesting that the manufacturer thinks that the boards will get scraped in a a good lean. I've scraped mine in a good lean and it wakes you right up.

As far as buying a bike without test riding it I agree. Even if it's the middle of winter when you buy the bike I would ask for a ride around the dealers lot.

The comparison between the Vaquero and the Road Glide is about a 4k price difference from the reviews that I've seen just to bring the Road Glide up to the same options that the Vaquero comes standard with.

As far as the question on what's new. Nothing. They are basically the same bike. It works for Kawasaki. Then you have to ask yourself the question of what's new on the Harley. Neither manufacturer is going to come out with a significant improvement or deviation on something that works for them.

Leftovers with Kawasakis can be had for reasonable prices. I know of a local Voyager, a 2014 in red that is listed for 13,995. An Ultra Classic is going to be 11-12K more. As much as I like the HD, it isn't worth that much more.

[redjay]

I had a Nomad and a Voyager and never once scraped the floorboards.
It all depends how you ride them. I never experienced a "vague front end" on the 1700. Funky gearing on the 1700 ? That was not my experience.

[xlock]

Originally Posted by ponch

Leftovers with Kawasakis can be had for reasonable prices. I know of a local Voyager, a 2014 in red that is listed for 13,995. An Ultra Classic is going to be 11-12K more. As much as I like the HD, it isn't worth that much more.

I just got my New Old Stock 2011 Vaquero for $10,750 with 0 miles on it and a 6 year warranty...not the main point of the thread I know but there are a ton of NOS deals out there on Vaqureo's

[talon]

I don't know if they have done anything different other than offer ABS on the new Vaq. I got a good deal on a lightly used 2012 back in August and only made a couple of changes. Love it. Haven't had any issues and it is a very comfortable bike. I haven't scrapped my boards yet either and I even lowered mine about an inch in back.
JM2C

[Duc796canada]

Thank you for the replies. I like how the bike looks and the accesories it comes with, just been reading a few posts on it having this and that. I'm coming off a sportbike and Ducati Monster, both very capable handling machines. I just didn't want to regret buying the kawasaki. I will ride it and see, I will keep an open mind :)

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Duc796canada

Thank you for the replies. I like how the bike looks and the accesories it comes with, just been reading a few posts on it having this and that. I'm coming off a sportbike and Ducati Monster, both very capable handling machines. I just didn't want to regret buying the kawasaki. I will ride it and see, I will keep an open mind :)

If you try to drop down far enough to scrape your knee while cornering, you WILL have a scraping problem, among some other issues as well.

[highwayman2011]

I have a 2010 Voyager and it handles quite well for a touring bike. The vague front end is usually from not enough air in the front tire. I have scraped a few times when I got a little over zealous in turns. I don't know about any funky gearing either. Once you get used to the bike you will be fine.

[Duc796canada]

Thanks everyone. I'm trying to keep objectivity...and no knee scraping on the this one, that is why I have the track bike and I'm getting rid of the Monster :) I'm hearing that scraping the boards is not an issue? It happens?

[Allen S]

I have a 2014 vaquero. I love it! The simple mods make the bike a pleasure to ride. Ejk fuel processor, k&n air filter, v&h slip ons, 12"windshield and soon Ray's throttle mod and Corbin seat, the bike has plenty of balls and sounds great. Handles really well for a big girl, smooth, comfortable....aw man I wanna go ride just thinking about it! Mine was listed for about $12,000 plus tax....plus tag....plus dealer fee! Still several thousands less than HD. And as far as anyone talking down the vaquero, you have to wonder what they ride. I don't knock the Harley, nice bikes...ridiculous price though, the one my friend bought is a lemon but doesn't mean all are, and when I say lemon I mean LEMON. I've had very little trouble out of metric bikes and will continue to ride them, I'm not after an image but I am after a great ride. I think the vaquero is a great bike and probably not alone on that either.

[TheSherbs]

Originally Posted by Allen S

I have a 2014 vaquero. I love it! The simple mods make the bike a pleasure to ride. Ejk fuel processor, k&n air filter, v&h slip ons, 12"windshield and soon Ray's throttle mod and Corbin seat, the bike has plenty of balls and sounds great. Handles really well for a big girl, smooth, comfortable....aw man I wanna go ride just thinking about it! Mine was listed for about $12,000 plus tax....plus tag....plus dealer fee! Still several thousands less than HD. And as far as anyone talking down the vaquero, you have to wonder what they ride. I don't knock the Harley, nice bikes...ridiculous price though, the one my friend bought is a lemon but doesn't mean all are, and when I say lemon I mean LEMON. I've had very little trouble out of metric bikes and will continue to ride them, I'm not after an image but I am after a great ride. I think the vaquero is a great bike and probably not alone on that either.

You are not alone.

Did Kawi put the heat control improvements on the new Vaquero like they did with the Voyager?