Voyager comeback?

[EFC7018]

Just read the post about the prices on the Voyagers,and it struck me to ask this question which I have been wondering about for a while.Why doesnt Kawasaki bring the voyager back,maybe even a 1500 or 1800,because I have heard that this bike was Kawasaki's beat kept secret.Surely they know how popular it is,or is it like Motorola who has a very popular public safety radio,but gets rid of it for the bigger and better

Thanks

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Ma Kaw did bring it back in 2009 and they continue to make it. The difference is it's a 1700 and a V Twin, not an inline. There are some who love it, some who hate it and others that don't care as long as they are riding. I've sat on one with my wife and if I could afford it I'd have one but I would also keep my 1200 because I absolutely love it.
The new Voyager is the Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager 1700, do a quick search and you'll find pics of it. We actually have quite a few members who own one including our chairman.

[EFC7018]

Thank you , sorry I did not explain my self clear,which I have a habit of doing, lol .
I meant the inline 4, yes I have seen that bike , it is nice looking bike , I just meant a bike like the older voyager that is inline and comes with more touring accessories, like the ones like you and I have.

Thank you

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Hech John, don't apologize my wife tells me I am the master at that ( not being clear).
I would absolutely love for Kaw to come out with another in line 4 for touring! I'd bet the vast majority here would agree too!

[jre258 in SoDak]

Many of us were hoping that after the introduction of the Concours 1400, that Kawasaki would use that engine and drive train as a basis for a new luxo tourer. Alas, it was not to be.
Jim

[Tonyvdb]

It amazes me that Kawasaki would not build on a proven design that clearly was made to last well past 300,000mi. Ive only had my 97 voyager 3 months and cant think of a better ride.

[Me Again]

It amazes me that Kawasaki would not build on a proven design that clearly was made to last well past 300,000mi.

I don't think the problem was that they wouldn't build it,but rather they couldn't sell enough to make it profitable. The Goldthing market is pretty well wrapped up.If you build a better Harley,they will come.The 1700 can get and hold a market share well enough to be profitable .
Kawasaki is not a motorcycle manufacturer,but a heavy equipment manufacturer that dabbles in motorcycles and a few other small projects.
Don't get me wrong,I would have loved to see a new updated 1300 with a few extra cc's back on the market

[EFC7018]

A friend of mine told me heard that the Japanese like the inline design better than a V because the inline is smoother,whereas a V is pulling against itself,in other words ,not as smoothe because the pistons are going opposite from each other,like they are trying to "pulll each other apart" if you get my drift.I did notice that a lot of your Cafe type bikes,crouch rockets for some folks,are inline,CBR,Hayabusa,Ninja etc.

Thanks for the response

[EFC7018]

And another thought,it appears as though the Gold standard,no pun intended,is the dominated by Wings.So maybe that is also part of it.I heard that the Voyager gave good ol Honda a run for their money because of the bike's overall excellence.

[voyager55]

Honda sold more Wings in a week than Kaw sold Voyagers in 17 years.
It wasn't a good selling bike. It was never updated, and advertised much by Kaw. The public (And many dealers) knew little about it.

[Me Again]

A friend of mine told me heard that the Japanese like the inline design better than a V because the inline is smoother,whereas a V is pulling against itself,in other words ,not as smoothe because the pistons are going opposite from each other,like they are trying to "pulll each other apart" if you get my drift.I did notice that a lot of your Cafe type bikes,crouch rockets for some folks,are inline,CBR,Hayabusa,Ninja etc.

Thanks for the response

Your friend is probably correct.Maybe that's why a Goldthing has an opposing 6 banger.

[Mr Jensee]

A friend of mine told me heard that the Japanese like the inline design better than a V because the inline is smoother,whereas a V is pulling against itself,in other words ,not as smoothe because the pistons are going opposite from each other,like they are trying to "pulll each other apart" if you get my drift.I did notice that a lot of your Cafe type bikes,crouch rockets for some folks,are inline,CBR,Hayabusa,Ninja etc.

No doubt that the Japanese perfected the inline four. Few European manufacturers have attempted to compete with them on the design. Honda's inline air cooled engines were works of art in my opinion. However, It appears that American testosterone has rallied around the Harley coveted V twin. And the Japanese tried for years to woo Americans away from that with their versions of multi cylinder cruisers without much success. The Japanese finally decided if you can't beat them, join them. Yamaha and Honda were the first to convert followed by Suzuki and Kawasaki. The bottom line is sales. You produce what will sell and hence, until the world gets bored with the V twin engine, it will be the design that sells the most motorcycles.

[EFC7018]

Well pu Mr Jensee, You summed up what I was trying to say,yea the American public wants the loud rumbling thing,I get that and each to his own,that is what makes America great,I almost bought a Wing before the Voyager,but the Voyager was priced better,so I went with it.For quite awhile I wanted a Harley,but then changed my mind.The loud rumbling sound was no longer important to me.I guess what did it was ,I was talking to my neighbor who has a beautiful purplish ultra classic. I said to him one day "yea,I would like to buy a Harley someday" He,being a longtime Harley owner said "If you want Americana,buy a Harley,if you want refinement,buy a Goldwing.Nothing against Harley owners at all,to each his own,but I think that is what it was.Actually,if I was to buy a V twin and could afford it,I like the looks and the motor on the new
Indians.They are now owned by Polaris,who has deep pockets.


Thanks

[Mr Jensee]

To be honest and truthful, if you buy a Harley right off the showroom floor they are reasonably quiet motorcycles. And let's face it the fit and finish are without par. The price tags are steep but so is the mystique of the Harley brand. However most new Harleys never get off the showroom floor without the seemingly mandatory exhaust modifications. I wish Americans wanted inline four touring bikes, and by the way, 1200cc is probably the right displacement. Advances in engine design could easily wring a lot more horsepower from that displacement without losing the advantage of great gas mileage the Voyager XII got. But I am afraid for the near and dear future the V twin will rule the day.

[debron]

Kawasaki experimented with a number prototypes when developing the new Voyager including a Voyager prototype based on the Concours inline 1400 four. The problem was that with the weight of the touring frame with all of the accessories, bags, fairing, etc., Kawasaki could not get more than 30 mpg AND still meet newer, tougher, EPA emission requirements so the V-Twin Vulcan platform won out.

http://www.amervoyassoc.org/voyager_history.php

[EFC7018]

Thanks, that all makes sense,yes you are right ,the V twin is quiet on the show room floor,unfortunately,people make them pretty loud.The first ride I went on with a group of people,the gentleman in front of me had a Harley,man......at a stop sign......I could not even hear the Voyager run,like it died I yelled at my wife over the noise "that is the reason we bought this Any input on the new Indian Chiefs,boy they are pretty and classic looking,but man the prices are CRAZY.I understand instead of the S&S engines,Polaris re-designed the engine from ground up.I think they will catch on after Americans trust the fact that the Indian will not go under again.Jay Leno has a demo in his garage online,pretty interesting.

Thanks

[ghostler]

Kawasaki experimented with a number prototypes when developing the new Voyager including a Voyager prototype based on the Concours inline 1400 four. The problem was that with the weight of the touring frame with all of the accessories, bags, fairing, etc., Kawasaki could not get more than 30 mpg AND still meet newer, tougher, EPA emission requirements so the V-Twin Vulcan platform won out. http://www.amervoyassoc.org/voyager_history.php

That's interesting, Ron, I would have never thought that but it makes sense. I've noticed that even Yamaha hasn't brought back the Venture 4 banger.

Given that the newer bikes are rather pricey, my low mileage 2001 XII (just turned 42,000 on yesterday's ride) will suffice. Love the way it tows a trailer.

[debron]

I've noticed that even Yamaha hasn't brought back the Venture 4 banger.

Actually, the current Royal Star Venture has the same basic (but updated) V-4 engine the original Venture Royale's had in the '80s and early '90s. That engine was specifically designed for the Venture then later hot-rodded for the V-Max.

[Me Again]

Thanks, that all makes sense,yes you are right ,the V twin is quiet on the show room floor,unfortunately,people make them pretty loud.The first ride I went on with a group of people,the gentleman in front of me had a Harley,man......at a stop sign......I could not even hear the Voyager run,like it died I yelled at my wife over the noise "that is the reason we bought this

Sitting at a stop light ,I heard this super loud rumbling.Scared the bejeebers out of me because I could find the source.Checked my rear mirrors and saw a couple bikes about 3 blocks back coming my way.They wee so loud that they tripped my head set.

[carl leo]

" Kawasaki could not get more than 30 mpg and still meet newer, tougher, EPA emission requirements so the V-Twin Vulcan platform won out."

with automobiles twice the weight of a voyager getting better than 30mpg i find this statement hard to believe.