Voyager country of origin.

[aldosdad]

I've been telling people the Voyager was made in USA. However the 1st digit of VIN on my bike is "J" I'm in the auto biz, J means it's made in Japan.
Am I a liar?

MY VIN
JKAZG9B14YBXXXXXX So what's the story on the Nebraska plant? Anybody have a VIN that begins with 1?

[Mr Jensee]

I assume the J refers to the Manufacturers origin. The bike is Japanese but was assembled in Nebraska. The same way Chrysler cars are designed in the USA but built in Mexico.

[aldosdad]

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_i ... ion_number

1–5 = North America
1A-10 United States
2A-20 Canada
3A-37 Mexico
38-30 Cayman Islands
4A-40 United States
5A-50 United States

JA-J0 Japan

This could be why:
The first character of the WMI is the region in which the manufacturer is located. In practice, each is assigned to a country of manufacture, although in Europe the country where the continental headquarters is located can assign the WMI to all vehicles produced in that region (Example: Opel/Vauxhall cars whether produced in Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom or Poland carry the W0L WMI because Adam Opel AG is based in Rüsselsheim, Germany).

[voyager55]

Call Kawasaki & ask, You'll see Mr Jensee is correct. Assy in Nebraska

[Neal]

Digging a little deeper you'll find that was only the 1300s. Used to deliver tires next door so went to the plant a few times back then. Was there watching in 1984. Very interesting, but the real 'treat' was watching the robot assemblies being built.

[keithert]

This confuses my greatly. I had a Toyota pickup that was made in Mexico and its vin did start with 3 indicating Mexico. If these were assembled in Nebraska shouldn't the vin start with 1 or 5? My wife's Honda CRV starts with 5.

[NiftyNev]

I am new to the Voyager Xii so I have been doing a lot of reading and research to learn as much as I can about my Kwaka. My understanding is that the 1986 model was made in Japan and then produced in Nebraska from 1987 onwards.

[Neal]

After getting to the plant there in Omaha several times during that time I can honestly say I never saw or heard of any ZG 1200's being assembled there. The 1300's were but not our 1200's.

[trikebldr]

Just checked both of the titles on my two 1300s ('84 & '85) and they both start with "J". But, I also understand that all 1300s were built in Neb.

Also looked at the titles on my KZ1100 and my KZ750 and both of them are "J"'s.

[Mr Jensee]

My Sonata may she rest in peace and my current Kia Optima are Korean made but built in plants in Alabama. I stand by the the Voyager 12 being assembled in Nebraska. I read it once in an article when the bikes first came out. However you can read it for yourself on the AVA website ( I believe they are somewhat authoritarian on the subject) on the History of the Voyager.

The first 2 years the XII's were made in Japan and in 1988 the production was moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. The Voyager XII endured for 17 model years, 1986-2003. The biggest changes came in 1987 when Kawasaki added Cruise Control, rear speakers for the radio/cassette, wind deflectors ("winglets") on the front fairing, and trunk rack. Kawasaki also put larger diameter fork tubes on the '87.

[Thud300]

FWIW, all 3 of my Kawi's have VINs beginning with JKA, and the Concours is known to have been final assembled at Lincoln, Nebraska.

Can't help but notice, there is *no* information on the ZG1200 in Wikipedia.

[ghostler]

11th VIN digit is the Plant Code. My 2001 XII has an A. I could not find a listing for Kawasaki. That digit may clinch the factory location of final major assembly.

[keithert]

11th VIN digit is the Plant Code. My 2001 XII has an A. I could not find a listing for Kawasaki. That digit may clinch the factory location of final major assembly.

My 2001 has a B in that space.

[Thud300]

Well, that focuses things a bit.

Connie and the 91 XII have a B In that location. The 454 has an A in that location, so it was likely built at Akashi Works in Japan.

[ghostler]

I've been telling people the Voyager was made in USA. However the 1st digit of VIN on my bike is "J" I'm in the auto biz, J means it's made in Japan. Am I a liar? MY VIN JKAZG9B14YBXXXXXX. So what's the story on the Nebraska plant? Anybody have a VIN that begins with 1?

Your VIN Plant Code (final assembly location, 11th digit) is B. My 2001 is A. Most likely yours was assembled in US.

Pure speculation on my part, but may be the country of origin code will vary depending on how much assembly was done. Chrysler cars manufactured in Mexico may include engines and transmissions assembled in Mexico, which may account for it as country of origin. In Kawasaki's case, if only final assembly was done in US with majority of components assembled elsewhere may account for the Japanese country of origin.

So, it appears that for certain years, these bikes came from multiple final assembly locations. It also may be that towards the end of production in the early 2000's, the final production line shifted back to Japan due to decline in production quotas. The XII and Connie 1000 were slowly losing their appeal with the buying market. Personally, I still wish that the UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) tourers were still manufactured. I like them better than the current V-twin offerings. I've gotten spoiled by the silky smooth running characteristics of the XII's in-line 4.

[Mr Jensee]

Current crop of V twin tourers are too slow, too under powered, too heavy and too much trying to copy what Harley Davidson has been doing for generations. The inline 4 has more power per cc, better on fuel consumption and better designed for all around touring. The 98 hp. 698 lb. Kawasaki Voyager was just a better bargain for running American roads and easier to handle due to less weight.

[ghostler]

Current crop of V twin tourers are too slow, too under powered, too heavy and too much trying to copy what Harley Davidson has been doing for generations. The inline 4 has more power per cc, better on fuel consumption and better designed for all around touring. The 98 hp. 698 lb. Kawasaki Voyager was just a better bargain for running American roads and easier to handle due to less weight.

Agreed. This is why I really like my 2001 XII. So far, I have not found another bike on the market that appeals to me. Either they are way to expensive or lack features that my XII has. Life is too short for one to not enjoy their ride on the highway. I even carried a sheet cake in my trunk on a ride to an outing several years ago. I rode a friend's 2011 Yamaha V-Star 1300 bagger. Although it had decent power, its stock suspension was rougher riding than the Voyager's. The cruise control helps a lot with riding comfort on long rides. I don't know how I did without it prior to acquiring my 2001.

On rides, I usually carry a 1 gallon saddle bag tank, just in case a rider has a problem with fuel shortage. The XII's 6 gallon tank versus the nominal 3-1/2 gallon tanks on many mid-sizes certainly is a confidence booster on rides.

[keithert]

Current crop of V twin tourers are too slow, too under powered, too heavy and too much trying to copy what Harley Davidson has been doing for generations. The inline 4 has more power per cc, better on fuel consumption and better designed for all around touring. The 98 hp. 698 lb. Kawasaki Voyager was just a better bargain for running American roads and easier to handle due to less weight.

I've had a Royal Star Venture and a Tour Deluxe. Their V4 I'd say has more power than the XII does although it is not as smooth. The BMW K1600GTL has an inline 6 and their resale values plummet. I've seen 2012s between 8000 and 10,000 dollars. I'm going with a buddy to look at one for him today. Also the new 2018 Venture looks to have plenty of power even though it has a v-twin.

[ghostler]

Thanks for pointing out it is a V-twin. I read a little on it before, but thought they'd retain the V-4. Am a little disappointed that they didn't retain the V-4 configuration. For an additional $7.5k, I don't see much additional motorcycle over the Vulcan Voyager.

[Mr Jensee]

I've had a Royal Star Venture and a Tour Deluxe. Their V4 I'd say has more power than the XII does although it is not as smooth. The BMW K1600GTL has an inline 6 and their resale values plummet. I've seen 2012s between 8000 and 10,000 dollars. I'm going with a buddy to look at one for him today. Also the new 2018 Venture looks to have plenty of power even though it has a v-twin.

And as you can see by your reply that the BMW is an exception. The Royal Star Venture is being phased out, mostly due to it's extreme weight for it's displacement. The reason the sales of the BMW are falling is not because it is an inline 6 but the fact that BMW's are overly complicated motorcycles. I know because I have a friend who owns one. Just adjusting the radio on it is a major affair. The more complicated a motorcycle is the less likely the owner is going to be able to functionally work on it. And by the way there is just so much advancement you can do to a V twin to increase power. It is mostly done with displacement increases and that increases weight.