Vulcan 1700 Voyager/ABS
The biggest and most dramatic 1700 Vulcan for 2009 is the flagship Voyager. But why is Kawasaki bringing the model back after a six-year absence? Company reps said the Voyager's return was due in part to customer response, and an opportunity for Team Green to capitalize on a lack of alternatives. The firm also says positive trends in the touring segment over the last few years spurred it to tap into the niche.
The new Vulcan 1700 Voyager is flush with technology and amenities. But would the new model have the same easy-handling nature as the old one (introduced in 1986)?
Frankly, this model has as much in common with the old Voyager as Spock has with Captain Kirk. Kawasaki's re-entry into the deluxe tourer class will likely compete with Harley-Davidson and Star, and more peripherally with Victory and Honda. As a luxury tourer, it offers advanced cruise control, integrated premium audio, and a full trunk.
While the fairing and trunk would seem to be the main distinctions between the Voyager and the Nomad, its optional anti-lock brake system is what takes it to another level. ABS-equipped Voyagers are further bolstered with the K-ACT system --Kawasaki Advanced Coactive Braking Technology. In short, the ABS prevents the brakes from locking up, particularly in the wet, while the K-ACT is "designed to complement the riders' applied brake control.. (by) distributing the ideal amount of brake force to maximize braking efficiency". In other words, linked ABS.
Kawasaki says they have the...
Kawasaki says they have the market's only v-twin metric luxury tourer. We say, lets take it for a tour and see.
Stepping up for a closer look, I notice the Voyager's frame-mounted fairing contains the headlight and two fog lights in its upper portion. The fairing and saddlebags get an aerodynamically sculpted treatment, which bodes well for handling's sake as well as wind protection. The lowers feature an adjustable, vent to introduce airflow onto your legs during hot spells. The (somewhat) thin plastic top trunk has a 13.2 gallon capacity and can hold two full-face helmets (I was skeptical too, until I saw it for myself). The round analog speedo, tach and other gauges are all fairing-mounted and completely different from the other models' arrangement. Centered in between is a multi-function, backlit LCD controlled from the right grip.
Once settled into the 28.7-inch high seat, I can't help but notice how much smaller this bike feels than it looks. The long, plush saddle is comfy to sit on, though the front nose comes up too abruptly to the fuel tank for my liking. That tank isn't overly wide, so the riding position doesn't splay you out too much, and the reach to the swept back handlebar is just right (the Nomad's bar is wider). The floorboards are in tight, too, and in the saddle, the seating position feels practically upright, with arms set comfortably forward. As riding triangles go, it's similar to the old Harley Ultra, but with more room for your legs. Still, I'm 5'7", and I wonder if the Voyager will cramp taller riders.
Thumb the throttle, and the bike fires up instantly. Its rider-friendly ergos and short wheelbase make the large motorcycle easily manageable at low speeds from the get-go. When motoring away from the curb however, throttle response feels less than immediate, perhaps because the bike needs to think things through an ECU. The Voyagers also deliver their best torque 500 rpms higher than the Classics, at 2750 rpm.
As I roll through the gears of the six-speed transmission, I'm not surprised to find smooth shifting and gears engaging reliably. First gear redlines around 40 mph, and pushing second to its max means bogging at around 70mph. Third and fourth gears feel the most usable, as they're wide and offer ample power through the rev range. Fifth and sixth are both overdrive gears and are extremely tall--unless you keep the revs super-high, you won't get much roll-on acceleration. I found it better to top out in fourth before shifting up. During the course of a 200-mile ride, I found myself in 3rd most of the time.
The Voyager's fairing-mounted...
The Voyager's fairing-mounted gauges take cues from musclecars of the 60s and throw in slick features like handlebar controls and premium audio. A tad more refinement, please.
Hardcore tourers will be pleased with the well-sorted suspension on the Voyager. Up front, a stout 45mm Showa hydraulic fork supports the fairing and soaks up big hits. Adjustable rear shocks with air-assisted (0-43 psi) 4-way rebound damping do bump duty out back. Factory settings are at the second position, which suited me fine--they're meant for 150-lb riders. Naturally, larger riders should dial in a click or two of rebound for better compliance.
Once we hit Marin County's wooded inland valleys, the Voyager's brakes got a chance to strut their stuff. Though the 886 lb. tourer has four-piston calipers up front, it only runs a dual-piston setup out back. That's where the Kawasaki Advanced Co-Active Braking Technology (K-ACT) comes in. This ABS-linked brake combo is exclusive to the V17V ABS model, and is engineered to enhance the rider's ability. K-ACT automatically disengages when the bike slows to under 12 mph, to smooth out low-speed stints.
K-ACT works in conjunction with the ABS that's an option on the Voyager. Pressure and speed sensors send info to the brake ECU, which controls the proper amount of pressure being delivered to the calipers. When you give the front lever a squeeze, the system will simultaneously actuate the right front caliper on the rear brake. Stabbing the back brake likewise engages calipers on the four-piston unit up front. It took hard braking to get the ABS to kick in (you feel a small pulse at the brake lever and pedal), but I found Kawasaki's system kept the front end from diving as much as other top-heavy bikes.
If you're looking for convenience en route, you'll find it on the Voyager's handgrips--auxiliary controls are housed on the left handlebar, cruise control on the right. You can cancel the cruise at the right thumb switch, or via clutch or braking input. Operating the cruise with my right hand occasionally meant stretching to keep the throttle fully engaged. The Voyager also has an integrated audio system, with plug-ins for an iPod, intercom, rear speakers, XM radio and a CB, but all these are offered as upgrades only.
The obvious touring amenities include hard saddlebags and a top case. The spacious rider floorboards were welcome on long stretches of my trip, and out back, the topcase's built-in backrest looks like it would easily cushion even finicky passengers.
The Voyager looks like a genuine, lower-cost alternative to the HD Ultra, but with a frame-mounted fairing. Kawasaki did a pretty good job in melding traditional styling with modern muscular touches, and their version of ABS works especially well without feeling intrusive. We'd like to see an adjustable windshield as an option, and bigger tank capacity--par for this class seems to be 6 gallons. At the end of the day, I didn't much care for the 1960's Camaro-style gauges, either. They just felt cheaply finished, and something more high tech would probably better reinforce the premium image of this bike.
The 2009 1700 Voyager comes in Candy Diamond Red, Two-tone: Candy Plasma Blue / Metallic Diablo Black and Two-tone: Metallic Titanium / Metallic Diablo Black. The nicely-priced Voyager goes for a $16,799 MSRP, with the ABS version priced at $17,899 (both get a 3-year warranty).