Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS

!st and last Kawasaki – I am an all weather rider, as this is my only transport. Overall it is a nice comfortable ride, but the build quality is terrible! The wiring loom looks like a blind monkey has put it together and the main fuse is impossible to get to outside of a shop! The exhausts are my biggest bugbear though, I have just had a V & H exhaust fitted this… Read more

being the third exhaust in only 41000 miles. The clamps holding the bright work / heat shields just disintegrate after a couple of years and the mounting points for the bright work just rusted to nothing, I found out about this as the first lot, just fell off, whilst travelling down the motorway! This was followed 6 months later by the mufflers rotting away on the side next to the wheel. The replacement mufflers (a Kawasaki part) then did not come with a mounting point for the oxygen sensor, which had to be cut and welded on.

The Drive belt only lasted for 35,000 miles which is very poor

The front disks have had to be replaced twice

This bike is dangerous to ride – 3 times this bike has almost cased me to crash. There is an issue with front end wobble and I don't believe Kaw wants to acknowledge the problem. Bike was great 1st 2 years. 3rd year and 17000 miles it started shaking when deceleration. Steering head bears wheel bears axle and numerous tires bike still has a problem. Dealer can find and Kawasaki has been no help. Do not buy.  Show details

Great Bike – I find this bike to get me where I want to go in the most comfortable way. Smooth, great handling, the heat does not bother me, but I hear rumblings from others who have one. Not as torquey as my Goldwing which I had for awhile, but it is a great motorcycle. I would buy another one. Pretty good sound system, too, I added the rear speakers for added rocking, but a higher wattage unit would definitely be an added asset., AND my wife likes it..

Voyager 2009 ABS – I have had my machine since mid 2009, it has just clocked up 75,000 kms and has been a reliable, sturdy workhorse. Had to make some minor mods to it to make it handle better (tapered roller bearings on the head stem to stop vibration) but on the whole has been a great machine. After 75000 kms I am now starting to find some little problems… Read more

creeping in. The drive belt is making an extremely loud squeak now and I have been told that it needs replacing sometime soon but not critical. It has been making a noise for some time (since 50000 kms).

The fairing has developed a bit of a rattle - seems like it may be loose.

The speaker grills don't stand up to the weather so well and are showing signs of rust.

I have had to replace the iPod adapter a couple of times.

The aerial has fallen off a number of times (worked it's way loose) and they are a bit exe to replace.

I have had to replace the fuel filter at 50000kms (could have been dirty fuel - not convinced).

The gear change is a bit "agricultural" but with a firm boot it can be managed quite well.

Over 6 years (ish) and 75000kms I don't consider these items to be major.

Sure it get's a bit hot - when it becomes too much it is clearly time for a break to grab a drink.

Interesting comments about fuel consumption. I get about 200kms per tank, 250 if I take it on a long trip (thats when the fuel warning light comes on) - could get to 280 I guess if I squeezed the tank dry - not prepared to do that, it's a bit heavy to push. I have dropped it off it's sidestand a number of times and it is surprisingly easy to get back up again on your own. I do a fair bit of commuting to Melbourne cbd and find it performs well in slowish traffic (lane filtering requires a lot more care though).

Cruise control is awesome and has saved my bacon on numerous occasions.

Brakes are really great. You can pull this thing up in a very short distance - pretty handy when trying to stop 400kgs in a hurry.

Comfort is really good however I have augmented it with a sheepskin throw - makes it just that little more comfortable on long rides.

The gauges are clear and easy to read.

Added a cb radio from JME electronics that enables bike to bike communication (Kawasaki original is too exe). Fit's in the other glove box just nicely.

Plenty of room for 2 full face helmets in the top box.

Resale value on trade in's is a bit poor - dropped about $16000 over the 5 years ($22000 purchase price)

Would I buy another one, in a heartbeat (If Kawasaki would bring in current models - they are only importing 2013 models at the moment).

I hope that this helps someone considering this machine.

Comfortable cruisy machine – Changed over to voyager from a suzuki boulevarde 1500 M90 cruiser. Main downside is heat. It gives off a lot. The front fairing does such a great job that you tend to get a bit hot in the saddle. Thankfully there are vents that open to get air around your legs. Handles so much better than the 1500 suzuki. I found it easy to turn and to lean into… Read more ·  2

corners where the suzuki was hard work. A lot easier to control at low speed, but it is a big machine. Cruise control is a dream. Fuel economy is a bit up at the moment still running in at 6.5litres per 100km. Super comfortable, pleasure to ride. Radio doesnt have great distance but plug in a MP3. For value for money compared to a similar harley at $15k less it is a good machine. Completely different gearing to suzuki. Voyager is all tourque, not fast off mark, built for chugging along in 5th and 6th gear. Storage is great. Easy handling, great cruising. The Heat, the heat, the heat

Parts in Australia far too dear – Buying parts for the voyager in Australia is far to expensive, to replace the drive belt and rear drive cog costs a touch under $2000.00 I brought them in America for less than half that price. The bike is a pig to handle at walking speed. I fond that the gear selection was bit to clunky for my liking. Living in Queensland Australia there was… Read more

far to much heat coming from the motor especially sitting at street lights, the voyager belongs in a country with low temperatures. Great bike to ride on a long trip even in wet weather with protection from the full fairing. Sound system is great, controls on hanle bars easy to use. The brakes will pull you up on a dime To much heat coming from engine, parts to dear, poor handling at low speed, gear selection noisy.

Comfort – I purchased the Voyager second hand with 9000 on the clock, 2 1/2 years old. Now 12,000. moved up from Vulcan VN900. getting more kms from the 1700 than the 900 with same sized tank. that reflects just how efforless the riding is. get home from 500k ride (little over 1 tank full) feeling better than 100 k ride on the VN900. Bit hot when… Read more

stationary or moving in slow traffic, i fitted a heat deflector which has eased the problem.

Ignore rain while you are moving. absolutly great machine. Ease of riding love the ipod facility The heat, but bearable.

Great full equip touring bike – 4 stars out of 5 Extremely confortable for driver and rider, well equip, lots of storage fuel average 5.7 lt per 100 km ( 50 miles per gallon). cruise control nice but seem to jerk a little when engaging CC. FM radio good , antanna could be improve range not the greatest, AM Radio horrible reception, riding is smooth, downshifting is ok at best,… Read more

hard to find neutral from 2nd gear, from first gear perfect. wind protection is superb but it restrict the airflow over an already Hot motocycle. Voyager 2012 run almost as the 2010-2011 model. nice addition of two trip meter, fuel average meter nice tool. overall I would buy Voyager again especially at $16.200.00 for a brand new motocycle Price, comfort, storage, fuel economy, Heat distribution

Good – I have found it certainly is a flag ship touring bike. Having owned 4 cylinder motorcycles all my life it certainly is a mind bending exercise climbing onto a big V twin. There are plenty of positives and unfortunately some negatives with owning this bike. The good stuff is that it is super comfortable built for long distance riding. The pillion… Read more ·  5

is just as comfortable. With cruise control and the stereo going, the ride is awesome. All the flash stuff Kawasaki say re abs brakes, frame mounted fairing, full distance to empty, dual trip meters etc are great. It has so much carrying capacity in the panniers and top box which is also a positive.

Unfortunately there are some negatives. The heat is enormous. No matter what Kawasaki have said re re plumbing of heat shields or anything else - there is super heat. During the day in slow traffic the temp gauge sits almost on red hot. Even with the leg vents open, it is unrelenting. The fairing gives you so much wind protection that there is no breeze or respite from the heat. The gear box and engine feel agricultural. I have never missed a gear but it certainly takes a positive foot selection to get the box to change. The engine chugs away underneath you which is i suppose what V twins do. Regarding fuel economy its gets about 320 k's per tank which is ok I suppose, probably abit short for a full on tourer.

Overall it is cheaper and more reliable than a Harley Davidson and it has a presence on the road like very few bikes. Comfortable riding position and good value for money. Great factory warranty. Heat. Enormous heat. Did I mention the heat?