Where are all the Vaquero Riders?

[xplorer3]

i went to the ipod web site, it gives a discripction there how to tell what genetation it is.

[skipsaxe]

It's nice to finally see comments from people who bought the bike. However, I haven't seen a ride report with their opion yet.

Give us some dirt

[xplorer3]

Well here is a ride report. I put on 600 miles on last weekend. The ride is great. I rode all sort of roads, interstate at 75 mph, state highways and backroads with alot of curves. The bike handled great, was very smooth and had plenty of power. I am 6 foot and 275 lbs. I added the taller 12" windshield which is just the right size for me, it blocked the wind from hitting me in the face and I can still see over it. Any questions just ask. Thanks.

[skipsaxe]

Not knowing how long you've been riding and on what, I'm really just interested in your overall opinion of the bike. Fit and Finish, any known or unknown problems being a first year production. Anything good or bad that you expected, didn't expect. Things you like, dislike.

I'm interested in finding out more about the Vaquero and I've been doing a lot of lurking on a Victory site as I'm interested in the Cross Country as well.

[xplorer3]

I've been a rider for about 20 years. This is the first Kawasaki that I have owned. I have owned this bike only for about a month and a half so far. I have about 1500 miles on it so far, and so far everything is great. The only thing I didn't like was the stock windshield on it, it looks great on the bike, but the wind from it would hit me square in the face. The fit and finish is great, a good solid bike. Just make sure if you get one, to check the spacing between the saddlebags and the fender skirt. The one on the left side is real close to the skirt, mine was rubbing up against it. Kawasaki knows about it and is currently working on a fix. My dealer said when they find a fix, then they will send the bag in to get repainted. Other than that, I am very happy.

[skipsaxe]

Thanks for that information it's just what I was looking for. I hope you have nothing but good luck and many trouble free miles with it.

[xplorer3]

Thanks, and so do I.

[Highwayman2011]

I'm using an ipod classic 120 gb in my 2010 voyager and it works great. I use it with the helmet speakers and they work fine, much easier to hear than the fairing speakers.

[ndsailor]

Thanks for that information it's just what I was looking for. I hope you have nothing but good luck and many trouble free miles with it.

I just bought a Black Vaquero on July 7 and now have nearly 1000 miles on it. I have previously owned two 1700s, the 2009 Nomad was awful, 28-32 mpg and no power and the throttle would stick open due to a bad ECU. Had the ECU replaced and that helped some, but was still dissatisfied. So...I went with a Stratoliner....great power and smooth...good looks but small cheap saddlebags and small gas tank, and my wife hated the ride...too stiff...So traded on a 2010 Nomad and although it ran great, it still lacked the power I though a 1700 should have. I now have the 2011 Vaquero and.... I don't know what they did to the engine, but it has all kinds of power now...must be the extra piston ring they added or something...but now I can accellerate smoothly in sixth gear while riding two up...something that was not possible on the previous units. Also, my gas mileage is great. I ride at about 80-85 on the interstate and am averaging 41 mpg. If I slow a bit down to 70 mph I get about 43 mpg. GREAT! I'm a very satisfied rider and plan on holding on to this one.

[burntcandy]

The extra piston ring is a new for the 2011 model year? Is everyone getting over 40mpg with their vaquero's?

I just found out from the insurance company they are totalling my bike after i layed it down trying to avoid a deer. Since I ride 100 miles a day round trip for work, I am constantly looking for the 6th gear that my 900 doesn't have.
So my mind is almost made up that the vaquers is going to be my babies replacement. Being a short guy 5'5'' the windshield shouldn't be an issue for me. Not comes the hard part which color do I want.

[Mike1275]

Just traded-in my Vulcan 900 on a black Vaquero last Saturday. So far, so good. Have put about 150 miles on it so far. Man is it heavy compared to the 900. Definitely going to have to get the higher windshield too. I'm also 6'0" and am getting some buffeting which doesn't bother me that much but I cannot hear the radio well when I get up to speed. Understand that the higher shield helps with the stereo. The owners manual says on break-in, to keep the rpms below 2500 for the first 500 miles which is difficult for me. I want to wind out each gear and by staying under 2500 rpm, I'm in 4th gear in no time and the engine lugs pretty bad. I want to go ahead and "ride" the bike but am pretty cautious about break-in.

[burntcandy]

Well I done it 2 weeks ago and got the red Vaquero. LOVE IT!!!!! Getting 44mpg by the dash. Rides like a caddy. Windshield is too short even for me being 5'5". LOVE THE BIKE. Just got done building my own drivers backrest(got some more tweaking it still to get the perfect fit). LOVE THE BIKE. I have put 1600 miles on it already. Yes it is heavier than the 900 was but as soon as your moving it handles like a dream. Waiting for the passenger backrest, luggage rack, and 12'' windshield to come in hopefully later this week. Did I mention how much I LOVE riding my new bike.https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=1&theater

[toobusi]

Well, i wasn't planning on it, but SUPERSTORM SANDY made me say good bye to my 03 1500 Classic, Nothing like a garage full of Salt Water.
My 2012 Plasma Blue Vaquero seems very happy in it's new home. So far 35 pleasant miles. I added the 14" sheild, back rest and rack and Ipod adapter.
I'll look into the Ultimate Seats at Americade in June.

[burntcandy]

Well I thought since have time I got a few updates. I have put 12k miles on my Vaquero. Needs a front tire now, went with the general altimax 2055516 rear tire last summer. With my short legs going to a 55 series tire lowered the bike maybe 1/2 inch or so. But any lowering helps. I have also built a drivers backrest for it(best addition ever). I have the ipod adapter and a Ipod nano, works fine. Hitch to pull my camper.
Here is what everyone will be interested in. We took the camper to Perry Ks rally pulling the camper 2up. We was riding in the rain the whole 160 miles. Loaded with all the gear for a long weekend, I got 34mpg both down there and back. I have the V&H exhaust but no power tuner yet. I get 42mpg normally. When I put the camper on behind I turn the shocks up to 4 setting(normally run 1), and change the air pressure up to 17psi (normally 12psi). It handles the additional weight of the passenger and trailer GREAT. Can still run the cruise and hold a steady 60mph in 6th gear. The only time the trailer is really noticeable is stopping and starting really. Corners are nothing as long as you slow early on so can power thru, last thing you want to do is apply a brake when trailer isn't straight behind you or the trailer will either stand you back up or possibly even push you over to the outside trying to park while turned.
All in all this bike is WONDERFUL. I can take my wife who rarely gets to ride since have a little one at home on a 150 mile ride and she aint ready to stop.