A great touring V-twin that nobody buys

In Canada there is a way bigger cost difference between the Road Glide limited and the Kawasaki Voyager.
The Voyager in 2 tone paint is $22,500.
The HD is $47,000 (Base 2 tone paint $37,000 + Blue/grey paint $4,500 + Freight $1599 + Doc fee $499 + HDMC fee $800 + Tax $2,300 = $47,000.
The Harley definately has better fit and finish, more power and better electronics, but is it worth $24,500 More then the Voyager?
The Voyager has a longer warranty with 3 yrs vs 2yrs on the HD.
The Voyager has much better reliability then the HD.
The Voyager costs pennies compared to the HD to maintain.
Only the viewers can decide if its worth an extra $24,500?
If both bikes were free I would take the HD, but if I have to pay with my own money it would be the Voyager all day long.
I can do the exact same trips, in exactly the same comfort on essentially the same kind of bike for less then 1/2 the price.
Everybody ride safe.

I would never pay $20,000 on a motorcycle that is not rebuildable. I had 500,000 miles on the original engine of my BMW 100 / 7 when we got totaled by a car. For $20,000 you can get three good Harley dressers. Unless you ride it forever until the mileage where's it out it is not economical to purchase. What usually happens is the campaign brakes and totals your engine. And then repairs are more than what the bike is worth at the time. That was fine when a JAP bike was a thousand to $2,000. Not at 20 grand.

I've been looking at a '99 Vulcan 1500 with 80k miles at almost $4500. Any thoughts? Is it a fair price?

I went to my Kawasaki dealer to see about getting a 2023 Voyager. There are none available in British Columbia or Alberta as of July 20, 2023.

I'm looking to buy a Voyager, lets you guys know later.

I've got a Vulcan 900 and test rode the bigger 1600. . For day to day rides and general cruiser duties the 900 is great. The weight is reasonable, it looks the part, and is fun to ride. The only thing it can't do is hard core touring. The middleweight cruiser is hard to beat for 95% of daily cruiser motorcycling.

Great comments on the Voyager/Vaquero cruisers. Those that stay away, or those that buy and then later sell, mostly do so due to the lack of technology updates and lack of aftermarket support. Kawasaki has always taken the mindset of "set it" and "forget it" with their model lines. Honda had the same Goldwing design for 16 years, but they made improvements and upgrades along the way. The biggest complaints we hear about the Voyager and Vulcan is "lack of bluetooth", "no built-in GPS" and "limited aftermarket accessories."
HD, on the other hand, has just about anything you could possible think of, available in the aftermarket. The Kawasaki 1700 line has had a very slow grind to get the support that is now available, it's taken years to get here and there is no comparison to what's available for the Harley's.
For the low entry price into cruisers, especially when purchasing used, the Voyager and Vaquero leave a lot of money in your pocketbook to mod and add accessories! Exhaust, windshield, ECU program, big air kit, full stereo upgrades, subwoofer rings, LED headlights, grips, floorboards, seats, tour pack racks (not specific to Kaw, but other models can fit), handlebars, big front wheel kits (yes, now with ABS), trailer hitches, lowering kits, and more are now available for these bikes. Just ten years ago it was very hard to find any support for these bikes.
These bikes have seen well over 100k miles with regular maintenance. Are they a perfect cruiser? No. But there no comparison when it comes to the Bang for your Buck! Even if you drop an additional $10,000 on a Harley and you'd STILL want to add all the accessories!

I would have bought one but my dealers didnt have one.

I bought a 2021 voyager in 2021, it being my first motorcycle. I found it easy to learn on, handles great and rides great. I can't compare it to any other bike since its my first. I had the ecu flashed and that cleared up the jerky throttle, which was all government limit crap!!!

Been debating whether or not to pick up a bike to ride a few times a week in fall, spring and cooler summer days. Was looking for something that doesn’t bombard you with tech or is overly complicated ( Honda goldwing ).. nice to hear the Kawasaki is simple, uncomplicated and not very intimidating. Used to like to tinker with stuff but now I’m the just get using it type. The Vulcan looks like the way to go

I think the reason they don't sell is because kawasaki really doesn't advertise them so not many people know about them compared to harley or indian.

I have an 18 Voyager
For 17 grand it’s hard to beat.
The biggest issue Kawasaki misses the boat on is not having a Bluetooth Audio system. Fast forward to 2023 as I type this
The only thing that has changed on the voyager and vaquero is the color scheme.
I still love my bike and have no regrets buying her.

Thank you for videos!

Up till you can get the used HD ! Everybody wants the American bike but settle, up untill you can get the used HD price !
I got the 2011 vn 900 ,many mods , they gave me a $10,000.00 credit card and let me go without insurance $200.00 / month !
I would have got an HD if they would have given me that deal ( she's been paid off for years now ) !
been to the Canadian border down to San Luis Obispo around over Yosemite from the east over to the coast up to Washington and around Mt Shasta many times , just about all over northern Commiefornia a few times !

Had a 74 CB 750K IN 1984 road it like I stole ( $500.00 cash , could not pay quick enough and get the heck out before he changed his mind ) never road before !
Got the vn900 in 2011 (only thing I have ever bought new ) ! Didn't learn to ride very well untill I watch your ride like a pro videos ! 68 and ride better than I ever road before ! Thanks !

I’ll buy ten $3000 bikes before I’d pay $30,000 for one bike!

Hey @JerryPalladino what kind of microphone set up do you use for this video? There's no wind noise or anything. I'm having trouble finding a real good headset that works with an open helmet.

These are great bikes - I have hit all lower 48 on my 2011 Voyager and have over 100K on her. Smooth as glass on the road . . . but definitely a heavy bitch in the parking lot . . . But with Practice, practice and more practice, they are a great ride! Why don;t they sell? When is the last time you saw Kawi pushing them with advertising? They make their money on the sport bikes and that is where they spend their advertising dollar!

Don't know about the current Kawas, but I had a 1500 Vulcan Nomad (sort of a Road King configuration) at the same time I had an Evo Ultra, and both were good bikes -- put right at 105-110K miles on both of them (had a 150 mile daily commute at the time) in all sorts of weather. The HD was a tad more nimble and was happier above 75mph, but both were wonderful at the long pavement (20-22 hours a day in the saddle was pretty common with both on longish rides -- east coast to the Dakotas... Rocky Mayer built the saddles for both). Surprisingly, the Nomad leaked way more oil than the HD, which was nearly leak free except for the base-gaskets as the miles mounted...

For a Person that has Broken there Back for the 3rd. Time I can Say:
Smooth not Vibrating Like a Harley . I Ride a Nomad 1600. I Al’s Owned a 1500.
And Paid So so much Less and I know will last a long Time.
One of the Best Unknown Bikes out there.
Just my Opinion.
Price Not a Problem…
I would buy a Indian 😎

HD Resale or trade In value and the cool factor. If you buy a kawasaki or Yamaha or Honda (all great bikes) you better plan on keeping it or loosing you ass. Even some car dealer's will take HD on trade.

Well, that was a wate of time, huh!

I’m one of the nobody’s Jerry! Great bike as all of mine are! I have never been one to follow the pack. Bought a 2018 with the TransContinental Package and 3700 miles on it for $17500 from Libby’s in New Haven CT. 👍😎

I have a 2010 Voyager and I can testify to the annoying jerkiness when you left off or apply the throttle. Not sure why they haven't fixed that over 10 years later. My ECU is on it's way to Ivan for a reflash as I view this video.

Another reason why they may not be selling as quickly is due to the lack of after market parts and upgrades available. Conversely with Harleys, the availability of these options is why Harley has such a strong market appeal.

2019 Voyager right off the floor in 2021 for 14,500. Love it. I dont go fast but ..I could if needed. there is a tradeoff. the bike is cheap but if you want the chrome sparkly things from kawasaki.. your going to pay huge.

I Installed a Vaquero fairing and Corbin beetle bags on a Kawasaki V2K 2053CC Pushrod Kawasaki. It's the bike Kawasaki should have made for there big touring machine. Should have never sold that bike.

If nobody buys, there FOOLS
PAY 10k more for a HD, not worth it

Big fan of the Voyager. Thanks for all your resentations.

If they had trikes i would have one now

I've owned my 1700 Nomad for 13 years and still enjoy it. Very reliable and fun to ride. I've also rented multiple new Harley Electra Glides on my travels and enjoy them too. Yes the newer Harley's are nicer than the now 14 year old Vulcan 1700 platform. But are they $4k - $6k nicer than the Kawaski? Having spent thousands of miles on both, I can honestly say that in my experience they are not. If I were in the market for a new touring cruiser today I would get a 1700 Voyager. And if I were king of the world, I would make Polaris bring Victory back. The Cross Country was the sweet spot between the value/performance driven metric touring cruisers and the premium/heritage domestic baggers.

Far too many riders in the U.S. won't even bother unless it says Harley on the tank...darn shame...japs make incredible motorcycles!!

There is another guy in Taylors, NC (Moore's Mafia) who also does the flash. Makes the Voyager run incredibly well and like it should !!

I’m definitely passing on the $30,000 HD. Planning to upgrade my Vulcan cruiser to a Vaquero bagger. I will save THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of dollars by doing this and will enjoy my rides.

Just bought a 14 voyager. Crazy front wobble when deceleration.

There are an awful lot of "No Ones" in this comments section that own these bikes so I guess the title of the video is right if you think about it.

The voyager is a great bike the only thing that it needs is a better stereo with Bluetooth.I own a vaquero and it's a great reliable bike for 20k cheaper then the Harleys of the guys I ride with..

when it comes to comfort even the new Goldwing DCT falls behind compared to the voyager

Thers no reason for someone to buy a Harley unless you only after the Harley tag and likes to ride around with a toolbox

why dont they sell?...one color a year. same bike year after year. zero dollars on advertising. overpriced factory add-ons..(way overpriced). terrible radio. no bluetooth,gps..etc...

To me these things seem like a steal at the price - at least used. I think people are simply not aware of them. I ride an FJR1300 - which I also consider a value for money motorcycle but if I was looking for a cruiser I'd buy one and put a few thousand into it to fix the issues with it . . . . you're saving tens of thousands over a Harley or an Indian.

Buy American .

1 problem is that although the harley is more expensive, it certainly keeps its value better than the kawi, i bought the 2022 vaquero, ivan tune absolutely a must, cheap radio, very comfortable though, lack of power, overheating and performance is a main issue, also accessories are way overpriced for this bike, ended up selling for a loss and bought a used honda f6b, totally different bike that i fell in love with

I believe people don’t buy them because of the lower prices. This leads buyers to believe they are built cheap. I own a 2005 Vulcan Classic 1500 EFI WITH 102,000 km and all it cost me so far is tires and oil changes. It’s been a bulletproof ride since I brought it used in 2012 at 8600 km. I just love the handling and ride. I’ve put 1300 km in one day a couple of times and wasn’t sore anywhere, and that is with the original Kawasaki seat. Absolutely love this amazing piece of machinery.

I would stack my Roadie 1600 against any Hog in reliability , i had lots of Harley's, Until I got the 03 Road star that cured me of hogs an I had been riding them for 40 years , Now a Rice Burner cruiser is the only way to go

I’d rather get a low mile Harley that I can get rid of in a few years. Who’s going to want to buy one of these used?
Last year I bought a 2014 Street Glide Special with 1300 (not a misprint) miles in showroom condition for $15k from a private owner.
It’s been a great bike.

The reason the metric cruisers are not selling like they did at one time is because HD upped their game. The HDs today have 100hp and 120 ft lbs torque, don't leak oil, much smoother than ever before, six speed trans, and much more reliable with many owner logging 100,000 miles with no major issues. I almost forgot the resale value as well.

I have a 2010 Voyager and i do like it. However, as big, powerfull, and comfortable as it is, not sure about the "touring" moniker. Reason being is that between the fuel economy,( which isnt an issue considering the size of the engine and weight of the bike), and that SMALL fuel tank, you can't bypass a gas station

Thanks Jerry for the info.,and taking me on this ride with you. My wife is scared of motorcycles so unfortunately I will never own one.

Im a 59 year old disabled veteran and have just bough a 2024 Heritage Classic Softail and couldnt be happier.