The new vulcans are out...

5308 Views 49 Replies 22 Participants Last post by timdull2, Oct 15, 2010

twowheeladdict

Discussion Starter · Oct 6, 2010

no meanstreak. :wtf:

They do have a cool looking new 1700 vaquero.

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?scid=28&id=495

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Libertypilot

· #2 · Oct 6, 2010

It looks like Kawi heading toward mostly touring bikes. They don't have anything between a 900 and a 1700 out this year except the sport touring Concours. Are they trying to become the official "touring" line or what? Cause I'm pretty sure Honda has that nailed down with the Winger...

terrym95

· #3 · Oct 6, 2010

Meanie is DEAD! It didn't have the sells that Kawi had hoped for because it didn't have any competition in the wennie meanie class.
It was a big sports cruiser with a little to nothing bite. How many reviews have we all read that said, Oh the bike handles great but that's it! It shouldn't even be listed as a BIG cruiser but was. History!

Now, the new Kawi is aiming right at HD and by the looks of what they have done, it might just work this time.
My hat is off to the "Let the good times roll" people for making a beauitful street cruiser.

timdull2

· #4 · Oct 6, 2010

Like I said elsewhere, if anything should happen to mine and I had to look for a new bike, the Vaquero just ran to the top of my list. It took about 24 hours, but it grew on me. I likes its!

twowheeladdict

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 6, 2010

I will tell you that I am running my Voyager 1700 in the Ozarks of AR this week and even riding two up the big bike handles the curves amazingly. I would think the Vaquero would be a better ride without the big trunk on it. I sure do like listening to "radar love" while riding the curvy roads.

I might have to score one of the radiator shrouds and put it on my Voyager next spring.

Dinosaur

· #6 · Oct 6, 2010

I wonder what the Vanquero would be like without that ugly batwing, maybe if you strip it down you'll get a Meanie.

Anyhow, I have to say that the writing has been on the wall for several years, they stopped importing meanies to some markets (like UK) years ago, I don't think the SE ever got sold here, it was a parts bin-clearing exercise.

Thanks for the info though

uechi kid

· #7 · Oct 6, 2010

I've said this on other threads that I like the new Vaquero but I wish they would have brought back the MS. I don't know why I keep saying that, I'm not going to buy one even if they do. I'm happy with the one I have. I'm also not in the market for a touring bike. I have one of those too (Royal Star Venture).
What am I thinking??

terrym95

· #8 · Oct 6, 2010

uechi kid said:
I've said this on other threads that I like the new Vaquero but I wish they would have brought back the MS. I don't know why I keep saying that, I'm not going to buy one even if they do. I'm happy with the one I have. I'm also not in the market for a touring bike. I have one of those too (Royal Star Venture).
What am I thinking??

There not one of us on here that's not thinking what your thinking:thud:

JFL330

· #9 · Oct 6, 2010

twowheeladdict said:
no meanstreak. :wtf:

They do have a cool looking new 1700 vaquero.

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?scid=28&id=495

It's too much bike, 835 pounds, and all that surrround gear. To me it looks like every other cruiser/tourer made. No personality. Someone else said, aiming right at HD.

If I had to replace my Meanie, probably would look at the Raider.

Jon

meanmachinist

· #10 · Oct 6, 2010

It's a metric road glide, sort of. If I were to go that route I'd prefer the Victory cross country. Better styling and power.

timdull2

· #11 · Oct 6, 2010

JFL330 said:
It's too much bike, 835 pounds, and all that surrround gear. To me it looks like every other cruiser/tourer made. No personality. Someone else said, aiming right at HD.

If I had to replace my Meanie, probably would look at the Raider.

Jon

It has personality, you just have to look at it from my angle. Take the "paintbrush" to it - flat black, slashed pipes, all the power gizmos... Put a fattie on the back and rig up flames to shoot from the tailpipes. Looking better yet?

JFL330

· #12 · Oct 6, 2010

timdull2 said:
It has personality, you just have to look at it from my angle. Take the "paintbrush" to it - flat black, slashed pipes, all the power gizmos... Put a fattie on the back and rig up flames to shoot from the tailpipes. Looking better yet?

I'll take two.

Jon

terrym95

· #13 · Oct 6, 2010

timdull2 said:
It has personality, you just have to look at it from my angle. Take the "paintbrush" to it - flat black, slashed pipes, all the power gizmos... Put a fattie on the back and rig up flames to shoot from the tailpipes. Looking better yet?

Tim never grew up, his toys just cost more now. I think we should vote for Tim to be head of kawi's R&D. :notworthy

timdull2

· #14 · Oct 7, 2010

terrym95 said:
Tim never grew up, his toys just cost more now. I think we should vote for Tim to be head of kawi's R&D. :notworthy

Nah, I just put the pretty stuff together, that's all.

Plus, I can't buy any more toys. Too many of 'em financed as it is already!

twowheeladdict

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 7, 2010

Dinosaur said:
I wonder what the Vanquero would be like without that ugly batwing,
Thanks for the info though

Not a batwing. Frame mounted fairing. I rode my voyager in some nasty cross winds that wanted to through me off the bike, but the handling never felt the wind at all.

rbthntr64

· #16 · Oct 7, 2010

It's a shame that Kawasaki has abandoned the power cruiser market. With Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda coming on strong, I am surprized that Kaw has dropped out. The new Honda line looks pretty amasing.

terrym95

· #17 · Oct 7, 2010

timdull2 said:
Nah, I just put the pretty stuff together, that's all.

Plus, I can't buy any more toys. Too many of 'em financed as it is already!

Come on Tim, you can share the title with Dreamstreak. You work on the pretty side of the R&D and Dream can work on the fast side of R&D then Kawi would really have a winner! And since Tom_E is gone you would have no one to tell you, your wrong. Sorry Tom:2far:

All in favor, say I:alcy:

Libertypilot

· #18 · Oct 7, 2010

I love the MS but I love most cruisers. I'm definitely not a sport bike guy and if I want to go on a long trip, I can make the meanie into a bike that will more than suffice. I wouldn't get a sport bike because you can't do long trips (most people anyway) and a properly outfitted cruiser works fine as a tourer. Something in me can't get over the giant fairings on some of the touring bikes. I guess my thinking is: you're outside, you're supposed to feel the wind. Admittedly though, If I were going on a 3 or 4 hour day ride, I'd throw the small windshield on.

If I had to replace the meanie (heaven forbid) I think I'd go with a Victory. I would just like to stay with a simple cruiser/muscle cruiser. I like the 8 balls, the Vegas', and the Hammers. After all is said and done, I think I'd end up with the standard Hammer. IMHO, you can keep the Visions. Here they are:

http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Victory-Motorcycles/Pages/Home.aspx

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Meanstreakster

· #19 · Oct 7, 2010

Libertypilot said:
If I had to replace the meanie (heaven forbid) I think I'd go with a Victory. I would just like to stay with a simple cruiser/muscle cruiser. I like the 8 balls, the Vegas', and the Hammers. After all is said and done, I think I'd end up with the standard Hammer.

+1. Victory Hammer 8 Ball...definitely...

Vaquero...it's ok but not my cup of tea...

twowheeladdict

Discussion Starter · #20 · Oct 8, 2010

Libertypilot said:
I wouldn't get a sport bike because you can't do long trips

Me thinks you have not seen sport touring bikes. I wouldn't even consider riding my Meanstreak as far as I have ridden my Ninja 650R. I also wouldn't consider changing the looks of my meanstreak by making it a tourer. But that's just me.

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