The Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager has a beautiful look like the famous Harley Davidson Electra Glide, its mechanical heritage, is quite different. If the Japanese inherit the same aesthetic codes, it is distinguished by its engine, chassis, and its price.
Indeed, the big Kawasaki VN1700 is undoubtedly one of the most famous Harley Davidson Electra Glide. Bias the Greens defend the fact that this aesthetic configuration seems to be the most suitable for a motorcycle for the trip.
There are so many similarities, including the main: the huge head of the fork equipped with a fire ring and two fog lights, all overhung by a large windshield. This element is directly attached to the frame and thus alleviates the direction. A detail that is important when we know that this big baby weighs 406 kg!
The malaise Kawasaki has not changed for some time, but every year the Japanese parent of a new color. In 2013, the single White Pearl Crystal and silver ‘Metallic Phantom’ significantly alleviated the look of the bike. Other side of the coin: it is messy and requires frequent maintenance.
Remember also that Kawasaki continues to offer the Kawasaki VN1700 across a range specifically provided varied and five versions, the ‘Classic’ which starts at 13,999 euros, and the series ‘Voyager’ which rises to 20,199 euros.
Opposite, Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic is displayed starting from 26,290 euros and can even pass very close to the 39,000 in its version CVO!
Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager: No doubt, this is a Kawa’
Sensitive when the motorcycle is posed on its crutch – side, not of a power station -, the weight of the Kawasaki VN1700 is always present once it is overlapped. Although the mass is correctly distributed on the 2,560 mm of the animal, the latter remains one crowned beast to be operated with the stop.
The absence of market back do we step been a problem, but it could make sweat – literally and figuratively! -the biker carrying a passenger and luggage, stuck in a fake dish! Fortunately, the wide handlebar provides the lever arm needed to move the gear. The biceps on the other hand are not delivered with the bike…
Happily, the heaviness of the group disappears as soon as they launch the original return. It becomes even more amazing that they can handle the same device so easily at low speed, however, equipped with wheels of 16 thumbs and big blood sausages which go well.
Once launched, the balance is still improving, and can quickly assess the crossing of small villages in Normandy … which are biased roundabouts! The flexibility of the controls – and the motor! – Allows you to stay on a light throttle without any difficulty and also facilitates handling.
Quite as flexible, the clutch lever ensures perfect management of the shifting of speed (five plus an “overdrive”). It’s a pity that the box is shown at the same time as noisy and a little slow because Kawasaki could hitherto claim with the without-fault.
On small secondary roads, the Kawasaki VN1700 continues to allure thanks to its convincing frame. The small bucolic roads that we borrow highlight the dynamic qualities of this cruiser.
Always so easy to handle, it is easy to lead in turns, even when they raise the rhythm a bit. Contrary to a certain American who fidgets rather well in these conditions, Kawasaki remains stable even when the road degrades.
Suspensions are showing a nice efficiency about road holding, but they deserved more brake rebound – play around with the settings on series 4 position changes nothing – so come to the limit of travel out of nasty bowls for example.
But this detail does not waste anything on the services of the Kawasaki VN1700: this motorcycle is one of the best passengers in the world!
