All Reviews – Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager Review: Dummy Twin – Standard Equipment, Optional Character

Posted on by admin

Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager test: false twin

All Reviews - Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager Review: Dummy Twin - Standard Equipment, Optional Character

The Kawasaki VN 1700 Voyager may look like the famous Harley Davidson Electra Glide, but its mechanical heritage is quite different. Because if the Japanese inherits the same aesthetic codes, it is distinguished by its engine, its chassis and its price..

Standard equipment, optional character

Against a check for 20,199 euros, the "biker" has very complete standard equipment. This is particularly where the Japanese stand out from the American: under his eyes, the new buyer has a very rich instrumentation in information..

The panel includes four analog screens and a perfectly readable central digital screen: tachometer, speed, gear indicator, clock, 2 partial trips, average consumption, remaining autonomy … All that is missing is the outside temperature..

The audio system (standard) has two speakers and includes a radio and an auxiliary socket for connecting your iPhone or iPod. Please note, a little fever is to be expected in people with allergies to apples: Green is "Apple only" and requires selecting, in the Kawa ‘accessories catalog, a "jack" adapter to connect any other MP3.

As for storage, there is really nothing to complain about: the carrying capacity is there since we store two full-type helmets in the top-case (50 liters) and the suitcases each contain 38 liters.

At the front, there are two lockable storage pockets. We simply regret that the cigarette lighter socket is not housed in the right one. Located outside, it is too exposed to bad weather.

Zero fault on the other hand on the side of the cruise control: it engages and is easily managed from the right stalk. Note that the Japanese engineers wanted to prevent any blocking of the speed beyond 137 km / h, the maximum speed authorized on the motorway (speedometer and radar margins included).

In terms of active safety, there is a very effective braking device called K-ACT. This coactive coupling system, supported by an ABS, distributes the braking force between the front and the rear according to the pressure exerted on the brake lever or the pedal, the vehicle speed, etc..

In practice, the whole offers a good feeling that allows you to correctly dose each braking, and the power is quite satisfactory … which is reassuring when you have to urgently stop the 500 kg of the motorcycle + pilot + luggage !

€ 20,199 (almost) all inclusive

Conversely, the engine power is a little weak. The large 1699 cc (102 x 104 mm) twin-cylinder only develops 73 hp at 5,000 rpm and is sorely lacking in character! We have good torque at start-up and at low speeds (136 Nm at 2,750 rpm), but beyond that it struggles to respond.

In the absence of being demonstrative, the engine remains efficient when requested at good speed, but a better distribution of the torque would have made it possible to request less the box and therefore to consume less. As consumption can reach 10 l / 100 km and the tank contains 20 liters of fuel, the range is limited to less than 200 km…

We will therefore favor the beautiful nationals and their large rows rather than the small departmental and their really winding portions where the engine must be constantly requested. Obviously, the VN1700 prefers fast lanes that it swallows at a good pace without the driver feeling the slightest fatigue, in particular thanks to the good protection of the windshield..

Set at 135 km / h meter, the VN1700 is able to reach Elancourt (78), headquarters of Kawasaki France, to the sea in less than two hours. The gusts of wind which gradually increase call for caution, especially when blowing sideways: like the Goldwing or the Electra Glide, the Voyager does not like to get windy…

When getting off the bike, the observation is unequivocal: this Kawa offers a sacred "Konfort"! The padded seats, the backrest for the passenger or the double rocker controls (toe or heel) offer a relaxed and relaxed position, while the overdrive sixth gear saves fuel on the highways..

Although the Kawasaki VN 1700 Voyager plays in the same court as the Harley Electra Glide, the Japanese approach the two-wheeler journey with a slightly different approach. As pretty as it is well finished, it provides road holding, comfort and driving pleasure. In addition, the Voyager benefits from full equipment and on-board technology that cannot be found anywhere else for "only" 20,199 euros..

The only big downside of this Kawasaki concerns its engine, which lacks punch at mid-range. This defect is noticed on small roads, a little less fortunately during motorway journeys … which she loves! Its substantial weight and the slowness of its box are a little less penalizing.

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *