mcrummett Fantastic! I'm in the market for an aftermarket seat, I may end up with a Mustang seat! That's what I had on my old bike.

Blackhawk 247 Fantastic! Enjoy it!

Steven Burdick Awesome! So, did you end up getting it?

Yes I did and I love it. You've responded to some of my posts on the forum.

Steven Burdick Fantastic!

im here because im gettin a 2011 as well, whats a fair price ?

Is this guy still on youtube?

+Bill Randall And it's cheaper than the Thunderbird, to boot!

+Spence Bourque Awesome!

I was thinking the same, I've been riding for 25 years and learned on Harleys. Since then I've ridden nothing but until a few weeks ago when I bought a Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe which I love. The bike looks great but that Vaquero is sexy! Plus with the more affordable price and I'm betting more reliable than a Harley, it's a great bike I'm sure. I really love my Yamaha, but it got me thinking about trading her in on one of these bad boys.

@@kman-mi7su I had 2 Harleys for a period of 20 years. They were both great bikes and I loved them. I have a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 right now. Reason...it was cheap and I didn't have money for a new Harley. I only paid 3000 dollars for it and it only had 12k miles on it. There's nothing better about it, in my opinion, than the Harleys accept it was way cheaper. I like the vaquero and voyager because you can get them much cheaper as well. Great machines. But my next bike will definitely be a Harley Ultra when I can afford it. My heart wants a HD again. But until then the Kawasaki does just fine 👍😎. I've never had a reliability issue with a Harley during my 20 years of ownership. Just oil changes, brakes, and tires. Modern Harleys are as reliable as anything else. The metrics simply make great machines at a cheaper cost. I dunno why people feel a need to bash one or the other to justify their choice ( not talking about you , just general statement). My heart just isn't 100 percent happy on a metric so I want another HD. If it wasn't for that I would probably buy a vaquero or voyager 1700 next time. I want a full touring bike. But again my heart wants another HD so my next is a Ultra 👍

Larry Dill I really love that orange. That candy orange is definitely one of the best looking paint jobs I've seen on a motorcycle!

Guy Lechien You'll get used to the wait. Enjoy it!

Getting there :)

willyb933 Bought it to ride it! Enjoy that bike!

John E Thanks!

mdvwagner You enjoy it, that's what counts!

You have to start somewhere

***** Fantastic! What did you end up getting?

Branden R Thanks man! Yeah, the horn switch placement isn't great. I prefer it in the spot on my 900.

Paul Michaels Thanks man!

Freespiritphil Thanks! And I'm excited, too! A whole new view for the next season of vlogs!

+ray juanengo Thanks Ray! I've got just shy of 5,000 miles on it now and it has been a fantastic machine.

+Tom Bousquet Fantastic! Let me know how you like it.

Runeguy33 Thanks!!

+Malone Banks Hey, I can definitely recommend it!

Amos Coates Awesome!

Thanks! 👍

+Mark Cooper Awesome mark!

David C. Gulliver Thanks, David! And I definitely keep my bikes clean and the paint protected (waxing/coating is a part of maintenance. Even clear coat paints fail over time with exposure to UV light, waxing the paint is like changing the oil). But you're right; at the end of the day, it's all about riding it! I've had it for a week now and have put about 600 miles on it. In between the various rainstorms this past week!

Romans Five|Eight So, once again- I was feeling a little guilty for not wanting a 1500cc or larger bike? But, I was riding my Street Triple R (675cc naked street bike) over the last few days, and, I realized- I just LOVE a small, fiesty machine. Now, with cruisers, I'll take a little 'more' weight, size, etc., but, at the end of the day, I'm still happy with less. Great to watch the video though, because it validates my desire to stay with a middleweigh, although, you make riding the Vaquero look effortless. For a guy with less than 1,000 miles on a 1700cc bike, you have adjusted well. Also, the bike looks great as well- for some reason I'm thinking H-D Street Glide with a full fairing-only better! Much better.

David C. Gulliver It's similar to the street glide in it's style, but the fairing is much better. It doesn't create the buffeting that an H-D batwing fairing does, and it's frame mounted. Meaning the steering remains light and nimble and isn't affected by the wind. (As opposed to fork-mounted fairings like on the Street Glide). A nearly 900 pound bike has it's advantages and disadvantages. For one, it's super stable, unaffected by wind, the crown of the road (or imperfections in the road), it absorbs bumps and allows for lots of storage. Super smooth going down the highway. Where it becomes cumbersome is tighter parking lots, parking where the surface isn't paved, backing up any sort of hill is near impossible (some Victory, and the Honda Goldwing, offer electric reverse options. Kawasaki does not.) But for the kind of riding I do, it's ideal. Handling is absolutely a treat on the bike. When you're moving, you have no idea it's that heavy. Truth be told, the trick to riding a bike this size is really confidence and experience more than anything. The confidence to use the clutch and throttle to navigate a parking lot instead of your legs, and the confidence and experience to roll on the throttle to straighten the bike up instead of the rookie tendency to let off the throttle and try and catch it with your foot (because you won't 'catch' this bike). By about the third or fourth ride everything felt natural. It's really not a hard steed to tame. By the way, I AM jealous of your Triumph Speedmaster :) That would be on my 'list' of bikes to own if I was able to own many bikes! I bet that thing is a blast on twisty roads. The other day I went out riding with my parents, who have a BMW R1200GS (I have a video of that bike, too). I'd have been much better on your Triumph. It was tough to keep up in the corners (this thing only leans so far!) and they pulled into places to park that I couldn't even dream of pulling into. For example, my stepdad effortlessly parked his bike off the side of the road in the grass when there was no parking at the restaurant. This 850 pound bike with street tires and a small kickstand; that would've been a disaster! Believe it or not, I still do use this bike for 'short trips'. I live 1.5 miles from my office, I ride this unless the weather is bad. I make small errands on it, etc. As long as you think ahead, there's really no reason not to (i.e., don't park facing down hill). Like I said, not a tough steed to tame. But don't feel guilty at all for not wanting a 1500cc+ bike! Different strokes (or displacements! Ha!) for different folks. The important thing is that you've got the bike that you want, that does what you want!

John, I KNEW you would continue to use this new bike just like your old one- for everything! And, I understand the needs to manage this much larger bike. I like the awareness that I CAN haul a bike back up- even if I never, ever try to do it anymore. But, I lost over 40Lbs a couple of years ago, and, some strength with it, so, finessing a bike is a requirement for me. Jerry Palladino's Ride Like a Pro was a bible for me, and, I still use the techniques to practice- like this time of the season- to refresh my skills. But, I really, really dig the new bike & very few people will use it fully- the way you will. Because, if you own a bike- it will be a part of your daily life. That's just the way you are. Now, I think you'll be a little more cautious about exactly where you will ride it- no more greenlaning, like with the VN900!, but, longer distances, and, di=aily runs to the store- no problem!

David C. Gulliver Awesome! I always refresh and practice in the spring, too. "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough is another great read. And yeah, I bought it to ride. So I'll ride it! Thanks for the comments.

+Tom Bousquet Thanks Tom! I didn't think fairings were for me until I rode a bike with a fixed frame mounted faring. The air is just so much cleaner and it makes for such a comfortable ride.

Also this vaquero is much more affordable the the HD.

+Jim Germata Thanks Jim!

dbest1a Yep, they are pre-load adjustable and under the seat there's a valve stem for adjusting the air pressure as well.

***** Victory was on my short-list but the Vaquero won out! (And you'll see more of me now that the weather is warm!)

Jeff Woeber Ha! Well, guess I figure I'll post now and then :)

Michael Lange Thanks!

FriedChickenBlowout Awesome!

Allen Gilbert Enjoy it!

Awesome! Thanks!

Hobby Welder Thanks!

Alexandru Dalak Thanks! If these thunderstorms would go away, then I'd definitely be able to put even more miles on!

Great looking bike, been looking at them myself..have you ever ridden a HD Street Glide or Road Glide? I was curious if the comfort is somewhat comparable on this vaquero. I had a 2011 Street Glide for about a year but sold it & it was amazing to ride.. considering a vaquero used possibly. thanks....I enjoy your channel.

Romans Five|Eight im a Harley rider til I die but the fairing on that bike is really sharp. If I was gonna switch to a metric I would definitely consider that bike. It really looks good!

@@tactical510 Yes, I test road an Ultra Classic and a Street Glide, and my mom had a Road Glide that I rode a number of times. I actually was pretty set on an Ultra Classic until I rode one. It wasn't bad, don't mishear me. But I much preferred the ride, the styling, and the performance (not to mention the price) of the Vaquero. The Vaquero has more suspension travel, a frame mounted fairing (like the Road Glide), and a much smoother engine. I found the soft-mounted engine on the Harley's supremely annoying. The theory is that even though they shake like they're about to come apart at idle, that means they'll be smoother when riding right? That wasn't my experience. A well balanced Kawasaki V-Twin, in my experience, is every bit as smooth as a Harley big twin at speed. And it putters along quietly at idle without rattling your teeth out at a stoplight.

@@nicholasquintero1080 It's similar to the Road Glide in that it's frame mounted, which is REALLY nice. It makes the bike feel and ride like a light, stripped down cruiser. There's absolutely nothing on the forks or handlebars, they're totally free, everything is mounted to the frame. I really like that! But (IMHO), it looks better than the Road Glide fairing. Which is a shame. I think more people would be interested in a frame-mounted fairing if Harley's application looked better.

Adam Sholes VTX.

boarder989 Thanks!

+fourbuick The Vaquero has an extra inch of suspension (33% more!) than the Street Glide; and that makes a huge difference in overall comfort. Make sure to ride both!

WookieHoop Thanks! More videos a'comin!

Awesome! Nothing better than a bike that fits well.

I really like the 2017 Steet Glides with the new M8 engine. The only reason I am considering the Vaquero is the price. It is $7000 CAD less than the Street Glide.

+willie martin Both great bikes!

I do! And I love it! It has been in 32 U.S. States, and two Canadian provinces. It has been totally reliable for the last near-decade that I've owned it. Just needing tires and oil changes, and the replacement of one switch (a microswitch that controls the brakelights from the handlebars). I wish the 'tech' was a little better. Even though mine is a 2014, even a brand new 2023 is the same. No bluetooth for the stereo (and the stereo isn't very good). That sort of thing. But I upgraded all of that on mine anyway, it isn't stock; and it all works great!

+Roderick Saunders Thanks!

Andy Kimmet I wouldn't mind more Chrome, for sure. The trunk I could take or leave. I enjoy the lack of top-heaviness.

sk8777kid1 Yeah, I love the dash!

***** Lots of rain, lots of flooding. And flooding leaves debris all over the roads. Means I need to stick to the main thoroughfares and not enjoy some of my favorite back roads, at least until it all clears up!

Romans Five|Eight Theres a good chance its going to get worse before its made right. So keep your eyes on the prize. Maranatha, yl

+Jim Germata Thanks Jim. I'd rather have clear actually; which is what I'm using. I don't like tinted windshields. Just personal preference. And the height is perfect for me; comes right to the tip of my nose.

+Brandon Seiler It's tough to say Brandon. Kawasaki does demo rides so you could see when the demo truck is coming around. Otherwise, certainly sit on it and see how the fit is. It's a shame you can't get a test ride.

+Romans Five|Eight I'm now a proud owner of a brand new 2015 vaquero :P

Giantmidgetmoto Thanks!

John Lightfoot Thanks so much!

triggerhappy012 Awesome! I loved my 900LT!

pyrofella Thanks!

Yeah it's a bold look, and not everyone likes it. I happen to like it; but I totally understand why others don't. I do think it looks a lot better with a big windshield.

Blackhawk 247 Awesome! Just take it easy, wear your gear, and you'll get there. Just takes a little time. You'll be amazed at how quickly you're comfortable on the machine.

RAVINFORONE Yeah, I probably should've opened that up and checked it out. Basically, there's two leads in the left glovebox that can connect to an iPod connector kit (sold separately), which can then connect to an iPod/iPhone. The kit also includes a foam 'block' that holds the device (so that it doesn't bounce around). I may do a detailed overview vid where I open things up and check things out, but the video was pretty long as it is!

NewZona Rides They are great!

+Owen Einarson I love the orange color. The Vaquero does come in black!

+Chris Caliente Haha, thanks!

u welcome

It certainly has plenty.

+stormoffires Well, that's because it IS sick :)

Kyle Baker Thanks, Man!

***** Well only at low speeds are you turning the bars meaningfully. It's true though that the headlight doesn't move with the bars, so that takes a bit. But it's actually a big advantage. Without any weight on the bars, and the addition of wind not 'grabbing' the bars it adds to comfort, especially on the interstate or in windy conditions. The fairing offers plenty of visibility. But, you're right, it's a different kind of visibility. I can look down through it and see the front wheel but, that's about it. It's different! But I like it.

vac0002 Thanks!

+Nathan Miller Hi Nathan! Fantastic question. The two bikes are COMPLETELY different species. That's my stepdads bike in the other video and I've ridden it several times. The R1200GS is something you don't mind dropping, have no problem parking anywhere, and gives you a sense that you can go anywhere. Sort of like owning an old pickup truck. It's still your baby, but you aren't afraid to get it dirty. The Vaquero needs a little more babying. It's less comfortable off of paved roads or in poorly maintained parking lots, and because of the immense weight, parking can be a problem. The BMW is more nimble, though one needs to get used to just how tall it is. The Vaquero is more comfortable on paved roads, for me. It's got big, soft suspension and it's supple going down the road. Thousands of miles on pavement is where it's at home. The BMW is a harsher ride, you feel a lot more through the bars and the seat, and the riding position leaves you wanting to stretch quite often. Naturally, the trade-off is in the BMW's ability. ALOT of this though, is in the suspension and tire selection of the GS. The RT model will be much smoother. The BMW R1200RT is probably one of the more comfortable options you're going to find! If that riding position works for you. It does for some, but not for all. Good luck!

Awesome! I'm sure you'll love it!

Baconator Green That's a terrible price. Leftover models go for $13~$14k at most dealers in the US. And yes, they are big!