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Kawasaki cruises to cool with new bagger motorcycle
Monday, 25 October 2010 | Written by Digits | Print | E-mail

It may be hard for newer riders to appreciate, but when the term bagger was first used around motorcycles, it wasn’t exactly meant as a compliment.

But the days of bikers being embarrassed about having a range of accessories on their motorcycle to help ease them along those long rides seem to be fading into two-wheeled history. Nearly every motorcycle manufacturer that rides into cruiser territory has embraced the very rawness of the bagger bike.

No stranger to helping their customers go the distance, Kawasaki have revealed a model for 2011 that romances the open road as well as the eternal image of the wandering biker.

Looking to the Spanish word vaquero, which means “cowboy”, Kawasaki have apparently designed the hulking bagger under the mantra of ‘whatever it takes’, at least to get riders into this new machine.

Featuring a massive 1,700cc SOHC liquid-cooled V-twin engine, the Vulcan Vaquero hides its powerhouse technology with retro looks, even as it delivers 108 foot-pounds of torque. The Vaquero’s advanced electronic fuel injection reportedly optimizes engine response without detracting from its distinctive V-twin throb. A water-cooled alternator produces a staggering 46.8 amps, plenty to power a selection of electronic accessories to enrich motorcycle travel. The Vaquero offers true touring-bike convenience in the form of its electronic cruise control system, conveniently operated from the right handlebar and usable at any speed between 30 and 85 mph in any of the top four gears.

Kawasaki's Bagger

The engine’s features include an overhead cam design, high compression and a long-stroke dimensional design that results in the sort of effortless low- and mid-range thrust that’s so desirable and useful in a big-inch cruiser. Vaquero’s throttle valve system works with the advanced electronic fuel injection to optimize engine response without detracting from its distinctive V-twin throb. The system utilizes an Accelerator Position Sensor (APS) and a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) that feed data to the ECU, which adjusts the throttle plates to tailor intake airflow accordingly.

Kawasaki's BaggerFollowing in the standard for cruisers, Vaquero’s 1700 cc engine runs it power through a six speed transmission with overdriven 5th and 6th gears, which contributes to a relaxed ride and excellent fuel economy at highway speeds.

Design-wise, the latest offering from Kawasaki highlights its sparing chrome against powder black components wrapped with fairings reminiscent of muscle cars from the 1970’s. While not design as radical as Victory’s Vision when first introduced some years ago, Kawasaki have made the lines of its Vaquero just different enough to catch the eye.

Coming in black, sorry Ebony and Candy Fire Red on the abbreviated fairing, sculpted tank and curvaceous bodywork is finished with a wildly shaped rear fender that integrates equally stylish taillight and turn signal assemblies.

Among the sweeping lines is a scooped saddle with a minimalist passenger pad. The seat height is just 28.7 inches and along with sporty one-piece seat the overall look is a low, long classic cruiser look. The frame holding all this hardware together is a single backbone, double cradle unit designed to be as slim and light as possible for an easy reach to the ground and optimal handling.

Kawasaki's Bagger

The fairing that has the muscle car vibes is supposedly lower than a traditional windshield or full fairing, but Kawasaki promises it still cuts a decent-sized hole in oncoming atmosphere, giving the rider a useful still-air cocoon in which to enjoy the ride.

Kawasaki's BaggerWith all the obvious effort that has gone into the over look and feel of the Vulcan Vaquero, it’s no surprise it sports hard-case side bags that lend themselves to the low, long, ultra stylish lines.

The cost of all this cool? The Vulcan Vaquero 1700 has a recommended sticker price of $16,499 with a webpage full of accessories to keep any biker confident their ride will look different from any other similar model they may come across in their travels.

Kawasaki seems to have married the current ‘chop-shop’ trend with their own distinct touch, and motorcycle manufacturers are finding the most success with touring models. Consequently, it should be interesting to see how the riding world takes to Kawasaki’s latest sleek offering.