Road test of KawasakiVN 1700 VOYAGER CUSTOM 2011 A custom tourer

let's face it: you don't approach the VN 1700 Voyager Custom in the same way as you would a young lady. With its size, its dimensions and its engine, this machine is impressive - enough when stationary, much more when driving. Affectionately nicknamed the "bagger", this big cruiser derived from the VN 1700 Voyager is lighter, more customizable, less predisposed to travel, taking only the bare essentials for a nice weekend on the coast.

big forkhead but small windshield, black color scheme, set of suitcases and hi-fi system, here's a brief overview of its standing. But before we set off, let's take a look at ourselves and our luggage. Perfectly integrated into the Voyager C's lines, the suitcases allow me to stow my backpack without too much trouble (I just have to press a little to close it), and a set of shoulder straps allows me to keep my belongings inside before closing the lid. On the other hand, there's no way to fit a full-face bag. Once you've arrived at your destination, you can leave your toiletries and weekend clothes inside, but you'll need to take your helmets with you.
Right in line with your hands, the fork-head returns house a glove compartment on either side, roomy enough to hold a wallet, a laptop and a Twix. For security, it's cool: both lock with a key. On the practical side, we'd have preferred one of these spaces to be blocked only by a latch, so that we could stash change and 2-3 other easily available items without having to turn off the ignition. The saddle is welcoming, the running boards long enough to support Michael Jordan's feet, and it's as we climb aboard that we begin to appreciate the bike's pretensions. It's not a 125, far from it, and lifting it off its stand makes you aware of the 380 kilos that will be shaking about. We immediately develop a great sense of respect, and take a few moments to show it, as if we wanted the bike to return our good graces.

let's take this time to discover this little limousine world. And let's start with what's annoying: on the imposing 20-liter fuel tank, a plastic cover looks a bit tacky. Underneath the belly, the engine, with its finely-worked surfaces, deserves better than plastic cylinder head covers. Admittedly, these are chrome-plated, but only a connoisseur will attach much importance to this detail. It's up to you to decide whether to quibble or not. The instrument cluster makes up for everything else, as it plunges us into another world. It looks like the dashboard of an old American car, with its charming meters and calligraphy from another era. The central digital display is perfectly integrated, showing trip times, average fuel consumption, range, gear engaged, etc....... The commodos are full of buttons, and it will take a while to get used to them. The others have left, so it's time to get started!

contact. All the hands make their check-up to and fro in a restrained movement. They seem to be taking their time, as if the day belonged to the crew about to set off. One push on the starter (which also serves as cruise control) and the big V-twin comes to life. Vrrbblommbb!!! His breath is there, sure, patient, almost calm. A light tap of the boot on the selector seems to awaken the gearbox: you can hear the linkage and almost feel the forks coming to the table. A moment later, the VN 1700 Bagger has taken off smoothly and is hurtling down the road. The first 3 meters are a little apprehensive, but then the machine reveals itself.... with ease. It's a complete surprise to be able to handle this big baby with such ease. In its evolutions, it shows a remarkable velocity that one would be far from imagining. It's almost like an aircraft carrier, with a hull so slender that you can use a gaunt hand to guide it. From that moment on, confidence takes over, and the driving takes over with a relaxed touch. A quick blast of music from the two side speakers, we brace our loins against the hill of the saddle, and we're cruising along the coastal road, savoring the call of the mimosas. The twin-cylinder engine lives on nicely, always responding and picking up from 2,000 rpm when called upon. With less character than a Milwaukee engine, the 1700 plays in a more subdued register... which doesn't mean it's placid. When you accelerate normally, it accompanies you in your effort, following your desire without wanting to pass you by. A sharper turn of the right hand, a more serious desire for vigor, and the tone changes. The 73 horsepower then respond as if trying to make up for the 14 mkg of torque that are shifting the rear tire. The engine pulls generously with a bad-tempered growl - this block is a mixture of muscle, fat and wrestler.

the "Bagger" has taken the Voyager's forkhead and made it less ostentatious by eliminating the additional headlights and shortening the windscreen to the minimum. This makes for a smoother line, but at the expense of protection. At speeds of 100 - 110 km/h, the wind signals its presence right at the forehead, creating a series of turbulences on the top of the helmet, just above the visor. However, this inconvenience is only noticeable when riding a bike that's not really in the temperament of this VN, designed for strolling and not for high-speed cruising; that's what the 1400 GTR is for.
If the windscreen is just for style, the "pig nose" is far more effective. The chest is perfectly protected, letting a delicate 'Toccata & Fugue' bounce towards the ears from the on-board Hi-Fi. A pre-wiring for iPod is stashed in one of the pockets, so you can take your discotheque with you. Don't forget a good pair of socks for the morning. The two front roll bars protect your legs in the event of a fall, but not against the cold. Your legs will split the air, and you'll feel its tickle (and coolness, where appropriate) on your ankles and shins.

a little cruise-control, a bit of R.E.M., a shapely passenger, and you're on your way to the highways. Perhaps before you get there, you'll have to navigate roads as twisted as a politician's mind. As I said earlier, no need to worry about moderate speeds, the Voyager Custom is a nimble machine if you show a little respect and a certain amount of experience; a few sparkling hugs between the road and the running boards won't upset the balance.
It's when you pick up the pace that the 1700 will be less inclined to put up with your whims. But that's the kind of riding no owner of this type of machine wants. A more instinctive riding style, with late corner entries and the pace of an excited young rooster, will soon put your enthusiasm into perspective. A limousine wheelbase, 450 kg of flesh and metal, reduced ground clearance (albeit correct for the category) and a severely limited capacity for improvisation are not the best companions for the arsouille. A spirited turn will reveal its exterior sooner than you might have imagined.

with a cubic capacity greater than that of a large magnum, the Kawasaki two-seater has plenty of room to move weapons and crew. The passenger seat is well padded, but impossible to hold onto. If you want to resist the twin's big scoops, it's either the rider's leather or a slide down the machine's spindly hindquarters. There's a slight complaint about the prominence of the right-hand crankcase at calf level, and a little more about the overall mass when it comes to making a U-turn. On the other hand, when it comes to engine torque and pulling power, you'll be well served. With the suspension in pullman mode, you're in the driver's seat. All you want to do is settle into a good 90 - 100 km/h and let the asphalt flow under your wheels until you run out of steam. The combined braking system delivers serious power, quickly felt at the tip of the lever.
In the Kawasaki cruiser range, the VN 1700 Voyager is a true majesty of the road. The Custom version presented here plays the role of a rebellious, selfish young prince. With a big engine, a hefty price tag and a style that's both discreet and striking, this colossus is aimed at a very specific clientele. But whether you're one of them or not, it's impossible to remain unmoved by its handlebars.

M.B - Photos Eric Célis and M.B