Motorcycle specifications KawasakiVN 1700 VOYAGER CUSTOM 2012 A custom tourer

is Kawasaki eager to conquer America? The VN 1700 series seems to confirm it, with this new Voyager Custom cruiser. A big cruiser, as the Americans like them, but less ostentatious than the 1700 Voyager liner. In fact, Kawa presents its own interpretation of... a Harley Street Glide. That's right: to please the Americans, you have to be American. And over there, Milwaukee remains the benchmark when it comes to custom bikes.

Depending on how you look at it, you'll be tempted to say "copy" or "inspiration". Stylistically, the Street Glide is almost immediately recognizable, but Kawa has explored the track and played with the lines to give it more identity. Using the VN 1700 Voyager as a base, the manufacturer took to the drawing board to strip the machine down, give it a Bagger feel and lighten the overall package. It's quite simple: it looks as if a large disk saw has cut off the entire top. The fork head has lost 80% of its bubble, as have the additional headlamps. The cavities where the latter were housed now resemble air intake tubes; or 80s hair dryers. Gone are the leg protection covers, and bye-bye to the big trunk that doubled as a passenger backrest. The suitcases are still there, but their opening system has changed. In short, a lighter, more dynamic cruiser; darker too. Black seems to be an all-round guest on this Voyager Custom. Except on the dashboard console, where chrome is used to dress up the array of control dials.
In fact, Kawa is offering a customization base aimed at a younger audience, so that everyone can create HIS own tourer.

The 1700 cm3 twin is the heart of the beast. In full view and only hidden by its black eyes, the big twin will be more at home here - 24 kilos lighter than the behemoth Voyager. Its 14 mkg of torque will be able to take care of the road and cruising. The K-ACT ABS will be on hand to calm the steed's ardor, leaving the peace and quiet and the iPod-compatible hi-fi equipment to pamper the crew.

The Voyager Custom is obviously less expensive than the Voyager : 2,000 euros less, to be exact. It will round out Kawa's range of touring models, offering more hooded styling than the 1700 Tourer without the Voyager's impressive mass. But it won't have an easy time of it against the 1690 Street Glide and the new challenger Victory and its 1700 Cross Country.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos