Is The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero Just a CHEAP Harley? 

It's not a "cheap Harley", it's a good Kawasaki...

I suspect this 'cheap' Harley is far more reliable with superior engineering than the 'premium' brand.

Dude really focused on channeling his inner Doug Demuro on this one.

the analog gauges are a throwback to classic american muscle car aesthetics

It's 10 times the bike a harley is,the facts speak for themselves! 😊😊😊😊

I bought a 21' almost 2yrs ago new. It'll chirp the rear tire speed shifting on the highway and lift the front end. Not bad for a bike I paid 18k for, which was thousands less than a comparable HD or Indian. I did put a slightly taller windshield on it, about 4-5" to reduce buffeting.

I have the same bike, know it’s a little clunkier than the modern HD and Indian but much cheaper and I like the styling better. Done some simple mods: 11inch windscreen, Ivan tune, Freedom Performance exhaust, Eagle Lights LED headlight swap, I listen to tunes through my Garmin Bluetoothed from my phone. Side opening cases are fine since I use fitted liners when I travel anyway.

The problem with this category is the aftermarket is made for Harley.

Man. I gotta hand it to you. Your review was incredibly detailed and thorough. Well done. You really cover all the details!! Nothing left out. Keep it up.

😂😂 I would have loved to hear the "Good, Bad, Ugly " music, when he turned on the radio. 😅😂😂🤣🤣

It's long overdue for an update tbh, the only thing that's changed on this bike since it's debut is the ever increasing price tag

I've been riding for nearly 30 years now. Not a bike snob, I can usually find the merits for any bike. I owned and rode 60k miles on a Vaquero and never had a mechanical or electrical problem with the bike. I personally do think they need an update, It's been the same bike since 2011 without any type of noteworthy update except the linked braking. They need more manufacturer options as well. The sound system, in fact the entire dash, is severely outdated. The only real problem I had with the bike was it's lack of character and horrible lean angle. Ivan's flash woke it up, but even an aftermarket exhaust couldn't fix it's lack of character. It's a super solid bike for people who want to put carefree miles on. As an aside, the true HP and TQ numbers are 75 hp and 99 tq on the dyno. There's not a whole lot you can do to increase those numbers. You can get it up to 90 hp and 115 tq with exhaust, an intake mod and a flash, but there is no cam chest kit or big bore kits available on the consumer market if anywhere. I'm getting a little long in the tooth for a 950lb wet weight bike so decided to step down in size to a HD Street Bob 107. I have 2 of those now. One is a tastefully modified daily pushing 130 hp and 145 tq. My other one is a weekend machine pushing 175 hp and 190 tq with a turbo. I can honestly say that my daily is bulletproof. I've added some Villain2Hero bags and a Road Warrior fairing on top of my performance mods and have never had an issue with multiple 3000+ mile trips. The other positive is that it has a ton of character. It sounds absolutely amazing under load and has a nice deep rumble at idle. It's torquey, but manageable even when it's raining and I'm navigating wet roads in more urban areas. I've done all the work myself from engine, cams, primary, bars, wiring and even paint. Also, you're saving well more than 4k at todays market. You can readily find an unused, but new Vaquero for well less than MSRP. You aren't finding a Road Glide sold under or even at MSRP. Usually 3-4k over + shipping etc.

NOT a cheap Harley in fact it's much better then a Harley in so many ways. Just to name a few better ride, water cooled, more reliable and a lot more Bike for the money!

I didn't consider "any other" bike when I bought my Voyager. I love the 1700cc (103.7 cubic inch, might as well call it a 104) engine and it sounds more like a race tuned Vtwin rather than an engine that is loud and clunky. Yes, I did the Ivan tune and substantially increased the HP and Torque to keep up with the bikes out there with larger engines. I love the fact that with the Kawasaki, you get reliability and longevity. "Follow your heart, not the crowd"

At times I thought I was listening to Borat explain the motorcycle to me. Loving my '23 Voyager! Thanks for the video.

Love the look on the Vaquero.

You NAILED the Demuro style my man 👍👍👍 excellent review, thank you! Keep the videos coming.

God I love this bike! Good job Kawasaki!

Great review!

Overdrive is a gear ratio in the transmission not something they mapped into the ECU.

I have a 2019 and love no problems at all.

This man is an interesting speaker. He knows the subject well. Like it.

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Good to see a combined arm waving, dancing and motorcycle review combined. I was exhausted by the end of the video.😅

Beautiful Kawa!!!!!!

I have not reviewed a Harley yet. Maybe I’ll fall in love with one when I do

I have a 2011 vaquero. I absolutely love it. Shits on a Harley road glide Freedom performance dual exhaust on that bike Gauges come from old school muscle cars Literally this bike was designed to appeal to people who like a old school classy but modern bike Wouldn’t trade mine for anything

I have a 21 and at first I hated the KACT but after a couple “oh shit” moments it’s really grown on me. Great bike and you get a lot for your money

Hey Emad, i wonder if its possible for you to review the Aprilia RS 660, its a motorcycle thats been out for a few years now but its quite interesting how they kinda changed the mid weight sportbike game 😄

I have a 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero 1700 ABS and it looks better than the Harley Davidson Road Glide/ Street Glide. Everything's updated. Everyone think it's a Harley but it's a Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero.

That bike has nice slip on exhaust.

I wish the saddle bags were opened from the top rather than the side where stuff falls out when opened as well as I wish they had a infotainment system rather than analog.

Kawasaki bikes stand on their own merit...sick of the constant comparisons with HD actually.. Jus' sayin'!

I grew up riding Suzukis and Hondas. I own a Harley now but only because it’s a Harley. My Suzukis and Hondas were much more reliable and cheaper to maintain. Plus Harley dealers are the worst. I finally have a Harley but won’t buy another.

not being broke down is a major plus, you can always get a GPS

I’ve been looking to upgrade from my shadow 750. After some comparisons this Kawi is in the running as my upgrade. The equivalent in HD or Indian is out of my reach. I’m not a 1%er or a brand guy.

Informative video. 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 here. The Vulcan is a sweet intermediate cruiser (sadly lacking a 6th gear) and whose sweet range is 50-65mph. Would consider moving up to the Vaquero for longer highway trips (and less high speed buzz!) but the 250lb weight difference is a deal breaker for me at 74yo. Even the 900 (at 625lbs) is a chore to drive in heavy city traffic, while the Vaq, at some 900+lbs must be a slow torture. A gentle Suggestion: I do find your constant emphatic hand waving to be distracting and mildly irritating. Reminds me of Doug Demure who I can no longer stand listening to for more than 30 seconds.

Would be awesome to see how this stacks up against the Indian Challenger and the Honda Goldwing

I'd like to see a radio delete kit than a 20 year old radio on a 2023/4 bike. Just ditch it, were probably not gonna use it anyways.😂

Is this a good first bike? I was thinking of buying the Vulcan 900 classic LT for my first bike

They need an optional tour pack and this bike would be even better than it already is.

you add a reliable GPS, and not pay for the unreliable frustrating electronics of the upscale bikes, its a great value

The font is from American Muscle cars from the 60s and 70s

Absolutely a knockoff of Harley, but they did it right for the most part. The engine and transmission is bullet proof, the rear suspension is much better. And it’s cheaper than the over priced Harley. Ps I’ll put my voyager/vaquero to any road glide be it slow race, police course or a quarter mile.

That bike needs to be updated

Kawasaki should at least offer an updated infotainment unit

He is just going on and on and on now on. Killing me with his incessantly endless droning.

is 3rd gear fixed yet? what is mpg? how large is fuel tank?

They have a new one on clearance for 17999 near me. For that price its a steal

I have 10,000 miles on my 23 Voyager. It was my first 900lb+ bike. I have been primarily loyal to the big 4 as i have multiple bikes in my garage. I have not had many complaints about my big Voyager in a year of ownership...until i bought my first Harley. A 24 Heritage 114. I take no great pride in saying this but the Voyager does not compare in any way, any category or any fashion whatsoever to my Harley. My mind is blown. And thats an honest fact. Its important to realize this bikes strength is entirely in the fact its a bargain full dresser. If you keep that train of thought its a very nice bike. But a Harley it most definitely is not

What about the top speed of 140mph owners say if you have eclipse over 120mph please let me know thank you

Doug wants his format back.

...like there's something wrong with being so successful, so good at what you do, you've actually created "a cheap Harley," you've 'out Harleyed Harley?' Whoa doggies.

This bike just needs to update the radio. USB and get rid of the Aus Jack.

How does the resale compare after about 4 years?

A road glide that you don't have to build the motor and suspension when u by it.

Bluetooth & gps please

They are some nice bikes, but Kawasaki needs to get on the ball and update a few things such as the stereo, LED lighting, and I think the saddlebags should be top opening. LED lighting is a safety upgrade that should be standard on EVERY bike from every manufacturer. They could still do these things and the bike would still be affordable. Lighting and the Stereo being that antiquated is inexcusable if you ask me.

no blutooth is BS almost a deal breaker.

I wonder what Los Vaqueros MC has to say about this lol

I understand that you can use regular gas in this bike. I wonder if that's true?

HD is the American old-school typewriter with all electronics made in Milwaukee by union workers. Well, Who installed it? Hopefully, you didn't get one made on Friday..

"All the bits and bobs and gadgets," I think you meant to say "All of it's quirks and features."

I have heated grips on my Vaquero....

With all the saving you can just do some upgrades

needs an update,

Actually, BOTH 5th and 6th are “overdrive”.

I’ll keep my goldwing

I love the review except the horsepower torque rating…. Even an H2R would only score a 9 on your scale…?!? The Triumph Rocket & Ducati Panagale V4 would only score a 7!!!

i like this guy, lets hope he does well as he is very entertaining

Just FYI, doing the rounds to raise awareness... We're almost ready to go with our bluetooth adapter on the Vulcan. Here's a preview video of what we have: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ld4mN_OGpP4.html

i wonder what language his mother speaks to get that accent ?

I wish Kawasaki would put the motor in a lean Vulcan. aka... better than a Harley Breakout

Cheaper than a Harley? Oh, yes! Definitely a LOT cheaper than an Overpriced, Overrated, Harley! BETTER than a Harley? ABSOLUTELY AND DEFINITELY WAY BETTER than any and every Harley! I have a 2016 Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager 1700 that I bought recently to replace the 2005 Yamaha Road Star Silverado 1700 that an elderly woman (87 years old) TOTALED when she Rear-ended me while I was stopped at a traffic light behind several other cars! And I loved that Yamaha, it was THE BEST motorcycle I've ever owned, and I've owned a lot of motorcycles. My first motorcycle was an old "Harley Davidson Electra Glide." It was stripped down (no saddle bags, windshield, etc.) but it was a Harley! That one CURED ME on Harley's! Constantly having to work on it, and when it did run it was too heavy and cumbersome to handle. And the COST, let's not even get into that one! The "H.D." doesn't really stand for "Harley Davidson," it stands for "Hundred Dollars!" Because everything costs more than $100. And several of my friends bought Harley's, and they were "constantly having to WORK on it" and "put more MONEY in it." Every time we planned a group ride, the "Harley owners" wanted to have a special "WORK on our bikes time" before the Ride! Sorry, but I don't buy motorcycles to have to constantly WORK on them. I buy them to RIDE! I like to RIDE because it's ALL about the RIDE! It's about the JOUNEY... NOT the destination! And I buy the ones that are DEPENDABLE and WELL-BUILT and don't COST me a lot of money just because of "the name" on it. Like the Expensive Leather boots, coats, vests, and chaps, with the "Official Harley-Davidson Logo" on them that are ALL "Made in Pakistan" (the country of OUR ENEMY)! Over the years, I've owned that 1 Harley, a couple Kawasaki's, a Triumph, several Yamaha's and even more Honda's. I considered buying a couple BMW's and Suzuki's but never bought one. I've owned 3 Goldwing's (a 1979, 1982, & 1985) and a few Honda 750-Four's and 550-Four's and Yamaha Virago's. For 50 years I've been more of a fan of Honda's and Yamaha's. I bought this 2016 Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager VN1700, and after putting 1,000 miles on it in the last 3 weeks, I think this one is my "New ALL-TIME Favorite!" I like it even better than the Yamaha 1700 that some woman rear-ended because she obviously was NOT "Paying Attention." Either she was not paying attention to her driving, OR she was too old and had too many health issues to be a "Competent & SAFE" driver! Either way, I got 2 broken ribs a badly sprained shoulder and 2 large hematoma's on my legs and "my Favorite" bike now Totaled because of her. But I thank GOD that I'm not dead, and my body is healing, and I'll be okay. And for those who like to "boast" that "Harley's are Made in AMERICA!" Correction, Harley's are "Assembled" in AMERICA, using MANY Communist Chinese made parts! There are several models of Honda's and Yamaha's (and some other "Jap bikes") that are also "Assembled" in AMERICA! But they're built with Japanese AND AMERICAN made parts. Japan is "OUR" ally! China is "OUR" ENEMY! I'll buy from (and financially support) those who are MY FRIEND & ALLY rather than those who are MY ENEMY!

There's nothing cheap about that bike that box around eighteen nineteen thousand dollars

There is no actual data I can find to substantiate that a Kawasaki will outlast or is more reliable than a Harley "based on Kawasaki's track record." I've persoanlly seen both have their share of great and bad examples. From my personal experience, the Kawasaki is cheaper to maintain and own. But also, both deliver unique and compelling value propositions.

The Vaquero does not even come close to the Harley when it comes to refinement. You should have left it with it is a bargain bagger that is great for its price point.

I wish they would make this bike to compete with the road king special. I was really interested in this bike but the antiquated front cluster/radio design turned me away.

I have a 2014 Vaquero special edition and a 21 Road Glide. I hate to say it but the Vaquero doesn't hold a candle to the Harley. I still enjoy riding the Vaquero but she will be up for sale soon. Kawasaki literally has done nothing to the Vaquero since 2011 with the exception of ABS brakes.

I wish it was offered cheaper but without a useless stereo. Let's be honest: my Cardo EDGE JBL intercom and iPhone most likely outperform any expansive fancy motorcycle stereo and touchscreen dashboard. Yes, a screen that supports wireless CarPlay can be useful. But, stereo still is the most useless motorcycle feature ever.

The honest truth about a metric vs a Harley..... much less ownership cost- its a limited maintenance bike.

I do not like 'mat' paint and I still like chrome....

Vulcan Voyager is even a better value... almost the same bike, just minor improvements.

There are so many reasons why the road glide is a better deal and better value even though it cost $4000 more. Kawasaki needs to reevaluate if they think someone touring America doesn't want or need infotainment. From color options, infotainment, dealership available along the road to customizing and performance upgrades, Harley is the clear winner. I hated Harleys for most of my life. I've only owned metric bikes. But wanted something that was better for touring. The vaquero is the bike I wanted.........but I bought a Harley. And I'm glad I did.

Every time I get on a cruiser I ask myself is this just a cheap Harely! Then I get on a harely and I'm like is this just a cheap Indian and after that I get on a yamaha and I'm like is this just a cheap truimph then I realize I should just be happy with the bike I have and not compare it to a company whose fastest motorcycle is an adventure bike.

new harley davidsons... are the cheap harley davidsons.. (build quality and engineering wise). when you buy a new harley davidson, you're paying for the name and prestige... and you're also helping dig them out of that bottomless pit of debt that they're in...

It’s only 2000 less than Harley and has little resale value.

Harley is a cheap Harley. Just scrap.

I like this bike, BUT why buy this when you can get a bike that will kill the road glide cvo and is cheaper than the road glide with way morenoptions than either bike...Indian Challenger

What's wrong with a cheap harley?

Slow down bro you might get a ticket

Nothing cheap about that bike they're asking $27,000 in the info system on it's the same for the last 10 years😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

1:29 If I am only saving $4000 then I'm buying the HD....

What makes the Vaqueros look cheap is Kawasaki cheap paint job of flat black everywhere. It looks like crap and a big turn off. The design and the build of the Vaquero in some ways is superior to a Harley 60 year old design.I love Harley’s! I’ve ridden both bikes and the Vaquero handles and rides easier. Why pay up almost $20,000 more for the name of Harley. It doesn’t ride or maintain any better than the Vaquero. Any one can do a lot with $20,000 in your pocket,plus most folks can’t tell the difference between the two bikes.

It is a good bike ,andcheaper indeed but it does not have the power nor torque the HD has but for the money it is a very good bike that should not be compared to any Harley Davidson.

Why does everybody that don’t own a Harley seem bitter at them? That skit at the end is bs 24:00 you talk shit on the bike that that one is built to imitate, 🤦‍♂️ and that bike cost as much as a basic road glide when it’s all said and done.

Bro they make motorcycles for men. They're called Harley davidson

I wouldn't buy a motorcycle named Vaquero

Cheap copy and ugly. No resale value. Requires an Ivan tune right off the floor. Dated console and stereo. Lots of plasti-chrome and cheap paint. If it was 6k cheaper then all this would be ok. As it is no thanks. But if it makes you happy then I say ride and enjoy.

I traded my Vaquero in for an Indian Challenger. I will never look back. Challenger is a far better bike than the Vaquero and Road and Street Glides