Kawasaki hit the touring motorcycle in a big way in 2009 when it introduced its Vulcan 1700 line of touring motorcycles: the Classic, the Classic LT, the Nomad, and the Voyager. The Japanese manufacturer considers the Voyager the flagship of the 1700 group, saying it ""comes equipped with everything the serious touring rider needs to pile on the miles in comfort and style."" The list of goodies includes plenty of storage space, a large fairing, a sculpted touring seat, a sound system, and electronic cruise control. The Voyager has a 13.2-gallon lockable truck; lockable top-opening side cases each with the capacity to hold 10 gallons of stuff; and lockable glove boxes, one of which contains an iPod jack. The audio system includes two speakers with a radio as well as CB radio and iPod compatibility. Switches on the left handlebar are used to operate the sound system. The instrument panel has a classic automotive appearance and includes a multi-function LCD display that tells gear position and average fuel consumption, among other things. The 2010 Voyager has a sculpted seat for driver comfort on long rides. Passenger amenities include a roomy seat with padding on the trunk for back and arm support, and rear floorboards.
All four Vulcan 1700s share the same engine. The two Classic models have a 6.7-inch trail, while the trail for the Nomad and Voyager is 7 inches. The seats on the Classics are slightly lower than the other two. All four have low ground clearance--the Voyager only has 5.3 inches of clearance--so riders who aren’t careful may end up scraping the bike’s bottom on roads and when turning on curves. The Classic is the simplest model, while a height-adjustable windscreen, leather saddlebags, and seat and passenger backrests were added for the Classic LT. The saddlebags were replaced with hard, lockable cases for the Nomad. Depending on the model, color options for 2010 Vulcans are black, red, blue, and gray.