2018 Kawasaki Vaquero Test Ride

Took the 2018 Vaquero out for a test ride. I want to thank the folks at Family Power Sports in San Angelo, Tx for letting me take the bike out. I really like the color of the 2017 and 2018 models. These are nice bikes and I think anyone interested should take a ride on one! #motovlogger, #support

[@daironpower]

the smart man's road glide* much closer to reality.

[@chaz951]

🤣🤣🤣 well said....

[@rmccain99]

What you will pay for a water cooled Harley could by you two new Vaquero's! I will take the Vaquero any day.

[@1dlb]

thanks for this ... excellent video - the Vaquero is a great cruiser

[@djwiseguy1]

I got that bike last spring. Threw a WindVest 8” dark smoke shield on and no issues with the wind.

[@johnh7464]

Poor mans harley but can depend on it and know you won’t be sidelined during a long road trip. Love the look!

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

Damn straight!

[@TheGearedRaven72]

Very nice looking bike. Thanks for the review.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

Thanks for watching!

[@GARamblinMan]

I love the black color. I saw it at my local dealer last weekend and it sparkles in the sun. Good review. Take care and ride safe.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

It does sparkle!

[@2Big2Sexy]

I bought a 2015 and man I love it previous owner put aftermarket rims ,exhaust and handlebars on mine only thing I need to do is upgrade the stereo.

[@motomattman1878]

Good review! Thanks for the info.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

Thanks for watching!

[@dbest1aVlogs]

Hey nice demo Anthony . What a beautiful bike. I still am not crazy about the dash, but this one looks nice ... Hard to walk away from that one. I haven’t seen many bikes, or any that can cut the wind like the Road Glide.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

They are nice bikes!

[@SGTJDerek]

I want one so bad. A '12 or '19. Those are the 2 Paint jobs I like the most. It's a Kawi. You really don't need 6th unless you are on the HWY. They like they're Rev.s in spite of it being a V-Twin. Throws people off bigger than stink.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

I would prefer the '17 or '20 for my color choice!

[@brianstewart7061]

Nice ride, however I have never been sidelined on my Harley.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

There are tons of people who have never had an issue with their Harley. I personally would love to own a road king, but I just have a hard time when looking at maintenance costs versus other bikes. Even with me doing the maintenance myself. I just can't quite make myself commit. I am happy to hear your Harley has been a great bike! What model and year by chance? It seems like these newer M8 models have a few more issues than the previous generation.

[@brianstewart7061]

@@AnthonysWestTexasRides I ride a 2020 Road Glide Limited and no issues so far. I rode police Harleys for 14 years. No engine issues there either. Of course police are hard on equipment so anything we ride,drive or use is going to get abused. Harleys are built like tanks and made for police .

[@MoxieMike66]

I've been riding a 79' KZ1000 ST mainly for the 17yrs I've been riding. 2 different bikes, the first one I bought for $400 w/unknown mileage, the 2nd w/18k orig mi on it. Also had a 79' GL1000 "Naked" Wing w.8k orig mi. I bought a 21' Vaquero last Spring that was a brand new "leftover" which is my first "bagger". As I'm only 5'7", my biggest issue is getting used to this style of bike. Otherwise, it rides & handles pretty good for a 900+lb bike IMO. I bought the factory passenger backrest & luggage rack (which has a lock release w/a key so you can remove it) & the power outlet, added an aftermarket windshield. They do offer a factory backrest for the rider, I've never had one, but now I'm toying w/the idea. I ran over my foot not being used to having hard bags, so yeah, it smarts. Sprained my damn foot for over a month. Thinking about getting the ECU flashed. Honestly, I bought it because it was almost 1/2 the price of a similar Indian or Harley that I could find.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

They are great looking bikes and if you aren't interested in doing alot of after market add ons or upgrades then just doing the Ivan's flash and maybe a seat and heated grips will be great. I also agree you can get a really nice bike for 1/2 the price of the HD or Indian! I bought a 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour last summer, but I am already itching to trade it in on a GW F6B.

[@MoxieMike66]

@@AnthonysWestTexasRides I was interested in Victory before they shut down. Every time I found a great deal I didn't have the money. Now it's only Indian unless you buy used. My luck as usual.

[@rastroyfyah5630]

Great video and honest review I love these bikes..My Future

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

Thanks and thanks for watching!

[@devondickey9222]

Love the video man, very informative. I'm highly considering getting a Vaquero. On a totally separate subject, has anyone ever told you that you sound just like Eugene from The Walking Dead?? I'm just curious, I personally love his character. Anyways thanks again for the video man, take care and be safe out there

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

Lmao, my wife laughed when i read her that! I have never been told i sound like Eugene, but then again i don't realize how much of an accent i apparently have! Thanks for watching!

[@devondickey9222]

@@AnthonysWestTexasRides lol...that's funny. Yeah I know the feeling, I'm from Kentucky and when I went to Pennsylvania for college everyone I talked to made it apparent..haha. Accents never bother me, quit the opposite actually. Anyways loved the video, keep it up and take care ✌

[@rmccain99]

That bike is worth more than its Harley Cousin.

[@theeaselrider4032]

Tight, parking lot turns are more about turning your head, than the bike itself. Sometimes that means almost looking behind you, and provided you have even a bit of power to the rear wheel - even slipping the clutch a bit, the bike will just snap around easily. If you ever get the opportunity to take the same kind of training course the police forces use ( in North America, that's almost exclusively on a Harley Davidson ), it will improve your low speed abilities dramatically, but more importantly your confidence, which might be what saves your life one day. It's astonishing what these big bikes can do at low speeds, if you're taught correctly & practice regularly. High speed stuff is easy - basic laws of physics look after most of that for you. Slow-speed is where skill & practice come into play.It's the guys whose feet come out like landing gear at around 10 mph, that show a complete lack go confidence at slow speed. To my mind anyone buying a big bagger/touring bike should have to complete a course like that. Better for them & better for others on the road around them.

[@rcafmaintainer3723]

I have the 2014, bought new in 2015. I was looking at the road-glide, couldn't justify the money. I was close to buying a used roadie 2008 and was going to cost more than a brand new vaquero!! I have done the Ivan flash and have cobra exhaust and intake, wakes up the beast really good, can now run with the 114 and will eat the 107!! It is a cruiser/bagger so not a drag bike, Ivan's work makes it run 100% better and that is the selling feature!! I stuck with the windvest 8. tried the klockwerks shields, didn't work for me. 5'8"

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

awesome, I love the 2014 orange model! Good to hear about the flash's performance! It will be one of the first upgrades I make. I plan on selling my Vstar 1300 and using that money to make the upgrades I want to the Vaquero I end up buying next year.

[@brianwest5348]

@@AnthonysWestTexasRides I have a 2014 Vstar 1300 tourer and the wind beats me to death on this bike. Wish i would have taken a closer loook at the Vaquero.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

@@brianwest5348 i ride an '07 1300 tourer. I have no problems on it, just wish it had a 6th great and cruise. I have a few ride videos on my bike too. Sorry to hear you are getting beat up by the wind! I agree though, i wish i hsd been a little more patient and found a vaquero. I will get one next year, i told my wife i would ride the 1300 for 4 yrs before i got rid of it.

[@SJJsolomonSJJ]

Who’s going to ding you for to much noise in the desert🤔 😂😂😂😂

[@buddywilson104]

I love my 2018. Awesome bike. Sounds like you short-changed it a little bit.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

Sorry if I "short-changed" it, I love this bike. I have since ridden a few more and it has become one of my favorites and will most likely be my next bike. This was also my very first vlog ride video I had made, even though I didn't post it until later.

[@buddywilson104]

@@AnthonysWestTexasRides All respect my friend...great bike!!

[@morrisdennis]

I ride a road glide limited 114, and think that is a excellent choice, i almost bought one.

[@rolandkeith5322]

Hey buddy jumped onto your channel for a video by Dbest1a’s Ride So you picked up a new sub

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

Thanks, I haven't made any new videos in a while because my camera battery decided to corrode and kill my Sena Prism Tube. I finally got a new one, but then decided to go back to school. I am hoping to get some more videos up soon.

[@rolandkeith5322]

@@AnthonysWestTexasRides Well it will be good to see some now vids and I will keep my eye open for them

[@JustinHicks82]

Ok bud, you have rode the Vaquero, last generation goldwing, the Yamaha Venture, and a Harley Road Glide. ....... if all the bikes cost the same and you got to pick your flavor, which would you choose? Also, would like to see you get on an Indian Roadmaster or the new Chieftain. I think Indian is a legitimate competitor in this segment. Thanks for your vids, I am one who appreciates a lengthy ride and review video. -Hicks from Mont Belvieu, TX

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

You know I have ridden only 1 Chieftain about 4 years ago and I loved the power and the adjustable windshield. However, I thought that model's seat sucked and the bars didn't fit me that well so that bike left a "meh" impression on me. That being said, I love the new Indian Chieftain. the fairing design is improved and I really like the seat and the shape of the bags. I just don't have an Indian dealer anywhere around me unless I ride 2 hours down the road and I haven't had the opportunity to do that yet. All right to your main question. If all the bikes were the same price, I would choose the Venture, it was just a plush, smooth, uber comfortable ride and the exhaust note just edges out the Goldwing for me. That being sad, in real life my current 2 bikes I am back and forth on the fence about for next year are the Vaquero and the Goldwing F6B Deluxe. I keep going back and forth on that V-twin I love versus the super smoothness I am finding that I also love in a price range I think I am more willing to pay than the Yamaha Eluder that I would ultimately love to have(wow, run on sentence!). This is all based on the fact that I haven't been able to compare an Indian in the mix either or ride the new Goldwing as I am a huge fan of the new styling. Thanks for watching, I am trying to get more videos out but my camera battery won't charge and I am waiting on a new battery so I can get to vlogging again.

[@JustinHicks82]

Anthony's West Texas Rides whoa, Anthony thanks for such an impressive response. I agree, the price point of the Vaquero is sooo damn hard to beat. I feel like all the bikes these days are a fine choice, kind of like trucks. All will be dependable, strong and stylish. In another video you made a statement that really spoke to me along the lines of “you don’t mind riding a poor man’s harley”. Its a shame that the prices are so high on these machines again just like trucks. I mean, a new Ymaha/Harley/Indian cost is equivalent to a new vehicle that has A/C and a heater. Its ridiculous. But, big but, its still fun to dream and salivate over these machines that are hard to obtain. You my friend, whether you realise it or not provide a great service to folks. The new battery cant arrive soon enough lol. Keep up the fine work.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

@@JustinHicks82 One of the other things I like about the vaquero and older F6B is the lack of touch screen. I just want a radio, cruise control and storage. I might put on an aftermarket TPMS, but really don't care for the touch screen and navigation. I can use my phone for that if I really needed it. Plus it's just more electronic gadgetry to go wrong down the road, imo. Not saying they don't have value, just not so much for me. Thanks for the comment! I love motorcycles in general, but i have always ridden used bikes in the lower price range. I can afford to get one of the more spendy bikes, but I can't seem to allow myself to go over $15k. I prefer $10-12K as I feel that is a range I am most comfortable with. I try to ride anything I can get my hands on, I plan on doing a test ride on a Suzuki Burgman (scooter) we have at my dealership just to ride it and see what it's like. I am also trying to get on another goldwing/f6B just cause I feel like I need more ride time on that bike. I have caught a lot of flack for the "lack of character" comments I made on my goldwing ride video. lol

[@thelost_woods]

@@AnthonysWestTexasRides agreed. I think what draws me most to the Vaquero is the lack of a touch screen. I'm always thinking of the long run and one day down the road all these touch screen bikes will have lag and be outdated and may not even be usable.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

@@thelost_woods Yep, I feel there can be such a thing as too much information on a bike and it detracts and/or distracts the rider. The vaquero has all the things I would like, cruise, radio, abs. The touchscreen stuff is just something that will fail at somepoint down the road and be a true pain/expense to replace! I am still torn between the vaquero and the GW F6B. I will be ready in a year, after I finish school, to get my next bike. I will have to ride an F6b and vaquero against each other to decide which I would rather have.

[@JustinHicks82]

When will you be putting more videos together. Been almost a year huh?

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

Sorry, my camera crapped out on me about a year ago and I have been going back to school this last year on top of the full-time job. I finally got a camera, but haven't had much time to do any more videos and my dealership hasn't really had anything for me to ride lately either. Covid also isn't making it any easier since I got my new camera right around the time that all started and I am trying to be careful since my wife is immunocomprimised.

[@JustinHicks82]

Anthony's West Texas Rides best of luck to her with this crap going on. Always enjoyed your videos Take care bud

[@clinteads5423]

Greetings. As a rider considering a Vaquero for my next motorcycle, is it possible to travel with a Roll Bag on the rear seat WITHOUT a passenger backrest? It is hard to know for sure just by looking at photos, but it seems there may not be any place to attach straps to secure a bag with the motorcycle in the stock configuration. Thanks in advance!

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

You might have to get creative, the quick disconnect hooks are probably your best bet. That depends on the type of bag you have too!

[@clinteads5423]

@@AnthonysWestTexasRides I have some a couple of sets of Rok-Straps that work great with any bag, the possible issue I see with the Vaquero in Stock trim (no passenger backrest or mounting brackets) is the lack of places to attach the straps to.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

@@clinteads5423 yeah, the passenger pegs area the only spot i see. Unless you have a bag thst has a bottom hook posts that can mount under the seat

[@highmilagerider1154]

Grasshopper makes a drivers backrest for this bike and the voyager

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

true, I am not impressed with the build quality personally. I feel it could be beefed up a little more, but that is also just my opinion. I have heard many people say they like the Grasshopper and it is by far the most affordable backrest option out there. thanks for watching!

[@highmilagerider1154]

I have one in my 2014 Kawasaki Nomad 1700ABS. I have 164,000km on the bike and no problems with the backrest so far. Unfortunately Kawasaki discontinued there’s in 2015. Great video by the way!

[@chrisstewart1465]

I ride a V Star 1300, I joke with my Harley friend's that it's my Yamahog.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

I had a Yamahog 1300 Tourer for 5 yrs! Those are great bikes!

[@nosillafarooq]

How would you compare this to the eluder? Which one would you buy? And why?

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

The vaquero is nice seems it is easier to find deals on used ones. Down here in Texas summer rides are hot, so the liquid cooled vaquero is a plus. However, i have not rode a bike that has fit me more perfect than the eluder. The eluder, has larger floor boards which is great. It is also vibration free in the boards, seat, and grips like a goldwing. More storage too. I think i would learn towards the eluder, even with the air cooled engine in Texas!

[@morrisdennis]

If hd went out of business I'd buy one in a second...

[@markangelogarcia2584]

im a owner of a tmax 2012 wanting to upgrade soon should i pick this over the 2019 tmax which is slightly cheaper than this bike(on my place) im a short rider 5"6ft tall

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

that is a hard one, you are talking about moving from a "scooter/moped" to an actual cruiser (only in the sense of body position, I am not knocking moped/scooter HP). I know there are luvern lowering links some individuals have installed on their vaqueros. You really just need to sit and test ride one to decide if you can make it work or not. 5'6" will be right in that area where you may or may not be able to flat foot the bike depending on your inseam. I have a 30" inseam and have no issues flat footing the bike.

[@white_devil73]

You should pick a Harley

[@markangelogarcia2584]

@@white_devil73 nah harley bikes based on owner/bikers review in my country are broke alot and are expensive to maintain

[@white_devil73]

@@markangelogarcia2584 It's all good man. I just love a Harley. The reliability has gotten much better but they are indeed expensive to maintain. Here where I live, a service is about $400 U.S. That does include a lifetime warranty though. The vaquero is a sharp looking bike, but I have to agree with the original poster. You're going from a scooter to a full grown dresser. That's a huge jump. I'm not saying dont do it. Just be careful. That's a lot of bike with a lot more power than you had before. Keep the rubber down and stay safe.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

@@white_devil73 i am not sure about alot more power, some of these scooters will surprise you!

[@northrider8628]

For those saying the Harley Davidson isn't comparable to the Kawasaki blah blah blah, you definitely haven't spent time on a 2019 Harley Davidson Roadglide. Witch is the bike that is closest to the Kawasaki. Yep it's more money but its also more bike. With that said i would be very happy to own a new Kawasaki vaquero. But I would take the new Harley Davidson Roadglide over it if money didn't make the decision.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

Yeah, if money was not part of the equation I would take the roadglide over the vaquero.

[@saxarra43]

Hate how the saddlebags open from the side.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

I actually prefer that over the voyager model bags, but I get what you are saying. Something aftermarket in its place might be better, but the bags do blend in with the rear of the bike nicely.

[@morrisdennis]

Kawasaki owns 40% of hd anyway, does it matter?

[@FattyMateo]

Who taught you how to get on a motorcycle from the right side?

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

When you are tall enough and limber enough, you can swing your leg over from which ever side you want!

[@addicted2baseballrgd21]

Police in California mount on the high side, because you're away from traffic. Doesn't make sense to me, you have no leverage if the bike drops.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

@@addicted2baseballrgd21 The bikes are still on their kick stand and I don't even move it till I am on the seat and then lift it off of the kick stand (for cruiser's anyway). For taller adventure style bikes, I usually swing over from the kickstand side. Not sure why this is a big deal though, to each their own. If you want to jump on the seat from the back of the bike, do what you want.

[@addicted2baseballrgd21]

@@AnthonysWestTexasRides lol, it's not a big deal. Don't know why you're getting defensive. You already explained yourself. You stated "you can swing your leg over". I'm talking about the average rider, who puts their weight on the high side foot peg, too climb over the bike and mount. Sometimes their weight takes the bikes weight off of the kickstand, and now the bike is not balanced. The rider can hold the bike up from low side, but has to pull the bike from the high side.

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

@@addicted2baseballrgd21 ahh, np. In that circumstance I wouldn't mount the bike that way personally, you would have to take extra care to make sure and not pull it over on yourself like you stated.

[@rmccain99]

I can't spell.

[@rastroyfyah5630]

Its a vaquero Hardleys cannot compare

[@whitegoodman7465]

fuck harley.

[@larrymickey3419]

Instead of Poor Man's Harley how about Smart Man's Harley!!!

[@AnthonysWestTexasRides]

I like that one!