If you are looking for a custom bagger, this bike should make its way onto your short list. Buying this Kawasaki may be the rational choice, but buying a motorcycle is rarely a decision made for purely practical reasons. Harley-Davidson is still in business after more than a century because they are able to harness that je ne sais quoi that other manufacturers can’t, or likely aren’t interested in replicating.

If you are looking for a custom bagger, this bike should make its way onto your short list. Buying this Kawasaki may be the rational choice. (Photo: Dustin A. Woods/Moto123.com)

I was expecting to settle on a decisive winner between the Vaquero and the original from whence its inspiration came, but that decision is one that can only be made by the one writing the cheque. The Vaquero is no better or worse, just different. Considering this is the first attempt at getting into the ring with the champion of the segment, I have no doubt that it has created a buzz at a certain office building in Milwaukee.

Pros
Well-balanced, agile
Plenty of grunt
Usable gauges like gear indicator and fuel range
Positive neutral finder

Cons
Thirsty powerplant
Slight lack of refinement in several places
Missing that certain je ne sais quoi