voyager steering wobble

[carm]

Just bought a 03 voyager which has a low speed steering wobble. Since visiting this site I have come to find out it is a pretty common problem. I have purchased and installed a super brace and there is no noticeable difference. I've tighten all the bolts at the triple tree and still nothing. Is there anything else that can be done to eliminate this?

[inthechateau]

Sounds like a tire problem to me. I had that on a Z1 one time and the only fix was to replace the front tire. It is like the belts in the tire are seperated or something.

[carm]

This is definitely not a tire issue. If you are standing still, sitting on the bike and shake the handlebars side to side, the lower front end continues to shake when you stop and the handlebars are still. It's like the fork is made of rubber.

[Ken]

Low speed wobble on the Voyager is a known issue. Many Voyager riders install a super brace (model 4412 on superbrace.com). It was a documented problem in the Sping 2003 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News.

[carm]

I installed a superbrace. absolutely no change. Also tighted all bolts related to triple tree and front fork.

[Ken]

Sounds like something you may have to live with. From what I've read, the Voyager riders just seem to get used to it, live with it, or sell it.

[ltdrider]

I'm new to Voyagers.
My '96 has some wobble in the steering, most noticable at about 25 mph. I think it can be tightend up by snugging the large nut above (I think) the triple tree. It's a big nut with slots for a special spanner.
I don't have a service manual yet, so I don't know the procedure, but it must be written down somewhere.
Anyone ever done this?

[Buddy G]

Originally Posted by carm

Just bought a 03 voyager which has a low speed steering wobble. Since visiting this site I have come to find out it is a pretty common problem. I have purchased and installed a super brace and there is no noticeable difference. I've tighten all the bolts at the triple tree and still nothing. Is there anything else that can be done to eliminate this?

CARM,
The large steering nut can be tightened with a chisel after loosening the large steering nut. Watch overtightening your steering will become very hard. Only tighten 1/4 turn at a time and test to see if slack disappears. Not all voyagers have this problem, I have a 96 with no problem. Many times tires will also cause the same symtoms. You will always have a little wobble at slow speed when making a tight turn, just something that we get use to. If you have anyother ? go to the voyager home site, those guys know more about our bikes than kawasaki themselves. If I can help let me know, you got a great touring and everyday bike,almost completely bullet proof, you'll learn to love it.

[inthechateau]

It almost sounds to me like either you have no air in the front shocks or your shock strut bushings inside the forks are worn real bad. I just replaced the seals in my front forks on an 86 XII and I ended up replacing all the slider bushings as well. Check you air pressure, if it is ok have some one hold the HB's steady while you physically try to torsions the front wheel in a turning motion-side to side-and see if you can isolate the free play.