Between rock and hard place, to Voyager or not to Voyager?

[Ojisan]

Title to this thread says it all.........I usually lurk over on the cruiser side of the fence and after a couple of years on my fabulous 1500 Classic and many long rides.............trouble free, my wife is not quite happy on long rides with the cruiser configuation. Cool around town and shorter rides but not so on the long hauls.

When "Momma aint happy aint no one happy" which leads us to my delima.

I have looked at the wings and they don't do much for me. Don't get me wrong, it is a very dependable machine but aesthetics don't do it for me, looks like a big chunk of plastic going down the road.

Enter the Voyager, not made in a while but it looks fabulous, like a touring bike (in my mind) should look like. I like the look of the older wings but that look is in the 80 style, 80's issues and age.

Why the Voyager? Having been with Kawasaki for a couple of years and seeing first hand what they have been all about my natural instinct is to go with the brand I have dealt with, dealerships, people who work on them, (sort of like the maytag maintenance man, very lonley)

Now I have a couple of question to pose to those of you on the forum that have ridden the begiggers off them, as I have my eye on a 2003 with 12K on the ODO. #1 Are they as bullet proof as the V-twins? #2 What are the major issues to deal with on older models? I know the wings have stator problems in the early models (ones I like) #3 Are they top heavy? like the beemers and the older connies

Hey, just lookin for a little insite and really appreciate any info that would inform and help me make the right decision.

Ojisan

[BigJohn]

Can't really say about the Voyage as I've never ridden one. But, I've owned a similar scoot (an older Venture Royale and owned the original engine basis, the Z1).

That being said, and what I've seen of the machines, they are excellent rides. The ones I've sat on are slightly top heavy, but so was my Venture and it was no major problem once you are moving above a slow walk. The basic motor is rock solid and should give years and years of reliable operation. Just change the oil, watch the coolant level and ride. I understand that performance wise it is comparable, or faster than, my 1300 Venture, and it pumped out over 120 hp and motivated down the road very smoothly and with great rapidity. If I were in the market I'd seriously consider a Voyager with only 12K miles.

[fretbuzz]

Like I said on another thread, I knew a guy that had one and he loved it. He raved about it's power and comfort.

[voyride]

Answer to some questions, #1 reliable yes 100K #2 repair issues ignitor control on early models, backfire starting taking out starter chain. fuel pump points. basically bulletproof #3 top heavy I say no. Check out these forums
American Voyager Association, headquarters for Kawasaki Voyager Motorcycle Owners
www.abbikeboard.com :: Index
VoyForums: Wyzard's Kawasaki Voyagers Forum
they are basically the same bike with minor improvements made from 86 to 2003
I have a 02 and the comfort is great equal to a wing or better for less cost. parts are available new (for now) and used from leo , but 2003 was the last year they were made. For your money and ride ( I too know the mama thing, that is why we own one) they are a good investment JIM

[Bruce McCrary]

Sorta, if not totally unrelated but...

I went to the first link you provided. When the page loaded I went to the middle drop down box "Just for fun, entertainment, or thought" and selected "Born to be Mild".

Ohhhh lordy! I nearly pee'd my pants!!!!

Great stuff, I copied a link to it directly and sent it to all my boomer friends!!

Bruce