Voyager Suspension Mods

[David (N. Alabama)]

I am not as happy with my Voyager suspension after riding my KLR 650. I would like to do some upgrades.

Currently the Voyager front end will stay a little compressed when stopped at a light when doing heavy front braking. She also feels a little loose when transitioning from a left/right turn immediately into a right/left turn.

Does anyone offer gold valve emulators for the Voyager forks?

Am I having a friction issue with the front end, or is the spring just worn out?

The shock from sharp bumps get transfered to the plastics.

The bike has just under 30k on the odometer.

Have any of you experienced these same symptoms, and what did you do to correct it?

Thanks.

[flip18436572]

What do you mean by a friction problem?

I put progressive springs front and rear and also replaced all of the bushings when I did the job, and my front end was better. I still think the front end could be better, but I know nothing about the valving available. Nothing like the KTM/DRZ/KLR stuff that we are used to for our dirt bikes. The bushings were worn on my at 40,000 miles, but not bad. The shocks helped, but I think different weights of oil could help also.

The rear progressives helped the feel of the bike also, and made the wife happier also. Added benefit of spending money.

[Rhinestone Kawboy]

I am not as happy with my Voyager suspension after riding my KLR 650. I would like to do some upgrades.

Currently the Voyager front end will stay a little compressed when stopped at a light when doing heavy front braking. She also feels a little loose when transitioning from a left/right turn immediately into a right/left turn.

Does anyone offer gold valve emulators for the Voyager forks?

Am I having a friction issue with the front end, or is the spring just worn out?

The shock from sharp bumps get transfered to the plastics.

The bike has just under 30k on the odometer.

Have any of you experienced these same symptoms, and what did you do to correct it?

Thanks.

Dave,

It sounds like a good fork cleaning out and maybe progressive springs is what you need for your bike. Your symptoms sound familiar to what mine was a couple years ago. I knew my stock Voyager front springs were sacked since I had to run so much air in them (15 lbs), but that made the ride pretty harsh. So, I got some progressive springs and done a complete fork service. My bushings were shot, springs sacked, and after I drained the old fork oil out, I found my forks were bindings near the bottom of the stroke. I have an article in the AVA Tech Center on "Installing Progressive Fork Springs" that you might want to read. After I completed that service, and had the fork bushings replaced, the bike rode WAY better and softer.

[David (N. Alabama)]

What do you mean by a friction problem?
.

When stopped at a light, I would expect the bike to rise back to a neutral position on the front fork. Mine stays low until I let go of the front brake and let out the clutch a little.

So, I am wondering if my fork is sticking, or is my spring that weak that it won't bring the front end back up to neutral.

After reading Gary's post, it sounds like a combination of things.

I will check out your article Gary, thanks.

[David (N. Alabama)]

Race Tech has Gold Valve Emulators for the Voyager.

http://www.racetech.com/evalving/englis ... me=english

Those combined with the progressive spring and new oil should make the front end better and the bike safer.

I will have to do more research when I get a chance and decide on a path forward to a better handling Voyager.

[flip18436572]

I would say you have some worn bushings, but for a problem like that I would really expect your springs to be shot and the progressives would help there.

Let me know if you go the "gold" route. I am interested in that.

[Chris near Kansas City]

Mine stays low until I let go of the front brake and let out the clutch a little.

How much air are you running in your front forks?

[David (N. Alabama)]

I run the max that the manual states, and follow the instructions to add the air. Of course I don't have one of those pumps with the gauge built in. I use a little hand pump and then have to use my digital tire gauge. I set it to one pound high because I know it will be at the right PSI when I remove the gauge.\

The Voyager is the first bike that I've ever ridden with more than 20,000 miles on the odometer. I guess things are wearing out that I have not had to deal with in the past.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Of course I don't have one of those pumps with the gauge built in. I use a little hand pump

David,
the fellow I bought my XII from showed me the pump he uses and it's one of those tiny hand w/gauge units. He swears that they are perfect for the job for the suspension. I have looked locally and not found anything remotely close but on line I have found a unit. Runs for $21 +s/h, search for " 62004021 /BMP-18 " on site http://www.bikesomewhere.com/
Very light weight because it's built for bicyclist and compact also.

[Chris near Kansas City]

David, just to clarify:

A) When stopping, the front end dives? And then partially stays collapsed while stopped until you release the brake? If you are stopped at a stoplight, and release the brake, as if you are just sitting there, the front end comes up a bit?

B) Or does it just dive while stopping and then as soon as you are stopped, it comes back up?

[David (N. Alabama)]

Answer: A The front end does not come up to neutral until I let out the clutch a little.

Did I pass?

Thanks to my new KLR with major suspension mods, I now officially hate the suspension on the Voyager. Every imperfection in the pavement was tranferred to my arms and back. Funny how I didn't really pay attention to it until I had something to compare it to. :-x

I'll have to take my wife for a ride and tell her to pay attention to the bumps.

[flip18436572]

I noticed a huge difference after aquiring the SV650S. They are completely different bikes and the tourning bike is a rougher ride. I can ride the SV650S a thousand miles in a day, and no way could I do that with my Voyager. But, I am going to work on that.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I noticed a huge difference after aquiring the SV650S. They are completely different bikes and the tourning bike is a rougher ride. I can ride the SV650S a thousand miles in a day, and no way could I do that with my Voyager. But, I am going to work on that.

Have you earned your 'iron butt' certificate yet?

[flip18436572]

No, I didn't plan on 1000 in 24 hours, it just happened because of the route I needed to take, to help a family member in need and to get to my house in time to see my daughter for one of her volleyball tournaments. That and a missed exit in St. Louis that cost me a lot of miles in very busy crappy traffic.

[Chris near Kansas City]

Answer: A The front end does not come up to neutral until I let out the clutch a little.

Did I pass?

It sure sounds like there is something wrong. Pretty much, the instant the wheel stops rolling, the front end should level out. It should move back and forth freely. If you grab the brake while standing still and rock the front end back/forth up/down, does it feel like it's moving correctly?

[David (N. Alabama)]

Chris, if I rock it back and forth with the front brake applied, it does appear to function normally.

I guess what I need to do is to get a couple of friends over and with me sitting on the bike, have them push down on the front and measure where it settles, and then lift up on the front end and measure where it settles. If it doesn't settle the same, I have a friction problem.

Does that sound right?

[Chris near Kansas City]

My guess would be those measurements should be within an inch or less of each other.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I went ahead and ordered the following suspension parts.

Race Tech Gold valve cartridge emulators
Progressive Springs
Progressive Rear Shocks
New OEM seals and snap rings

Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators were invented by Race Tech's Paul Thede to give older style Damping Rod Forks the same advantages as well tuned Cartridge Forks with Gold Valves.
Gold Valves have proven to dramatically improve the ride of any and all forks in use today.

I should have a ride report in a couple of weeks.

[flip18436572]

I would really like to ride the same bike before the gold valve update and afterwards to see if it really would make that big of a difference on the Voyager.

I really think the rebuild and replacement of the springs would be a great improvement for you, and the "GOLD" upgrade should make it even better. Good luck and I can't wait to hear the ride report from the Dragon!!!!

[David (N. Alabama)]

Where do I get the Progressive shocks from. the JC whitney part number under parts leads me nowhere. I could be searching wrong....
All help appreciated.

Motorcycle Accessory Wharehouse
http://www.mawonline.com