Intake/Exhaust mods and their consequences...

[Bikertrash]

Although I'm relatively new to Voyager ownership having bought a '91 Voyager xii in June, I am neither new to motorcycling nor Forums. That said I have been doing some searching (not wanting to test anybody's patience here), but have found very little on intake and exhaust modifications and their results (good or bad) other than Cobra used to make some aftermarket pipes but haven't produced any in quite some time. If anybody here has some past experience with modifications such as these on a Voyager xii, please chime in with some useful advice. I have never been one to leave a perfectly good running bike alone and can't wait to start playing with this quiet, mellow machine.

Nice to meet you all, by the way...

[Chris near Kansas City]

You will find the Voyager XII runs the best with the stock intake system.

[Barry]

Back when the Voyager was still being made, lots of folks experimented with different air intakes. Those that put the individual filters on each carb had many frustrating hours because changing jets & needle position would not cure the quirks that developed. Some folks then tried larger carbs and also were not happy with the results. I doubt you will find anyone speak up here saying that there is a better setup than the stock air filter system. That being said, I know a few on this forum have enlarged the airbox air intake and claim a mild increase in performance & mpg. This modification also has the "benefit" (?) of being able to hear the motor when under load. Hope this is of help to you.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I had the Cobra Exhaust on my '01 and I found that I would shift at 4,000 RPMs because the noise level made me feel like it was time to shift. I sold the exhaust and put the stock back on and was amazed at the performance change in the bike. The bike didn't have an increase or decrease in power. It was the way I rode it that changed. I was able to experience the higher RPMs and the amazing performance of the engine at those RPMs. I recommend keeping the the exhaust and intake stock and modify the suspension instead. The Voyager's ride will greatly improve with new springs and Race Tech Gold Valve Emulators up front and new shocks in the rear. Definitley will make it a sporty touring bike that can slay the Dragon.

[HMB Don]

My, two cents, first if it's not broken? I would tune it meaning make sure it runs better then when it was new, then work on the suspension, Race Tech for the forks, for the rear if the stock shocks aren't leaking then try changing the oil.

These bad boys can and have kept sport bikes behind on a mountain roads, top end is 120 plus. Then still be able to take you a 1,000 miles in a day in comfort.

The thing I found were the brakes. Stainless Steel brake lines, Galfer brake pads. NorCal Voyagers have these in stock see add on the AVA Home Page.

I removed the speaks and rack from the trunk and that helped the high speed handling.

Don Medina
president
NorCal Voyagers Club
AVA board member
2012 Voyager 1700

[gearheadfla]

Kawasaki got it right the first time with the XII, no reason to change the intake or carbs, the shocks and fork are the only need for upgrade.

[kawabunga]

Even if stock shocks aren't leaking, you'll notice a HUGE improvement changing out the rear shocks to progressive spring shocks.
I think it's the biggest improvement I've made so far in handling

My, two cents, first if it's not broken? I would tune it meaning make sure it runs better then when it was new, then work on the suspension, Race Tech for the forks, for the rear if the stock shocks aren't leaking then try changing the oil.

These bad boys can and have kept sport bikes behind on a mountain roads, top end is 120 plus. Then still be able to take you a 1,000 miles in a day in comfort.

The thing I found were the brakes. Stainless Steel brake lines, Galfer brake pads. NorCal Voyagers have these in stock see add on the AVA Home Page.

I removed the speaks and rack from the trunk and that helped the high speed handling.

Don Medina
president
NorCal Voyagers Club
AVA board member
2012 Voyager 1700

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Don Medina's right about changing the rear shocks to Progressive shocks. Changing the rear shocks and front fork springs to Progressive make the bike change tremendously for the better in ride stability and handling as well as comfort. As for the exhaust sound, after 100,000 miles or so on a stock exhaust it starts to have a nice mellow sound.


Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President

[jre258 in SoDak]

I think that doug of so fla has done some mods to the Voyager's carb and airbox with positive results. It's been a couple of years since that thread was posted in the tech section.

[Lucasind]

..... I always try to remember that, millions of dollars, and hundreds of hours, by people with more degrees, and lab time at kawasaki or any other manufacturer, go into the development of any product, before it hits the production phase ! then some guy comes along, and un-does all of this careful planning, then can't understand.....or asks for help about "what went wrong ? " seen it over and over........ just sayin ....

[gearheadfla]

Don Medina's right about changing the rear shocks to Progressive shocks. Changing the rear shocks and front fork springs to Progressive make the bike change tremendously for the better in ride stability and handling as well as comfort. As for the exhaust sound, after 100,000 miles or so on a stock exhaust it starts to have a nice mellow sound.


Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President

The BEST thing I ever did to my 88 hands down, great ride and handling and no more worrying about air pressures.

[David (N. Alabama)]

..... I always try to remember that, millions of dollars, and hundreds of hours, by people with more degrees, and lab time at kawasaki or any other manufacturer, go into the development of any product, before it hits the production phase ! then some guy comes along, and un-does all of this careful planning, then can't understand.....or asks for help about "what went wrong ? " seen it over and over........ just sayin ....

The only thing you overlook with your response is that they have to meet Government Regulations regarding noise and emmissions. That forces them to make compromises and many of the new bikes are running too lean in order to meet those regulations. That is definitely not what the engineers and designers intended.

[doug of so fla]

I think that doug of so fla has done some mods to the Voyager's carb and airbox with positive results. It's been a couple of years since that thread was posted in the tech section.

That was not me Jim, I have owned 3 XII's & put over 100,00mi on each one and worked on many others but never modded exhaust or intake except for using aftermarket air filters and setting air jets to what the factory was supposed to have set them. I think "Steve of Sunny Fla" may have done some carb & exhaust work back in the day to tweek them. I agree that the Kaw people did a great job on the XII and it just would not be worth it to change what the factory came up with. If you change anything you usually lose another thing. Other than adding bling items or making it fit your style the XII is kinda made to ride..

[jre258 in SoDak]

I think that doug of so fla has done some mods to the Voyager's carb and airbox with positive results. It's been a couple of years since that thread was posted in the tech section.

That was not me Jim, I have owned 3 XII's & put over 100,00mi on each one and worked on many others but never modded exhaust or intake except for using aftermarket air filters and setting air jets to what the factory was supposed to have set them. I think "Steve of Sunny Fla" may have done some carb & exhaust work back in the day to tweek them. I agree that the Kaw people did a great job on the XII and it just would not be worth it to change what the factory came up with. If you change anything you usually lose another thing. Other than adding bling items or making it fit your style the XII is kinda made to ride..

Sorry about that Doug. I knew that it was someone from Florida and your name came to mind first.
jim

[Bikertrash]

..... I always try to remember that, millions of dollars, and hundreds of hours, by people with more degrees, and lab time at kawasaki or any other manufacturer, go into the development of any product, before it hits the production phase ! then some guy comes along, and un-does all of this careful planning, then can't understand.....or asks for help about "what went wrong ? " seen it over and over........ just sayin ....

I don't disagree with this line of thinking much. In fact I'm not looking for or expecting any better performance at all, in fact, in all my years of riding I've always felt that most people can't outperform their own bikes in the first place, so performance modifications get to be ridiculous. My thing is, I want to hear the bike run, especially when all my damn Harley buddies have already started their bikes and I can't even hear mine turning over with all the noise...

[David (N. Alabama)]

..... I always try to remember that, millions of dollars, and hundreds of hours, by people with more degrees, and lab time at kawasaki or any other manufacturer, go into the development of any product, before it hits the production phase ! then some guy comes along, and un-does all of this careful planning, then can't understand.....or asks for help about "what went wrong ? " seen it over and over........ just sayin ....

I don't disagree with this line of thinking much. In fact I'm not looking for or expecting any better performance at all, in fact, in all my years of riding I've always felt that most people can't outperform their own bikes in the first place, so performance modifications get to be ridiculous. My thing is, I want to hear the bike run, especially when all my darn Harley buddies have already started their bikes and I can't even hear mine turning over with all the noise...

Just start yours and ride away. They won't even notice until they look around and see you gone. LOL!

[gearheadfla]

..... I always try to remember that, millions of dollars, and hundreds of hours, by people with more degrees, and lab time at kawasaki or any other manufacturer, go into the development of any product, before it hits the production phase ! then some guy comes along, and un-does all of this careful planning, then can't understand.....or asks for help about "what went wrong ? " seen it over and over........ just sayin ....

I don't disagree with this line of thinking much. In fact I'm not looking for or expecting any better performance at all, in fact, in all my years of riding I've always felt that most people can't outperform their own bikes in the first place, so performance modifications get to be ridiculous. My thing is, I want to hear the bike run, especially when all my darn Harley buddies have already started their bikes and I can't even hear mine turning over with all the noise...

Just start yours and ride away. They won't even notice until they look around and see you gone. LOL!

You will have no problems showing your buddies your tail lights, trust me. A XII will man handle a Harley anytime, been there, done that. Just tell the them that Harley Davidson has worked hard to perfect the art of turning gas into noise without the side affects of horsepower.

[96desertXII]

You will have no problems showing your buddies your tail lights, trust me. A XII will man handle a Harley anytime, been there, done that. Just tell the them that Harley Davidson has worked hard to perfect the art of turning gas into noise without the side affects of horsepower.

Had a lot of HD's and have been getting crap form my HD friends about the XII. It will embarrass most HD's.......even the 110's cant keep up. It's surprising how fast they really are, that is till you hit 5th.............lol!

[Gator Mike]

I belong to the Combat Veterans Asssociation and my region all ride Harleys except me. I have a very large Kawasaki patch on the back of my vest and while we are riding I always try and position myself up front so they are sure to see it. Well that and the fact that I want to be in front of the noise and not behind it. ..........Gator Mike

[gearheadfla]

Had a lot of HD's and have been getting crap form my HD friends about the XII. It will embarrass most HD's.......even the 110's cant keep up. It's surprising how fast they really are, that is till you hit 5th.............lol![/quote]

And when you do hit 5th (or O.D.) you can keep flying by the gas stations the H.D. guys HAVE to stop at.