The advantages of becoming a full member.

[gearheadfla]

Some of the new people may be wondering if they should become a full member on the A.V.A. site. 4 years ago I was wondering the same thing, all I can tell you is I am glad I did. just like you, I was researching a bike I found and was thinking about buying, I had never really even heard of a Voyager XII before. I got a lot of good info here and bought my 1st XII. wanting to do all my own work on it as I do with all my bikes I decided to join, for those of you that hasn't became a full paid member yet, let me tell you that it is well worth the money in just the additional info and tips alone, things like Dollar for Dollar section, where you find what other parts like fuel , air and oil filters that crossover to the XII and available other places than the dealers, Tech-tips with pictures and step by step instructions on repairs and upgrades, and the biggest thing I found and used, a good discount on joining the ROK as a AVA member, I have made more than my money back on BOTH member ships with hotel discounts alone with the ROK, and to top it off I had to use the roadside asst. just 1 time to get towed home from Daytona to Pt. St. Lucie Fl. (120 miles) and saved myself HUNDREDS of dollars with just that one event.
I am just telling you what I have learned from this site and the savings I have had from the small amount of money I spent for the AVA and ROK memberships. My one bike I had never heard of 4 years ago has grown to 3 XII's, 1 Vulcan Nomad and a Honda Rebel in the stable. Everyone of them I turn my owe wrenches, I've learned so much about XII's here that my 88 is completely restored to better that showroom and my 01 will be on the table soon. Thanks to people like Carl Leo, Doug Divine and countless others here for all that I have learned and read about here on the full site, I am not a paid spokesman, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express before.

[Bruce in OK]

I'll echo your thoughts. I believe the membership dues are a bargain for the resources provided.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Late in 2007 I started looking at a 98 or 99 Voyager XII at a local dealership. Completely ignorant to them I found this forum and started asking questions much in the same manor as "gearheadfla" [what major problems did they have? what should I check? what needed updated/changed to keep it alive? etc.....]. Well I didn't buy it but I did end up joining this forum and started reading up on them. A few months later a fellow a few hours away had one for sale, it was a 2001 and in Feb 2008 I drove those miles and took it for a test ride with my wife. Keep in mind in Pennsylvania it's cold in February and that bike started right up, kept us comfortable while testing it and we bought it. It took me another couple of weeks till I could get it home as the snow was messing with my plans but it also gave me more time to look up the "01's.
This forum and the folks on it all welcomed me with open arms, the administrators helped guide me along as I posted some questions in an area where they would have gotten better response elsewhere and everyone helped me in one way shape or form to learn about maintaining MY Voyager!
Over the last 66 months I've learned a lot from a lot of people concerning my bike. I've made life long friends and found out that your; age, address, life style/income, bike age, make or model, none of it matters. Point blank everyone here "is good people" and absolutely worth every cent and then some of the full membership cost. The benefits go far beyond just this forum.
If you have the money I would have to agree that joining the AVA as a full privileged member would be money well spent. If money is tight or you just can't bring yourself to joining, you are still welcome and can access some of the message boards you just won't/don't have access to the wealth of information which is available here.
Just my two cents (I know I'm long winded)!!!!

[kawabunga]

I might join after I can see what's going on with the Board of Directors. I know there's a whole lotta shakin going on at present.
If it looks good when the dust settles, I'll join.

[gearheadfla]

I might join after I can see what's going on with the Board of Directors. I know there's a whole lotta shakin going on at present.
If it looks good when the dust settles, I'll join.

With what I just saw in the Voyagers Voice, plans and being put in place to take the AVA into future and new memberships will make it even stronger, let's face it, our ole horses ain't getting any younger, but I BET your XII is the most reliable bike you have owned, with just a little TLC they have and will give 300.000 miles to their owners and the wrath of info that is found here makes it possible, have you ever tried to ask your dealer about a XII ? Yeah, good luck with that, most don't even want (or can't) work on them anymore. Think the dealer can tell you what lawnmower dealer to go to get a fuel filter, or what G.M. car K&N air filter is a direct fit ? The dollar for dollar section can. Roadside asst. with the ROK and good discounts for hotels for a very low price for membership. The new board will settle in and move forward, I have met and ridden with Mike Mcgee on the Sunshine State Voyagers "Welcome Carl to Florida " ride and he is a nice guy to be around and will work hard to move us ahead, the next rally is in place for next July and Lori and I are looking forward to going after missing this years due to Doctors orders. The dust has settled, come on over, we have cookies.

[cushman eagle]

I, too ,think the AVA is worth more than the price of admission.The people I met at Logan treated my wife and I as family even though it was our first rally,and the wealth of information on the forum has helped me make a great bike better.This is a great family to belong to,I hope we can all help make it even better

[ekap1200]

Hello everyone, I just received my VOYAGER'S VOICE rally issue. I am now more informed about what is going on in the AVA and to be honest, very sad that many have not paid there dues, to what is a great organization.
What the AVA, means to me is the voyage, not what you ride. Time moves on and the 1200 is history now, but that is life.
To me belonging to this group for the small price of membership means that no matter where I travel too in this great country I have family that cares and would without hesitation reach out and help.
Same road same wind, just a different ride. The AVA WELCOMES ALL. As I get older and weaker in the knee's I am sure I'll be sporting a Can-Am spider at some point. That would not be the end of my membership. It is the great people that I have met that make the AVA, not the ride you choose.
Perhaps many people don't know what amount of work, time and funding is required to keep a site up and running.
I thank all the board members past and present for their hard work in keeping this group together. Gene and Marie Kap.

[kawabunga]

For those of use who don't get a news letter, what's going on?

Is duane and his wife out of the picture now? Who's running what?

Why/What changes have been made and what's being done differently?

[Wylee]

A few years ago, I developed a steering wobble on my 2000 Voyager. As I was doing some research online to find the cause of the wobble, I ran across this AVA forum and found my answer. After that, I kept coming back and found a wealth of information about my bike that I never knew, but never joined, I Just kept reading. 3 years ago I decided to support the AVA and become a member. I have not attended a rally yet but hope to do so. At this site, I found out about Carl Leo, tips on how to save money and everything you would want to know about your Voyager. Even though I don’t post a lot, I am here every day and see new information and see members with the same questions I have. For those of you who are now doing like I did a while back, only reading the forum, become a member and help us and keep AVA alive. The cost is well worth it. To the new board, you have my support.

[biggersm]

We have been to four rallies and had fun at all of them. They are always planned around very interesting places to see and it is good to be with friends who have something in common when the day is over. That always beats being alone in a motel room for the night after seeing our countries great parks, museums, etc. Here is some highlights from a personal perspective.

2008, Bowling Green Kentucky = Corvette Museum, Shaker house museum, Mammoth Caverns State Park and some family near there.

2009, Santa Fe NM = Seeing old friends and mountains again in New Mexico, also came in from Utah after seeing more family

2012, Kanab, UT = Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and of course seeing my kids again in Utah

2013, Logan OH = AMA Museum, Hocking Hills State Park, and seeing my son in Columbus (I guess it is good to have family all over).

Lets see what 2014 brings in Asheville NC. How does the Wheels Through Time museum sound to you? Riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway? Some of the more stout of heart and nerve can even challenge The Tail of the Dragon.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I can see why Voyager XII owners would want to be part of this forum, but there is no reason for Voyager 1700 owners to become part of this forum. There are many Vulcan forums out there to find online comradery and advice on the care of the 1700.

It is the people you meet in person and the friendships you create that make the AVA what it is. It is difficult to get the Vulcan owners with no prior knowledge of the AVA to give it a try.