Newbie. Looking at a 03 voyager with 16k.

[Brass598]

Hello
I looking at a 03 voyager with 16k
Can someone tell me what to
look for when I go to see it

Thanks

[doug of so fla]

Sounds like a real find. If you purchase, Change all the fluids, yourself right away real easy, brake flush, coolant change, New fuel, Change oil, 2ea drain plugs & 1 filter . 3qts 22oz no more & no Less!! Change air filter, Remove speedo cable from bottom pull out inner and lube with Marine white lithium grease. Drain front shocks & refill with new fluid, Belray is good one or Spectro. Check battery to see if it has fluid or what type, if it is sealed or unsealed? Do a simple load test to find condition of battery. Check brake pads for thickness, Check date stamp on tires and depth of tread, look for age cracks, Handel bars are adjustable in & out & up & down, Loosen them up and put them in your hands right where you are most comfortable, & tighten them up. Rear seat is adjustable, forward & back. Tour pack is adjustable forward to back & you can get extensions to make it go even farther back. Check and lube as many electrical connectors as possible, Check all fuses in fuse box in front of battery, Obtain some type of manual. Check your gas mileage , you should get 40+ easy. Check all bolts you can, to make sure they are tight. 38psi in front tire and 41 in rear, 8.5lbs air in front shock & 30 to 40lbs air in rear shock depending on weight you are and carry. set rear shocks on 2 or 3. The XII is very touchy as far as settings, 1lb of air or setting# makes a real difference in the way it handles and once you find your SPOT! it will be a excellant riding MC. Welcome!!! to the board and think about joining the AVA!!! best thing you can do for you and your XII.. Any Questions just ask away! Many helpful people on board with a few!!!! miles on the best kept secret in motorcycling!!! overall when looking, look for corrision , paint and make sure everything works as it should. Check all switches & lights. See if you can get owner history or maint records.. for a 10 + year old MC it has not been ridden much and sometimes that is not a good thing. Good luck!! price is what you are willing to pay!!

[Brass598]

Thank you
Just waiting for the owner to call
My fingers are crossed

[debron]

When you go look at it, you might ask about clutch springs, whether or not they've been replaced - A common problem on 2000-2003 models. Also ask about the drive shaft. Many '03s came from the factory "dry", i.e. the rear differentials were not greased. Not a big deal if it's been checked and/or regreased. Aftermarket grease is probably better quality anyway. Otherwise, just check it over for general condition and for any leaks (not deal breakers but price negotiators.)

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Brass598, that may all sound like a heck of a lot but in reality its not much. Start with safety items and go from there. Make sure YOU are safe!
There are Voyager XII's with 200,000+ and a few with over 300,000 miles on them. Easy and routine maintenance and like Doug says a manual and the AVA will help tremendously!
Welcome to the forum, hope you end up with it.

[Mr Jensee]

I've said it a dozen times but I can't say it enough. Don't be dazzled by any aftermarket accessories the owner has put on the bike. Nothing they add should bring up the price over the base of the machine. Check Blue Book or some other reference for what an 03 is worth in good to excellent condition and don't pay more than that. The condition of the bike is what is important. Check all the rubber parts for deterioration, especially the carb boots for cracks. If the paint is faded a lot it has been stored out in the weather and it could lead to problems. Open the gas cap and smell the gas. If it smells somewhat like varnish, he hasn't ridden the bike in some time. And don't let on how much you want the bike when you talk money. Sellers can smell excitement in a buyer and will take advantage of it. Good luck.

[kjsett]

When you go look at it, you might ask about clutch springs, whether or not they've been replaced - A common problem on 2000-2003 models. Also ask about the drive shaft. Many '03s came from the factory "dry", i.e. the rear differentials were not greased. Not a big deal if it's been checked and/or regreased. Aftermarket grease is probably better quality anyway. Otherwise, just check it over for general condition and for any leaks (not deal breakers but price negotiators.)

Just went thru the "driveshaft" u-joint replacement (mine is an "03 also:. Got a used one on ebay with 30k on it from a '99 for about $35. That was Carl's recommendation: earlier than 2000 and as low mileage as possible (60k or lower). I managed to get 40k out of the original (used at 14k), but that includes over 8 to 10k of trailer towing.
Course regrease the differential whenever you pull it.
Make sure the air shocks hold air, course many prefer just going again and changing out to Progressives. I just did the rear and will do the front eventually. Actually I am tall, but with Heavy duty version I find the bike sits higher now in the rear (don't like it). This puts me at an angle where I sit about 1 to 2 inches higher viewing over the windshield.
I have the setting on the shocks at on up from lowest, tomorrow I will move that to lowest to see how that feels. I went heavy duty because of my weight, occasionally my wife does short rides with me (she has her own bike), and I also pull a trailer (planning on getting a camping version). I prefer seeing over the windshield, but like to be able to duck down when desired.
Save some hassle and pull the speedometer cable out to regrease and inspect it. You lose cruise control and radio volume adjust when it breaks (1000miles without convinces one of the CC's desirability). I now always carry a spare in the trunk under the mat.
Plan on new tires if they are still the OEM originals. You will love the difference in handling - Dunlop E3's are still the consensus of choice around this forum (but not exclusively). If the tires are over 5 years, even with good tread, for safeties sake, plan on replacing them (another topic of discussion here).
Plan on attaching the saddlebag lids as they can and do fly off occasionally if left unlocked at freeway speeds. Getting harder to find replacements.
Lots more, but these bikes are worth every penny for the right price.
Enjoy,
Ken

[lockwoodjohn]

Hi Brass598,
Hope the bike works out for you! This is my first Voyager I ever owned. When I went to look
at the bike A Dealer was selling it for the owners (that owned dealership) friend. I got to have
all the PO's service records. The bike was and is in really nice shape. I rode it loved it, Bought
it. Did not know a thing about it. Then I stumbled on to this web site. Best thing that happened
to me and my Voyager. Always get to talk to really nice people and get alot of information
and knowledge. Hope everything goes well for you.
lockwoodjohn

[Brass598]

Thank You all for the advice
Well I just spoke to the gentelman who is selling the bike (after a month, he thought he had it sold)

I will try to see it next week.
I hope it's in as good condition as he says it is.
He is selling because he states it is too heavy for him

Hopefully is is not a POS
Brass

[debron]

"POS"

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

"POS"

Piece Of S@#*!
P.S. Ron don't feel bad or too old, I had to ask my kids a few months ago when she used it in a statement. She doesn't swear much at all and tries to refrain from it but when she said that POS bla bla bla, I looked at her asking the what? Then she spelled it out and all I could do was laugh!

[Mr Jensee]

"POS"

Hey Ron, I've been called worse!

[debron]

. . . just tryin' to keep up with the times!