Finally picked up my bike

[rscott6942]

Well this past weekend I was finally able to get up to NJ and ride it back to GA with a stop in NC to let a friend look it over.

I was amazed at how comfortable I was on the bike for the long rides and the fantastic gas mileage I got with it. The entire trip I was below 46mpg and the majority of it was at 49mpg doing 60-75 on the roads.

I do need to do some things and wanted some valued opinions. I need to replace the tires, brake pads & battery and wanted to know what people thought were some good options out there. For the tires I'm not a corner screeching type of rider, give me nice roads in the mountains, sweeping curves and close to the speed limit is my style of riding.

[Tat2demon]

Lots of opinions on tires but the main choice is Dunlop Elite 3.

[HMB Don]

For brake pads and stainless steel brake lines contact NorCal Voyagers Club. Tires E-3 Dunlop's

[Relics]

I have Bridgestone G702 and G703 whitewall tires on my Voyager 1200. I love them.

[SgtSlag]

I run on Pirelli MT66 Route tires: glued to the road in rain; 9,000 miles from the rear -- not great, but the traction is worth the price of admission.

As for batteries, I will only go with AGM's any more. I only got two years out of flooded conventional batteries, even with plugging them into my Battery Tender Jr. after every ride. The AGM's will last 6+ years, typically; no maintenance at all, period.

I would also recommend replacing the Fork Springs, and rear shocks, with Progressive brand units. With their Fork Springs, you won't need any air, and the traction control/handling is greatly improved. With their airless shocks, and dual rate springs on the back, again, traction improvement is tremendous, as well as comfort. Worth every penny, IMO. If pulling a trailer, get the HD springs; otherwise, the standard duty springs are just fine, even two up. That's what we have, and we are not small people. Had the HD springs on them, for my Honda 750: they were almost always near the top end, even two up, with full saddlebags, and trunk -- too stiff, really. Most folks go with the HD springs regardless of trailer towing, however, so there you go. Cheers!

PS:

Be sure to change out all of the fluids: brakes, clutch, coolant, fork oil, engine oil and filter, shock oil -- if you decide to keep the OEM shocks.

There are two oil drain plugs -- not one. Critical to pull both plugs, or you will overfill the oil in the engine. Only add 3 qts. 22 oz. of oil, with a new filter. Forget the site glass, it is inaccurate.

[rscott6942]

Thanks for all the advice. I've ordered the E3 tires today, Rockymountain has them with free shipping and a 40.00 rebate offer with two of them.

I'm having them all shipped to a friend of mine and we're going to take a Saturday and do all the work replacing the tires as well as every fluid on the bike.