Voyager1200 features

This is for general posts and questions concerning only the Voyager XII (1200cc, Four-cylinder) Years 1986 thru 2003.

Moderators: the2knights, Highway Rider

Post Reply
User avatar
Dean
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 1:30 am
16
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Voyager1200 features

Post by Dean »

All,

Months back I took the plunge and bought a 2000 Goldwing GL1500 to replace my aging but very loved Voyager 1200, after having her for about 9 years. Now, after riding the Wing on a few weekend trips I can say a few things for certain that I miss about the Voyager.

1. The Voyager has more adjustment points for the handlebars.
2. Handlebar mounted controls for radio volume.
3. I seemed to sit IN the Voyager more instead of on top of it.
4. The Voyager could be wound up higher (higher RPM).
5. I believe the Voyager sounded better at higher RPM’s as well.
6. I could lean that baby over as far as I wanted on curves.
7. More room in the luggage/saddlebags.
8. Two-step center stand!!
9. The biggest thing I miss is the MPG!! 42-50+

Now as far as the Wing – I have to say the ride quality there is no comparison; it IS like riding around in your recliner chair. Even with the Progressives upfront and in back, it still was not as good as the Wing. Hower - there was an 11 year difference...

[img]http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/89voy ... eshow/Wing
[/img]

http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/89voy ... eshow/Wing


[Edit by Webmaster: Image [img] won't work in this case, need to use [url] tags. If you scale the photos down to no more than 800 x 600 you can post the images directly in your post using the [img] tags.]
Take Care and be SAFE
Dean in WI.

'89 XII
'00 GL1500
User avatar
Lucasind
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1790
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:44 pm
11
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager 1200
1988 Voyager 1200
1985 Voyager 1300
2008 Concourse 1400
1985 LTD 1100
1981 CSR 1000
1981 CSR 650
1979 KZ 650
1973 XL 350
1988 Eliminator
1975 CB 125
1965 S 65
and a bunch of parts !
Location: Toledo, OH
Has liked: 194 times
Been liked: 69 times

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by Lucasind »

...Thanks for sharing your thoughts/comparisons....on the 2 bikes :clap:
Nice looking wing ya bought there ! they are nice bikes !.............
90% OF ANY JOB ...IS GETTING STARTED !
User avatar
Littlebeaver
Traveler
Traveler
Posts: 108
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2014 4:29 am
10
Current bike(s): 1999 Voyager 1200, 1981 Honda Goldwing Interstate 1100
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by Littlebeaver »

Seems to me that it sounds very accurate.... I really like the controls too, and the handlebars are the coolest thing ever..
User avatar
metric
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:45 am
16
Location: Woodridge IL
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by metric »

So is the Goldwing 1500 a good replacement for a VoyagerXII ? which one is more powerful, motorcycles are toys so MPG don't matter to me, is power, comfort, handling and the "fun" factor of it. I know the GW1500 is 100lbs heavier then the VXII, what else is the +'s for the Goldwings?
My wife wants one just for the back seat... :gig:
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul"
02VoyagerXII AVA#5443
User avatar
debron
Past Board Member
Past Board Member
Posts: 1087
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:54 pm
14
Current bike(s): 1995 Voyager XII
Location: Stayton, Oregon (Close to)
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by debron »

metric wrote:So is the Goldwing 1500 a good replacement for a VoyagerXII ? which one is more powerful, motorcycles are toys so MPG don't matter to me, is power, comfort, handling and the "fun" factor of it. I know the GW1500 is 100lbs heavier then the VXII, what else is the +'s for the Goldwings?
My wife wants one just for the back seat... :gig:
1. 1500 cc flat six, smooth as silk, quiet, vs. 1200 cc four, rattler.
2. Better fit and finish on the 1500.
3. Honda 1500 high tech, Kawi 1200 low tech.
4. Honda has more standard features (such as driving lights) and more options and after-market bling.
5. Honda 1500 is a better looking bike than Kawi Voyager XII, but this is a personal preference.
6. Honda 1500 twice the price (at least in my area, I was comparing 1995 models) than same year XII in similar condition.


Bottom line test is to go ride a couple of 1500s!
Ron in Oregon
AVA Webmaster ("master" is optimistic!)
AVA Board Member
1995 Voyager XII
Image
User avatar
metric
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:45 am
16
Location: Woodridge IL
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by metric »

Thanks Ron...
I was just checking this '97 in my area for $5500 with 46K miles...

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/mcy/4613660073.html
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul"
02VoyagerXII AVA#5443
User avatar
debron
Past Board Member
Past Board Member
Posts: 1087
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:54 pm
14
Current bike(s): 1995 Voyager XII
Location: Stayton, Oregon (Close to)
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by debron »

Wow, not bad. Out here they would be asking $7,000! I don't know what they would actually get, though.
Ron in Oregon
AVA Webmaster ("master" is optimistic!)
AVA Board Member
1995 Voyager XII
Image
User avatar
Littlebeaver
Traveler
Traveler
Posts: 108
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2014 4:29 am
10
Current bike(s): 1999 Voyager 1200, 1981 Honda Goldwing Interstate 1100
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by Littlebeaver »

Yep I love the gas mileage I am getting so far on this voyager and my knees are bad so it's not to bad to roll around, that 1500 is huge...It does have a reverse on it though..
User avatar
ghostler
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 519
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2013 5:44 pm
11
Current bike(s): 2001 Voyager XII, 1971 Honda CB100
Asphalt, the final frontier; these are the treks of the Kawasaki Voyager; its continuing mission to explore strange new roads, to seek out new sites, new bed & breakfasts, to boldly ride where no one has ridden before.
Location: Clovis, NM
Has liked: 2 times
Been liked: 10 times
Contact:

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by ghostler »

Dean wrote:All, months back I took the plunge and bought a 2000 Goldwing GL1500 to replace my aging but very loved Voyager 1200, after having her for about 9 years. Now, after riding the Wing on a few weekend trips I can say a few things for certain that I miss about the Voyager.
  1. The Voyager has more adjustment points for the handlebars.
  2. Handlebar mounted controls for radio volume.
  3. I seemed to sit IN the Voyager more instead of on top of it.
  4. The Voyager could be wound up higher (higher RPM).
  5. I believe the Voyager sounded better at higher RPM’s as well.
  6. I could lean that baby over as far as I wanted on curves.
  7. More room in the luggage/saddlebags.
  8. Two-step center stand!!
  9. The biggest thing I miss is the MPG!! 42-50+
Now as far as the Wing – I have to say the ride quality there is no comparison; it IS like riding around in your recliner chair. Even with the Progressives upfront and in back, it still was not as good as the Wing. However - there was an 11 year difference...

Image

Image
You're Goldwing looks nice, Dean. I dunno, having not ridden a Wing, I have nothing to compare to, so ignorance is bliss. :-D Sounds like though you still really liked the XII. I have told others my XII is my poor man's Goldwing. :lol: I have to concur with your points on the gas economy and luggage capacity. I've amazed people how much stuff I can carry on my XII. :perfect10:
George Hostler
Clovis, NM, US

Christian Motorcycle Association
Salvation Army Motorcycle Ministry, Western Territory
http://tsammcentral.org/
2001 Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII
1971 Honda CB100
User avatar
Dean
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 1:30 am
16
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by Dean »

Thank you all for your responses to this post.

Debron was correct in their response as well. I guess a person gets so attached and in tune with their bikes, knows how they act and react to different things. They REALLY are an extension of yourself. I would have to say I am split 50/50 on the two – because of the things I mentioned, things I haven’t and being so in tune with the Voyager after so many years. If I could of, I would of kept the Voyager also.
Take Care and be SAFE
Dean in WI.

'89 XII
'00 GL1500
User avatar
debron
Past Board Member
Past Board Member
Posts: 1087
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:54 pm
14
Current bike(s): 1995 Voyager XII
Location: Stayton, Oregon (Close to)
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Voyager1200 features

Post by debron »

Truth be known, if I could afford one, I would be riding an 1800 wing. Several times I considered the 1500, but.........
Ron in Oregon
AVA Webmaster ("master" is optimistic!)
AVA Board Member
1995 Voyager XII
Image
Post Reply

Return to “General - Voyager XII (1200 Four)”