considering purchase of Voyager

[bobingeorgia]

Hello.
I currently ride a 1989 PC 800 and love it, but am considering the voyager so my wife can join me 2 up. I am thinking it will be a more comfortable ride for her.

Are there particular questions I should ask related to this bike?
Are some years more or less dependable than others?
What mechanical issues should I be aware of for a bike with
( say a 1996 with add voyage trike and 17000 miles - asking $6000 )

There is another about 3 hour drive from me 2002 , 64000 miles listed as garage kept , 1 owner , but now being sold by a dealer.

Any insight would be welcome.

Thank you.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

The 86 model was different than the rest in that the fork tubes were slightly different size and no cruise control or rear speakers. They also had an issue with the igniter being bad, if you end up looking at one search this forum for igniter #1248 (#1179 is the one to avoid) [check this thread: Igniter Question it's one of many which you should find helpful if you look at an 86']. All other years were the same with the exception of color. There were some of the 2002/2003's that made it out of the factory with insufficient lube on the drive shaft/universal but that too can be rectified.
These machines have a very low center of gravity which make them very nimble and fun to ride, feels like a sport bike. They also offer a great ride and comfort which comes with reliability. Some have clocked over 300,000 miles on them before an engine overhaul/swap was required.
As long as routine maintenance has been performed you should be good, check fluids (any clutch or brake fluid that looks root beer colored or darker needs changed), antifreeze and oil are easy to change, oil requires two drain bolts and one filter (fill with 3 Qt's + 22 Oz's, no more no less).
The cruise wont set unless in 5th gear, the radio has auto volume advance which will increase based on your settings with speed (dependent on the speed-o cable along with cruise).
Tires are a subject many will entertain but it has been the general consensus that Dunlap Elite III's (E3's) seem to give the best ride, especially on the front. If you feel a slight wobble in the handle bars around the 40-45 MPH mark that can be addressed by tightening the steering head bolt.
This forum will be able to supply you with tons of information and how-to's, there are videos members have made and put on YouTube or sell for cheap to support their chapters. There are chapters all around just check the main page for one near you and AVA members may be able to provide you with some assistance depending on your location.
PLUS we also have Carl Leo, he is the most knowledgeable and experienced person on these machines. He has been able to save I would estimate tens of if not hundreds of thousands of dollars for us over the years by sharing his knowledge and keeping us from paying dealers ridiculous money for things we can do.

The 1989 you mentioned, won't have the igniter problem and the steering head bolt/nut shouldn't be an issue either if the front end was addressed by whomever did the conversion!


Glad you found us, don't be shy and we're looking forward to hearing an update from you on your decision.

[JTC1]

I bought mine (a 92 with 43k miles) from an ad in Craigslist for $1900. We both love the bike. I have an hour and a half commute to work every day and I ride it as much as possible. I think you'll be very happy with a Voyager!

[debron]

Bob, Welcome to the forum! You've come to the right place!

Generally speaking I would not recommend an '86. That was the first year and all the major changes/improvements came in '87 - larger fork tubes, cruise control, air deflectors ("winglets") on the fairing to improve wind protection, rigid locking covers for the "glove boxes" in the front fairing, rear speakers, and luggage rack plus other stuff. Plus the aforementioned igniter fix, but that was in the middle of the '87 run. The changes after that were relatively minor so an '87 is essentially the same bike as an '03.

CB is another personal issue. If you desire one and the bike you buy does not come with one (CB was an extra option) expect to spend another $400 - $500 for a used stock CB and accessories. Other options are available.

I also recommend caution on '01, '02, and '03 models. This was the end of the line and quality control in both materials and workmanship deteriorated. According to Carl Leo, a retired Kawasaki mechanic and a Voyager XII guru, most of the problems he deals with are in these three model years.

A '96 with 17k and the trike kit for $6k is on the high side but not inconsistent with what most any dealer would ask. You have to decide what value, if any, the trike kit has for you, and/or what you might be able to sell it for on Craigslist or eBay. For that price, the bike should look like it just came off the showroom floor brand new.

The notorious wobble at 30-35 mph (common on large, heavy touring bikes) is usually due to loose steering stem nut or the front tire. Fixable but something to use as a bargaining chip.

Both you and your wife will find the XII much more comfortable than your PC. As Scott mentioned, with the gas tank under the seat, the center of gravity is very low and the XII is very nimble at slow speeds, like in parking lots and downtown traffic. And the XII loves the twisties!

[voyager55]

My 2003 is thumbing it's nose at you!!

[debron]

My 2003 is thumbing it's nose at you!!

And well it should! I did advise "caution," not to avoid those years altogether. They aren't all bad but those model years, generally speaking, do have more repair issues.

[gearheadfla]

Looks like all the questions are handled, you can't go wrong with a XII, very dependable, maintenance is a breeze, this site is the best in the world to ask anything on, CARL LEO one of the nicest and most knowable man I have ever had the pleasure to meet, I sold my 88 about a year ago and still miss it. Your wife will love it, and a happy wife makes a happy husband.

[rscott6942]

If you're looking for a XII without a trike kit I have an '03 I was about to put on Craigslist I can send pictures of. 33,008 on the clock currently.

[bobingeorgia]

If you're looking for a XII without a trike kit I have an '03 I was about to put on Craigslist I can send pictures of. 33,008 on the clock currently.

yes please send me photos and all details

[kehoffman]

I too have a 96 for sale. It is listed in Classified adds of AVA as well as Craigslist:
http://southbend.craigslist.org/mcy/4688772269.html
(You may have to copy and paste the above in your browser)
The Voyager is a beautiful bike and it breaks my heart that bad knees leads me to selling this bike.

[gearheadfla]

I too have a 96 for sale. It is listed in Classified adds of AVA as well as Craigslist:
http://southbend.craigslist.org/mcy/4688772269.html
(You may have to copy and paste the above in your browser)
The Voyager is a beautiful bike and it breaks my heart that bad knees leads me to selling this bike.

Sounds to me you need his trike kit

[bobingeorgia]

Thanks for you help everyone. For now I have decided on a 1986 Suzuki Cavalcade lx.

[bobingeorgia]

Well I'm back. I purchased the 02 Voyager found here,
http://greenville.craigslist.org/mcd/4695603572.html
and am having it transported to me possibly tomorrow.

The cavalcade I bought ad some serious issues and the seler was unaware of the, He agreed to allow me to return the bike. I am out shipping and the diagnostic labor charge.

Should I have a full service done immediately on this bike. I am not a mechanic. What can I easily do myself.
Thanks and God Bless
Bob

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Bob welcome back, sorry to hear the other purchase didn't work out for you. But glad that you didn't give up also, I will tell you this; as far as a Voyager XII goes you will NOT be disappointed!
If I were you the first points of interest that I would address would be a complete fluid change, Oil, Brakes (front & back), Clutch (uses same brake fluid) and Antifreeze. If you don't mind searching YouTube for a few videos you should be able to locate some on changing out & bleeding your brakes (clutch is performed in the exact same manner). The oil as well can be changed very easily just remember that there are 2 drain plugs plus the filter and when refilling only add 3qts + 22ozs (ignore the sight glass). The antifreeze is also an easy change, the drain plug is easily accessed on the tube crossing under the radiator.

DON'T be shy about asking questions, we all have had to ask at one time or another!

[Bill O]

Well I'm back. .............. What can I easily do myself.
Thanks and God Bless
Bob

Bob, one thing that keeps raising it's ugly head up that most of us know but keep forgetting to mention to new owners........"Always lock your Saddlebag Lids on"! Hearing the stories of lost lids is heart wrenching for us. Then make you some "tethers" to connect the lids to the bags. Search the messages about the tethers. There are some good home grown kits on the site.

Bill O

[bobingeorgia]

thanks

[chicagorandy]

A few different DIY lid restraints are posted here:

http://www.amervoyassoc.org/forum/viewt ... f=3&t=8362

Hope this helps

[SgtSlag]

Be sure to change out these fluids, as well: fork tube oil (Carl suggests 15 WT fork oil, but Dexron ATF clocks in at ~8 WT, and it is very inexpensive -- I prefer the ATF/8 WT, myself); rear end oil (see the Shop Manual for procedure); shock absorber oil, if it has the OEM shocks (see the Shop Manual for procedure).

The Voyager is a fantastic bike, if in good working order. Once you get it there, it will be a blast to ride, single, of two-up. It has power to spare -- more than we will ever need/use! It rides very well (better with Progressive Fork Springs and 412 Series Shocks). Cheers!

[Lucasind]

.....Nice looking 02'ya found there ! Did ya talk the guy down any on his asking price ? Glad ya got the XII instead of the cavalcade. Could you elabarate more on what was found to return it ? , curious minds u-know !

[bobingeorgia]

I only rode the Cavalcade 20 or 30 miles, but I did like the drive. I actually liked the roominess, seats and balance at low speeds better than what I have experienced with limited, but the same amount of drive time on the Voyager XII.

That being said I pray with experience I will feel as comfortable on it as I am on my Pacific Coast. The drive and handling is so different. I thought they would be similar, but they are not. So I need drive time. I do not want to put my wife on the back ( which is why I bought the bike ) until I feel more comfortable stopping starting and low speed maneuverability. It's almost as if I had never ridden before.

The Cavalcade problem was diagnosed first in 2010 by found service records and then confirmed preliminarily by my 25 year experienced metric mechanic. He found the overflow tanks and the Radiator "bone dry". Also found evidence of it being dropped. He felt it had a cracked head. We stopped there.

Through conversation by email and text, the seller ( who had no obligation to accept a return ) agreed to either pay $500 towards repair or refund my money on safe return of bike. All conversations were amicable. I only asked him to consider doing what he truly thought was right. He had represented the bike to me as having no mechanical defects and as being a daily commuter for last year (30 miles round trip).

I did find a couple of experienced Cavalcade owner mechanics that could work on it. The consensus on the forums was it was not a cracked head or water jacket, but if it was, the engines were actually cheap. One mechanic said he had a couple already. I did not want to take the risk. Thus:

This Voyager was what I had found before I bought the Cavalcade. The Voyager was sold and day I bought the Cavalcade the Dealer called me to inform me the deal fell thru. After my ordeal with the Cavalcade I made a deal on it and had it delivered the next day. The shipper that brought me the Cavalcade was coming south from Ohio, so he picked it up, brought it to me ( less than 24 hours after purchase ) picked up the Cavalcade to take back to Tennessee. I considered going and driving it back to save $150 but there was a winter storm forecast for NC this weekend.