First ride

[Wahrsuul]

First ride impressions:

Ok, maybe not first ride. I bought the bike in Sep and rode it 50-60 miles home, but that was on worn tires and who knows what else. Since then, it's been in the garage getting worked on when I could. New E3s (couldn't get the Nexen CT to bead), wheel bearings, geveral clean and tune....

So, got the chance to ride to work this morning - 38 miles of 2 and 4 lane back road, 46 degrees and a little wind.

Wind protection is good as I'd expected. A little more breeze on my feet than I'd like, but nothing unmanageable. The windshield on the other hand...it says "Slipstreamer" on it so I'm guessing it's aftermarket. The PO might have been and inch or two taller, but I still think the shield is the wrong size even for him. The buffeting across the top of the helemt is a bit annoying, and the top of the shield cuts across the middle of my view. Guess I need to measure the shield and see what other sizes are available.

Handling...good, but needs work. Slow speed handling is almost scary - feels like I can move the bars some before the wheel starts moving, or the opposite, the wheel seems to flex a bit side to side without the bars moving.

Progressive springs are probably mandatory, the front felt very clunky over bumps.

I can't comment on gas mileage as yet, there was almost a half tank before I left, and I'm down to a quarter now. But I wound it up a couple times, and I can tell I'm still used to the ZG1000 engine as I fould myself forgetting 5th gear a couple times. At 55mph, 4th was smooth and quiet so I'd forget I had another gear. The bike has a good mid range for climbing hills even in 5th.

The riding position is good. I've adjusted the bars some, and didn't have any cramping in my wrists or shoulders, so that's a plus. I have a well worn Corbin seat but didn't use the driver's back rest. We'll see how thw 2 up riding goes.

I tested the cruise control, and it works, but I can't say I love it. It seemed to lose some speed before catching on, but held ok at that speed. It's not something I really wanted or will likley use much anyway. Not sure how far the speedo is off, but it's at least 5mph or more. Few people do the speed limit on these roads anyway, so no one to match against.

The stereo will take some getting used to, I couldn't work the buttons well with gloves on, and I didn't have the layout memorized anyway. Not that I'll use it much, I hate bikes with loud steres as much as cars with them. Maybe when I get either headsets or bluetooth I'll use it more.

[debron]

The Slipstreamer windshield is definitely after-market. Both Clearview and Cee Baileys make quality windshields of varying sizes up to about 6" taller and at least 4" wider than stock. The stock windshield is 24" from bottom to top center.

The handling is probably a combination of several factors, starting with the steering stem nut. A loose nut will affect handling especially at low speeds. Tighten to 95 inch-lbs. or use the "tap-'n-tighten" method using a large flat screwdriver or flat piece of metal which is a "guess-and-by-golly" and test-ride method.

Progressive's on the front are well worth it. In the mean time handling/ride depends on the oil and air pressure in the forks. How old is the oil, what weight, when last changed? Air pressure should be less than about 7 lbs.

Changing the oil in the rear shocks will make a HUGE difference, giving you ride and handling characteristics as good as $250 Progressive shocks. Run about 38 - 40 lbs of air in the rear. Or go the easy route and install Progressive's on the rear and forget about the air.

Other items to check: Tire pressure - 38 front, 40 rear. Torque all frame bolts to specs including the fork brace.

Speedometer is 10% off. When it reads 50, true speed is 45, at 60 true speed is 54, etc. You can confirm this with a gps.

[Lucasind]

....Congrats on getting the XII out for a ride. I read your comments on the cruise control,and I felt the same way about them. My old wing had the ol 'school clamp type throttle lock, and I thought that was good enough till I got my XII and started using it alot....in fact ,for the first half year on the XII ,I never even turned it on ! But know ,I use it alot and get out of the city every time we go out,and it always gets used. I got used to it and won't be without it now ! .........tony

[SgtSlag]

Wahrsuul, if your cruise is not engaging immediately (like in a car/truck), it probably has some slack in the cable on the actuator. There is a video on YouTube, which shows how to adjust it. It is quite simple to do, once you remove the Tupperware. Mine was horrible, very difficult to get it to engage, due to slack in the cable. Now that it is properly adjusted, it works like a champ.

I don't use it often, but when I do, I love it. I used a throttle-lock for several years, on my previous bike. There is no comparison between that, and the electronic cruise control on the Voyager. Be careful with it though: in corners, leaning the bike will slow the bike -- the cruise will compensate by accellerating, usually at the wrong point in the curve! It can make for some titillating excitement as you scramble to disengage the cruise control before you ride off the road at cruise-speed! Cheers!

[Wahrsuul]

The oil in the shocks is probably oem at a guess.

I did find that the front tire was was way over pressure, the rear was a bit under, the front shocks had no air, and the rear had very little. Everything is set to recommendatiosn now, I just need a chance to ride.

[ghostler]

Congrats on your "new" ride. Regarding front tire pressure, I find maintaining at least 40 lbs. helps. Previous bridgestone tire from previous owner was badly cupped. I gather he must have rode it underinflated.

I was experiencing the same problem with the sluggishness of the cruise control. However once properly adjusted, the cruise control works well, just like in the cars. 6 months ago, I used that advice in the video. Mine was way off, adjusted the servo which resides under the right side of the fairing. Apparently it had never been adjusted as it had been backed down all the way to the stop, required about a half inch of adjustment. Now when I set cruise, it locks immediately and maintains the speed. I can use the accelerate and decelerate switches, the cruise light will blink while I'm adjusting.

Found reason for sometimes the cruise doesn't engage is the rear brake switch as the culprit. Tapping the rear brake clears it. Will need to look into that further.

[kjsett]

Congrats on your "new" ride. Regarding front tire pressure, I find maintaining at least 40 lbs. helps. Previous bridgestone tire from previous owner was badly cupped. I gather he must have rode it underinflated.

I was experiencing the same problem with the sluggishness of the cruise control. However once properly adjusted, the cruise control works well, just like in the cars. 6 months ago, I used that advice in the video. Mine was way off, adjusted the servo which resides under the right side of the fairing. Apparently it had never been adjusted as it had been backed down all the way to the stop, required about a half inch of adjustment. Now when I set cruise, it locks immediately and maintains the speed. I can use the accelerate and decelerate switches, the cruise light will blink while I'm adjusting.

Found reason for sometimes the cruise doesn't engage is the rear brake switch as the culprit. Tapping the rear brake clears it. Will need to look into that further.

Had the same issue when i got my '03 3 years ago. Frustrated, but no idea what to do till i saw the video. Same as above in that it had never been adjusted. But also, it would drop out when i hit a bump. My issue was the handbrake switch (mounted under the hydraulic reservour-i think). Replaced it and it has been a wonderful to use since. I don't use it in the curves (more than minor ones) and it does run out on more than minor hills, but that is to be expected.
During long trips it really helps my hands, as i switch back and forth between them. I hold the handlebar weight so as not to impede the CC's operation (used it yesterday on way to work).
Enjoy,
Ken