considering purchase of Voyager

[ttowdaddy]

The Cavalcade is an incredibly comfortable bike to ride but the gas milage is about 26 on the highway. I thought mine ('86 LXE) had problems though it ran well until I ran into a guy who had one that he had bought new and said that was the best he had ever gotten out of his.

[delsurfin]

If all goes well, I will be a happy owner of a 2001 voyager with 6325 miles tomorrow 3/9/2015
Paid a fair price but the bike appears factory fresh. I have owned a couple of big bikes (1999 Yamaha royal star venture, 2003 BMW R1200CL and a 1999 concours-my first ride) and I am now retired so I want to spend some road time with the wife.
This forum looks very friendly and helpful and I hope to contribute in the future.
ED

[cushman eagle]

I hope you get it!Yes this is a very helpful and friendly group/family I paid a good bit [$5000]for my '99 with 22000 on it and have added 27000 more.I heve never been sorry I paid that much for it,and the few problems I have had were easily handled either by my self,or with help from this forum.I would suggest that if it has the factory tie on the wiring harness going around the left side of the seeing head,and it has the harness tight close to the pivot,to cut the tie.There have been cases,including mine, which broke wires in the harness because of that.See if you can pull the harness forward, to give it some slack with the steering full right ,then ziptie around the harness several inches back of the steering head.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Ed, unless its a basket case with missing parts You WONT be sorry!
Your wife will enjoy it as well. If it works out for you, post pics so we can all share in your glory.
I too have an '01 and for my wife I've added high-rise foot pegs to provide options for her feet on long rides. Also a set of arm rests. Remember the trunk is adjustable as is the rear seat, this allows for her to have a bit more room.
There are a variety of enhancements available to make it even more roomy as well as shine with do-dads. There are more than one of these bikes with over 300,000 miles on the and even more 250k+ and still going.
Welcome from central PA! Looking forward to hearing more from you and meeting along the way!

[kjsett]

Only thing about newer than a 2000, get a replacement driveshaft to have on hand when needed. Carl told me that the supplier shorted the lube in the roller bearings of the u-joint and they wear out 30-40k. I had to replace mine at 42k.
Some love the stock seat, but to me it was only a 2-3hour seat. I do 10-12 now with my Corbin.
I recommend louder horns and Cree Led running lights up front (to be seen and heard).
A set of seat extenders will give her more room (if needed, my wife and I aren't small).
Personally I can't ride solo without a backrest anymore, and highway pegs help with shifting around on long rides.
Enjoy it. I can't believe my son was smart enough to buy this, and then not so smart enough to sell it to me and get a Harley (went through 5 before finally giving up and getting a more reliable bike).
Ken

[voyager55]

Just lube the bearings

Only thing about newer than a 2000, get a replacement driveshaft to have on hand when needed. Carl told me that the supplier shorted the lube in the roller bearings of the u-joint and they wear out 30-40k. I had to replace mine at 42k.
Some love the stock seat, but to me it was only a 2-3hour seat. I do 10-12 now with my Corbin.
I recommend louder horns and Cree Led running lights up front (to be seen and heard).
A set of seat extenders will give her more room (if needed, my wife and I aren't small).
Personally I can't ride solo without a backrest anymore, and highway pegs help with shifting around on long rides.
Enjoy it. I can't believe my son was smart enough to buy this, and then not so smart enough to sell it to me and get a Harley (went through 5 before finally giving up and getting a more reliable bike).
Ken

[delsurfin]

Thanks to all.
I am more than pleased. The bike looks and runs fantastic, hard to believe that two of the three first owners thought it was too much bike, The third owner had a bad auto accident and damaged his neck and nerves to his shoulder. He said he is done riding (shame a real genuine guy).
The first ten miles were two lane divided 45-55 mph, then 5 miles of dreaded construction. My first reaction was how comfortable the bike is a stop and go, very low and balanced. The next 55 miles was super slab(route 95 south for Fredericksburg to rte. 30 Kings Dominion exit all 70 +. This really seemed to blow out the carbs and it was super smooth almost electric in roll on and acceleration.
Rte. 30 is very rural and a pleasant 55-60 range with some nice sweeping turns really felt so much smaller as the miles just rolled by.
Back home with about 150 miles on the first ride,can't wait until tomorrow to fine tune things.
This voyager exceeded all my expectation so far. This could be the retirement bike I have been looking for, PS--Wife wants to get on ya buddy.
ED

[SgtSlag]

Congratulations! Be sure to change out ALL of the fluids: fork oil/fluid; both brakes and hydraulic clutch; oil and filter (two drain plugs...); oil in rear shocks (if stock...); oil in rear drive shaft hub; flush-n-fill coolant. Be sure to add some cleaner to the gas tank [I use Sea Foam (serves mutliple functions: dissolves varnish depostis; absorbs water; and other things), but Techron is also good]. Cheers!

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

After checking and changing fluids and what-not, give it a real good cleaning. Remove the fairing panels and clean the reverse side if you have time, by doing this you will get to know more about your new bike and also have a chance to clean and add some dielectric grease to all electrical connections you can find. A little PM now can save you a ton of trouble later!

Some add on's to think about according to my wife are arm rests and foot pegs for the rear rider. See photo below. There are a few folks here that make gadgets for the Voyager XII's like stainless steel grill covers, mirror visors, trim pieces and more all polished up to a mirror finish.

[doug of so fla]

Wow Scott!!! The vents and stuff look way better than the original Markland/ Kaw stuff That polished SS looks great. It looks like it must be made by that Gene Kap guy!!! It REALLY!! stands out on your XII. Super design & workmanship and will last forever.. First photo's I have seen other than photo's on his bench.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Doug, you hit the nail on the head! That is the work of Gene, beautiful craftsmanship and the time to polish these to such luster is defiantly worth the reasonable cost charged. When asked by Gene if I thought they were overpriced I said just the opposite, worth more than asking price!