New XII Owner from MN!

[landygrundy86]

Howdy!

Name is Landy, I just picked up a '86 Voyager XII with 98k and... I am in love with it. It certainly needs some love... suspension mainly, but I think it she will be a fine ride.

I graduated from MMI in "08 and went through the K-Tech program. I am a Kawasaki guy through and through (I have a tattoo to prove it) and have owned many different Kawi's over the years. The ZRX is by far my most favorite motorcycle on the planet... but the wife isn't really a fan and it's not great two up, so it was time for something else. I love the Concours, but the wife said she didn't like that either. So with a minuscule budget I looked a the Goldwing of course, but being me.. I had to look a the Voyager. I rode my '86 and then I rode an '84 gl1200, while it may have been that gl itself... it was horrible compared to the Voyager. I picked it up last Saturday and rode her home, and took the wife for a ride, and she loves it. We are planning our first "long distance" motorcycle trip later this summer for my birthday (turning the big 30).

I'm blown away but the amount of information I've found on this site and have been crawling through the forums that last few nights learning all kinds of stuff!

Have a look and let me know what you think, (I threw in a pic of my ZRX just for fun ;)

[Tonyvdb]

Welcome aboard
These are truly the hidden gem of touring bikes.
A few things I would do on your "new ride" change the oil, follow these instructions: https://www.amervoyassoc.org/techtipsXI ... 0Locations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Flush the cooling system, also easy to do.

and make sure you have the correct igniter on your 86 details here: https://www.amervoyassoc.org/techtipsXI ... in/Igniter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tim in NC]

Welcome to the site. Lots of info here, and a lot of very knowledgeable people to help you.
I see you've got a KZ1000 police bike. Glad to see another KZ rider.

Ride safe,
Tim

[landygrundy86]

I have most of a kz at least. I bought it for $50 as a roller with no tins or seat a few years ago. I hope to get working on it again later this year.

Check it out Here

[trikebldr]

Yeah, the Voyager does have a little more real estate for your wife! I love the color of your Voyager!

[Mr Jensee]

I owned a 2000 black ZRX1100 that I sold a couple years ago. I agree it was an amazing motorcycle. Powerful, fast and I always got compliments on it where ever I parked it. I miss it and wish I never had to sell it but it was getting to the point I could no longer ride it. I bought a Voyager XII back in 2009, I think. My memory is getting fuzzy these days. The Voyager has allowed me to keep riding and it too is an amazing motorcycle. I think besides the power and way it can take two large adults down the highway effortlessly, I love the storage capacity and the fact that it has a radio. I hope you enjoy your new ride for a lot of years. Folks here will help you out with any maintenance problems you might encounter.

[Lucasind]

Welcome ! , Nice looking 86' ya found there ! Don't be too concerned about it having nearly 100,000 miles on it. they don't seem to know how many miles they have on them ,they just keep rolling on down the road ! .........................Tony

[Jimvoyager01]

Welcome to the AVA from Minnesota,,Lots of info on this site,,,this years rally is in Hurley Wis.,, not far from you,,lots of friendly people there ,.. including me

[cushman eagle]

Wecome to the Voyager world,bike and family. That is a great looking bike you have there. As you have already found out there is a wealth of information on this forum .

[usmalenurse]

Welcome aboard. Nice looking bike you have there...a little TLC and she'll give you lots of "smile miles".

[Tim in NC]

I looked at the pic of your KZ1000P. I have a KZ650 in about the same shape. Want to make a streetfighter out of it. Well, that was the plan 5 years ago.
The Voyager is fun to work on, lots of accessories to fiddle with. I put mine on a battery tender after I replaced the battery. Didn't cost much, and now I can always count on a full charge if I don't ride for a while.

[landygrundy86]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!

Jimvoyager01 I'm just down in Shakopee, so not too far from ya!


I'm still impressed every time I ride it, the motor is so smooth! It feels very "electric" to me.

[SgtSlag]

Just a friendly suggestion, for your wife's happiness, and indirectly, your's, too: buy a set of GL1200 Passenger Arm Rests (brand new, aftermarket; will work on any bike they can be bolted to). They connect to the front bolt of the passenger's grab bars, move forward/backward, and in/out, to adjust to your preferred position. They are fantastic, and worth every penny. Cheers!

[landygrundy86]

Just a friendly suggestion, for your wife's happiness, and indirectly, your's, too: buy a set of GL1200 Passenger Arm Rests (brand new, aftermarket; will work on any bike they can be bolted to). They connect to the front bolt of the passenger's grab bars, move forward/backward, and in/out, to adjust to your preferred position. They are fantastic, and worth every penny. Cheers!

Thanks for the the info, I was actually wondering about those!

[Jimvoyager01]

I am at Long Lake----15 miles west of Minneapolis,,,,lets have coffee some time ,,regards Jimvoyager o1,,,,,by the way I have a 2001 Voyager....

[landygrundy86]

Well, I went to work on the ol girl yesterday.

I changed the oil/filter, rear end gear oil, fork seals and fluid and re-greased the stearing steam bearings and set the pre-load.

It rides & handles sooo much better now. I still need to do brake pads and change out the shock oil.

Good News! It does have the updated igniter in it already as well