Bumpy ride

[Hadyn]

Hello

I have recently picked up a Voyager and have been riding it but find the ride very bumpy. Not from the road but I feel like I'm on corrugated road. It's hard to describe. Not ruff but like you are on a boat in gentle waves.
Tires look newish but not sure what to look for.


Thanks

[bikerking.biz]

A variety of things to check:
1. Tires and tire pressures. If you have worn tires, or the cheap Dunlop 404 or 402's, get rid of them and get Dunlop Elite 4's. Then make sure the pressure is up to 38 lbs in the front, and about 42 lbs in the rear.
2.Shocks and Front fork: If air shocks, they should work fine IF not leaking and have proper level of oil in them. Pressure for rear, most run 36 to 40lbs. In the front, if they are the stock springs, those are most likely junk by now, and should be replaced with Progressive springs, air pressure, most run 0 to 10 lbs.
3. Fork stem bearing, should be checked for looseness or even over tightening. To far either way causes problem. There are a variety of posts here that should address that.
4. Wheel bearing, front and rear, make sure they are not worn (have side to side play) or running rough.

[Barry]

Ditto what bikerking said. I would add checking for play in the swing arm bushings. With the bike on the centerstand, grab the rear wheel and push/pull from side to side. If there's a problem it's easy to see as the swing arm will move closer to the muffler. This is best done with one saddlebag removed. Do you have a shop manual? Please keep us informed of your findings.

[cranky]

... just curious.. what speed / s do you feel this at? All / slow / fast / ?????
Gear dependent? Clutch in / out?????

[Hadyn]

Thanks for the advice. I do not have a shop manual and there is no center stand on the bike.
It seems to happen at any speed but more noticeable at lower speed wether on the throttle or not.

[cranky]

.. sounds like tires to me.... best to Ya!!!!

[Nails]

Sounds like shock/fork oil to me. It might be original.
That's just a guess, but it seemed to do the most to get rid of my bumpy ride.

[Me Again]

You might want to check the dampers also.I f not set correct for your weight you may get that floating feel.Should be set at 2 or 3 depending on your weight.
It will feel like your floating on air.

[Hadyn]

Thank you for all the advice, is there a place on here for a PDF of the shop manual or can you still buy one.
I'm okay at taking things apart and putting things back together but not deducing what is wrong with things.

Thanks again.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Thank you for all the advice, is there a place on here for a PDF of the shop manual .........Thanks again.

https://amervoyassoc.org/techtipsXII.php Try this link, it should take you to the home page of the AVA - Tech Center area - 1200 XII model

[Nails]

but not deducing what is wrong with things

For that, I suggest getting familiar with Search here. Lots of info on suspension, especially front suspension. (But I'm recommending that you focus on the rear suspension, especially replacing the oil.)

Of everything about the XII, I think the most improvable (especially on the cheap) is the ride and handling.

[VoyKimmer]

First thing you should get is a center stand. You will need it for a lot of maintenance. You can find them on eBay. Make sure it has the first stage lever otherwise you will fight it to get it up. There are YouTube videos on using the center stand on a voyager. Very easy. I can get mine up in my flip flops.

[Nails]

Make sure it has the first stage lever otherwise you will fight it to get it up. There are YouTube videos on using the center stand on a voyager. Very easy. I can get mine up in my flip flops.

Well, I sure can't get my XII up in my flip flops. I "fight it".

What's this "first stage lever" you speak of?

[cranky]

... the back lever puts the feet down, the larger one to the left / front
levers the bike up onto the feet...

[Nails]

Okay, I've got that. Didn't know there was any other kind.
I still fight with mine, even after Progressive springs. Mine seems to sit low. Maybe I need more air in the shocks.
But it's always been a struggle.

[bikerking.biz]

Okay, I've got that. Didn't know there was any other kind.
I still fight with mine, even after Progressive springs. Mine seems to sit low. Maybe I need more air in the shocks.
But it's always been a struggle.

If you put Progressive springs in the front, and the rear is too low on air, that will make it harder to put on stand. The Progressive's usually extends the front ride height, which will magnify the problem with low air in the rear. I run 40 lbs. in the rear as I like sportier handling, about 36 to 38 for slightly softer. Front air with Progressive springs (the oil filter and spacer should be removed with the Progressives), most run 0 - 10 lbs.

[SgtSlag]

I would highly recommend the rear Progressive Shocks. Why mess with the air pressure, and the oil changes? The suspension upgrade (front and rear Progressives), was money well spent. Cheers!

[Mr Jensee]

I found Progressives on front and rear improve the ability to pull the bike onto the center stand over the soft air suspension.