Just got a dandy cheap ride.

[Wormys_Dad]

Hello
I am new to this site and new to Kawasaki motorcycles in general. I have ridden bikes since I was a teenager and have owned Yamaha,Suzuki,and Honda but never a kaw. My last bike was a GL1500 that I had for about25 years(had to sell it a few years ago cause stuff happens) So my standards were pretty high. These Voyager XII's are a hidden gem in bikes in my opinion. I purchased a 2002 with 17600 miles on it from a dealership, Had a complete checkup and fluids changed, with new rear tire and new battery installed..... for about half the price of an older high mileage wing. The comparison: it doesnt ride quite as smooth on the open road.... but it is way more nimble and not as top heavy, balanced better, has the bells and whistles ... ... and oh my goodness these are quick! I believe it would run away and hide from the 1500. Have had this bike for only 3 weeks, went over it in my own shop with a fine tooth comb, and have put over 600 miles on it already with absolutely no issues whatsoever. Really a nice machine overall.

This is a very nice site and I appreciate the opportunity to browse the posts so I know what to expect in the future.

Happy to be riding again and looking forward to doing the bike traveling thing again!

Stay safe out there and happy riding!

[cushman eagle]

Welcome,Wormys_Dad,I think you will like the VXII,as I have appreciated my '99 for the 11+years and 73,000 miles I have put on it
Feel free to ask questions on this forum for free answers from experienced owners.

[SgtSlag]

Like you, I have had limited experience with Kawasaki bikes. This is my second, with the first being a 440 LTD Belt Drive, 6-speed. Light, nimble, and quick acceleration. The Voyager is also very quick for its size and weight. It is a bit of a sleeper, to be honest. Other riders consider it to be a non-starter, thinking it slow and lumbering.



I've had fun surprising other riders I've toured with, as to how well it can accelerate and handle.

I spoke with my motorcycle mechanic, this morning, about other equipment. I apologized to him saying that my XII is running perfectly, and it hasn't needed anything for a few years, so I never get to see him anymore... We both laughed.

I've done multiple upgrades to my XII, and she is pretty much set now. Only thing left to do is to ride her as much as work and life will allow!



Welcome to the forum, and to the Voyager XII. She is one hell of a motorcycle, definitely under-appreciated. I compare it to Minnesota: most folks in the USA consider Minnesota to be a part of "the fly-over zone." They could not be more mistaken -- but I am glad they are! Keeps them out, so us locals can truly enjoy our incredibly beautiful State (Mississippi River valley in SE; northern 1/3 of the State, with lonely winding roads where you can ride for 20 minutes without seeing another vehicle, and endless gorgeous forests on both sides). The Voyager is similar: those who are ignorant of what the bike is like, leave more for those of us who do know it! Cheers!

[Wormys_Dad]

Thank you for the warm welcome!
I can definitely say I have already grown very fond of this machine! So much so that I have already installed extra lighting and a couple of power ports for phone chargers and such. Bike was missing one of the chrome swing arm pivot covers so I made a couple of polished aluminum covers to replace them. (I have my own lathe and milling machines in my home shop). Made aluminum biscuits from melting cans in a forge and pouring into muffin tins and keep them on hand for such projects.
Anyway... I do think these bikes are severely underestimated and under rated.
My wife and I are already planning a weekend trip in june for our anniversary....It was HER idea.... safe to say she likes the bike too.

Stay safe out there!

[GrandpaDenny]

Imagine, if you will, two bikes on a lonely mountain road in south-central Pennsyltucky. Twisty, hilly, dancing kind of roads. In the lead, a hopped-up 2017 or so Concours 1400. Right on its tail through the twistiest parts, a fat old ZG1200. Maybe it's just the incipient insanity of the rider (I LOVE scraping the pegs, and let me tell you with the new suspension it's VERY hard to do), but old Gertrude loves to dance in the twisties. We got to a rough section of road, and good old Gertrude, all 800 pounds of her with her 280 pound rider and loaded coffee cup in the cup holder, tunes a-blasting, heated seat keeping her rider's butt warm, zipped around the Concours and led the way, watching the pillion almost bounce off the C14.

Ok so she won't do 157 miles an hour. Ok so she won't rev to 14000 rpm or whatever. So she doesn't have a slick speed-shifter or $1500 monoshock rear suspension. The proof, however, is in the pudding, so to say. She'll squeak the rear tire on acceleration, will brake hard enough to lift the rear tire (not lock it up, actually lift it), and is quite capable of keeping this old man entertained in the twisties. She will also do, so far, 680 miles in a day without batting an eyebrow.

I can't wait to see how she behaves if I ever get the carbs done LOL.