Is there a difference in ride quality?

[Chris Cochran]

Ok, there's the 86's and the 87's+ years. The 86's have smaller diameter front forks with the 87's and up having larger, heavier duty forks. For those that have ridden both incarnations, is there a noticeable difference in ride quality between the 86's and later bikes. Also, while I've so far heard of the differences in the forks, I've not heard tell of differences in the rear suspension. Are there any?

[SgtSlag]

I know the 87+ had electronic Cruise Controls, while the 86's did not. That is my cutting line: I love the CC. I rode, and toured two-up, on my '79 Honda, with a throttle lock only. I looked into, and seriously considered, an after-market CC for any bike. Decided it was far simpler to just buy a bike with a factory CC installed and working -- which led me to my '93 voyager XII.

With regards to suspension quality, I replaced my 93's OEM fork springs and rear shocks, with Progressive's. Glad I did. If I had an 86, I would do the same: I don't like messing with air assist anything (another thing to monitor and mess around with), and I don't like changing out shock oil -- fork and engine oil is bad enough! Cheers!

[Chris Cochran]

I know what you mean about changing to Progressive's and bypassing any need for oil changes. I want to put something together once and that's that.

I'm beginning to think that a switch to Progressive fork springs would compensate adequately for any inferior ride quality of the smaller diameter forks versus later model larger diameter forks.

I switched my Vn750 shocks to Progressives and WOW at the difference!

A switch is probably a good year down the road for me so it's not a pressing thing right now.

Thanks for the insight!

[Nails]

I know what you mean about changing to Progressive's and bypassing any need for oil changes.

I want to point out that you're only bypassing the ability to change the oil. Whether the oil in sealed shocks wears out is a nuther matter.

[SgtSlag]

Nails is correct: many of us bought sealed Progressive Shocks, which cannot be rebuilt. I have ridden a number of older motorcycles since I was 16 (currently in my late 50's). Back in the 80's, most shocks were sealed. The fact that the Voyager XII's allowed the owner to change out the rear shock oil, was quite a great thing.

Nail's point is absolutely valid. I just chose to go with factory sealed shocks, knowing that eventually, I would need to replace them, rather than to rebuild them. I went into this with my eyes wide open. I chose my compromises, and I am happy to live with them.

I've known many a rider who never changed their fork oil... I change mine every 1-3 years. I think the last time I changed it, I used full-synthetic Dexron VI ATF. The full-synthetic oils last longer, and in this application, they should last 2-3 times as long. The less often I have to change out fluids, the better! Each rider must make their own choices. What works for one, may not work for another. I educate myself, so I can make an informed decision, based upon my choices. I live or (God forbid) die by my choices. My life, my choice. Cheers!

[Doug]

Good day anyone that may be reading this,

I want to thank everyone who posts all this valuable knowledge on here for us all to use. I usually sit by quietly in most parts of my life and have hardly ever commented in any type of forum or board but I really do feel the need to make this post.

Everyone's information is so helpful, I don't think I would ever get another bike that is not an 86'-2003' Voyager. I purchased a 93' about a year or so ago. It was a VERY good deal even though it needed work. Since I bought that bike, with the help of this website, I have done more to this bike in the last year than I have probably done on any other vehicle I have ever owned, which has been many 2 and 4 wheeled, and most of it was because of the information I have been able to get from various sections of this site.

My next to the latest repair was installing Progressive Front Fork Springs. I was so disappointed! But wait! Here is why!

Someone over the last 30 years had incorrectly reinstalled the Air Valves (reversed them in the lower fairing area) for the Front Forks and Rear Shocks. No kidding. All this time when I was trying to get a descent ride out of the bike when I thought I was putting air in the front, it was going to the rear and vice versa. I had never noticed it before until after I put the Progressive Fork Springs in and it still rode terrible and in the meantime I must have damaged the rear shock air lines in my frustration, so, now they were not holding air. Well, needless to say my latest repairinvolved having to explain to my wife why I was now ordering the Progressive Rear Shocks, such fun, lol. But seriously, I installed the Rear Pogressive Shocks today and in combination with the recently installed Front Fork Progressive Springs, I set out on my trial run. It was amazing! I cannot emphizie how well the bike handled. I honestly can not imagine the bike rode this well when it was brand new. So, is there a difference in ride quality? I say it is probably the best thing you could ever do for yourself on one of these Voyagers. It even seemed to help the low speed unsteadyness I was feeling in slow tight turns like in parking lots, which I figured was in the tire, but I guess it wasn't.

Long story short. If you can work them into your budget, I reccoment to definatly change them both out and also one final shout out to all the people who make this site so great.

Thanks much,
Doug.

[Doug]

Good day anyone that may be reading this,

I want to thank everyone who posts all this valuable knowledge on here for us all to use. I usually sit by quietly in most parts of my life and have hardly ever commented in any type of forum or board but I really do feel the need to make this post.

Everyone's information is so helpful, I don't think I would ever get another bike that is not an 86'-2003' Voyager. I purchased a 93' about a year or so ago. It was a VERY good deal even though it needed work. Since I bought that bike, with the help of this website, I have done more to this bike in the last year than I have probably done on any other vehicle I have ever owned, which has been many 2 and 4 wheeled, and most of it was because of the information I have been able to get from various sections of this site.

My next to the latest repair was installing Progressive Front Fork Springs. I was so disappointed! But wait! Here is why!

Someone over the last 30 years had incorrectly reinstalled the Air Valves (reversed them in the lower fairing area) for the Front Forks and Rear Shocks. No kidding. All this time when I was trying to get a descent ride out of the bike when I thought I was putting air in the front, it was going to the rear and vice versa. I had never noticed it before until after I put the Progressive Fork Springs in and it still rode terrible and in the meantime I must have damaged the rear shock air lines in my frustration, so, now they were not holding air. Well, needless to say my latest repairinvolved having to explain to my wife why I was now ordering the Progressive Rear Shocks, such fun, lol. But seriously, I installed the Rear Pogressive Shocks today and in combination with the recently installed Front Fork Progressive Springs, I set out on my trial run. It was amazing! I cannot emphizie how well the bike handled. I honestly can not imagine the bike rode this well when it was brand new. So, is there a difference in ride quality? I say it is probably the best thing you could ever do for yourself on one of these Voyagers. It even seemed to help the low speed unsteadyness I was feeling in slow tight turns like in parking lots, which I figured was in the tire, but I guess it wasn't.

Long story short. If you can work them into your budget, I reccoment to definatly change them both out and also one final shout out to all the people who make this site so great.

Thanks much,
Doug.

[GrandpaDenny]

You can say that again.

[Heavy Armor]

You can say that again.

HA! I see what you did there.

[Doug]

Yea, me too lol. I didn't realize I posted it twice, my bad.