Stupid question?

[kehoffman]

I have found conversations on putting a filler tube between the front ends of the spill bars. What I have not seen is any info on just how well the bars actually protect the plastic.
My knees are so weak that if I drop the bike, I will not be able to set it up again. Because of this, I have been continually uncomfortable with the weight and high center of gravity with this bike.
Any one have some experience and words of wisdom on this?
Many thanks!

[voyager55]

Have you thought of a Tow Pac or Voyager trike kit?

[Mr Jensee]

I will tell you that the Voyager XII carries it's weight very low. I have dropped this bike on more than one occasion and only once when my foot slipped in a limestone parking lot with my wife on board did it ever go all the way over to the ground. The bars stop the bike in about a 45 degree angle to the ground if you tip it over, provided you don't have the tourpack filled with stuff. I suffer from progressive kidney failure and have been getting steadily weaker, only 5'8'' tall and I can still pick the bike up when it falls over. There are videos on the internet to show you how to pick a large bike up once it has fallen by using your legs to do the lifting. I recommend you visit them. The Voyager XII is a very forgiving machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... SQhQWT7pNQ

[Gator Mike]

As Mr Jensee says, the bars protect the bike really well. I have had both knees replaced and can still pick the bike up while it's resting on the bars. I've dropped it several times and the only thing that has happened are a couple of scratches on the bars themselves. The plastics came out unscratched. I don't have the "filler bar" you spoke of but am considering putting one on. If you are unfamiliar with the lift procedure for getting the bike up look for the videos Mr Jensee mentioned as they will be a great help.......... Gator Mike

[Bill O]

I have found conversations on putting a filler tube between the front ends of the spill bars. What I have not seen is any info on just how well the bars actually protect the plastic.
My knees are so weak that if I drop the bike, I will not be able to set it up again. Because of this, I have been continually uncomfortable with the weight and high center of gravity with this bike.
Any one have some experience and words of wisdom on this?
Many thanks!

The front "Crash Bars" as I call them are not very strong without the addition of the "Light Bar" or an add on center bar. Many have used towel rods and such for the look, but if you cannot find an original Light Bar, my suggestion is an 1 inch aluminum round bar cut down and turned to the dimensions of the light bar. Reason being, the added strength. The Voyager will lean over at about the 45 degree onto the front/rear bars, but with out the strength of the center bar, they can easily bend. With the added strength, they will support the weight of the bike and protect the Tupperware (Plastic).

More than not, a large bike will be layed over at "0" MPH. This occurs more than not. As earlier stated, the correct method for picking up a Voyager is as shown in the video. It is also easy to practice with the help of another to help you gently lay it over on it's side.

An additional incentive to strengthening the front bars is that when you mount rider highway boards or pegs, they will feel rock solid. With out the center section, they will flex on you and you will feel unsturdy.

Final plug for aluminum stock for the center bar.... it can be buffed up real nice and shinney.

Bill O

[the2knights]

Agree the filler bar adds strength. Contact EKAP1200 on this sight for a high quality filler bar at a good price.. I saw a sample at the AVA Rally in Asheville. He makes a few other pieces for the 12 as well. As far as picking up the bike it is all about technique. The 12 has low center of gravity and is pretty easy to pick up compared to most touring bikes.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

During this years AVA rally in Asheville NC, our chairman Mike Mcgee demonstrated how to SAFELY lift a motorcycle by yourself.
Here is a short video of his demonstration: Click to View Video

[chevyman1]

You want the Filler bar or light bar for sure if you are using highway pegs.
it really stiffens up the case guards without it you will really notice a lot of flex in the guards.
If ekap1200 can't fix you up with one let me know, I have some also

[SgtSlag]

If you feel your Voyager is top-heavy, I would suggest going through the trunk, and the fairing pockets, and removing/relocating items to the saddlebags. Any bike will become top-heavy if the trunk is overloaded, making the bike very easy to tip/very hard to balance.

My wife and I toured around Lake Superior, in 2009, on a '79 Honda 750: saddlbags, trunk (overloaded...), tank bag, and full pockets in the Windjammer fairing. Even with just me on the bike, it had a balance on a razor's edge, due to the trunk being overloaded -- it was worse when one of us sat on back! We re-packed our gear, putting the lightest stuff (clothing), in the trunk, and that helped tremendously.

Our '93 Voyager has a very low center of gravity, but we still pack it carefully, for tours. All tools go in the saddlebags, along with all of the other heavy gear. Only the lightest stuff (clothes) goes in the trunk. Never had it feel top-heavy packing like that; never had any balance issues like we did with the Honda. YMMV. Cheers!

[ghostler]

The front "Crash Bars" as I call them are not very strong without the addition of the "Light Bar" or an add on center bar. Many have used towel rods and such for the look, but if you cannot find an original Light Bar, my suggestion is an 1 inch aluminum round bar cut down and turned to the dimensions of the light bar. Reason being, the added strength. The Voyager will lean over at about the 45 degree onto the front/rear bars, but with out the strength of the center bar, they can easily bend. With the added strength, they will support the weight of the bike and protect the Tupperware (Plastic).

This is good to know. I saw another bike that had less than an elegant solution, using a threaded rod. It worked, but looked tacky.

More than not, a large bike will be layed over at "0" MPH. This occurs more than not. As earlier stated, the correct method for picking up a Voyager is as shown in the video. It is also easy to practice with the help of another to help you gently lay it over on it's side.

I don't know how many times in other forums I've seen riders exclaim that they have never laid down a bike, or their current ride. I wonder if they really do ride, or are just poseurs (all talk and no substance).

[Gator Mike]

Old saying: There are two types of bike riders. The ones who have dropped them and the ones who are gonna !!!!!! ......Gator Mike

[archer500]

Hello, I'm not sure if this would help but I've seen a new type of accessory called " Landing Gear". They work under your saddle bags by lowering a set of wheels when you drop below 10 mph. Above that they retract up out of sight. I was impressed with there online demo. When they drop down at low speed there is no way your bike will fall over. Check it out, if you have trouble finding them contact me and I will help you locate them. Good luck, Robert B.

[feenixx613]

I feel your concern I suffer from multiple injuries and I worry I wont have the strength to pick it up! But I gotta tell you Ive had many bikes in my 30 yrs of riding and the only bike I dumped was my 05 concours I sold it cause it was dangerously top heavy I just couldn't tame that thing so I let it go but glad I found an xii! I feel way more confident with it. Good luck don't give up on the xii!

[kehoffman]

I really appreciate all the various replies. I screwed up my left knee 50 years ago in my first MC accident (got T-boned) and my rather extreme weight has not helped it any.
I think I am going to put the bike on the market as I am really not enjoying it like I thought I would. Anyone interested? 1996 w/ 18,xxx miles and very clean.

[ghostler]

Sorry to hear that Keith and the best wishes in your endeavors. I have friends in similar situation to you that picked up a trike, converted their bike to trike or added a sidecar, so they could continue feeling the wind and smell the surroundings.