2012 Voyager Review in Rider Magazine

[1700Guy]

The way the trunk and rear frame are configured it is not posible to move the trunk back. I was hoping it was possible.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I can buy any motorcycle that I want, and I chose the 2010 Voyager. I looked at all the touring bikes that were out at the time and test rode the Goldwing, Victory Vision, Harley Roadglide. Didn't test ride the BMWs because no dealer network near me. I fould the Voyager to me the most comfortable, maneuverable, and best looking out of all the bikes I considered. It also had the lowest cost by several thousand dollars for comparably equipped bikes.

My wife went on all the test rides and I figured she would push for the wing, but she liked the Voyager the best as well. Of course we are both fairly fit and and trim for our age.

The Voyager allows for several choices in riding position. You can slide your hips back on the seat, slide your feet back and ride the curves like a sport touring bike. You can sit straight up like you are sitting at your dining room table, or you can kick your feet out on the highway pegs and lean back into the rider backrest.

I have never ever risked my wife's helmet and mine connecting. In fact I can lean as far back as the stock bars will allow me and not even touch my wife. We even have the tall passenger backrest which pushes her a little closer to me.

I run 30 PSI of air in the rear shocks and have no issues with cornering at speed. The only time the floorboards touch is when I am in 1st or 2nd gear turning on an intersection across the road camber.

The voyager is roomier for the rider than the Wing, or the Harley. I have over 37,000 miles on my '10 Voyager.

[doug of so fla]

jn1200 & Gearhead I saw 2 Gold & White, 2012 1700;'s at a Ocala Ride Now dealership with a advertised price of $15,000, also in Cocoa fl, dealership on Cycle trader .com fl, for about same price. I am assuming they are non ABS with no options.. Also on pricing I consider the Wing, as it is I think the only one left that still burns Reg and around here. $.40 to $.50 a gal more for Premium it adds up. Waay to many choices!!!! I'm gonna go ride my XII....

[suzib6sw]

A touring bike without rear speakers. lol

Thought Kawasaki learnt that mistake with the '86 voyager.. :-) Everything after that point had rears fitted as standard..
Hmm..

Pete

[Rex Bashaw]

I have never felt the need for rear speakers on my 2010 Voyager. I listen to music quite ofter when I ride and am completely happy with the sound thru my Kawasaki helmet headset and the front speakers. I was quite happy that the initial purchase price of my Voyager was as low as it was. I was able to add the cb radio, mp3 player , gps, back rest etc, after my checkbook recovered from the initial purchase. I run an RCA mp3 player and my gps sound thru the aux input with a Mix-it unit. I haven't wanted the ipod attachment and am glad I did not have to buy it as part of the purchase price of the bike. When my wife does ride with me, she listens to the music thru the front speakers and her helmet headset. She has her own volume control for her headset and seems to like it fine.

[mountainman]

On the XII when my wife's helmet hits mine I know see going to sleep! Time for a coffee stop.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

On the XII when my wife's helmet hits mine I know see going to sleep! Time for a coffee stop.

Better that it's her's hitting yours than your's falling back into her's!

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

I don't have a 1700 nor can I afford one at this time but when the time comes, I don't want to pay for something that I don't want or won't use!
I pay for channels on the T.V. that I never watch and do my share of complaining about it but if I could request them as an add-on I would be happier! I do know that demand drives certain items but with a built-in intercom (music piped straight in) I could live very happily with just front speaker. After all there is an aftermarket rear speaker kit available and I've always found that with aftermarket I get to make more choices than what the manufacture is offering at point of sale.
Just my 2-cents!

[David (N. Alabama)]

A touring bike without rear speakers. lol

Thought Kawasaki learnt that mistake with the '86 voyager.. :-) Everything after that point had rears fitted as standard..
Hmm..

Pete

For those who wear full face helmets the rear speakers are a waste of money IMO. I use the front speakers and the helmet headset at the same time. I get the low tones out of the speakers and the high tones out of the helmet speakers. Works great!

For those who don't wear helmets the rear speakers are an easy add on because the wiring is already there at the rear of the bike. Just mount them and plug them in. For those who have to finance their purchases, all the accessories can be included in the purchase of the bike.

My wife never listens to the music. She can control the intercom and music separately through her helmet headset and she prefers the low rumble of the exhaust over any music.

[Turbo4x4]

Without any disrespect to motorcycle journalists or devotees of competing motorcycle manufacturers, having owned my 2009 Voyager for almost 3-1/2 years now (bought it new in July of 2009), there are only 2 complaints I have. First, whoever decided the location of the driver/passenger headset connectors had his/her head up their butt, and second, this bike eats rear tires like a kid eats ice cream. Reluctantly, I have crossed over to the dark side, and regardless of opposing opinion, I have no regrets from doing so. Simply got tired (no pun intended) of buying & changing rear tires once or even twice a year. Absolutely no handling or traction problems whatsoever, & I expect 36000 miles per tire instead of 6000.
All in all, if that's all one has to gripe about after 3-1/2 years of riding the 1700 Voyager, I'd say it's a pretty solid ride.

Ex-AVA member

[gearheadfla]

I have already decided no matter which bike I end up buying the first rear tire change will be to Darkside, my XII is on the Darkside now and I love it. BTW, Lori has dropped hints that she really likes the white on we looked at (the 1700).

[jn1200]

You only get 6000 miles from a rear tire? Holy Smokes!! That's Insane and Expensive!!!

Without any disrespect to motorcycle journalists or devotees of competing motorcycle manufacturers, having owned my 2009 Voyager for almost 3-1/2 years now (bought it new in July of 2009), there are only 2 complaints I have. First, whoever decided the location of the driver/passenger headset connectors had his/her head up their butt, and second, this bike eats rear tires like a kid eats ice cream. Reluctantly, I have crossed over to the dark side, and regardless of opposing opinion, I have no regrets from doing so. Simply got tired (no pun intended) of buying & changing rear tires once or even twice a year. Absolutely no handling or traction problems whatsoever, & I expect 36000 miles per tire instead of 6000.
All in all, if that's all one has to gripe about after 3-1/2 years of riding the 1700 Voyager, I'd say it's a pretty solid ride.

Ex-AVA member

[bikerking.biz]

You only get 6000 miles from a rear tire? Holy Smokes!! That's Insane and Expensive!!!

Many of the Japanese brands use stock tires that don't last long at all. Just another way of keeping prices lower for the bike. Stock Voyager tires (and others) were never good on milage. That's why most will opt for better tires like the Dunlop E-3's and others. Better traction, life, milage than OEM tires.

[Turbo4x4]

FYI... here's the rundown on my tire history. I think you'll be surprised. The best so far has indeed been the E-3.

Original factory Bridgestone - 5600 miles
Metzler ME880 - a whopping 3700 miles (yup)
Dunlop E-3 (x2) - 7300 & 7600 miles

[gearheadfla]

FYI... here's the rundown on my tire history. I think you'll be surprised. The best so far has indeed been the E-3.

Original factory Bridgestone - 5600 miles
Metzler ME880 - a whopping 3700 miles (yup)
Dunlop E-3 (x2) - 7300 & 7600 miles

Sounds like I will be going Darkside real fast if we buy the 1700.

[1700Guy]

Most of the bias ply E3s and myself included are getting about 15000 to 16000 miles on them . I have heard of a couple of people using the radial E3 and not getting very long life . that is the reason that we pushed for staying with the bias ply tire . longer life and les expensive. also the rims on the 1700 and the 1200 are made fore bias ply tires not radials. If you are useing a raial tire on eather the 1200 or the 1700 you are creating a safty problem the bead is different.

[Turbo4x4]

Good morning , Duane.

Both of my E-3s have been bias. I also need to mention that 90% of my riding is 2 up, but my riding style is not aggressive.

Regards

[1700Guy]

Turbo

What are you useing for air pressure. a lower or reccomended tire pressure will cause the tire to flex more thus building up heat in the rubber compound and wearing the tire out much faster. I run 40 in the front and 45 in the back most of my riding is in twisties and chip rock. and I ride agressive I think my bike can go on auto pilot between home Rattlesnake grade and our cabin at Wallowa Lake OR. I hope this helps you should get better miles on the E3 than that at that rate it is pretty expensive riding Lets get a few more chiming in to see what you are getting on your E3s or other brands. And what pressures you are using. THANKS

[Turbo4x4]

Turbo

What are you useing for air pressure. a lower or reccomended tire pressure will cause the tire to flex more thus building up heat in the rubber compound and wearing the tire out much faster. I run 40 in the front and 45 in the back most of my riding is in twisties and chip rock. and I ride agressive I think my bike can go on auto pilot between home Rattlesnake grade and our cabin at Wallowa Lake OR. I hope this helps you should get better miles on the E3 than that at that rate it is pretty expensive riding Lets get a few more chiming in to see what you are getting on your E3s or other brands. And what pressures you are using. THANKS

I was running 42 PSI rear, 38 PSI front, shock pressure at 30 PSI, & rebound at 3 while riding 2 up. Tire wear was always even and equal in all respects. Bike is almost always run at GVW or just slightly above, and almost always run between 65 & 80 MPH. From time to time I would tow my trailer, however it was very infrequently. All that said, the bike has been real joy to drive and has added a great deal of enjoyment to our retirement. I'm looking forward to experiencing the dark side, & the freedom from garage time that it provides.

Best regards.

[Lucasind]

.....To think this thread started about an article in a magazine, What a spirited debate was had !! the full gamut was reached,,, ending with tire pressure ! ( perhaps I am presumptuous that it has ended )
cheers !!