New Guy Here - Thank You In Advance!

[AdvenJack]

Hello Inline 6 Enthusiasts,

I am truly an advocate for the inline 6 engine and I am looking forward to your feedback!
My questions are:
1- On a scale of Zero to 100, with Zero being Impossible, and 100 being as easy as "A Walk In The Park",
how difficult/easy is it to have a reliable VOYAGER XIII?
2- On a scale of Zero to 100, with Zero being virtually No Cost, and 100 being as expensive as buying a
brand new BMW Grand American, how cheap/costly would it be to have a reliable VOYAGER XIII?
https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/model ... erica.html
Thank you all!

Jack

[Van Voyager]

Welcome to the group. We need more ZN'ers around here - there aren't many .

I've had my ZN1300 for several years now. When I picked it up it ran perfectly except for a barely perceptible slight miss at idle. It ended up being a broken spark plug wire - I managed to find a new correct OEM wire to fix that. Other than that, the only other problem: I found both alternator connectors were cooked (but still working). I replaced all the pins and connector shells. I've replaced a few cosmetic bits to get the monster back back to stock, painted the drivers and passenger 'peg' brackets to get rid of the flaking paint (never seen one that didn't have flaking paint in this area), and I've replaced the front brake lines with SS lines - will do the rear line the next time I do a tire change. That's it. It amazes me how well it easily starts and runs.

My God it's a big bike though. It's absolutely beautiful on the highway - took it across Canada a few summers ago - but getting to the highway, it's a bit of a handful. It's beginning to feel a bit big for me.

https://i.imgur.com/CSxiHy0.jpg

[AdvenJack]

Hello Van Voyager,

Thank you very much for your WELCOME To Me, and for the Strongly Encouraging Response to my inquiry!
I repeat that I am a True Enthusiast of the Inline 6 engine configuration, and reading your post was a real
pleasure! I'm in the deep south east of the USA, so, with disappointment, I must admit that I can't realist-
ically ask you to let me have an in-person look at your wonderful motorcycle! You've presented a nice photo!
Have you shot any video of it?
What's your milage now?
Where you are, are there months that you don't ride due to weather?
If so, do you take any steps to protect your motorcycle when it's in that "storage" condition?
Thank you again!

Jack

[Me Again]

I have been riding a 1300 since 1992(except for a couple years when I switched to a XII but decided it was to small and switched back).
They are not real difficult to work on but do require a lot of maintenance just because of there age .
Two things I have noticed the most are that If you do not keep the fairing tight you can crack it in a heartbeat and when they become hard to start (especially cold ) it's time time to set the valves (most shops will not touch that ).
you also need to keep tabs on electronics and clean the connections periodically.
Right now I am riding an 88 with the factory cruise control and really love that .
I feel that they are very labor intensive but it's mostly a labor of love .
Bill

[AdvenJack]

Hello Me Again,

Thank you for contributing good info to me, as I continue my quest for knowledge about
these amazing motorcycles.
You're also quite distant from me, so you also, have no need to fear that I'll come around
to your place and pester you! LOL
I'm guessing that adjusting the valves is another way to say, "set the valves" as you've said.
Am I correct?

Very appreciatively,
Jack

[Van Voyager]

Sadly I don't have any video. Mileage is only in the low 20k's (miles as mine is a US model). It only had about 5k on it when I bought several years ago. Here in BC it qualifies for a 'collector plate' so insurance is cheap and in theory I could ride it year round but realistically the weather is absolute crap her for 8 months of the year, i.e. cool and wet, so I really only ride it from June - Sept. with a few more days on either end depending on temp and rain. I never do anything to it to 'put it away' for the winter aside from filling the gas tank. The onboard electronics tend to drain the battery quicker than ideal so I occasionally put the trickle charger on (disconnecting the battery would negate the need for that).

[Van Voyager]

... factory cruise control

Something I wish mine had (crazy that it wasn't on the ZN's from the start).

[AdvenJack]

Van Voyager,

Again, I am happy to read your posts on my thread. All the learning that I can do, I want to do.
These motorcycles are so Wonderful in my opinion. I have never felt that my legs were comfortable
when on a Gold Wing.
I hope to sit on a Voyager X I I I and to feel that my legs are comfortable INDEED!

[GrandpaDenny]

I hope to sit on a Voyager X I I I and to feel that my legs are comfortable INDEED!

Just Voyager. Not XIII.

[Me Again]

I hope to sit on a Voyager X I I I and to feel that my legs are comfortable INDEED!

Just Voyager. Not XIII.

yup yup yup
The 1200 is an XII , the 1300 is a 1300
Kawasaki ZN 1300 Voyager
The Beast

[GrandpaDenny]

I read a post on one the of Facebook groups earlier today, regarding the lack of air compressor on the XII. They cut a lot of things off the 1300 to make the 1200, because they realized that the 1300 was, apparently, just too big (and look at the 1000 pound monsters running around today!). Quite similar tack Honda took with their latest changes to the Gold Wing - trimmed some farkles off to make a lighter, more nimble, better performing bike (with still the same level of comfort if not more).

On a totally separate note, I saw Ryan F9's review of the Suzuki Burgman super-scooter today. Apparently it will dust and out-handle most motorcycles. He showed a clip where he spanked a liter sportbike with the Burgman. Now that's wild. AND something like 56 liters of storage under the seat. Crazy, ain't it?

[AdvenJack]

I appreciate the education, including that there's no XIII.
I thought that I'd seen a picture of the roman numerals XIII
on a motorcycle, but I'm not finding it now. I live and I learn!

[GrandpaDenny]

Zoom in just under my a$$ (ooh that doesn't sound nice to say - change that to "look at Gertrude's side covers") in my profile photo, you'll see "Voyager XII". That's where you've seen XII, on Voyager XIIs, aka ZG1200s. Also known as Voyager 12s.