Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
- ltdrider
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Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 08:10
I've got a 50 mile commute (one way) to work. Friday's a good day to ride because traffic is light, but I hate piling up the miles on the 900. So I'm riding the Voyager XII on Fridays. Don't get me wrong, I love that 900, but the Voyager is an awesome bike for freeway riding. Tons of power, smooth as glass, and super comfy. Like an Easy Boy with a windshield. Lots of people have never even heard of Kawasaki Voyagers. They stopped making them in 2003, and you can find old ones for not much money. Mine's got 65,000 miles on it, and it runs great. If you see a cheap one in your area, give it a test ride. Who knows?
'76 KZ900 LTD (Blaze)
'96 Voyager XII (Dark Star)
'79 KZ650 Cafe Project (Dirty Kurt)
Greensboro, NC
'96 Voyager XII (Dark Star)
'79 KZ650 Cafe Project (Dirty Kurt)
Greensboro, NC
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- Mcdroid
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 08:36
You know, I also dislike putting many miles on my Z's and (bite my tongue) am also considering a big windshield protected monster to aid in commuting...haven't really thought about a Voyager...maybe I will:) :whistle:
Michael
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
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- oldcuda68
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 08:40
I also have a 2 wheeled land yacht. It is an 84 Wing. Nice bike, but with the green blood flowing through me I have started to look for a Voyager. I din't know until recently that they built them until 2003. They certainly do look like a nice machine. The search and the convincing the mrs. continues!!!
Mark
Mark
1980 KZ750 LTD
1984 Honda GL1200 Interstate
Too many other toys to mention
1984 Honda GL1200 Interstate
Too many other toys to mention
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- wiredgeorge
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 10:08
I have an 88 Voyager XII. I like stereo. I like cruise control. I like 45 mpg highway mileage. I have added a Hartco aftermarket seat and don't miss the stocker at all which was not nearly as comfy. I have cut down the windshield so I can see over it easily and added KuryAkyn ISO pegs to stretch out. When I brought the Voyager home, I didn't think I would be able to walk again after about a 1000 mile ride. The footpeg position is uncomfy for me on long rides and I like to stretch out some and the seat became torture with the feet locked down underneath me. The couple small mods I have made make the bike a real nice ride... did I say it got 45 mpg riding two up at moderate highway speeds. Nice to fill up at over 200 miles on the clock... Oh yeah... and they quit building the Voyager XII in 2005 and not 2003.
wiredgeorge Motorcycle Carburetors
Mico TX
www.wgcarbs.com
Too many bikes to list!
Mico TX
www.wgcarbs.com
Too many bikes to list!
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- N0NB
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 10:34
What engine does the Voyager have? Is it still the inline six 1300 or a smaller inline four?
Nate
Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel
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Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel

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- ltdrider
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 10:51
The Voyager XII has a 1200cc, in-line 4-cyl. Shaft drive.
Voyager made a XIII, a 1300cc bike, but I don't know anything about it. The V-13 is also not in production, but I don't know when the last model year was.
Voyager made a XIII, a 1300cc bike, but I don't know anything about it. The V-13 is also not in production, but I don't know when the last model year was.
'76 KZ900 LTD (Blaze)
'96 Voyager XII (Dark Star)
'79 KZ650 Cafe Project (Dirty Kurt)
Greensboro, NC
'96 Voyager XII (Dark Star)
'79 KZ650 Cafe Project (Dirty Kurt)
Greensboro, NC
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- Mcdroid
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 11:21
ltdrider wrote:
The Voyager 1300 was last made for the 1988 model year...and it was the 6 cylinder....and 1988 was the first year production for the Voyager XII. Mother kawasaki says that the last year for production of the Voyager XII was 2003:)
The Voyager XII has a 1200cc, in-line 4-cyl. Shaft drive.
Voyager made a XIII, a 1300cc bike, but I don't know anything about it. The V-13 is also not in production, but I don't know when the last model year was.
The Voyager 1300 was last made for the 1988 model year...and it was the 6 cylinder....and 1988 was the first year production for the Voyager XII. Mother kawasaki says that the last year for production of the Voyager XII was 2003:)
Michael
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
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- Bluemeanie
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 20:45
Yes, the Voyager is a sweet bike and has been for many years but there's a new kid in town, called the Concours 14. High performance touring at it's best!
1980 KZ650F1, Bought new out the door for $2,162.98!
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- Six9GS
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 21:37
Dude, Sweet Ride! I've always loved and wanted a Voyager. I vividly remember several visits to bike stores and sitting on a Voyager and wishing I could ride out with it. I'm jealous. Enjoy!!
Terry!
Terry!
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- RetroRiceRocketRider
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 22:17 - 02 May 2008 22:21
Wow Tim, she sure turned out pretty! 
Are you getting as good of fuel mileage on your Voyager as WG is getting with his?
If so, I imagine it's in the streamlining of the bodywork and how it's geared? Of course being gentle with the throttle probably plays a good part in that too.
Bluemeanie wrote:
High performance is right! :woohoo:
Maybe I'm just nostalgic over the original Concours, but I sat on one of those out at Temple City Powersports a few months ago and walked away totally unimpressed.
The seat height is rather tall, and the bodywork IMHO makes it much to bulky looking. Like a mix of an obese Honda Helix and a Tron bike. :S
Diff strokes for diff folks though, right?

Are you getting as good of fuel mileage on your Voyager as WG is getting with his?
If so, I imagine it's in the streamlining of the bodywork and how it's geared? Of course being gentle with the throttle probably plays a good part in that too.
Bluemeanie wrote:
Yes, the Voyager is a sweet bike and has been for many years but there's a new kid in town, called the Concours 14. High performance touring at it's best!
High performance is right! :woohoo:
Maybe I'm just nostalgic over the original Concours, but I sat on one of those out at Temple City Powersports a few months ago and walked away totally unimpressed.

The seat height is rather tall, and the bodywork IMHO makes it much to bulky looking. Like a mix of an obese Honda Helix and a Tron bike. :S
Diff strokes for diff folks though, right?

Covina, So Calif!
78 KZ650-B2 = SOLD
84 ZN700 LTD = SOLD
84 ZX750 GPz = SOLD
89 GSX1100F Katana = SLEEPING
20 VN1700 Vulcan Vaquero (the Blue Cowboy)
Looking for my next project KZ
78 KZ650-B2 = SOLD
84 ZN700 LTD = SOLD
84 ZX750 GPz = SOLD
89 GSX1100F Katana = SLEEPING

20 VN1700 Vulcan Vaquero (the Blue Cowboy)
Looking for my next project KZ
Last edit: 02 May 2008 22:21 by RetroRiceRocketRider.
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- KZQ
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Re: Jeez, but that Voyager is Smooth!
02 May 2008 23:13
The first year for the Voyager XII was 1986. In 1987 they changed the front forks in that while they kept the same OD fork tube they thickened the walls. Other that the fork tubes the only changes that the XII ever went through were annual paint schemes.
The 1300 Voyager six was basically a KZ complete with 32 MM valve shims, liquid cooling and fuel injection. The 1200 Voyager was more of a real touring bike with hydraulic valves and better integrated electronics. While they did manage to lighten and refine the XII over the 1300 Six there were some real compromises, notably the in the front ends. The 1200's are prone to head shake, something that the 1300's have never been troubled by.
I recently sold my Voyager XII only because my wife wouldn't ride it saying that it was "An old man's bike". Frankly, she don't know squat. My 1200 was a real goer, with bags. It would easily out run any 1500 GoldWing and, if the suspension was pumped up, would corner pretty well without too much scraping.
I still have my 1300 Voyager, a fuel injected 1985 model, which will soon emerge as a 130 HP street cruiser.
I really like the six cylinder engine which sounds every bit like a formula one car when it's fitted with a six into one exhaust system.
KZCSI
The 1300 Voyager six was basically a KZ complete with 32 MM valve shims, liquid cooling and fuel injection. The 1200 Voyager was more of a real touring bike with hydraulic valves and better integrated electronics. While they did manage to lighten and refine the XII over the 1300 Six there were some real compromises, notably the in the front ends. The 1200's are prone to head shake, something that the 1300's have never been troubled by.
I recently sold my Voyager XII only because my wife wouldn't ride it saying that it was "An old man's bike". Frankly, she don't know squat. My 1200 was a real goer, with bags. It would easily out run any 1500 GoldWing and, if the suspension was pumped up, would corner pretty well without too much scraping.
I still have my 1300 Voyager, a fuel injected 1985 model, which will soon emerge as a 130 HP street cruiser.
I really like the six cylinder engine which sounds every bit like a formula one car when it's fitted with a six into one exhaust system.
KZCSI
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
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1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
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