New Voyager - First Long Ride

[Netnorske]

Well, I mounted the bell from my old bike first thing this morning, then got her out for a good 250 mile run today through all kinds of roads and speeds. Trip was right....I LUV that 6th gear. Hit 65 mph, drop into OD and the rpm's drop to 2500....hit the cruise and voila....nice!

Maybe it is just that I have never had a belt-driven bike, or just that it is new or whatever...but man, those belt whines that come and go are annoying....especially between 25 and 35 mph through towns and such. Once I hit the 50+ mark....I don't hardly hear them at all. One minute the thing is whining like a stuck pig, then nothing....its weird. I hope that will start to go away as I get more miles on her.

The tunes are kinda nice, but only at slow speed cruising....25 to 50 mph. Once at highway speeds, although you can still hear it if you turn it way up, the wind noice takes too much away from the experience to enjoy it. I turned the tunes on and off thoughout the day...but mostly off on the highway.

This thing is frigging tall...every time I come to a stop I'm immediately on my tip-toes, and am sure I am going to tip over somewhere. I'm really hoping the Corbin seat will be enough, but if not, a set of Progressive shocks may be in my future to lower it a couple more inches. I think the seat is probably a couple weeks out too. I was hoping for sooner, but probably not realistic as they too use a pan best suited to your height/weight/inseam, so it will take time to get put together.

I forgot my digital camera, but my brother took this shot at his place with my phone before jumping on his ride and doing about 150 miles with me. This is the very first pic of me with the new ride...:yep:.

Tomorrow the wife jumps on for the first time. She wanted me to get some time on it to get used to it....a good call on her part. If we do another 200 tomorrow, which we will....I'll be ready for that 600 miles service Monday or Tuesday!

I cannot wait for all the other goodies (Thunder Air kit, V&H Slashies, PCV fuel module, shorter windscreen and luggage rack) to show up at the dealership, plus the Corbin seat (w/drivers backrest) and Chucksters risers. I've had to be kinda careful not to totally rev the bike up too much, as I'm still in the so-called "break-in period"....but trust me that I've been well over 2500 rpm's enough to have set the rings by now :tup:. My top speed has been 75 mph in 6th gear. I just want to hear that thing breath and sound like a real motorcycle....these stock pipes totally SUCK!

This thing does run hot like everyone has said. I could really feel the heat on my right leg, even with the newly designed unit that is supposed to draw that hot air from the rear header off to the left side. I never felt heat like that on my Nomad, but hopefully the air kit and some synthetic oil will help it run cooler.

I'll give ya to two-up report late tomorrow and see what the wife thinks. It's kinda too late now....so I hope she can deal...:yep:.




http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo187/netnorske/2012%20Voyager/newride.jpg

[Sin City Stan]

I forgot my digital camera, but my brother took this shot at his place with my phone before jumping on his ride and doing about 150 miles with me. This is the very first pic of me with the new ride...:yep:.



http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo187/netnorske/newride.jpg

Nice pic. Kris

[redjay]

Looks good Kris. Looking forward to the two up report. I think you will find it is easier to handle at low speeds with a passenger than the Nomad.

The mufflers on the 2009/2010 are louder than the 2011/2012. Loud enough for me on my 2010.

[rickyboy]

Glad you're enjoying the bike and having fun my friend !!!

[highwayman2011]

I find the Voyager much harder to handle at low speed two up rather than solo. Higher seat leading to a higher center of gravity and all.

[dale55]

Nice looking bike man. I am sure you and your wife are going to enjoy it for many years.

dale

[trip]

Nothing like a new Voyager to make all of the world right.

Congrats Kris!!

[HurtSoMuch]

nice looking ride

[VulcanE]

Congratulations Kris, I've seen the black & gray in person, and it looks much better than a photo can portray. I've ridden a few of the 2011's and I do really like them. Enjoy the new scoot, SHARP looking ride!

[redjay]

"I find the Voyager much harder to handle at low speed two up rather than solo. Higher seat leading to a higher center of gravity and all".

Harder to handle than a Nomad ? Higher seat than a Nomad ? The seat height on my Voyager feels the same to me as my 05 Nomad.

[Dave]

Have you thought about a nice set of J&M helmet speakers?

[fish]

did you stop smiling yet?

I think the voyager seat hight is like 1/2" highter then the 08 nomad

[Gandalf]

Very nice picture and that color combo is sure cool!

If you don't mine me asking, what was the price on your Voyager?

Sam:)

[brote]

Great to hear you like the new bike and it's performance. By the way the chrome edging
really looks great on the fairing and lowers !! Looking forward to Sundays report

[Netnorske]

Very nice picture and that color combo is sure cool!

If you don't mine me asking, what was the price on your Voyager?

Sam:)


Post #109 explains the price and accessories....:yep:.
http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29453&page=8

PS...I hear my old Nomad is for sale for an asking price of $7899.00....

[Bdog]

The adventure starts all over again eh Kris. Its always nice to get a new ride, check it out, take this off, add this and this and this etc.. Looks good on ya ...so does that permenant smile on your face. ..John

[Griz]

Thats a beautiful Voyager Kris, I test rode one a few months ago and agree that it was tall, I was a bit nervous each time I came to a stop. I'll be anxious to hear if the seat makes a difference.

[duffy]

It looks really good Kris.....................

[landman]

:yep:somebody please repost the picture of those thick soled boots for kris.at 5'10" i didn't
have any problem feeling the voyager or vaquero were all that tall and could easily get
both feet on the ground at stops.

[Netnorske]

Two-Up Day....

With two gorgeous days in a row in the NW...and 600 miles to go to get to that first service, I managed to "Git'er Done". I'm sitting at 575 miles and after riding to work tomorrow will drop it off for service on Tuesday.

Anyways....the wife rode for 3/4 of the day with me and she likes the bike and the ride....no worries on her part. The bike handles the two-up load like a champ, but she sits a lot closer to me now than when on the Nomad. I'm hoping that backrest on the Corbin won't be a problem for her...:hmm:.

Did I mention how badly the stock pipes SUCK...?? I passed a thousand or more bikes this weekend and only five sounded worse than mine....all Gold Wings. I mean I hate it....for the love of God....it sounds just like Schoeney's bike.....:lmao::lmao::lmao::P:P! I'm also amazed at how quiet the engine itself is. You barely even hear it running....no clackety-clack, tickety-tick noises like the 1600 is so famous for.

This Voyager has some really good stuff going for it though. As a highway cruiser the thing is a beast....totally WINNING...:tup:. On the country twisties...I'm amazed that it is more nimble and responsive than my Nomad, but it's taken some miles to get used to the seating position. I feel like I'm sitting on it rather than in it....something I will fix either with the seat alone or some Progressive shocks if that's what it takes.

I think once I get the performance mods completed, the shorter windscreen, and more personalized for comfort, this thing will be the cats meow! Even the belt whining was not as bad today....early on it was, but later in the day it seemed to subside a bit. I'm hoping that in time, it will for the most part go away all together.





http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo187/netnorske/IMG_0690.jpg

[landman]

on my vaquero i had a little bit of belt whine for maybe the first 50 miles,mostly on decel,then it quit.as for the stock pipes after numerous bikes with aftermarket pipes
i am enjoying the quiet rumble of my vaquero and just may keep it stock.except for maybe chucksters air kit.now keep in mind that i have said that about pipes before
so no promisses here.

[redjay]

I loosened off the belt on my Voyager yesterday. A lot of the noise has gone.

[schoeney]

Two-Up Day....

With two gorgeous days in a row in the NW...and 600 miles to go to get to that first service, I managed to "Git'er Done". I'm sitting at 575 miles and after riding to work tomorrow will drop it off for service on Tuesday.

Anyways....the wife rode for 3/4 of the day with me and she likes the bike and the ride....no worries on her part. The bike handles the two-up load like a champ, but she sits a lot closer to me now than when on the Nomad. I'm hoping that backrest on the Corbin won't be a problem for her...:hmm:.

Did I mention how badly the stock pipes SUCK...?? I passed a thousand or more bikes this weekend and only five sounded worse than mine....all Gold Wings. I mean I hate it....for the love of God....it sounds just like Schoeney's bike.....:lmao::lmao::lmao::P:P! I'm also amazed at how quiet the engine itself is. You barely even hear it running....no clackety-clack, tickety-tick noises like the 1600 is so famous for.

This Voyager has some really good stuff going for it though. As a highway cruiser the thing is a beast....totally WINNING...:tup:. On the country twisties...I'm amazed that it is more nimble and responsive than my Nomad, but it's taken some miles to get used to the seating position. I feel like I'm sitting on it rather than in it....something I will fix either with the seat alone or some Progressive shocks if that's what it takes.

I think once I get the performance mods completed, the shorter windscreen, and more personalized for comfort, this thing will be the cats meow! Even the belt whining was not as bad today....early on it was, but later in the day it seemed to subside a bit. I'm hoping that in time, it will for the most part go away all together.








Well you wouldn't have to listen to my bike if you could get past it! :wave::tehe::lol:

Oh by the way..your neighbors called and said they love your new pipes!

[coacha]

Looks good and glad you are enjoying the ride.

[brote]

Glad everything is great for you Chris. Sounds like your both happy with the new bike. I notice you mentioned "Sitting On" and not in. Same thing that got me with the Vaquero I rode at the National. Best of Luck !!!

[cactusjack]

:yep:somebody please repost the picture of those thick soled boots for kris.at 5'10" i didn't
have any problem feeling the voyager or vaquero were all that tall and could easily get
both feet on the ground at stops.

You mean these, Bob?

http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/cjack_1/zack.jpg

[cactusjack]

Belt whine??? Sounds more like "rider whine" to me....:lmao:

[Dave]

You mean these, Bob?

http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/cjack_1/zack.jpg

What are you doing taking pictures of items in Greg's closet?

[waterman]

What are you doing taking pictures of items in Greg's closet?

Greg's shoes would have at least 2 more layers on the soles.

[landman]

You mean these, Bob?

http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/cjack_1/zack.jpg

those are the one's cj,thanks for reposting.:tehe:sorry kris,i couldn't resist.

[Netnorske]

those are the one's cj,thanks for reposting.:tehe:sorry kris,i couldn't resist.

Glad to know you guys are looking out for me....:tup:.

I dropped the bike off tonight at my mechanics place for the 600 mile service. Gonna add some synthetic oil (Amsoil 10-40)....and Chucksters risers showed up in the mail today as well, so those will be going on too. Still waiting to hear back from Corbin, hopefully tomorrow as their website said confirmation within two business days. I think I will be ordering a set of RacnRay's modified grips when I get the chance as well. Everyone seems to be in love with them from what I have read here and elsewhere. Damn....here we do go again....:D$$:cry:$$:yep:$$:tup:.

[waterman]

Glad to know you guys are looking out for me....:tup:.

I dropped the bike off tonight at my mechanics place for the 600 mile service. Gonna add some synthetic oil (Amsoil 10-40)....and Chucksters risers showed up in the mail today as well, so those will be going on too. Still waiting to hear back from Corbin, hopefully tomorrow as their website said confirmation within two business days. I think I will be ordering a set of RacnRay's modified grips when I get the chance as well. Everyone seems to be in love with them from what I have read here and elsewhere. Damn....here we do go again....:D$$:cry:$$:yep:$$:tup:.

Your try at a stimulus Kris??:tup: Probably will work better than the governments.

[cactusjack]

Glad to know you guys are looking out for me....:tup:.

I dropped the bike off tonight at my mechanics place for the 600 mile service. Gonna add some synthetic oil (Amsoil 10-40)....and Chucksters risers showed up in the mail today as well, so those will be going on too. Still waiting to hear back from Corbin, hopefully tomorrow as their website said confirmation within two business days. I think I will be ordering a set of RacnRay's modified grips when I get the chance as well. Everyone seems to be in love with them from what I have read here and elsewhere. Damn....here we do go again....:D$$:cry:$$:yep:$$:tup:.

No problem, buddy. We've got your back! :D

[MustangMan]

I am glad you two are enjoying the new ride. I ordered risers from Chuckster as well. How did you get yours before me? See you soon.

[schoeney]

I am glad you two are enjoying the new ride. I ordered risers from Chuckster as well. How did you get yours before me? See you soon.

Kris is a power buyer !

[Netnorske]

I am glad you two are enjoying the new ride. I ordered risers from Chuckster as well. How did you get yours before me? See you soon.

Kris is a power buyer !

You ever heard the saying "rank has it privileges"....??....:P

[MustangMan]

Hah, mine were sitting in my mailbox at work. I guess I should check that more often. Pretty soon no more "cop". btw, they just opened up YouTube at work so I checked out the Canadian Rockies video. Nice job on that.

[Netnorske]

Glad you liked it...!

[meat]

Congrat on the new ride Chris, I have a 2010 and love it. The rear speaker kit makes a huge difference in the sound of the radio. Easier to hear at highway speeds.

Enjoy the new ride