Long road trip test

[Johnnyb]

Wow impressed.
So I have just returned from a road trip down East, Went from Ottawa Ontario to Halifax Nova Scotia, and a few stops in-between like P.E.I, 3983km (2500miles) and the bike worked flawlessly. I must say that I am extremely happy with my 2018 Voyager, I did purchase the Kuryakyn Tour Tech longs and I had no problems with them, even with my very short inseam. Also the wife said that before we head out on our next long trip we need a communication system....:lol: she's funny. My only complaint other then the engine heat is the TALL O/D. I travelled most of the time at 120km (75mph) and I find the 6 gear very gutless and with any incline I would have to shift down, but if that's my only complaint I'll live with it.


So have to through out the question when do you use the O/D (6th gear)

[BigDog1294]

Wow impressed.
My only complaint other then the engine heat is the TALL O/D. I travelled most of the time at 120km (75mph) and I find the 6 gear very gutless and with any incline I would have to shift down,

So have to through out the question when do you use the O/D (6th gear)

Get the Ivan tune (http://www.ivansperformanceproducts.com) which addresses both of those and several other issues.

[Onlydad]

Good morning John,

I agree about the tall OD, I have an 09 with Ivan's flash, BAK and drilled stock exhaust and my bike feels gutless in OD until I get it over 120, I simply ride it in 5th it feels good. Some would argue these engines need to be in the 3,000 + rpm range to keep oil in the top of the heads so if you're cruising keeping the rpms up makes sense.
Also note the speedometer is not exactly accurate I bet you're actually not going 120, seems when coming home from the cottage I need to keep it at 140 - 150 just to keep up with 401 traffic, then OD feels perfect to me.
As well some will say the bike doesn't feel broken in until it gets over 10,000 kms on it, not sure your mileage.
Anyhow, glad you enjoyed such a beautiful trip.. Love it out east.
Glenn

[redjay]

Overdrive is a tall gear used to reduce RPM's and save fuel.
It is not supposed to have lots of pulling power.

[Johnnyb]

Glenn, ya the break in at 10,000 is what I have read too, I only have 6,000 on it so I have a ways to go. I will have to GPS my speed to see what exactly I am running at.

[mbarr10]

As well some will say the bike doesn't feel broken in until it gets over 10,000 kms on it,
Include me in that some. Even with the Ivan flash you need to wait for the motor to break in. Not the 600 mile break in. The break in that comes with 7,000 miles or more ( at least on a Vaquero= double piston rings) and then your GOLDEN.

[plumber63]

Why does everyone complain about 6th gear? It a overdrive on a manual transmission. Most of you must drive a automobile with a automatic transmission, and it will automatically shift up and down depending on speed and load on it. So why shouldn't you have to up and down shift your manual transmission bike in the same situation?

[mbarr10]

Why does everyone complain about 6th gear? It a overdrive on a manual transmission. Most of you must drive a automobile with a automatic transmission, and it will automatically shift up and down depending on speed and load on it. So why shouldn't you have to up and down shift your manual transmission bike in the same situation?

I hear you Clucking Big Chicken. But On a Vaquero, it is really rough rolling even on a flat road at a static throttle. Until the Motor comes in, which is about 6-8,000 miles. I made me wonder till the motor came in and now Much smoother in the same situation. Flat road, Static throttle. Yes, still down shift to make a pass though and any sudden acceleration it does still dog out. But runs much smoother on a constant throttle. It was not much better after Ivanizing, it was the motor coming into its own that made it sooo much better.
And since "Jonnyb" has a 2018 I thought he might want to know the motor changes soon.

[Johnnyb]

I hear you Clucking Big Chicken. But On a Vaquero, it is really rough rolling even on a flat road at a static throttle. Until the Motor comes in, which is about 6-8,000 miles. I made me wonder till the motor came in and now Much smoother in the same situation. Flat road, Static throttle. Yes, still down shift to make a pass though and any sudden acceleration it does still dog out. But runs much smoother on a constant throttle. It was not much better after Ivanizing, it was the motor coming into its own that made it sooo much better.
And since "Jonnyb" has a 2018 I thought he might want to know the motor changes soon.

Thanks mbarr10 I am looking forward to it finally breaking in. I should be able to get another 1000km on her before winter.

[Moriarty862]

mine didn't fully break in until about 5000 miles, runs a lot different than it did when it was new, and remember this has max torque at about 2850rpm, it runs best from about 2500 to 3500 rpm, if I'm on a road with a lot of hills or corners I just don't use 6th gear.