New Voyager - Handle Bar Not Parallel with The Dash

[K-Voyager]

Hello All,

My name is Kay, I am a proud owner of a brand new 2022 Voyager, which I am still learning about. My last ride was a Gen 2 Hayabusa.

I noticed that when riding on the highway, the bike runs straight, but the handlebar is not parallel with the dash. It seems to rotate right just a little bit (kind of nuisance).

When parking, if I fully turn right, the handlebar almost touches the dash (1/16" gap). When I fully turn left, the handlebar has 5/16" gap.

The bike only has 250 miles so far and will reach the first 600 miles-maintenance soon.

I want to get the handlebar parallel, but I also worry that I may regret the decision due to any scratches/damages during the process.

***
- Could you advise if it is worth fixing this at the dealer?

- How hard is it to fix this problem?

- Anybody have the same problem?

- Did I expect too much and should just ride AS-IS?
***

Thank you so much for your help and advice.

Best regards,
Kay

[redjay]

Why not take it back to the dealer seeing as it is still under warranty ?

There is a procedure that they can perform that can correct the issue.

[K-Voyager]

Thank you so much Redjay.

I plan to take it to the dealer close to me, as I bought the bike out of state.

I am here to get you guys' inputs because I was worried to cause more harm to fix an issue that may just be too much expectation for it to parallel.

I had bad experience in the past when working on my brand new bikes. Things got scratches or even a broken speedo tabs on my brand new Hayabusa.

That is why I asked if the task is very complicated.

Thank you in advance for you guys' input.

Best regards,
Kay

[Guzzi]

Hello All,

My name is Kay, I am a proud owner of a brand new 2022 Voyager, which I am still learning about. My last ride was a Gen 2 Hayabusa.

I noticed that when riding on the highway, the bike runs straight, but the handlebar is not parallel with the dash. It seems to rotate right just a little bit (kind of nuisance).

When parking, if I fully turn right, the handlebar almost touches the dash (1/16" gap). When I fully turn left, the handlebar has 5/16" gap.

The bike only has 250 miles so far and will reach the first 600 miles-maintenance soon.

I want to get the handlebar parallel, but I also worry that I may regret the decision due to any scratches/damages during the process.

***
- Could you advise if it is worth fixing this at the dealer?

- How hard is it to fix this problem?

- Anybody have the same problem?

- Did I expect too much and should just ride AS-IS?
***

Thank you so much for your help and advice.

Best regards,
Kay

Loosen the handlebar risers and slide the bars to the left, tighten and ride.

[Rookie13]

redjay is correct. Kinda sounds like some pre-delivery details got missed from the selling dealer. Something like that should be taken care of from your local Kaw dealer (I'd think?). That way the liability of any damage is on them. My bike was also purchased new out of state and just went to my local dealer for some minor adjustments after having some miles on it. Wasn't charged a dime for that.

[redjay]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNEmOqY02EU

[K-Voyager]

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for your time and advice. Once my Voyager reaches 600 miles, I will ask the dealer about this problem.

On the other hand, when looking from the top of the handlebar, what are the notches on the ignition assembly and the upper tree?

Are they the indicators for the handlebar alignment?

Mine are within those notches when riding straight but not 100% centered.

Thank you again for the advice and warm welcome.

Best regards,
Kay.

[redjay]

I sold my Voyager in 2014 so I am not sure which notches you are referring to.
I cant remember if there are notches (indents) in the handlebars to indicate when the handlebars are correctly positioned.

[K-Voyager]

Hello Redjay and fellow members,

As always, thank you for your advice.

It is more like a 1/8" wide slot on the surface of the upper tree at 6 o'clock (1/16" deep). The ignition assembly also has a slot at 12 o'clock and wider (1/4"). Maybe it is to prevent the water being trapped on the upper tree nut :)

On the other hand, if I try to rotate/realign the handlebar myself, which I think I just need to rotate the upper tree just a little bit.
- Do I need to remove the lower tree bolts that clamp onto the forks?
- If I need to remove the lower tree bolts, can I do it without removing the front cowling?
- If I just loosen only the upper tree nut (not the lower tree bolts), will it allow me to rotate the upper tree to align the handlebar?

Best regards,
Kay

[redjay]

Personally I would let the dealer take a look at the issue or you might void your warranty ?

[The Black Knight]

Personally I would let the dealer take a look at the issue or you might void your warranty ?


I agree with you.:tup:

[K-Voyager]

Thank you for your suggestions. I will wait for the dealer to correct it once the motorcycle reaches 600 miles.

As of now, it stays still at 350 miles.

Thank you so much for everything!

[GeorgeHouston]

Just a quick, can we install a Harley handlebar (https://www.vikingbags.com/pages/harley-davidson-motorcycle-handlebars) on a Vulcan, do they have the same dimensions to get installed and is it worth adding a Harley handlebar on a Vulcan?

[redjay]

Just a quick, can we install a Harley handlebar (https://www.vikingbags.com/pages/harley-davidson-motorcycle-handlebars) on a Vulcan, do they have the same dimensions to get installed and is it worth adding a Harley handlebar on a Vulcan?

Why do you want to change the handlebars ?
Do you need them closer, higher or ?

https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/blogs/motorcycle-how-to-guides/motorcycle-handlebars-101

[GeorgeHouston]

I'm currently considering upgrading to a high-rise handlebar, and a friend of mine has this Harley handlebar "https://www.vikingbags.com/products/viking-iron-born-gloss-black-12-inch-motorcycle-handlebar-for-harley-sportster-883-iron-xl883n", that he's willing to sell to me at a very affordable price. I'm thinking of adding it to my 2010 Vulcan.
Additionally, I'm wondering if the existing cables will be long enough to reach the end, or should I need to extend the cables.

[K-Voyager]

Courtesy replied to the thread about the issues.

Finally, last week, my Voyager reached 600 miles (I know it took me four months to ride 350 miles more).

- The local dealer has adjusted the handlebar for me under a warranty. Currently, the gap between the handlebar and the dash when fully turned left versus fully turned right is minimal. The gap may be just 3/32" different, and the mechanic said it would be tough to make it perfectly equal (due to not having something to aid in centering).

- The mechanic also corrected the upper tree Vs. the front wheel, in which he stated that the handlebar is parallel to the dash. On the way back from the dealer, the handlebar may be a hair rotated to the left when going straight on a highway. But it may be from the OCD (kind of paying too much attention due to the obvious initial issue), the highway slope to help drainage, or the strong side wind (like 30 mph).

Overall, the issues seem resolved and do not bother me anymore.


*** On a side note, about the first service. I changed the oil with the filter, top-up the coolant, and checked the belt tension myself. I also paid the dealer for the first service as well so that I have proof of service in case of a further warranty. I only paid 1 hour of labor.

Thank you everyone for your help, advice, and guidance.

Best regards,
Kay