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Old 02-20-2018, 12:14 PM   #1
Toku57   Toku57 is offline
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How's the Voyager do in rain?

Could those of you with a lot of all-weather touring or commuting experience tell me how the Voyager handles in rain compared to other bikes you've owned? I'd be getting one with K-ACT, so would assume this helps, but would like to get an idea how well it handles the wet vs. other touring/sport tourers anyone here may be familiar with.

Also curious how good the weather sealing is, e.g. speakers, electronics, luggage, etc.

Thanks!



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Last edited by Toku57; 02-20-2018 at 12:17 PM.
 
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Old 02-20-2018, 12:28 PM   #2
MAS Tequila   MAS Tequila is offline
 
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You get wet.
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Old 02-20-2018, 01:56 PM   #3
BonVoyager   BonVoyager is offline
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More specifically, your knees get wet from that little gap between the fairing and lowers.


The speakers and radio are made to get wet as they are on a motorcycle, still you don’t want to blast them with high pressure water like from a garden hose or power washer, regular rain or washing without directly spraying those areas (switches and ignition too) is fine though.

The trunk and bags stay dry. The glove boxes don’t have seals on them. Kawasaki says don’t put anything in there you don’t want possibly getting wet. With that said, I have ridden through some nasty rain and it is always dry in there. Thinking about getting some self stick, closed cell foam and putting a sheet of it on the lid of the glove boxes to seal them off just in case.

Handles amazing in rain. Get some polycarbonate safe rain-x for the windshield. Do NOT use regular rain-x on polycarbonate. The tall windshield gets rain on it and makes it hard to see through and if you wear glasses like me it is a double threat. I wear a 3/4 helmet in nice weather. Same would happen on a full face helmet though, so put some of that poly safe rain-x on that too.

Last edited by BonVoyager; 02-24-2018 at 04:04 AM.
 
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Old 02-20-2018, 09:29 PM   #4
Toku57   Toku57 is offline
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Thanks BV for your informative response as usual!
 
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Old 02-20-2018, 09:59 PM   #5
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ToKu57, I ride in the rain often, and have the ABS 2013 Voyager and just recently rode back from Dallas to Round Rock Tx in a heavy rain and did not stop to put on a rain suit and all that got wet was the knees like BonVoyager said. I have gotten wet when the rain is blowing from the side . The bike handle very well on wet roads but like any thing on wheels you can hydroplane so slowdown!
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Old 02-20-2018, 10:58 PM   #6
H8BUGZ   H8BUGZ is offline
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Tires

It's not the bike so much as it's the tires. Michelin Commanders can give you a thrill in the rain. Lots of rubber on the pavement from turning traffic or even painted lines have got my attention a few times. Yep-cold and wet knees if not well prepared.
 
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Old 02-20-2018, 11:48 PM   #7
Sabre-t   Sabre-t is offline
 
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Comparing the Voyager to a Honda Sabre with a batwing fairing, the Voyager will keep you much drier while you are moving. You are going to get soaked on any bike if you have to come to a stop or go very slow. If you are moving, mainly your knees get wet.

With a shield that you can see over (I never ride with a shield I can't see over) you will get some rain on your face/visor in a heavy rain. A short sport shield, even more so. Maybe a flip shield would help in that case, but I don't know about that.
 
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Old 02-21-2018, 11:15 AM   #8
Toku57   Toku57 is offline
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Thanks all.
 
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Old 03-05-2018, 07:56 AM   #9
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Ok Yall - Here is my Solution to the Wet Knee on the Voyager.

Picture in your mind 3/4 inch pipe insulation like you would put on your home water heater to keep it from sweating. Cut it to approx 12" (Adjust as needed to fill entire gap - Eyeball it). On one end wrap Duct-Tape over the end I use 3 pieces, An X over the end and a wrap around to hold the X ends.

With the Duct-tape end forward Squeeze the insulation and work it into the gap angling it in toward the front of the bike and out in the rear to deflect the wind and or rain.

You need to put the duct tape on it or the pipe insulation becomes a hose and will shoot water at you in a rain situation (Don't ask me how I know this).

I call it my "Ugliest Accessory" but I keep mine on all the time as it helps deflect COLD AIR in the cooler months.

For my Red Bike I have also used a Pink Pool Noodle - But 3/4 inch pipe insulation works best.

Happy Trails
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Old 03-06-2018, 11:47 AM   #10
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Stand in your shower and make "vroom vroom" noises
 
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Old 03-06-2018, 03:10 PM   #11
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Knees would always get wet and cold until...
I made a set of deflectors for my 12'. Used a 5/8" diameter two piece shaft collar that attaches to each fairing brace and drilled and tapped half of it to bolt the bar to. Then bought some tinted plexiglass from McMaster Carr.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...f75-MzUjohlpbK

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...FzA4cv1K090D_W

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...Bfw9JAyhF7Iw4m
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Old 03-06-2018, 06:10 PM   #12
BonVoyager   BonVoyager is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BBAZEN View Post
Knees would always get wet and cold until...
I made a set of deflectors for my 12'. Used a 5/8" diameter two piece shaft collar that attaches to each fairing brace and drilled and tapped half of it to bolt the bar to. Then bought some tinted plexiglass from McMaster Carr.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...f75-MzUjohlpbK

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...FzA4cv1K090D_W

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...Bfw9JAyhF7Iw4m
None of your photo links work.
 
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Old 03-06-2018, 07:10 PM   #13
BBAZEN   BBAZEN is offline
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If Photobucket still works here are the pictures.

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...psnkfaexkg.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...pskhtkjqwq.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...psyqzmwjrf.jpg
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Old 03-07-2018, 09:18 PM   #14
BonVoyager   BonVoyager is offline
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Thanks for the pics, that is an interesting cure you have there and I like that is barely noticeable.
 
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Old 03-08-2018, 03:34 PM   #15
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Nicely done! I may have to give that a try.
 
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