Voyager vs Electra Glide

[cactusjack]

I received the September 2009 issue of Motorcyclist magazine today. This month, they feature a direct comparison of the 2009 Voyager and the 2009 Electra Glide Classis. It would be fair to say the Voyager came out last. They didn't have a whole lot of nice things to say about it.

[paul]

Did you notice in the article they mentioned the FORK mounted fairing on the Voyager and the 86 Ft.lbs? Can't put a whole lot of faith in a reviewer that doesn't know even the basics. My .02 ::)

[Yellow Jacket]

Why am I not surprised? I don't even bother with magazine reviews anymore.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

Why am I not surprised? I don't even bother with magazine reviews anymore.

In the Rider comparison of the 4 big tourers they said the ABS system on the Voyager was superior to Harley's system. In the Motorcyclist review, they said Harley's ABS was better.

In most magazine reviews, a lot of the bad marks are "nit-picky" things, like windshield height. Windshields are usually adjustable, guys! Put a 5'6" tall rider on most any bike and windshield height will be an issue.

[MarkG]

Just remember, whoever pays the most for advertising and other perks gets the best review regardless of the facts! Oops we weren't supposed to read that part of the disclaimer.

[ringadingh]

I rarely read a bike magazine anymore mainly for those very reasons. I don;'t care for the fact that they can't give an honest review on any bike or product because they are worried about advertising dollars. Also if the person doing the test is biassed towards a different brand, its usually hard to expect an honest answer.
However in this particular case, they may have a couple facts wrong, but the overall decision is probably the right one. The HD's are a nicer finished bike,(at least in my opinion) and have a huge choice of paint colors, paint schemes, accessories. dealerships, etc.
Having ridden quite a few Ultra's over the last few years, I find they handle a lot nicer than my Nomad, at least once you stop the shaking at idle. They have a lighter, more nimble feel to them, now never having ridden the new Voyager Im not sure if thats been addressed, but I'll get a chance to try one someday Im sure.

[jamiep24]

Are y'all trying to say Harley puts more advertising dollars in these mags than metric bike companies? That's blasphemy!
Ringadingh: For over $20,000 one should get a helluva lot more than he receives in an Ultra. (Is a little nicer finish and a little smoother ride worth 7 or 8 more grand?) I ride with one all the time and I'm not the least bit impressed. Sometimes I feel I have to push his ass up a hill riding 2-up.

[jamiep24]

And for the record, I don't think I'll renew any of my 6 or 7 mags because of their biased opinions for Harleys.

[ringadingh]

I ride with two Ultras here all the time, and while weve never had an all out race, either bike seems to pull about the same, not a noticeable diiference. Both get much better fuel mileage, and while they are pricey to buy, if you add up the price of a fairing, stereo, gauges, cruise, beerbox, lower fairings, lightbar, etc, etc, your probably not that far apart in price either.
I think a lot of the mags dont want to upset any manufacturer by saying that this particular model is a peice of crap. Instead they pu**yfoot around and make very vague reveiws most of the time.
A couple years ago there was a mag that came out that wouldn't take any manufacturers money, there reason was so they could give an honest unbiassed review without feeling pressured to be obligated at the risk of losing advertising dollars. I can't remember the name of the mag, and don't know if they are even still around anymore. I probably doubt it.

[strobe]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

if you add up the price of a fairing, stereo, gauges, cruise, beerbox, lower fairings, lightbar, etc, etc, your probably not that far apart in price either.

I think you are so right on that Ringadingh....with the Ultra you get a lot more packed into the package than with a lot of other bikes. Now I have also rode a few, including my riding buddies '09 and the torque and handling of the HD are much better than the Nomad, I have no particular desire to get one at this point. I think dollar for dollar the HD are not that far off on price by the time you add in all the (new) extras to our Nomads. Does not mean I will run out and get one, but definitely in the running for the next bike someday.

I should also say that not having rode a Voyager, I really can't comment on the review, but the new Classic / Nomad / Voyager platform feels a lot more like a Harley when I have sat on them.

[landman]

the magazine you are talking about that doesn't take any add
money is motorcycle consumer news and they are indeed still
around but the subscription is pricey.

[blowndodge]

I just got my LAST EDITION of Motorcyclist in the mail today. OMG, what a lousy write up! That entire article was written by a chick talking about her divorce and daughter and nostalgia with her ex! What a piece of sh*t let down read.

I emailed them and expressed displeasure on what could have been a comprehensive comparison of two very good motorcycles that turned out to be nothing but crap!

[phenrichs]

I gave up on motorcycle magazines. I only get Field & Stream now.

[coacha]

I get a couple magazines about bikes but mostly just so I can read about custom builds and to look at the modifications they do (mostly HD stuff). I just think it is cool to see what people do. Plus, it gives me something to read in the "reading room"...lol.

[Idaho]

OMG, are magazines still being printed?!?!?