Anybody (and I mean C14 rider's) have any opinion on the 1700 Voyager. Thinking of maybe picking one up used. I am aware of certain issues and I know they are completely different but after having ridden a Connie anybody's input would be welcome on the basic bike.
I'd rather ride a:
(http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/nickolay/nickolay1211/nickolay121100049/16451283-cargo-ship-at-the-port.jpg)
modern v-twin
I have a hard time dealing with that phrase- seems to be an oxymoron
modern v-twin
I have a hard time dealing with that phrase- seems to be an oxymoron
I know the the Voyager is a slug compared to the C14.
I have a hard time dealing with that phrase- seems to be an oxymoron
not sure what my wife weighs :-X but If I put her on the back, my front tire would be off the ground alot ::)
I don't know, I had an RC51 and it was pretty modern. Loved it.
water cooled, that one really is a modern example. We were talking Vulcans and Hardley Ablesons and such ;D
I took one out for demo, and have to say it's pretty sad really.
The Vulcan 2000 could tow three of these while carrying one, faster than you can go on one.
A Yamaha Venture with carbs is a far better touring cruiser.
Yeah, I understand. I actually do appreciate Harleys and bikes like MotoGuzzi but I wouldn't classify their engines as "modern."
Wife hauling is the intention. I just rode a Goldwing and remembered why I sold mine in 2003. The wife loved the GL1800 though. I don't blame her but I just could not ever get comfortable with the riding position or the handling.
I know the the Voyager is a slug compared to the C14.
Max I have no illusions of what a big v-twin is but do beg to differ with the 'sound stupid' remark.
I have a few close friends that ride Harleys that put on miles that many C14 rides could dream of and have no problem with 600-800 mile days if they need to get some where. For the most part their bikes are comfortable and dependable and they arrive in pretty good shape.
I think most people judge Harley or the V twins by the crowd that gathers around them, I have no use for the culture.
So, if you're heart is set on getting a Voyager 1700. Go for it. I have enjoyed many long trips on it and will continue to do so for many years. Just make sure to get ABS brakes. A real life saver IMHO
If it has 2 wheels I will more than likely enjoy it for what it is, much more than what it is not. 8)
He left a 20 foot "rear break" tire skid on the road. luckily he slid to a stop. If he'd released the rear he could have high sided right into the path of the car.
That sounds very philosophical and poetic...Pull up a chair and pass the pipe. :)
Glad he is okay, but he almost went down because he stomped the rear brake in a panic instead of using it correctly, not because it didn't have ABS. Happens all the time. I'm glad he had the presence of mind to ride it out instead of releasing and high-siding as you said.
Pull up a chair and pass the pipe. :)
- umm , thats kinda the definition of panic braking.
- read up on ABS brakes (on all types of vehicles , not just bikes) with an open mind. Don't be prejudiced and dogmatic.
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That isn't being judgemental and dogmatic, it is being realistic. It is just a further reminder that we need to practice emergency braking techniques so we don't lock the rear wheel. Yes, ABS would have prevented that, but people have done without ABS for decades and if you don;t have it, you need to be sure you will be able to brake correctly in an emergency situation. Too many people have a bad habit of stomping the rear brake out of habit, a habit that is "practiced" on a daily basis while riding, instead of using the front and back brake correctly. I see this a lot with my friends who ride cruisers, although I have seen riders of all types of bike do it.
Sorry, I wasn't trying to be mean, I was just pointing out the fact the fault wasn't with the lack of ABS, but instead the improper use of the brake. Brakes aren't just for slowing gently to a stop at a stop sign, they are to be able to be used to stop in an emergency situation. People today have been conditioned to simply stomp the brake in their cars due to ABS, that won't work on a motorcycle that does not have ABS. Braking skills are becoming a thing of the past. Unfortunately, if you are riding a bike without them, you need those skills.
Practice should be done on an ABS bike as well, to learn how the bike (and you) will react under sudden braking... to many think it's there, and that's it.
I know this to be true from personal experience. Not having practiced emergency braking definately aidded in my one and only accident. that ast well as target fixation and the brick of a brake a non-abs 09 C14 has. Practice however has taught me how to better modulate the rear brake on my 09 C14. That was the only time I had wished I'd sprung for the ABS version. Live & learn I suppose. Fortunately the bke was repaired & I healed quickly. If I had it to do again I buy the ABS.
Screw passengersDepends on the passenger.
That isn't being judgemental and dogmatic, it is being realistic. It is just a further reminder that we need to practice emergency braking techniques so we don't lock the rear wheel.
Screw passengers
This is the primary reason why I was taught to never use the rear brake for "normal" braking, so I would never be tempted to use the rear brake in a panic. And it worked. Of course, the flip side is that I ended up never using the rear brake EVER... which, for most riding, is probably fine.
I love the de-evolution of a topic of conversation.
Oh, and technically, this entire thread doesn't belong in this forum, since it really has nothing to do with the C14... perhaps it should be moved to the "It's not a Concours- other Bikes" http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?board=11.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?board=11.0) forum where it belongs.
Well, I thought and I thought and then thought some more and decided to leave it here for now... Course T could come along and move it with a single thought rather than using multiple thoughts. It's all good for now, I think.. ;)
A Yamaha Venture with carbs is a far better touring cruiser.
Well have decided against the Voyager, you guys wore me down. That and test drove a Vaquero. Was not bad but the C14 has spoiled me for power.
One benefit of a solo trip is being in a brew pub and never hearing the dreaded words "are you almost done?"
I never figured out Suzuki either. The Cavalcade was a monster in it's day.