Well after completing a 1600km journey down the east coast to wellington and then back up the other side, the Voyager is proving everything the manufacturers claimed. A great Vtwin motor that purrs along at open road speeds with such ease its just brilliant and it handles far better than any cruiser ive run, Truely built for the road, it aint a poser bike, (though it is striking) The weight, while noticable when stopped, just dissappears once mobile, very very responsive, blows corners more comfortably than a sporty and PDQ when asked to After spending 1600kms ( a long run in period) just easing it around the bottom half of its rev range, this trip was to open her up a bit and get a feel for her pace. well, it didnt fall short, the six gear (overdrive) still has great pull, but drop her down a tooth or two and its damn quick, and having such a great fairing you hardly notice, it is just so aero dynamic. Fuel consumption went up a little (probably a bare 300kms per tank when stepping up) but well in excess when controlling the wrist
Luggage / storage is brilliant tho I still want to find a top box rack for it to carry my sheepskin for the really long hauls.
Lo as most know has been riding for 45 years so is comfortable on most bikes, and while she will nod off on the back now and again this trip I found her more asleep than awake, she was just ultra comfortable.
The sound system works well, with an automatic volume adjust as speed increases if you are running through the speakers, A kit is on the way to run the ipod, CB, Bluetooth & onboard comms, so I can dispense with the Blueant units im currently running on this bike. Also on the way is a shorter screen as this one is just too tall (though 100% effective).
The Drivers backrest arrived and has been fitted, a brilliant addition for my old bones.
Riding in crap weather, high winds or torrential rain is no problem, handles sweet and keeps most of the crap off the body. The ABS does what its meant to but 40 odd years of riding mena I still use both hand and foot together the Auto cancelling indicator function works brilliantly in every use by use of excellant logic circuit. The Auto Neutral finding systems make for simple selection when stopping at lights etc. The dah board information, KMs till next fuel stop, kms since last fuel stop, avg km/L, Trip Meters all work as expected and make planning very simple. The plethera of controls on the left and right handlebars do everything from reprogramming computers, to controlling radio vol/stations/ Ipod folders / to Intercom, CB radio and ofcourse fully electronic Cruise Control.
The fly by wire throttle makes for very smooth power delivery, and fresh air vents allow keeping cool or warm. Lighting is very good, with good high beam and aux lights at each side independantly switched. The rear LED lights onthe top box light up the night and the big V tail light also has a presence.
So, that whats good, whats bad I hear you ask? well the only thing i find a pain in the bum, but have gotten used to, its the rear floor boards, whilst folded up no problem, but if you have a pillion aboard the right side tends to hit you in the calf when walking the bike in real slow traffic or moving off, so one needs to take short steps
All in all probably the best ride if owned or ridden