Voyager Kits

[JJTRIKER]

I also had one for a year on a 750 automatic i loved it. But like wingtriker he is absolutely correct you really have to go to the factory or a "experienced" installer not some one who is learning or does 1-2 a year. I got mine because i had located a automatic bike and there arent exactly any conversions for 1977 honda's
they do handle different and you need the teaching lesson in order to understand.

 

[ricle41]

As a newbie, and someone who has yet to get their first trike, I have found this forum to be invaluable. What great information for anyone!
I am going to a trike because of two bike wrecks in the past 1 1/2 years, and due to the medical bill backlog I probably am going to go the insta-trike or voyager route on my '07 Yamaha Road Star Silverado. I have looked at the Gold Wings and Harleys, but they are out of the picture right now simply because of money.
Two people in my general riding group ride trikes. One has the voyager on a Kawasaki and the other is a Gold Wing CSC. I generally follow them when riding, as they are realy OLD (I'm 68, they are both 70) and I want to watch them. I can easily keep up with them with my two wheeler, but only by pushing a little harder than I like, and dragging a floorboard quite often.
At my last accident, they both negotiated the turn without incident (didn't even notice the gravel), and I laid my bike down with some pretty bad results. I'll be in a neck brace at least until spring. My point is, I have ridden both of their trikes, and each has a different feel, but I didn't get the bad feelings that are expressed here. Of course they seem to lean out on curves, so does my car. I have noticed that both of these men lean their bodies into the curve, even though the GW rider denies it. It is simple geometry, and unless you are sliding wheels, it should not be a problem.
When I got my first two wheel cruiser, it took awhile to get used to the speed, weight and response of that bike, even though I had ridden smaller bikes for years. Also different tires or air pressure or even additional load on the two wheeler can change the attitude of the rider quickly.
Any way, just wanted to add my 2 cents and encourage everyone to keep the information and advice coming. I'm having a great time, with my bike still in the shop, and am really excited about whatever trike or kit I get.

 

[Gorilla]

ricle, Yes you do tend to lean a little even though a trike doesn't. It just cancels the feeling of getting thrown off. You probably have noticed that the voyager bike does lean a bit in the corners while the GW CSC does not. Just a different ride because of the different kit. A good triker will keep up with the 2 wheelers all day long.

 

[ricle41]

Yes, I did some difference between the lean of the Voyager and not on the GW. I attributed that to the fact that Voyager outriggers have to have less down pressure than the drive wheel, so there is a little bit of flex when you lean to the outside wheel. I have not ridden a wing with the independent rear suspension. Do they have any of the lean, and if not, I wonder why? Even a four-wheel vehicle will lean to the outside of a turn.
Not trying to argue, just trying to understand why. Really what I need is to quit thinking and get back to riding.

 

[Gorilla]

The voyager lean is by design. The way that it attaches allows the lean. The others would only lean if there were enough upper weight to cause the suspension to compress from the weight shift. Most of the weight on trikes in so low that the weight shift and then suspension compression is miminial. You feel the cars lean because of the roof weight.

 

[John Luciano]

After riding both Ind rear and solid axle for quite a few miles I come to this conclusion
1) The biggest difference is in the ride,the ind rear is softer.
2) The ind rear does not steer as hard as a solid rear trike. ( making the rake not as much a necessity ) IMHO
The solid rear corners more solid than an ind rear until you get use to it.

No, to answer your question,the ind rear does not lean any more than any other trike

 

[ricle41]

Great information and opinions. I'm sure with many of us it all boils down to personal comfort and/or money. I am still watching prices on trikes and haven't made any decision yet, but money is going to play a part without a doubt.
As we go into winter, it seems prices are dropping a little on the trikes, but that also is a catch 22, as I need to sell my bike if I'm going to get a trike, and this is a bad time of year to sell it. I could get a trike kit for the Yamaha, but I'm not comfortable with installing it myself, and I'm a few hundred miles from any dealer that installs them.

 

[John Luciano]

See if you can talk them into a pick up and delivery . Times like thes they may do it to get the sale .

 

[bigjoey38]

Re: New here

Hi All

I am new to the site and there is a lot of good info here. I cant afford a traditional trike, so I will get getting an alternate. For the last month I have been asking questions about the insta-trike and the voyager.

Insta-trike seems like a good product, however for my VTX 1300R I will be
limited to the amount of bikes I can change to if I get another bike or if I want to sell it. I think there were 7 Bikes total.

For the voyager it cost a little more but I will have options of over 15 bikes if I want to get another bike or sell the product. The only complaints I have run
into is about the wheel coming up on turns, bottom out or in proper set up. Other then that most people I talked to recommend the voyager. Hope to have it within two weeks.

 

[Nana]

Re: New here

Hey Joey. Welcome to TrikeTalk! Sounds like you have done a lot of research. You will be fine with the Voyager. It will make a huge difference to have it properly installed, so be sure to take the time to get it done right. But many folks use and enjoy them for many years. You will love it! Take time to adjust to it and be comfortable on it with cornering and maneuvering. It won't take long to get the feel of it, and then you'll be off and running

 

[bigjoey38]

Thanks Nana

I am getting it from a dealer who also installs them That is another reason I went with the voyager...There are about three dealers/installers within 2-8 hour drive from me so I checked my resources just in case.

For the insta-trike Dealers 1, but does not install anymore. I just don't want to give it to anyone W/O experience to put it on.

Cant wait!

 

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard bigjoey38. I know a couple of guys that have that setup and are pleased with it. Like Nana says the installation is the key.

 

[bigjoey38]

Thanks tmigala !

 

[bdn56]

Re: New here

Hi All

I am new to the site and there is a lot of good info here. I cant afford a traditional trike, so I will get getting an alternate. For the last month I have been asking questions about the insta-trike and the voyager.

Insta-trike seems like a good product, however for my VTX 1300R I will be
limited to the amount of bikes I can change to if I get another bike or if I want to sell it. I think there were 7 Bikes total.

For the voyager it cost a little more but I will have options of over 15 bikes if I want to get another bike or sell the product. The only complaints I have run
into is about the wheel coming up on turns, bottom out or in proper set up. Other then that most people I talked to recommend the voyager. Hope to have it within two weeks.

Welcome to the forum. I bought the Voyager kit a few years ago mainly to see if I was going to like riding a trike without spending $30,000.
The option of removing it was the number 1 reason I bought this kit.
Since my body decided it wasn't going to ever get back to normal, I realized a trike would be my only option as far as riding again.
I put almost 4000 miles on mine in the summer of 08. Anything was better than not riding at all.
I took the plunge last year and purchased a Champion conversion. I do like it much more but almost 3 times the price
Good luck with your decision and enjoy the ride.

 

[bigjoey38]

Thanks..That is why I chose the voyager...I Dont have enough money right now for traditional one.... Maybe in 4-5 years....

 

[John Luciano]

I rode a Voyager for 3 years 13,000 miles. I loved it ,,,,, Until I Rode a Trike. IT works great for what it is and what it cost. make sure you preload the wheels. I went 1" more than suggested. ( thicker piece of wood under rear tire when preloading ) I found it to make it stiffer. It is going to feel weird for quite a few miles. REMOVAL and Reattaching is a lot harder than they say. I never did it more than a few times and it took 3 of us. 2 men and a small boy <LOL>.
Just a second thought "Don't ride a trike until you are ready to purchase one ". TRUST ME on this and don't ask Y I know

 

[bigjoey38]

Thanks John for the info...

Eveything helps!

Joe

 

[bigjoey38]

Well took my bike to the voyager dealer resident shop and the kit should be in on Wednesday or Thursday. Will be installed by the weekend and hope to
pick it up on Monday or Tuesday.

 

[bdn56]

bigjoey38, I bet you are getting excited. I would strongly urge you to do as John suggested, increasing the preload. He has ridden the Voyager longer than I. I am sure your installer would do it at your request?

Get your camera ready:yes:

 

[bigjoey38]

Bdn56

Yes, cant wait to start riding.....

I will mention the preload to the dealer who is installing the kit...

 

[trike lady]

Joey,
I've had my Voyager since 1/2006 on my 1993 GL-1500A and it has been trouble free, I take care of the regular adjustments when the rear tire is changed and I check the hardware to make sure it is tight. I have a second generation unit with the original tires. At one point I had the unit on a 1999 Ultra Classic, while the Wing was getting new tires.
The Voyager allows the bike owner to trade their bike in for something newer and not loosing the resale value. I have heard about people who have used off brand trike kits and didn't recoup as much money as they thought they would have when they sold the trike (this is why you buy kits from established trike kit manufacturers); they would have a better resale value with a Voyager.
I tell anyone who wants a trike but doesn't have a lot of $$$ to purchase a Voyager or maybe they are interested in buying a trike but don't want to fork over big $$$ for something they may not like. I also let them know that the Voyager goes with them onto their next bike with 'model specific' mounting hardware and this is something you cannot do with a regular trike.
I believe that you will like the Voyager:yes: and be very pleased with it.

 

[bigjoey38]

Thanks Trike Lady for the info..

Good news ...Bike is ready...Nowto find a day to go pick it up..

Looking at rain the next few days and the bike is at the dealers which is
a 2 hour ride.

 

[bigjoey38]

Well going to have to wait until Saturday to pick up the bike due to the weather. Should be sunny in the high 60's..... We have been having
rain the last few days and there talking some snow... Crazy Colorado
weather.

 

[Hoss]

The Tow pac seems to be a lot better according to my friend who is an installer and has experiance with both.

 

[bigjoey38]

Hi Hoss

I checked into the toe-pac ( IT2 Model b) and the one for my Honda VTX 1300R is attached to the frame of the bike. The down side if I was to change bikes I was limited to about 5 bikes to where I can use the pac on another
bike... At least with the voyager it was more then doubled

 

[trike lady]

I've used the same Voyager 'B' model on a 1999 Ultra Classic while the Wing was getting a new set of tires. The only thing I had to purchase was a set of model specific mounting hardware. The 'B' model Voyager fits many bikes and may cost more but it's a better deal :yes:. The good part is that there is always someone who has model specific hardware in the garage on a shelf and willing to sell it :yes:.
You made the right choice when you selected the Voyager (My opinion).
Enjoy the ride.
Sincerely,
Trike Lady

 

[John Luciano]

The Voyager looks better and the tire size is bigger. Almost looks like a trike. See pictures of mine in my album. IF I had only about $3,500 to spend so I could still ride a big bike I would go the Voyager route again. You will probably never loose more than 1/2 your investment when you decide to sell it. That is a pretty good deal.

 

[riverrat]

i have over 18000 miles now on my voyager kit, it is on a 2000 gl 1500 se, i have absolutely no problems with it and it has always handled well. the only drawback to it is it restricts the saddlebag opening.

 

[trike lady]

True it does restrict the opening of the saddlebags, it does look more like a trike and less like training wheels. I met a gentleman not too long ago who purchased the Insta-trike for his GL-1500 and when he had seen my Wing with the Voyager he wished he would have gotten the Voyager instead. Mine won its share of trike trophies :yes: hyes: when I placed it in shows in the past years. My Wing still receives complements when people see it. I got used to the fact that some items have to be squeezed into the saddlebags or that I may have to take some groceries out of the plastic bag and rearrange things a little.
Thank you,
Trike Lady
:wave4:

 

[bigjoey38]

Well I am going to have to wait one more day to pick up the bike. High 50's with change of thunder storm.. Don't fell like riding 125 miles wet!

Sunday's weather sunny high 60s....

I am ready will post pics as soon as I can.

I had him put on

Tombstone lights, Fender shields and the 120# 14 inch low profile aluminum wheels...

Sometime down the line I would like to get a Trunk ( need luggage rack first)
and maybe some hard saddlebags from mutazu.

Some people like them some dont...They are not expensive..
MUTAZU Motorcycle Trunks