I am a killer blue mantee
Hey guys n girls.
I've just picked myself up an 2011 model (2012 reg) vn1700 voyager as my work/commute/long distance/short distance/do everything beast. Was going to go to Tauranga today but having only had it one day and not having ridden it much yet, felt a bit off. Always listen to the voice in the head aye. Just wondering if anyone who rides the bigger tourers has any tips or advice on handling them, especially around the tighter stuff.
Hardcore Biker
Just ride it, it is only a motorbike. Kick back on it, easy to ride just watch the weight when going slow. Most of all enjoy !
Pasta La Vista
Plan ahead.With all that mass it takes a bit longer to stop and you just can't throw it into the twisties without a bit of forethought.
But the main thing is relax and enjoy.
Never too old to Rock n Roll.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
I've got miserly tourettes and I don't give a fuck.
Smarty pants... since ages ago
Avoid tight corners.
Avoid traveling under 10 kilometers an hour.
Avoid attempting to brake heavily.
Plan your braking no less than 10 kilometers ahead.
If it has a sound system ... check volume is set and your desired choice of music will play before you start. Both hands will be required on the bars ...
Avoid lane splitting.
Waving optional ... but if you do ... do it quickly ..
When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...
Has left the building
Get on it and ride but as mentioned plan ahead and relax.Originally Posted by ital916
Was given a new Goldwing to ride over a long weekend a couple of years ago and had a bloody blast!
Chillax and enjoy the beast for what it is but FFS, remember what you are riding re cornering and braking especially.
L-Plate Rider
Just remember the extra size and weight of the bigger bike. It does the same thing as your smaller bikes, just takes a bit more time, distance and effort.....heck, that kinda sounds like both me and my GL1800.
Forum whore
Tassles are necessary.
Just kidding, it's a big bike but a bike nevertheless & will love you for using both brakes.
Manopausal.
Hardcore Biker
I had an FLHTCU for 60,000 kms when I lived in Aussie.
I Just rode the thing like any other bike I've ever owned,,,but with a few bonus's like CB/VHF,AM/FM/CD.
Fold down arm rests with inbuilt speakers for the passenger,,,,,,,we don't have pillions on real bikes thanks,,,that armchair is for the "passenger",,,,,the other one is for the "pilot".
In the twistys the only difference to any other bike is a slight ground clearance issue,but that's why you have folding running boards right.
On the Hume Highway,set electronic cruise control, pick ZZ Top,Willie Nelson or other suitable sounds,,,fold arms,,turn up the volume,,, lean back on the woman and relax.
Honestly the only time your going to be aware of any difference to any other bike is when your in car parks or other such unpleasant places,,,,and once you do get used to the wheight even that won't matter.
Best Frenemy you could have!
Depending on your previous bikes, remember the front brake doesn't have quite as much bias as say, a sportsbike.
The bike geometry is a bit different, more weight, just take time to get used to it, like you would with any new bike you get. I did learn they might not handle as well with a pillion when I had a VTX1800 gyrating through longer sweepers. Backed off a little and the bike was much happier...
one placenta
...just carry on doing things as you would...when you are dragging bits and wearing things down and it doesn't bother you any more, you have arrived at the answer...
Fair weather rider
nice bike the voyager, dont see many around. I ride a 86 goldwing, and really it isnt about weight, its about technigue.
they have a low centre of gravity, which gives them good balance at any speed, they generally will trickle along at 5kph quite happily.
all good adice already given, one other thing to watch, is when coming to a stop, check where you feet are going to go,
before you stop, if the weight goes too far to one side when stopped, you may find it difficult to hold up.
always keep your head up, and dont dont pull hard on the front brake when stopping at lights, gas stations etc, if you lock, and you are a bit off balance, the front wheel isnt straight, then you might just lay it down again.
on you tube, ther is a tecnigue for picking them up.
braking is made to acccomadate the bike, and will pull you up under any circumatances without effortl
enjoy the ride, these bikes are made for long distance, and handle any situation, with no effort at all.
I am a killer blue mantee
Rode the bike as much as I could today, did loops of the city, side streets and found nice tight carparks to ride through. Did some practice in an empty carpark tonight doing u turns and shapr turns and pulling up to a stop in a parking space/emergency braking. Feeling much more confident on the big gal now, getting used to her. Still gives me the shits a bit in the wet, that big cruiser front tire is a scary thing in the rain haha. Got the boards scraping today as well, handles amazingly well for such a big bike.
Fair weather rider
glad to hear she is coming together for you, you wll find they hold a very good line in the corners, at any speed, and if like the wing,
they are very forgiving and will allow instant change on the lean without any panick. the 'look where you want to go' is very handy in car parks. Nor sure if the voyager has linked brakes, but if it does, you can carry a bit of rear brake into a corner, without any hazzle I found.
a trick for car park cruising this works on the wing, might work for you, put the bike in 3rd gear, no throttle, just use rear brake only, and
it wont stall while looking for a park.
it will depend on the tires you have on to some degree of course, but found they are very stable in the wet, still a look out for shiny bits though.
good luck
Forum whore
dont underestimate the power of these things either
Fair weather rider
Aint that the truth!! it can forgiven that the wings, voyagers', bmw, etc are slow monsters, because they are usualy seen
mostly just cruising, the rider enjoying the ride, but beleive me, when asked, they can really boogie!! lol.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks