Anyone Ridden New Voyager? Compare it to a 2010 Connie?

lucabrasi · VR Member Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 142 Location: Ohio

The Mrs. and I just returned from 3400 miles of touring and are coming to the realization that the C50T we bought two years ago, while great for short trips and solo touring, really doesn't cut it for long hauls and we are thinking about bigger bikes.

The stealer has an 09 Vulcan 1700 Voyager that REALLY caught our eyes. Before I saw the Voyager in person, I was jonesing for a 2010 Concours 14, that jones being based mostly on looks and performance, not really two up touring practicality Cool

, but it IS a sport tourer, right? Twisted Evil

Decisions decisions......

Can anyone offer some insight as to how these two bikes compare for touring and just tooling around?
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Skrapiron · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 2:42 pm Post subject:

Two completely different bikes. The Voyager is a luxo-barge and the connie is a powerful sport tourer. They take very different approaches to long distance touring.....

The Voyager is big. I mean huge. It is also heavy. It weighs almost as much as an old Volkswagen. It has a 1700 cc engine because it NEEDS a 1700 cc engine to get moving. Acceleration is at best, underwhelming, at worst - sluggish. It drinks. Strike that, guzzles gas. Many mid size sedans get better fuel economy. It handles about as well as a tractor with 3 flat tires. What it does do well is swaddle the rider and passenger in comfort. I have never ridden a more comfortable bike. The riding position is spot on, the saddle is great (for a factory saddle) the fairing and windscreen do a great job of keeping the wind off of you. It is crawling with creature comforts, including electronic cruise control. It is a GREAT long distance relaxed sit back and cruise touring bike...

The Connie is big for a sport tourer, but it doesn't feel like it is. The engine is spot on, delivering gobs of power and gobs of torque with respectable fuel economy. It is fun to romp through the twisties either solo or two up. The drawbacks are the saddle height, long distance comfort, wind protection and heat management. For a do it all and have some fun bike, it is spot on. It will run coast to coast, but isn't exactly the most comfortable choice....
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cactusjack · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:23 pm Post subject:

The connie is more like a sportbike, the Voyager is more like an Electra Glide. More of an apples-oranges comparison.
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FX4 · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:28 pm Post subject:

I would read the reviews on the Voyager. It doesn't get good reviews. It pretty much comes in dead last for luxo barges on every review I have read. Connie may be fun for you but what about your wife? I'm not too certain that would be very comfortable on long trips for her.
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johbren · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:35 pm Post subject:

Id take a close look at the Yamaha Venture. v-4 and a five year unlimited mile warranty. They can be pickup for a resonable price,
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lucabrasi · VR Member Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 142 Location: Ohio

We, meaning she, likes the idea of a luxobarge and fell for a GoldWing at the same dealer until she looked at the price tag Shocked

The Voyager is a great compromise, but I'm not sure I'm ready for something heavy and sluggish. I have read the reviews and they do seem mixed with the chief complaints being, "its a gas hog" "it handles like a sled" but people seem happy with the highway power, comfort and build quality.

I asked the wife what she thought about the Connie and her biggest concern, besides the riding position(she thought it might be tough on me) was the lack of a back rest for her. Of course that can be fixed with a trunk. The reviews for the Connie are overwhelmingly positive, other than some complaints about the KiPass system, which seems wonky.

The only bike I've taken on any kind of long haul is my 08 C50T (15,000 miles so far), so I don't have anything to compare it to.

So what it boils down to is, I'm looking for something under 20 grand that is equally comfortable on the Blue Ridge Parkway that is just at home on the super slab when needed. I hadn't thought of the Venture and will give it a looksee....oh and maybe the FJR.

Maybe I should just get it over with and buy an Ultra Classic.....or an ST1300...... Confused

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the_snake1201 · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:07 pm Post subject:

ccrider122 · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject:

I vote for one of these

Triumph Rocket III Tourer. 2.3 liter, 3 cylinder, longitudinally mounted engine. And the price is comparable to a voyager...yet it is still obviously a motorcycle. you could easily add a trunk.

http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/2010_RocketIIITouring_Overview_2010RocketIIITouring.aspx

The list price is very reasonable
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Steve Gray · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:10 pm Post subject:

FX4 · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:21 pm Post subject:

Duffy · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:29 pm Post subject:

Frederickson Flier · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:56 pm Post subject:

Steve Gray · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:06 pm Post subject:

cactusjack · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:18 pm Post subject:

Does the Venture still come with a cassette player, or have they upgraded to a cd player?
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'07 1600 UltraNomad

PhilJet · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:49 pm Post subject: