What is the history of the Voyager?

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What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by NSASarge »

I have been looking for some history of the Kawasaki Voyager series of motorcycles. I have not had much luck. Maybe someone in the AVA has an accurate account of the bloodlines of the Voyager. It would make a great "sticky".

:hmm:
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by 1700Guy »

In 1979 the 1300 was born in 3 models a Z1300 a KZ1300 and a Touring Model that had Veter like fairing saddlebages and trunk. In 1983 the 1300 Voyager was introduced. These were assembled in Lincoln until 1989 were they were made by hand about 1 a day not on the assembly line. 4500 were made.

In 1986 the Voyager XII came out the first 2 years they were made in Japan and in 1988 the production was moved to Lincoln NE. About 2500 were made a year until 2003 when tooling was wearing out and was not able to meet EPA specs anymore. In 2003 only 700 were made. They were made with 52% American made parts.

In 2003 Kawasaki asked the AVA to do a survey on what we would like on a new Touring bike. After two weeks and 750 responses I was flown to Kawasaki HQs in Santa Ana CA. were we discussed all items from most mentioned to least. If I remember right it was an AC unit on the bike. It was discussed that is feasible that is not what do you mean by that and so on it was very positive. 3 years later they started to work with prototypes and in 2009 the !700 Voyager was introduced and still going.

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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by debron »

Duane,

I seem to recall you saying that Kawasaki tried to build a Voyager with the Concours 1400 inline-4 engine but couldn't get better than 30mpg out of it so scrapped the idea and went with the Vulcan 1700 platform due to a time crunch. They were under pressure to produce a new Voyager. True?
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by 1700Guy »

I heard that they were playing with the idea but could not get any mpg out of it with touring package on it and I guess I just missed seeing one when I was at Sturgis at the hospitality tent in 2007. They were under pressure in 2008 to get the 1700 out in 2009. I cant really say anything more
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by debron »

Here's a visual history of the line:

The KZ1300 Touring (Forerunner of the Voyager 1300) Introduced in 1979:

Image

In 1983 the KZ1300 was given a new frame and new plastic and renamed The Voyager ZN1300:
Image
Image
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by cushman eagle »

Thank you for that visual history. :perfect10: I appreciate the work you did to provide that for us. :thmup:
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by Bruce in OK »

+1 :thmup:
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by Mr Jensee »

I think the 1200 Voyager could have continued with minor styling updates and the change over from carbs to fuel injectors. The engine would have gained a little more horsepower without sacrificing fuel mileage. Having an under $15,000 price would still be a strong selling point today.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by NSASarge »

Thanks to all who provided the history lesson. Maybe someone could put some specs to the photos and a "History" link placed on the home page. Just a thought.

Thanks again!

:woohoo:
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by debron »

I put together everything I could learn about the history of the Voyager line and created a Voyager History page on the main website. The history page is here:
http://www.amervoyassoc.org/voyager_history.php

If you have any additions or corrections let me know. I don't want to be distributing bad info!
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by HMB Don »

Ron

Bravo, Bravo, you hit a home run
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by kehnisz »

Very nice Ron, thank you!
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by kjsett »

HMB Don wrote:Ron

Bravo, Bravo, you hit a home run
I agree!!!!!!!!! :clap: :thmup: :bowdn:
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Re: What is the history of the Voyager?

Post by joelcolletti »

+1 :thmup:
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