Looking for bike advice!

[skippermcgee]

Hey y'all,
I just spent the last 8 months building and improving my XII....until Monday some guy cut across my lane from oncoming traffic without a signal and I face-planted into his jeep at 40mph...somehow wound up with just a broken foot...so now I'm using my extra time to look at bikes. What do those of you who have ridden the xii think about it in comparison to the 1700? Should I start over with another xii or transition to the more modern bike? Looking for daily transpo and am planning on a trip to Alaska and back to Yuma, AZ next year. I like curves and don't mind speed...
Cheers,
Skip!

[skippermcgee]

I'm also wondering how you think the 1700 would compare to a 2006 Royal Star Venture....
Cheers!

[cranky]

... or the new Yammy with everything!!! Heated everything, all the bells and
wheet whews!!! GBG ... if your rich... and I'm not..

If Ya got a 1700, the very first think you MUST do is get Ivan's reflash and make it work...

Having ridden a Nomad for years, 2 cyl machine, and now running my '03 Voyager, if'n
I were you, get a good used Voyager and fix 'er up! Methinks you'd be much money
ahead and a better machine... JM2C

[kawman12]

XII or 1700 - kinda depends on your budget. I owned a 98 Xii for 5 years and loved that bike, very hard to beat for the value/cost. I upgraded to a 12 Voyager 1700 because I came across a deal that was too good. these 2 are very different animals. XII with the in line 4 is very smooth. 1700 as a v twin just has a different feel. Try to test ride a 1700 if you can to help decide. there are some very good deals to be had on these bikes also. Don't have any experience with the Yamaha Venture 1300, but think they are a good bike. The new 2018 venture looks awesome, but $24,000.00 to $28,000.00 puts it out of my budget.

[skippermcgee]

Thanks guys! Yeah I'm not talking anything new, looking at a 1992 xii or a 2002 venture... or an early 1700 which is the most expensive of the 3.

[cranky]

... If Ya go 1700, Ya might consider skipping past the first 2 years, '09. '10... IIRC
there were some upgrades... and I'd look for years that you could retro fit OR make
sure the KAMS is installed... I saw a lot of good info on the VROC board....

KAMS = Kawasaki Air Management System....

[Mr Jensee]

No experience with another touring bike. However if you want a V Twin, why not just surf the local newspaper for a used Harley. I hear the price has come down quite a bit on used Harleys. Plus you have the added benefit of getting a bike well cared for since Harley riders spit polish their bikes constantly.

[HMB Don]

You're an AVA member, check out the Winter 2017 issue of the Voyagers Voice. Page 13, building my Voyager 1700.

I got my Voyager 1200 in the summer of 02 brand new and gave it to my son when I bought my 2012 Voyager 1700. My old Voyager 1200 had 178,000 miles on the ODO. Today my Voyager 1700 has 135,000 miles. I think the 1700 is a better motorcycle if you take the time to understand how it's different then the Voyager 1200.

[Mr Jensee]

Don do realize all that mileage on a pair of motorcycles means you are practically homeless? Who cuts the grass when you're gone? You know they closed my Steak House we visited when you were here, However I think we've found a better one!