Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

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Wrangler316
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Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by Wrangler316 »

I am only 5' 5" and can not get both feet flat on the ground where I feel safer. What are some things I can do to lower the bike.
Best way to customize the seat?
Frame?
voyager55
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by voyager55 »

IMO, I'd look for a different bike. Seems The Voyager was made for taller people.
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JHD
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by JHD »

Your best bet would be reworking your seat. How much do you think you have to lower to get your footing?
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Me Again
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by Me Again »

voyager55 wrote:IMO, I'd look for a different bike. Seems The Voyager was made for taller people.
What do you mean by taller . 5'6" to 5'7" ? definitely wasn't made for a 6 footer.
I do agree that the seat is the best place to raise/lower a XII.
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by voyager55 »

Well let's see now- :hmm: - Taller means taller than 5-5
I'm 6ft and the bike fits me like a glove


Me Again wrote:
voyager55 wrote:IMO, I'd look for a different bike. Seems The Voyager was made for taller people.
What do you mean by taller . 5'6" to 5'7" ? definitely wasn't made for a 6 footer..
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by Mr Jensee »

I have a 33 inch inseam so I cant effectively put both feet on the ground at a stop either. Note in my picture my heals aren't on the ground. You could lower the forks by loosening the triple tree and dropping it a couple inches. Set the rear shocks for the lowest setting. The only thing else I can suggest is to have the seat reworked to take two inches out of it.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by Wrangler316 »

Thanks for the replies. I think the first thing I will do is work on the seat. If I can get 1.5" to 2" inches I will be fine. I'm driving it now. but have to carefully plan my stops. Just bought the bike and i like the ride.

Will start looking for a used seat that has been modified.
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by starrider »

I'm 5'2" and don't have much of a problem even 2 up. I had a shoemaker add 1/2" to the soles of my riding boots. I can't flat foot, but balls of my feet are on the ground. Ride the machine till you are comfortable. It won't be that bad once you get a few miles on it.
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by Wrangler316 »

starrider wrote:I'm 5'2" and don't have much of a problem even 2 up. I had a shoemaker add 1/2" to the soles of my riding boots. I can't flat foot, but balls of my feet are on the ground. Ride the machine till you are comfortable. It won't be that bad once you get a few miles on it.
Thanks. I am getting more used to it by the day. Had it for about a week. My son just bought a Voyager with a Hartco seat. I will give that a try and then know the best way to go. I can add sole to my riding boot - but I drive it to work and have to have more of a dress shoe. Thanks for your reply.
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by JHD »

Wrangler316 wrote: I can add sole to my riding boot - but I drive it to work and have to have more of a dress shoe.
Riding to work with riding boots that give you the extra height and then putting on your work shoes that you have in the trunk or have at work would be a better option. Riding with a dress shoe just looks wrong and affords no protection.
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by keithlp »

With shorter legs I have the same problem. I had thicker soles installed on a new pair of work boots that I only use for riding. If I'm going somewhere where I'll be doing some walking I take another pair of shoes with me. I never thought that the stock seat was even close to being comfortable so I sent mine to Terry's Custom Seats where he rebuilt it. He asks you how you want your seat done so it's custom built to fit you. He does excellent work and I thought his prices were reasonable.
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by cranky »

... that is one of the nicest looking seats I've seen, looked at the pics before,
I can sit mine for 12 hours no problem... If I did, THAT is where I'd look first!!!
Thanks for sharing!
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by Mr Jensee »

I saw that Carl Leo has the exact same seat on his anniversary edition 96 Voyager. Looks very comfortable.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by Dave »

Mr Jensee wrote:I have a 33 inch inseam so I cant effectively put both feet on the ground at a stop either. Note in my picture my heals aren't on the ground. You could lower the forks by loosening the triple tree and dropping it a couple inches. Set the rear shocks for the lowest setting. The only thing else I can suggest is to have the seat reworked to take two inches out of it.
I no longer have a Voyager 1200 but have had three of them in the past. I had no problem flat-footing with my 30 inch inseam!
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by VoyKimmer »

My seat just done by Terry.
image.jpeg
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Mr Jensee
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Re: Ways to lower Kawazaki Voyager 1200 for short person.

Post by Mr Jensee »

Looks really great and it must have been a hard to hang the bike upside down from the ceiling! Reminds me of the old Green Hornet series where the Black Beauty sat upside down under Brit Reid's car in the garage. :thmup:

Seriously, enjoy it. I am thinking of doing the same thing this year. :wnk2:
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
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