Need Tires ?

[justagrinin]

Just got a 2000 Voyager XII my first Kawasaki. The tires are at least 7 yrs.,. old but not checkered and still has decent tread ? Opinions wanted.
If new tires what brand.
Rear shocks leaking oil, has progressives and super brace in front. Motor runs great just need to get the bike safe for ridding. Thanks for idea's

[debron]

Replace tbe tires. Dunlop Elite 3's are generally tire of choice though some like the Avon Venom X or the Metzler ME 880. Stay away from the Dunlop D404. Crappy handling and sho:rt life. I get mine from Chapparal. Among lowest prices and free shipping for me in Oregon. Ymmv.

Replace leaking rear shocks with Progressive 412s.

[gearheadfla]

Everything Ron said.

[justagrinin]

Thanks for reply. I contacted Carl whom I learned of on this site. Glad I did seems very knowledgeable about these bikes. Ordered 412 from him and Elite 3's from Jake's Today. Thanks

[gearheadfla]

Thanks for reply. I contacted Carl whom I learned of on this site. Glad I did seems very knowledgeable about these bikes. Ordered 412 from him and Elite 3's from Jake's Today. Thanks

Yep, Carl is the man, and the nicest person you will ever meet, and the best part for me, lives just a little over a hour from me. If your ever in Florida stop by and see him, you won't regret it.

[justagrinin]

I put my new Elite 3 tires on my 2000 XII yesterday and with the new progressive shocks on the back I took it for a little ride and it is smooth and handles great. Carl fixed me up with the progressive.

This is my first Kaw so I need to get used to it a bit. It has a little bit of whistle from wind noise haven't figured where its coming from yet, but the engine is very smooth and fires right up with no hesitation. I just have to put some miles in the seat to get a good feel for it,
Thanks to this forum with all it's great information.

[davidl]

Next stop is to join this family of Voyagers. Great place to be. Can't beat the people. More knowledge on the XII than anywhere else. Carl Leo is the man but there are lots of others out here that can help. Don't struggle w/a problem, ask and you will probable get several answers quickly. Also join your local club. Most of them are free or very nonimal in dues. More than worth the money. Congrats on your XII. I also have a 2000. Only thing I didn't have was a CB. Have one now. Again, welcome....

[k7nutN7nut]

progressive shocks on the back I took it for a little ride and it is smooth and handles great. Carl fixed me up with the progressive.

First, I know this is a tire thread...sorry!
Progressive...front arn't hard to figure out, but the rear shocks?
Can anyone give a part number?
I find alot of springs for Nomad and Vulcan, but not alot for Voyager XII, so it would be easier if someone who has "blazed" the trail could help out.
I have a '00 with under 10K on her, but have Progressive F & R on the KLR 650, so I know the benefits and would like to change the Voyager over.
OK, I'll chime in on the Tire thing...
When I got this '00, will call it the "donor bike", it had a set of worn out E-3's on it...and I mean WORN out!
A friend bought a Shinko 230 Tour Master for his Honda Shadow, so I thought I would try it. I loved the ride, feel & grip, but it only lasted about 6K, so unless you REALLY enjoy tearing the rear of your bike apart every 4 months, I don't recommend the 230!

[justagrinin]

I ordered mine from Carl Leo It builds the rear shocks for the load you typically carry, He knows these bikes very well and is great to deal with.

[debron]

Progressive...front arn't hard to figure out, but the rear shocks?
Can anyone give a part number?

Progressive shocks, model 412, Progressive part #12-1202B. Some places you order from, you order springs separate - standard or HD. Some places sell with springs installed. Installing springs is a bit of a bear from what I've heard.

[SlowRider]

I too am a new Voyager XII owner (2002 vintage) in need of tires. Am I correct in assuming writers are referring to the bias ply Dunlop Elite 3s? The factory service manual says "130/90-16 67H" for the front and "M150/90-15M/C 74H" for the rear. I easily find bias ply Dunlop Elite 3s online, but none are described in exactly this manner. Exactly what currently advertised Dunlop technical description is the equivalent of the factory recommendation?

My local dealer recommended the Michelin Commander II bias ply tires. Anyone have any experience with them? Although I have never had any auto tires outperform Michelins, I will not assume they are the primo choice for the Voyager XII.

Anyone tried any of the new double compound tires that have harder rubber in the center and softer rubber towards the edges? I have seen they are available in bias ply for the the 1500 Goldwings, and I definitely want to consider those type tires if they are available in a size suitable for the Voyager XII.

[Furchin]

My local dealer recommended the Michelin Commander II bias ply tires. Anyone have any experience with them? Although I have never had any auto tires outperform Michelins, I will not assume they are the primo choice for the Voyager XII.


I have the commander II tires on my '96 and although they are wearing just fine I have had an annoying noise and small vibration that has been present ever since installing these tires. I have gone over every possible problem for the noise and vibration and have found nothing wrong so I keep coming back and attributing this to the tires. It was not present prior to installation.

[debron]

Am I correct in assuming writers are referring to the bias ply Dunlop Elite 3s? The factory service manual says "130/90-16 67H" for the front and "M150/90-15M/C 74H" for the rear. I easily find bias ply Dunlop Elite 3s online, but none are described in exactly this manner. Exactly what currently advertised Dunlop technical description is the equivalent of the factory recommendation?

Dunlop uses a different sizing terminology for the E3's.
Front: MT90B 16
Rear: MV85HB 15

The B is for bias, the H is the speed rating - may or may not be specified.

Anyone tried any of the new double compound tires that have harder rubber in the center and softer rubber towards the edges?

Don Medina has used dual compound tires on his 2012 Voyager 1700 and seems to like them. However, I haven't seen any for the XII or heard of anyone using them. Interesting idea though.

[kjsett]

Am I correct in assuming writers are referring to the bias ply Dunlop Elite 3s? The factory service manual says "130/90-16 67H" for the front and "M150/90-15M/C 74H" for the rear. I easily find bias ply Dunlop Elite 3s online, but none are described in exactly this manner. Exactly what currently advertised Dunlop technical description is the equivalent of the factory recommendation?

Dunlop uses a different sizing terminology for the E3's.
Front: MT90B 16
Rear: MV85HB 15

The B is for bias, the H is the speed rating - may or may not be specified.

Anyone tried any of the new double compound tires that have harder rubber in the center and softer rubber towards the edges?

Don Medina has used dual compound tires on his 2012 Voyager 1700 and seems to like them. However, I haven't seen any for the XII or heard of anyone using them. Interesting idea though.

I put the Michelin Commander II's on my wife back tire a few months ago (Kawa VN800A). Used the beads and we have put about 4k on it and it is riding and wearing ok.
Thinking about it for my '03 XII, because after this trip both are getting replaced. If not them, then back to the E3's (over 22k and 1/32 left to go, so last ride for these).

[suzib6sw]

I had Bridgestone Battlax front and rear on my Bandit GSF600 back in '97.. They were dual compound and given the fact that you spend a fair amount of time on the "side walls" round the twisties in England, I would swear by them..

Here, well, I have had the E3 dunlops on my 94 and loved the sure footedness (is that a word?). They instilled confidence on the straights and on the bends..

On both my 86 and the 94 when i first got it, I had a metzler on the front.. While they are ok up to about 70, they exhibit a little more of a white line effect when riding over badly laid load surfaces but the frightening thing is the amount of wander over 70.. Both bikes with both a metzler and an E3 on the REAR did this in combination with the metzler on the front..
I now have a Full Bore USA rear on the 86 (money was tight when I needed to change) as it has a tread pattern close to the (yes it started to chunk too) Metlzer i had on the rear..
While I trust the fullbore, the metzler still white lines and wanders at speed on the interstate.
Suspension is progressive all round, pressures at 36 and 40, preload on mid notch, headstock at 95 inch pounds, superbrace, no low speed wobble or no hint of a tank slapper..
By a process of elimination, it can only be that darn metzler...
May change it next season as at least its kinda predictable.

Pete

[SlowRider]

I have enjoyed reading the collective experience provided on this topic. Thanks! This winter I will slip my 02 Voyager XII's feet into some new Dunlop Elite 3s. Learned from the Dunlop company website that their Elite 3s are multi-compound tires (harder rubber in center, softer rubber toward the edges). I will try to remember to provide some feedback here after I have rode on them awhile.

Having had the bike only a couple of weeks (my first since the mid-1980's), I had not considered suspension upgrades before reading this recent string of posts. If I decide I wish to do that, coordinating the suspension upgrade (and some final drive maintenance) with the new tire installation makes sense. And Carl Leo is obviously the goto man for suspension upgrades.

Thanks Again!

2002 Kawasaki Voyager XII (I think I am going to really like this bike)
1981 Yamaha XS1100 Midnight Special (owned in mid-1980's)

[gearheadfla]

I have enjoyed reading the collective experience provided on this topic. Thanks! This winter I will slip my 02 Voyager XII's feet into some new Dunlop Elite 3s. Learned from the Dunlop company website that their Elite 3s are multi-compound tires (harder rubber in center, softer rubber toward the edges). I will try to remember to provide some feedback here after I have rode on them awhile.

Having had the bike only a couple of weeks (my first since the mid-1980's), I had not considered suspension upgrades before reading this recent string of posts. If I decide I wish to do that, coordinating the suspension upgrade (and some final drive maintenance) with the new tire installation makes sense. And Carl Leo is obviously the goto man for suspension upgrades.

Thanks Again!

2002 Kawasaki Voyager XII (I think I am going to really like this bike)
1981 Yamaha XS1100 Midnight Special (owned in mid-1980's)

The suspension upgrade, progressives in the front and rear IS the single best upgrade I have done to my 88, I run a E-3 up front and a car tire on the rear, it rides like a caddy on trips and also handles great when I get a little froggy with it. It is almost a must do upgrade