When considering a full dress tourer - the bike I've longed for for the past twenty years - I selected the 2001 Kawasaki Voyager.

I tried on the Voyager XII, Venture, 1200LT, Gold Wing, and Electra Glide. I found the remaining bikes too heavy, too awkward with a high center of gravity, and too expensive. The Voyager fit my shorter legs, and is easily ridden single around town and two up on the freeways. Its as maneuverable as any bike I've ridden (this is my 5th bike and my first bought new).

The Voyager has all the amenities you'd ever want, including 4 speaker am/fm cassette and cruise control. A bubble of calmer air surrounds you with the full fairing. The integrated bags and trunk provide enough room for most getaways.

For under $13,000 out-the-door, with the same amenities, it is thousand$ less than any other!

Accessories are hard to find and seem over-priced. This seems to be simple supply and demand economics, too few Voyagers are sold for the after market manufacturers to take the bike seriously.

If you are looking for the best daily commuter and vacation tourer in a full dress motorcycle, consider the Voyager XII. Its dated styling may not turn everyone's head, but you'll be grinning ear-to-ear with its performance and laughing all the way to the bank.

See you on the road!



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