kawasaki z 1200 voyager

Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager (Voyager XII): review, history, specs

Class: tourer

Production: 1986-2003

Also called: Kawasaki Voyager 1200, Kawasaki Voyager XII

Predecessor: Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager XIII

Specifications

Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII: specs.

Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII: images, gallery.

Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII: video.

Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII: manuals, parts, microfiches.

• Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager: Service Manual, 1986
• Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager: Parts Catalog
• ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Voyager XII (04/1999) | Average MPG
• ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Voyager XII (04/1999) | 0-60 mph
• ↑ Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) "Performance Index 2015" | Kawasaki Voyager XII (04/1999) | Top speed
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Kawasaki Voyager Xii

Kawasaki Voyager Xii May 1 1989

Kawasaki Voyager XII

CYCLE WORLD TEST

The smallest giant

MONUMENTAL WORDS OF INSIGHT SOMETIMES come at odd times and places. In this instance, it was at a filling station in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The speaker was looking at a road map, trying to figure the best way back to Los Angeles without getting lost, then he looked up and a totally unrelated thought struck him. "This might be the only Japanese bike to be less complicated than the model it replaced." The speaker was Feature Editor Jon Thompson, the bike was the Kawasaki Voyager XII, and the words were indisputably true.

Back in the early Eighties, Kawasaki had no idea what to do with the all-but-useless six-cylinder monsterbike it had developed. At the time, the only place that immense size seemed to be acceptable was the touring market. Fine. That's where the big 1300 went. In subsequent years, the Six was the subject of more size jokes than William “The Refrigerator” Perry.

Then along came 1986 and the Kawasaki Voyager XII. The 1200 was everything the 1 300 wasn't—namely small,> at least for a touring bike. And now. the 1989 1200. which is basically unchanged from the original model, is the only touring bike that Kawasaki officially offers, even though hardcore mass addicts can still find the discontinued Six at some dealers.

What's most interesting about the Voyager XII is that even though it has two less cylinders, even though it weighs 150 pounds less, and even though it has half the cubic stuff that the 1300 had, it seems to give away nothing. In fact, the 1 200’s engine is noticeably stronger than the I 300's. It produces more bottom-end power and revs out to a healthy mid-range. Both motors have a zippy, race-car exhaust note, but on the big Six, the engine always sounded like it was working way too hard. The XII has a lope-along mode that’s much more relaxing. And in that mode, engine vibration is all but unnoticeable. Oh. you can tell a slight difference between acceleration and coasting with the clutch pulled in. but you have to think about it some. The Voyager is still about as smooth as motorcycles get.

And the all-important list of touring items is about as long as you need. No matter how far you lean towards materialism, chances are you'll be satisfied by the XII. It has all the right stuff: an ÄM/FM cassette deck; an excellent cruise-control system; passenger speakers and controls for the stereo; píenty of storage. What it doesn't have is a decent tool kit—the one in a Honda Gold Wing, as poor as it is. puts the Kawasaki's to shame. It also doesn't have an onboard compressor for the suspension, or for any kind of inflatable seat-comfort-enhancing device. That, it could use. The XII's seat is thin and uncharacteristically low-ball—out of place on a top-of-the-line luxury tourer.

But then the seat on the old 1 300 was really never anything to get excited about, either. That's about the only thing the two have in common —Kawasaki really did succeed in its goal of making the 1200 as much unlike the 1300 as possible. With that goal in mind, it's easy to understand much about the 1 200. Kawasaki went overboard trying to make it small and maneuverable to compensate for the Six's problems. And it is the smallest, best-handling of the big touring bikes. Turning it requires virtually no effort at all—quite a change from the freight-train-like Six. In fact, cornering is so easy that you find yourself scraping footpegs w ithout really trying.

Conversely, holding the XII straight on a long, curveless freeway requires a little more concentration than it does on other big touring bikes. Just as soon as your thoughts start to wander and riding the bike becomes the secondmost-important thing on your mind, the bike takes the opportunity to make slow, lazy weaves in the lane.

While we're griping, we might as well mention the fairing. It offers protection that is merely OK compared to most of the others on the market. Basically, too much air finds its way around the fairing, despite the addition of small w'inglets on the outside edges of the fairing, a modification first made to the 1987-model XII.

It’s interesting to note that in Cycle Worlds June, 1 986, touring bike comparison test, we complained about virtually all the same things: the thinly padded seat, the slight weaving and the fairing’s air spill-over. In fact, Kawasaki has made only three major changes to the Voyager XII since then: the addition of passenger speakers, cruise control and the change to a champagne color. That's a shame. > because with the addition of a better fairing and seat, plus improved stability, the Voyager could lay claim to being the best touring bike in the country.

Instead, the Voyager now sits at the top of a much smaller nitch. With the Honda Gold Wing taking the six-cylinder approach, the Kawasaki is left as the smallest and lightest of the heavyweights. It’s also the cheapest—by over $1000. Compared to the old 1300, the XI1 goes to show you that sometimes you can make your best progress by taking a few steps back. Compared with some of the other more-finished tourers, though, it’s still a few steps behind. 0

SPECIFICATIONS

VOYAGER XII

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Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII Reviews

2002 kawasaki zg1200 voyager xii from canada.

Best bang for the money

General maintenance.

General Comments:

These old school bikes are bulletproof. Lots of power for 2up, awesomeness on fuel. Nobody wants them for some unknown reason. My wife and I have great pleasure trips, day trips on our 2002. Lots of trunk space and extra in the two saddle bags. 58+mpg. No computer or fuel injection. Great highway bike but no trail bike. Insurance is less as well for a 1200 cc.

You can pick these bikes up for less than $3,000.00 and at the end of the day have a lot of fun and money to spare.

Aaron from Canada.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th December, 2023

1999 Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII from United States of America

I have upgraded the suspension to progressive springs. I haven’t had any issues other than normal maintenance, doesn’t vibrate apart!!

My 99 Voyager is very lightweight and easy to handle. I don’t have tighten things up after riding, it does freeway speeds with ease.

Stereos on these always fail, so it’s not a big deal.

In town I can get over 200 miles from a tank of fuel. I had a 2007 Ultra Classic and I preferred riding this. I like the speed and power and being 65 y.o. It’s lightweight and easy to handle, I got it for $1900. A great bike for the money $$.

Review Date: 11th July, 2023

28th Apr 2024, 10:56

I have 2002 Kawasaki Voyager XII, been looking online, would you know what the steps are for the removal of spark plugs? It looks like the coils are in the way, which I'd like to replace too, with aftermarket, but plugs first to see if it's got a slight misfire. I want use NGK Iridium, not sure yet what's in there, but there are access issues.

2001 Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII from United States of America

Comfortable

Bought this motorcycle cheap, and intended to only keep it for a year, and use it for three trips to Mexico, from California. I've now owned it for 18 months, only did one trip to Mexico. For the last 6 months, I've been using the bike as a full time commuter. The first year of ownership no problems. When I got to the one year mark, is when I began having problems. The oil gasket cracked, and I ended up getting oil in the water pump as well. 2 months after that, the clutch failed. Every plate needed to be replaced. The repairs are costly. Bike is running good now, I'm hoping all of this is out of the way, and I won't have any future problems.

The bike is very comfortable, and a lot more affordable than a Honda Gold Wing, of the same age. The girlfriend is very comfortable on the back, there's plenty of luggage space.

I think the major issue with this bike, is that dealerships here in America, will not service a bike that is over 15 years old. I had to find an independent mechanic that was willing to repair it. Not many of them wanted to touch it as well. Also hard to find parts for this bike as well.

As time goes on, and if there are no other major repairs, I would be happy to give better grades.

Review Date: 2nd October, 2022

2002 Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII from United States of America

If only the idiots at Kawasaki hadn't given up

Radio fuses, carburetor problems due to that d## alcohol fuel gum.

Stiffened front forks, very little else not normal upkeep.

Finally caught the oil drain plug on an obstruction and ripped the filter housing out of the bike. Obvious design flaw that I was never smart enough to put a skid plate over. I really hate myself for that.

Rides great in any circumstance as long as you don't pretend it's a crotch rocket. Decent fuel mileage. Low center of gravity, anyone who calls this top heavy has never ridden any of the other baggers.

I destroyed the motor in my current 02, entirely my fault even though it's a design flaw, I saw it, never got around to putting a skid plate on. I've been shopping all over the map for a newer bike, cause they stop building these in 02, the idiots. It's the best one of all the ones I've ever owned, but there ain't no more. I've looked at every bagger still built, they are all too tall for a short guy, me. They are all called top heavy by the people who own them, I hate that. They all seem to come from the shop with built in flaws. I never owned a BMW, and after looking at the reliability ratings, I'm not going to. Worse than a Harley? How can anything be worse than a Harley? I've come to the conclusion I'm going to put a motor in my 02 and ride on. I hate the thought, it's a horrible job, but I can't find anything I consider a reliable option. Just my opinion, after 55 years of riding.

Review Date: 24th August, 2020

Kawasaki ZG 1200 Voyager XII (1986-88) technical specifications

Kawasaki ZG 1200 Voyager XII is produced in 1986-88. Engine is Four stroke transverse four cylinder. DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder, displacement 1196 cc / 72.9 cu-in , produces power 97 hp / 72.3 kW @ 7000 rpm and 11.0 kgf-m / 79.5 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. Kawasaki ZG 1200 Voyager XII weighs 317 kg / 698.9 lbs. Kawasaki ZG 1200 Voyager XII has 1 photos.

Technical specifications

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The Kawasaki Z1300 was manufactured in several versions, namely: Z1300, KZ1300, ZG1300 and ZN1300. The Z1300 featured six cylinders, water cooling, and shaft drive as standard equipment. During its ten year production run, fuelling was switched from carburetors to electronic fuel injection and suspension was upgraded to air systems front and rear. Fuel injection system was adopted primarily to improve fuel consumption, but a by-product was increased power and torque. Although its straight-six engine was smooth, the motorcycle was heavy, expensive and thirsty, and the Z1300 sold poorly, particularly in Europe. When released, its output in excess of 120 HP prompted new laws in the EU limiting horsepower. In the U.S., the model was equipped with a windshield, suitcase, and a redesigned frame. This new model was called "Voyager". In Europe, the traditional model was still available. The last 200 models (built in America as all 1300's were), built in 1989, have been called "Legendary Six", and were equipped with a special logo on the fuel tank to show that to the public. After a ten-year production run, Kawasaki's first and only liquid-cooled six-cylinder engine bowed out in 1989 after 20,000 KZ1300/Z1300s and 4,500 Voyagers had been produced.