1600 Vs1700

[Vulcanrider03]

Just sold my 1500... and wondering if I should get a 1600 or 1700.. is it worth overall spending the extra $$

[redjay]

Get a 1700 if you can afford it.

[REDKAW1700]

yeh, what he said......

[Netnorske]

Either way you are going to spend some money on performance mods to get the most out of it. The 1700's (I just traded my '08 1600 Nomad for a 2012 1700 Voyager) have some nice additions....a sixth gear (a true overdive), electronic cruise control, and a few extra cc's. The 1700's are the latest and greatest Kawasaki has to offer....so if money is no object, you might as well get the 1700, especially if you do any long-distance riding! If it is....the 1600 is a great ride too. I still kinda miss my old ride, but only because my new one is not completely customized to my liking yet. When it is...it will be a one awesome ride!

[manban9888]

If money isn't an issue the newer the better and that means a 1700. I recently bought a used black n red 2008 Nomad 1600 w just under 5000 miles for $7000. I love it and it was a great deal imho and I don't have a payment which I like a lot. I kept my Vulcan 1500a cuz it's a great bike too. You really can't go wrong either way imo. It's a money call cuz they're both great rides in their own way. I like the shaft drive ofvthe 1600 but the 1700 is newer w more extras such as cruise control. Good luck w your choice

[Vulcanrider03]

Tkx guyz,, as some of you know bikes cost more up here in Canada a 08 nomad goes between 8-9 g ,,got my eye on a 2010 1700 but he is asking 12,500 negiotable. I offered 11 see how that will go

[Monkeyman]

148cc larger motor, electronic cruise control, goofy looking bags, farther forward seating position, belt drive, heat complaints. Those are the main changes to the 1700s. If I were in the market for another Vulcan, I'd seriously consider another 1600. You can add electronic cruise control, there aren't any heat issues, I rather like the shaft drive (not that a belt drive would be a deal breaker by any means), I sit farther back and I haven't heard where the extra 148ccs are THAT much more powerful. The 1600s are much cheaper, too. I couldn't sell my '07 with 16k miles (and a fairing/stereo/etc) for $7k a few weeks ago. I haven't seen any '09s less than about $10k or really close to it.

[Loafer]

Buy one of each, keep the one you like and give the other one to me.
Christmas is coming...

[davidjmurphy]

I got a 2011 1700 nomad and just love it. I am getting 50-53 MPG rides like a dream and love the cruise. Yes there is some heat but I don.t think its an issue,its a big engine. I feel heat of the engine on my ATV. You can't go wrong with either one.

[ponch]

Go out and test ride the bikes you are interested in, at the very least, if not other bikes too. Bench riding is a bad way to pick a bike.

[landman]

1700 wins hands down in my opinion.much better handleing bike,same power stock as a modified 1600,no known cam chain tensioner problems,no handlebar risers needed[except
for kris].no known clutch problems like the 1600's.

[scottyj]

I got a 2011 1700 nomad and just love it. I am getting 50-53 MPG rides like a dream and love the cruise. Yes there is some heat but I don.t think its an issue,its a big engine. I feel heat of the engine on my ATV. You can't go wrong with either one.

50-53 mpg?? Are you sure it's kpg? I didn't even get that on my 900.

[Jared]

1700 wins hands down in my opinion.much better handleing bike,same power stock as a modified 1600,no known cam chain tensioner problems,no handlebar risers needed[except
for kris].no known clutch problems like the 1600's.

Important to note that known issues take tome to present themselves.

[old dog]

I traded my 1500 Drifter in on a 2011 Vaquero. Never had a problem with the shaft but the
belt is much smother. 1700 gives better mi. per gal. 50 is not a given on the road but i get
it most of the time. I would not buy a1700 unless you do mostly open road riding. The heat
could be an issue in the city

[ponch]

Important to note that known issues take tome to present themselves.

There's a guy on the delphi forum that put 160K miles on his Voyager before he had a serious issue. The front pulley came loose and chewed up the shaft. Kawasaki covered it under warranty. This guy rides about 60K a year and he lives in Canada. I'd say the 1700 does ok.

[landman]

Important to note that known issues take tome to present themselves.

this is true jared and is why i qaulified my statement by saying known issues.
however with that being said the 1700 has been in production for four years
and thier are some high mileage bikes on the road.in my experiene most motor issues on new bikes show up the first year or two.the kawi 2000 is
an example of a new production motor that had problems surface pretty early
on.another would be the early twin cam harleys that had bearing failures.

[usranger74]

Read this before buying a 1700

http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29702

Just saying.

[landman]

Read this before buying a 1700

http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29702

Just saying.

look at it this way bill !you don't have to spend money on heated clothing.:P

[puckoach]

I made this same decision in May. Choose the 1600 because of the heat issue, covered in part by the thread in the link above.

We are all different, and have different riding locations and times. As a hockey coach spending my time year round in rinks, the heat from the 1700 is too much for me.

I like the 1700 models and features. Wish I could handle the heat. But, truth is I have Kury Longhorns set up to get my feet away from the engine on the 1600 as it is.


(Edit - Since this posting, a new thread was started on the heat issue, and some possible answers solving heat issues have been posted. Check it out too. http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29702 )

[Vulcanrider03]

What fuel mileage should I expect for a 1700 nomad 2010

Do I need to run high Octane gas ?

[landman]

What fuel mileage should I expect for a 1700 nomad 2010

Do I need to run high Octane gas ?

i have been averageing 46mpg on my 1700 vaquero.i run 88 octane gas but then i am located in a high altitude area.

[dewey405]

look at it this way bill !you don't have to spend money on heated clothing.:P

LOL, that's my thought...how many bikes have you owned that are comfortable to ride in the winter? Well this one gives you a built in heater so it wins! lol!

[dewey405]

Just as a comparison, I get about 34-36 mpg and supposedly that's the low end.