Oh, what to do?

[watchman]

My 05 Nomad almost has 56,000 miles on it. If I am going to trade it now is the time. To be totally honest I just don't like the 09 Nomad. So I have found several 07 and 08 hold over bikes. And using NADA figures I should be able to trade my bike for one of them for around $4000 to $4500. But now I have found a used 07 Red and Silver Nomad with only 5715 miles on it and can trade, again using NADA figures, for around $2400.

My practical side which has mostly ruled my life, says: Buy the used Nomad and take the other $2000 and use it on trips. The used bike only has 5715 miles it is hardly even broken in. It already has V & H pipes, light bar and highway pegs. You could just leave your pipes which has 50,000 miles on them on your bike and get a little better trade-in. You could also sell your driving lights and highway pegs for some cash and put it toward an extended warranty.

My EGO say: Don't buy a used bike, you are buying somebody's troubles, you really wanted a black or black and silver one anyway and that bike is already 2 years old. Put the $2400 down on a new hold over bike and make payments on the balance. This might be the last bike you ever buy, get what you want. Besides there must be something wrong with a used Nomad to be traded in with only 5715 miles on it.

But then I get real practical and I tell myself: Just put some cam chain extenders on your 05 and keep it. It only has 56,000 miles on it and you know it has a lot more miles left in it. At worst you might have to put a clutch in it before long. And it is paid for! And you have customized it just for you! You really like the color! And think of all the work stripping off all the accessories from it and installing them on a different one.

A man's mind can sometimes really be his own worst enemy!

What to do! Oh, what to do!

[phenrichs]

Wait till after the 09 hits the showromm floor. Or go in and let them know you are "shopping" then after the 09 is released for sale, which I think is March, go back in and I bet you could get a better deal on a 08 or even 07

[dantama]

I think if you can buy 50,000 less miles for $2,400, your getting a lot for that money.

Think of car buying and you have two of the same model car to choose from, and one has 50,000 less miles and only costs $2,400 more. It's a slam dunk to buy the car with 50,000 less miles, especially if it is 2 years newer.

I don't see this any different, you just happen to own one of them; but essentially it is the same.

I'd unload everything that isn't stock on the bike you own, and sell/trade it. 50,000 less miles, two extra years of warranty, two years newer, and all for $2,400. Now you've got me thinking I need to trade!

[nomad]

don't buy until your mind is made up. you will regret it. drive what you have and sleep on it.
good luck!

[refugio]

Trade yours in....Get the 08

[dabull]

why is 56K the death of the machine?

[MikeInFla]

I'm not sure why you came to the conclusion your needed to trade your bike in. I found myself in the past convincing myself I needed a new bike when in reality I was just wanting a new toy.

If your bike has problems or your not happy with it, then that's one thing. But, if your just wanting a new toy then sleep on it for a bit longer and really ask yourself why? I personally don't think 54,000 miles is a reason. The bike has a lot more life in it.

$2400 is not all that much money but then again your spending that money for something you already have.

I personally would keep it if your happy with your Nomad.

[Yellow Jacket]

No one can make this decision but you.

Personally, I would keep what I have until I either don't like it anymore or it's starting to cost too much to maintain it. That's what I plan to do with my 06.

In reality, you have to do what makes YOU happy. That's all that matters.

[watchman]

What I was told by 2 different dealers is that a bike with over 60,000 miles is hard for them to sell. So they drop the trade value alot on those bikes.

The used Nomad does not have an extended warranty. I would have to buy one before the orginal titled sale date of the used 07 in order to get the extended warranty.

Now if I jump up to the $4000 to $4500 trade price I can get a new hold over 07 or 08 with a new 2 year warranty and can purchase the extended warranty with no problems. All the prices I have been given on these bikes are only good till the end of the month.

[zoom45]

Do you perform all the maintenance yourself? If so, I would keep what you have. You already have a trouble free bike and those miles don't hurt it. Mine has about 60,000 and I'll ride it anywhere without worry. I guess it all depends on how tight the money is and what you really want to have.

Zoom45

[dkdixie]

While all of us have opinions of what we would do, its ends up totally being your decision. In the short number of responses so far, opinions are split right down the middle.
Personally, I would have to agree with Dan. In fact, I would jump on it.....but that's me.
Sleep on it and make the decision that fits you.....regardless of what any of us say.......and then don't look back!!

[dabull]

i personally keep my cars till the wheels fall off them, don't see the difference on cycles....again...it is your preference...

[watchman]

I think I will just put this decision off until the 09's are out and then check on what is available and what kind of prices I can get. Make my decision when the time comes close to needing tires, April or May. Could be some low milage 08 Nomads will be traded in on the new Voyagers.

[dandolfn]

I just went thru some similar agonizing myself. Had a Suzuki C50 (800 cc) which I liked a lot but I just need some more legs. I really liked the 06 Nomad in green/silver. Found a used one for $7K, with only 7K miles on it. Asked the dealer to locate a blue/silver 08, but he couldn't. He offered me an 08 in red/black which really wasn't my favorite color for a little under 11K. What to do? What to do?

I downloaded a red/black wallpaper and lived with it over a weekend. Finally decided that red/black was really a pretty nice color. And, like you, I figured this would probably be my last bike.

Went with the new one. Got 320 miles on it now, and can't wait to get thru the break-in period!

But I think you need to let your choices percolate thru your mind and sooner or later your heart (not your mind!) will decide for you.

Good luck!!

[redeye]

i personally keep my cars till the wheels fall off them, don't see the difference on cycles....again...it is your preference...

+100

[cactusjack]

i personally keep my cars till the wheels fall off them, don't see the difference on cycles....again...it is your preference...

Except I wouldn't want to be riding it when they do finally fall off.

[rickyboy]

http://www.whitcom.com/nomad/KawasakiNomadForSale.htm

You may have seen this "watchman" I think CJ is helping to sell a friends bike { not sure though}
This might also be a way to go and something to consider. Sell yours privately and purchase this or something similar. There are a lot of Nomads out there to buy. I know you're concerned about buying someones problems but if the milage is low the chances are less that it would be a concern. Have the "new" bike checked out before you buy. That's worth the piece of mind it'll give you. JMHO Good luck

http://www.whitcom.com/nomad/KawasakiNomadForSale.htm

[cactusjack]

http://www.whitcom.com/nomad/KawasakiNomadForSale.htm

You may have seen this "watchman" I think CJ is helping to sell a friends bike { not sure though}
This might also be a way to go and something to consider. Sell yours privately and purchase this or something similar. There are a lot of Nomads out there to buy. I know you're concerned about buying someones problems but if the milage is low the chances are less that it would be a concern. Have the "new" bike checked out before you buy. That's worth the piece of mind it'll give you. JMHO Good luck

http://www.whitcom.com/nomad/KawasakiNomadForSale.htm

Nope, not a friend's bike. I saw it on another site and posted it here because green/green '99s are somewhat rare. I figured someone here may be interested. I have no stake in the transaction at all.

[glwilson]

i personally keep my cars till the wheels fall off them, don't see the difference on cycles....again...it is your preference...

+100

I have been known to do the same with my vehicles.

I sell them when their reliability becomes an issue -- as you don't want to be on a long trip with an unreliable bike.

Besides; keep it long enough and you'll be able to enter antique bike shows with your Nomad.

[watchman]

If I do buy it will be for something newer than I have. I can't think of any other reason to trade.

[mercianbike]

My EGO say: Don't buy a used bike, you are buying somebody's troubles.....................Besides there must be something wrong with a used Nomad to be traded in with only 5715 miles on it.


If the used bike is still under warranty (which I understand it is), it's not likely to have anything seriously wrong with it unless it has been abused so badly that the dealer won't recognize the warranty. I think abuse that bad would be obvious. Discussions just a few weeks ago indicate that you can get a four year extended warranty from Fremont Motorsports for as little as $355.

[superduty]

I think you need to get the new bike and give me a sweet deal on that fairing! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Nah, actually I think I'd keep the current bike, if it was me. There's a certain pride in saying, yeah that's my bike with 56K miles on it. Looks and runs great, doesn't it? $2K worth of trips is a lot of great memories. Or $2K in a repair fund could grow a long time in the bank while waiting to be used up in repairs.

A lot of those 1-2 year old bikes are from guys who decided it wasn't for them, or couldn't afford it etc. If you really love the 07, shoot the guy an offer that you can brag about if he does say yes, and then the ball is in his court.

I have a personal theory of "never buy version 1 of anything" and so I'd wait on the 09 Nomad/Voyager too. My two cents...

[dantama]

I have a personal theory of "never buy version 1 of anything" and so I'd wait on the 09 Nomad/Voyager too. My two cents...



After getting burned by purchasing a 1999 new and then getting the plastic oil gear fiasco, I'd tend to agree.

[novijoe]

My 01' was used when I bought it. it had 7000 on the clock. I took it to 48k+ when I traded her in. Very reliable for the trips and miles I put on her in 22 states. I thought to myself with the 09' coming out (that I really didn't care for) if I wanted a new Nomad the now was the time so I bought a crate 07' and took on a new payment. I have not regretted it for a minute....I love the new bike and she is really starting to come together.

If you think this may be your last bike and you have the coin I say do it...Nomads are great bikes, and I plan on keeping mine for a long time.

[schoeney]

It is all about your comfort zone. I would feel more comfortable with something under warranty and lower miles. But your bike is not that old and you must put alot of highway miles on so it should have plenty more left.

Saying that , my bike is not under warranty....but has low miles (7k).

Bottom line.....you can't go wrong with keeping it as the price difference should be enough to cover anything should it go wrong.

[watchman]

Liz and I normally ride 15,000 to 17,000 miles a year. If I keep my bike another year it will have over 70,000 miles on it. Now who is going to want to take a bike with 70,000 miles in on a trade. Would any of you consider a bike with 70,000 miles on it? Not many if any. And if I keep it 2 years now it is over 85,000 and still under warranty. And in 3 years, when the warranty is finally expired it will have over 100,000 miles.

Or buy something new and in 3 years have around 50,000 to 55,000 on it and be looking to trade again. I keep this up and I am going to talk myself in trading!

[reaper]

Keep your bike.
Spend some of the cash your going to spend and use it to refurb it. IMHO

[schoeney]

Watchman...Just out of curiousity ....have you had any problems with your Nad? What were they?