How long have you ridden your 15/1600?

[Jared]

I am aware of two Nomads with over 250,000 miles on the original motor. These bikes can outlast most of their riders.

[johnberryus]

Originally Posted by dholmer

Hey Johnberryus... How about a new Kawasaki Voyager instead of the Harley Ultra?

The thought did cross our minds, but with all things considered in the 2 3/4 years I've owned this motorcycle it has been the most expensive vehicle to keep operational I have ever had or known anyone else personally to have. I have spent close to 10 times as much on repairs for this thing than I have in the 7 years I've owned my Harley.

It only gets 35-38 MPG and all the Harley guys I know get 45ish, they still haven't increased the fuel tank size to make it a true touring machine, and I have spent the last year test riding all of the big V-twin Tourers and in our opinion none of the others come close to the new Harleys in creature comforts, amenities, fit , form, and function.

Kawasaki has done nothing to improve the Vulcan line since 2009 except introduce the Vaquero, and frankly I'm not impressed.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by dholmer

Hey Johnberryus... How about a new Kawasaki Voyager instead of the Harley Ultra?

That's like walking into a restaurant and ordering a steak and the waiter tries to get you to order a burger instead.

If the man wants a filet, let him have one.

[johnberryus]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

That's like walking into a restaurant and ordering a steak and the waiter tries to get you to order a burger instead.

If the man wants a filet, let him have one.

Amen Brother.

[Rasta]

Got my 04 Nomad in 2011 with 9400miles on it. I have 47000 on it now with lots of modes on it. Done all the maintenance , modes and repairs on it myself except for the first rear tire change when I first got it and have gone Darkside after it was on there for about 4000 miles..... on my second CT now.

[Rasta]

Originally Posted by johnberryus

Amen Brother.

Gotta ride what makes you happy!!.........in some cases, what you can afford!

[Jllm02199]

Bought my 02 in 2002. It has 127,000 miles on it. I put a 07 1600 motor it it a few years ago. The motor has 52,000 on it. I've changed the coils for Dynatec hot coils. I've added a Dobeck TFI fuel processor in it. It runs regular and gets 40-42 MPG. Just rebuilt the clutch master cylinder for the first time.
Had to replace a U-joint at 80,000.
Still runs great. Getting it serviced now to head for Daytona next week.

[Silent Sam]

Bought my 2002 1500fi Nomad (as i recall) in 2005..with 9100 miles on the clock..(third owner)..orig owner had installed Cobra Duals..and dumped the cat..(calif bike) 2nd owner had installed "mini apes/pull backs"?, to fit his 37 in arm lengths ..same as mine..all Brake hoses, control cables, remain OEM..and also installed Kuryakyn Grips, and hiway pegs, the bike has Fire & Steel Driving Lights..I added Hot Rod 1947 Plymouth LED Tail Lights to the hard Bags..
I added... 02 Kawk Prairie 4X4 wheeler U-Joint w/zerk at aprox 25k miles..(didnt need it..have the orig in a zip-loc and on the shelf)..Modified swing arm to take a grease zerk (see Gadgets Page) serviced drive shaft ...replaced rear wheel bearings..service rear end...I added a Teleflex Marine Tachometer..due to "high-centering incident", I plugged the bottom oil drain with a flush fit pipe plug and epoxied it permanently in place- (all oil changes are now done at the Oil Screen Plug.)
At aprox 45,000 miles I installed Chucksters Cam Chain Extenders, and a Barnett Clutch Spring (OEM clutch Spring, was slipping)..Replaced Front Wheel bearings (front and rear OEM wheel bearing were/are, good..I cleaned them and repacked with Chevron Synthetic Wheel bearing grease, and are set aside in zip loc bags)..I fabricated a wind deflecting fairing from Tandy,Saddle Skirt Leather ..also matching leather,front and rear "Mud Flaps"...and a re-engineered seat is in the testing phase !..I added 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix Dual Tone, set of 2-Horns, very loud !...(Note: dont bother to install 1980's gm horns they look the same but are LAME)..I mounted mine low on the front of the frame one on each side, no relay required !..Now near 50,000 miles (medical issues slowed me this summer) ...i'v been way out there for the last fews years every summer/fall..and some calif winter riding...NEVER had an Mechanical Issue while traveling (except some tire problems)

It's clear this bike will outlast me !

[macmac]

Bought my 06 in June 06. 35,000 miles repairs are 1 horn, 6 tires, 3 head light bulbs, 1 battery, cam chain extenders made here, 1 clutch spring just 2 weeks ago, oil filters and gas. Gas is the biggest repair bill I have since i do my own labor. I just can't figure out where the gas goes ??? And oh a 1 set of rear pads done, I have ft pads and will install when I must install. all fluids changed on time, all items that want grease cleaned and changed on time. Other than a few paint chips from sand and pebbles my bike is still like new.

[Silent Sam]

..Yea what Mac Say's..about the problem of "vanishing gasoline"...seems the farther out there I go the more of it disappears....it's a conundrum that I will look into..perhaps a ride to the proposed Western Canada Baggers Gathering..next summer would give me enough calculation to tackle a cure !

[macmac]

Yeah Sam. I mean when I drink beer I know where that goes. It waters the flowers. Where the heck does the gas go?

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by roadhawg

Just wondering , how did Ujoint was going bad? I mean, did it start vibrating? Getting noisy? What were the symptoms?

I noticed a vibration in the floor boards and then my hands started getting numb from
the vibration. I did some reading and then asked the local guru to take a look at the
u-joint. He said that the shaft needed to be replaced as Kawi doesn't just sell the
u-joint. I copied the article I had read and he ordered the u-joint for a 4 wheeler.
That ended the vibration and the I believe the u-joint was about $32. The shaft
from Kawi was much more.

[id-man]

Originally Posted by paul

We went far on the 1500. Now we go farther on the 1600. 85mph easy chair, baby. This one also burns no oil, but there is a trick. Ask me, or Budman.

Ok, I'm asking...what trick? My 1500FI is exhibiting signs of a bent 2nd gear shifting fork and I'm soaking up all info pertaining to the 1500 engine, repair vs replace, vs swap for 1600 motor. If there's a trick I might need to know before making this decision. :)

[macmac]

I'ld like to know this trick too for not using oil.

[macmac]

As to U joints, yeah they vibrate, but there is no real excuse. If the swing arm is greased via the info in the 1500 book you will be greasing it late with each mc rear tire, and later if you run a car tire. About 1/2 of the U joints didn't get any grease on one plane of motion from the factory. These U joints will fail somewhere around 24,000 miles for sure. At each swing arm greasing interval the drive shaft should be checked for a failing U joint. There IS a replacement U joint that also fits the ATV for just over 32 bucks, and that beats the last time I knew entire drive shaft which was around 360 bucks last time I knew. The swing arms on ALL vulcans never got enough grease, and neither did the goose neck bearings.