How long have you ridden your 15/1600?

[hoodooman]

How many years have you ridden your current 1500/1600? How many miles do you have on your bike? What repairs have you done?

I bought my first Kaw this summer. I'm curious to see if anyone actually keeps their bikes for a long time, how much riding they do, and what repairs you have needed.

Bought mine in June with 9k on it, currently has just under 14k. Within the first 200 miles I had to replace the clutch spring!!

[Jeffsmountainauto]

Bought my 06 1600 in February of 2013 with 22k miles on it. just turned 35k last month. The only repair I have done so far has been the clutch spring. That was earlier this year. It was just starting to slip in fifth gear when accelerating on the freeway. I have done quite a few mods, but the were just that - modifications. I have replaced brake pads, oil and filters, tires, and all the other fluids (even the fork oil), but I consider those things to be maintenance items. I plan on installing the timing chain tensioner extenders soon. Probably a little overdue actually.

[cactusjack]

I purchased my 2007 Nomad brand new in September 2007 and rode it for 52,000 miles before it was totaled in March 2011. I was looking at trading/selling it at the time of the accident. Insurance paid more than I could have sold it for or received on trade-in, so it worked out in my favor.

[clayton]

4-1/4 years (bought used with 3000)
50000 miles last week
To date I have only had to spend less than 200 bucks to keep her mechanically sound.
Cam Chain Extenders
Water Pump Seals and Mechanical Washer
Some rear end oil seals

Getting ready to replace clutch spring and some other small items soon.

[johnberryus]

Bought my '05 in March of 2013 with 41,000 miles on her, she now has 85,000. I have replaced, besides standard maintenance, Rear Brake rotor, Timing chain adjusters, Clutch Spring and plates, Steering stem bearing, Bevel gear bearing, and just now I have it in getting the radiator, and drive shaft replaced (the u-joint took a header). I have also put on a stage one kit (air, exhaust, and fuel processor) and numerous other gadgets.

We are probably going to finish paying her off and trade up to a Harley Ultra Limited by next riding season, the little woman has requested a much more luxurious ride for our longer trips at this point, and considering how much riding we do, it's worth making her very happy on the back.

Edit: I almost forgot the water pump bearing were replaced too.

[Jared]

On my 3rd Nomad. No major repairs ever needed, just maintenance. My current bike has around 43K miles.

[cnc]

Bought my 08 new and have no plans to trade. No issues and it suits me fine.

[VulcanE]

Bought my '05 new 9 years & 9 months ago, other than maintenance, I've replaced the rear rotor, cam chain extenders, had a hole in the radiator at the left mounting stud brazed up, put new seals in the final drive (all 3 of them, only the pinion seal was leaking) and the speedometer. It's got 58,000 miles on it. Some time over the winter, I plan on changing the clutch spring. It is not slipping, but it should be getting close, just a preventive thing.

[MAS Tequila]

Purchased mine in early 2007 with 9000 miles, it now has 115000 miles.

I've had everything that will come apart, apart on this bike.

I've had the 1500 and a 1600 engine in it, and rebuilt both of them.

I have no plans of selling or trading this bike, it has enough of my blood, literally, in it to be a member of the family.

I will probably get another bike, I have a 95 1500 BUBF project bike, but will keep this one.

MT

[ringadingh]

I bought my 02 in 2005, with 28k on it, at about 85k I bent a shifter fork and replaced the motor with a 1600, that had 17k on it. I think I have about 115k on the bike so far, with mostly normal maintenance done. Its probably the cheapest bike on maintenance that Ive ever owned.

[hoodooman]

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

Purchased mine in early 2007 with 9000 miles, it now has 115000 miles.

I've had everything that will come apart, apart on this bike.

I've had the 1500 and a 1600 engine in it, and rebuilt both of them.

I have no plans of selling or trading this bike, it has enough of my blood, literally, in it to be a member of the family.

I will probably get another bike, I have a 95 1500 BUBF project bike, but will keep this one.

MT

Just curious, what happened to your engines? I suppose along with just being curious, I'm wondering how many miles I can expect to get out of my bike (I'm VERY meticulous on maintenance on all my vehicles). And hearing from real world people can help give me an idea of what to expect, mileage-wise and issue-wise from the bike. thanks, keep em coming!

[roadhawg]

Got back into riding about 3 years ago.
Had a 04 1500 with 27K miles and just recently sold it with 100,544 K miles and bike still runs like a scalded dog! I ride most everyday, I dont keep it in the garage like an ornament, I estimate I ride about 30 K miles a year.

Now have a 08 1600 with 29 K miles. Just got back from a road trip to Sturgis, 7 K miles, 14 states, 25 days.
Only thing I have done, other than regular maintenance, is put Barnett clutch springs in both of these bikes.
I love both of these bikes!
And NO Cactusjack I certainly dont yearn for no Harley! Many of my friends own em of course and spend a lot of time in the shop. I dont let my friends park in my driveway cause I dont want all those oil spots all over!
But I have been told that Harleys dont really leak oil, they are just marking thier spot?

[paul]

My introduction to the Nomad was a 2000 1500 with 5K miles on it. Bought it in 2007, rode it to 65K miles with nothing other than maintenance. Still have it, runs like a scalded ape, and uses zero oil. Has original clutch and every thing else. In 2011 I bought a 2007 1600. Not because I needed another bike, but because the thing had 4k miles and the price was rediculous, especially with the mods he had done on the bike. Turned out to be the best decision I made. It's roomier, better ride, better handling. I added a trunk, fairing, lowers, seat, and made it better for travel for me and the missus. We love it. 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.

[rolfe]

In 2011 purchased our 99 Vulcan Nomad with 9,000 miles on it.

"RED" as we like to call it had been sitting for years in a warehouse it was one of these rare finds.

So I took it down to the engine replacing, rubber lines, cylinder kits, clutch plates with a mean streak spring, rebuilt carburetor, Flushed all Fluids, battery, and New Tires.

Never working on a Motorcycle before, the vast amount of information from everyone here on the Vulcan Bagger has let me work on our Nomad much more enjoyable.

Our Nomad is a solid feel ride which we like for hill country riding. Our previous bike was a 800 Vulcan Classic. Both bikes from Kawasaki had high rating points that I researched before purchasing is why picking these two. I must say the reviewers were correct!

The main thing is to enjoy your new bike, you made the right choice.

[hoodooman]

thanks for the replies guys great stuff! I came off of a 750 Honda Shadow ace.I I have ridden several large bikes and always wanted one of my own. I've always had Hondas and because of that I first looked at the VTX1300. needless to say I was not impressed with the 1300. I saw this black 1600 and fell in love before, and after th test ride! I hated adjusting valves and carbs on all my other bikes. I usually have at least one old 60's or 70's era project bike the garage to tinker on and i didnt want to tinker on my daily rider!! Turn key and go! This is my first kaw and i love it. Sold my restored 64 honda 300 dream to buy this beast!