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.

[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.

[dholmer]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[flavor]

My '07 new. What you said.......

Originally Posted by 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

[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!