How about a Consumer Action Committee?

[buck]

It occurs to me that there are several known and reoccurring issues with the Nomad. Steering head bearings and clutch spring come to mind as I am dealing with both now. How long did it take Kawa to move the location of the ignition switch, which I'm assuming they have by now? I'm sure there are many more issues. Trip and all of the members have established a valuable resource which now has some mass, with over 3000 members. We are Nomad's best advocates, we love our rides. Have we considered forming a "Consumer Action Committee" to communicate with Kawasaki directly about potential improvements in our bikes? It won't be hard to reach the decision makers if your voice has some force behind it.

How much would it cost to include grease fittings on the steering head column or a beefed up clutch spring at manufacturing? Or whatever else could be fixed on the front-end design that will help owners down the road. A few individual letters or comments to the dealers really don't have much impact, but a recommendation from a national user's group would get some attention. Add in the VROC group and you have some real potential clout. Yes, dealers benefit from these design flaws as they do the repairs, but any organization in today's competitive environment is going to listen to their users. Kawasaki is no exception, just check their sales over the past few years.

This would be a long-term approach, as it won't help any of us now, but future owners will benefit, including those of us that may replace our rides in 3-5 years. A consumer action group shouldn't be an adversarial group, but rather a partner to help improve the product over the long-term.

I think we as a group can have some impact to improve our Nomads. What do you think?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Buck

It occurs to me that there are several known and reoccurring issues with the Nomad. Steering head bearings and clutch spring come to mind as I am dealing with both now. How long did it take Kawa to move the location of the ignition switch, which I'm assuming they have by now? I'm sure there are many more issues. Trip and all of the members have established a valuable resource which now has some mass, with over 3000 members. We are Nomad's best advocates, we love our rides. Have we considered forming a "Consumer Action Committee" to communicate with Kawasaki directly about potential improvements in our bikes? It won't be hard to reach the decision makers if your voice has some force behind it.

How much would it cost to include grease fittings on the steering head column or a beefed up clutch spring at manufacturing? Or whatever else could be fixed on the front-end design that will help owners down the road. A few individual letters or comments to the dealers really don't have much impact, but a recommendation from a national user's group would get some attention. Add in the VROC group and you have some real potential clout. Yes, dealers benefit from these design flaws as they do the repairs, but any organization in today's competitive environment is going to listen to their users. Kawasaki is no exception, just check their sales over the past few years.

This would be a long-term approach, as it won't help any of us now, but future owners will benefit, including those of us that may replace our rides in 3-5 years. A consumer action group shouldn't be an adversarial group, but rather a partner to help improve the product over the long-term.

I think we as a group can have some impact to improve our Nomads. What do you think?

You've got a nearly 10 year old bike, and you are complaining about a clutch spring and steering head bearings? I put a new clutch spring in mine around 24,000 miles and I serviced my steering head a year ago. I ride a 2007 and just turned over 45k. For crying out loud, these aren't maintenance free.

I get what you're saying, but be realistic. Kawasaki doesn't care what we think. Their motorcycle division is a small portion of Kawasaki Heavy Industries. They build ships, trains, heavy equipment and who knows what else.

If Kawasaki listened to us, they would have kept the side opening bags on the Nomad and carried them over to the Voyager. If they cared, they would advertise that they even make motorcycles. If they cared, they would produce decent accessories for their bikes, but instead we have to make our own or adapt items made for other bikes.

Motorcycles are a sideline business for Kawasaki, and it's a shame because they really are good machines.

[billmac]

It would seem your idea has merit Buck, but I don't know what impact we would have. I would not want to give it much of my time.

As CJ pointed out, the Kawasaki Nomad's are a speck in Kawasaki's total revenue. Kawasaki has to know about KAWANOW and to my knowledge could care less. I have not heard anyone mention Kawasaki reaching out to Kawanow for some input or them attempting to advertise, or promote, this site..

After so many years, I think the weak clutch spring is intentional. Maybe to keep us from flying over the handlebars on a downshift and make the clutch lever easier to pull.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Yep heavy machinery is Kawasaki's claim to fame. They have been around a long time and have manufactured motorcycles a long time. They do make a great ride but I feel they should give their motorcycles more publicity.

Nothing with and engine and transmission is maintenance free.

I do think your idea is a valid one Buck. You never know. Look at the NRA. The more your numbers the more you are listened to.

[rewindgy]

Good friggin luck! Mine had issues from day one and the " Official Kawasaki Rep for Canada" personally was going to look into the problems! That was a couple of years ago and I will be waiting till Heck freezes over before they reply. and ,yes - I did call back repeatedly c/ e-mails and letters! They sell way more other stuff to worry about motorcycles - one peice of heavy equipment makes them more money than all of the motorcyles sold in Canada - so probably a couple of bigger units in USA covers the motorcycle sales.

[waterman]

Actually guys, Kawasaki keeps an eye on these sites and especially VROC. Talking with a group of VROC'rs they have stated the issues that were discussed and then the notice from a Kaw rep that these changes were made.

After talking with Brian at the SW Rally, I think we may be in for a surprise on the Nomad and Voyager in a year or two.

[Kawhead]

Thanks waterman, these guy's were making me feel bad and beginning to make me second guess the purchase of my beloved Nomad. Kinda sorta like the way I was told how insignificant I was in the grand scheme of things in Boot Camp. :-/ :'(

[billmac]

Originally Posted by waterman

Actually guys, Kawasaki keeps an eye on these sites and especially VROC. Talking with a group of VROC'rs they have stated the issues that were discussed and then the notice from a Kaw rep that these changes were made.

After talking with Brian at the SW Rally, I think we may be in for a surprise on the Nomad and Voyager in a year or two.

OK, but all that sounds like a rumor to me..

Why is Kawasaki not directly communicating with Kawanow or attempting to advertise, or promote, this site? I think Buck was wondering about Kawanow members having any clout as a group. I still think the answer is no we don't.

If your eyeballing this Kawasaki reps, give us a sign your listening. Better yet, show Kawanow that you care. ;)

[macmac]

Buck good idea, but on a dead horse. 1500's are gone, 1600's are as gone, replaced with the 1700, probably short lived too.

Ma Kawi heard us, maybe not directly, and created the 1700, wrong IMO, but they sure did shorten up the bike so risers are a frill and not a neccessity.

Grease fittings are not the answer for head bearings either. That would just lead to ignorance in maint. People would just pump the area full, and call it good, and that is no good.

I agree they saved too many cents worth of grease in the head, but again in the swing arm.

The 1500 and 1600 swing arm isn't built correctly, and uses seal backs as thrust washers, where there should be 2 opposed taper roller bearings, so as to set and adjust pre-load. Now this is a real glitch, and over site should have fixed that. Never happened.

Maybe the 1700 is different, but i have only seen a couple 17's, and didn't look hard at it's set up, and it has a belt drive.

On that clutch spring I have no idea why it was made that way..Costs I guess. I would have prefered the old style basket and 8 coiled springs.

IMO each of the 3 types should have had it's own name. But then you can run right down to VW any day of the week and buy a Bettle too. :-/

[macmac]

Err... Ma kawi sees us old geezers, and knows what we want won't be forever. The sport writters who ride these bikes make reports ma kawi reads, and this is how Ma knows whats what. The writters don't own the ride, and don't maintain the ride, and don't really know whats what other than they get a new bike to test and can comment on handling and bling.

We old geesers are dated, and the new rider is into another bike type, and another look. IMO the Nomad and vn2k are the top of the line as far as any Japanese bike clone can get, and that really started and ended with the 1500's.

The 1600 is one step away, the 1700 another, and who knows what and when will be the last of the big v twin Japanese bike engines. Marketing says for not much more time, and because 'we are not going to be in that market a much longer time.

HD is feeling this right now. The are trying to please everyone, but that dated old iron horse mush change or adapt to a younger market. If it doesn't HD will die.

The days of the cookie cutter big mill V Twin are almost gone.

Of all the clones these are the best, Yammi tried and made it strange, Honda did and was sued. And their was strange. Kawii did it and made a better engine than all of them.

[Loafer]

What I'm hearing from the 30 somethings, is they are tired of being on their wrists. And that cruisers are their next choice. Will they be victims of the switch away from cruisers?

[waterman]

Originally Posted by billmac

OK, but all that sounds like a rumor to me..

Why is Kawasaki not directly communicating with Kawanow or attempting to advertise, or promote, this site? I think Buck was wondering about Kawanow members having any clout as a group. I still think the answer is no we don't.

If your eyeballing this Kawasaki reps, give us a sign your listening. Better yet, show Kawanow that you care. ;)

Actually Bill, we had the ear of a ROK rep for 3 days at the SW Rally as well as the VROC rally in Cortez. He was definately taking notes on our concerns. He was also grilled by 2 Voyager owners over simple little issues. I think they spent the better part of 2 hours showing him issues. Again, he was taking notes and pictures. During our talks with ROK, they knew of many of the discussions that we have in these club forums. Surprised me that they knew of that many issues.

Kawasaki does promote all of the Kawasaki related groups with ROK.
http://www.kawasaki.com/ROK/Affiliates.aspx
They do give discounts for ROK memberships when you are affiliated with these organizations.

So, no this isn't rumors. One of the gents on VROC that I know works for Kawasaki and he has many times taken issues to the higher ups.

Look up on accelerate magazine. There are many club rallies that they report on. Drifters, VROC, VRA are several as well as KawaNow. The next issue will have an article on the SW rally.
http://accelerate.presspublisher.us/
It hasn't shown up yet but I did hear from Teri that it will be soon.

[billmac]

Waterman, your right, that don't sound like rumor now. Thanks for the info and clarification.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by waterman

Actually Bill, we had the ear of a ROK rep for 3 days at the SW Rally as well as the VROC rally in Cortez. He was definately taking notes on our concerns. He was also grilled by 2 Voyager owners over simple little issues. I think they spent the better part of 2 hours showing him issues. Again, he was taking notes and pictures. During our talks with ROK, they knew of many of the discussions that we have in these club forums. Surprised me that they knew of that many issues.

Kawasaki does promote all of the Kawasaki related groups with ROK.
http://www.kawasaki.com/ROK/Affiliates.aspx
They do give discounts for ROK memberships when you are affiliated with these organizations.

So, no this isn't rumors. One of the gents on VROC that I know works for Kawasaki and he has many times taken issues to the higher ups.

Look up on accelerate magazine. There are many club rallies that they report on. Drifters, VROC, VRA are several as well as KawaNow. The next issue will have an article on the SW rally.
http://accelerate.presspublisher.us/
It hasn't shown up yet but I did hear from Teri that it will be soon.

Joel, put the glass of Kool-Aid down. Now!

I asked the ROK rep in Cortez about the dreadful lack of accessories for the Nomad and Voyager. He handed me this impressive catalog of accessories. It would rival the famed HD Accessories book.

Well it included accessories for all Kawasaki powersports vehicles, Jetskis, Mules, dirtbikes, Ninjas, etc. I think there were 13 pages devoted to the Voyager, and more than half of those were audio system cables. Oh yeah, they had an upgraded seat, too. Wow!

Don't get me wrong, I love my Nomad. But unless Kawasaki gets their collective "sheet" together, it will be my last Kawi product.

The 1700's were introduced two years ago, and all they can put together is 13 pages of overpriced cables and a seat for their flagship touring bike? Maybe they figure a person buys a motorcycle and never spends another dime on it except for maintenance? The Kawi marketing folk need to come out of their cave and attend something like a VROC rally and every custom fairing, tourpack, seat, or whatever should be viewed as a missed opportunity.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Joel, put the glass of Kool-Aid down. Now!

I asked the ROK rep in Cortez about the dreadful lack of accessories for the Nomad and Voyager. He handed me this impressive catalog of accessories. It would rival the famed HD Accessories book.

Well it included accessories for all Kawasaki powersports vehicles, Jetskis, Mules, dirtbikes, Ninjas, etc. I think there were 13 pages devoted to the Voyager, and more than half of those were audio system cables. Oh yeah, they had an upgraded seat, too. Wow!

Don't get me wrong, I love my Nomad. But unless Kawasaki gets their collective "sheet" together, it will be my last Kawi product.

The 1700's were introduced two years ago, and all they can put together is 13 pages of overpriced cables and a seat for their flagship touring bike? Maybe they figure a person buys a motorcycle and never spends another dime on it except for maintenance? The Kawi marketing folk need to come out of their cave and attend something like a VROC rally and every custom fairing, tourpack, seat, or whatever should be viewed as a missed opportunity.

CJ, I agree that they need to increase some of that market. The voyager has two of the items on your list, (tourpack and fairing). Looking at the Voyager, I don't really know how much more you would want to put on the bike. I know that there are people who will always add to the bike but how many of what they sell.

The problem with accessories is how much will they sell. The market has to be there in an adequate amount to justify the tooling for those products. Kawasaki isn't the largest bike manufacturer in the world. I know that HD has a large amount of accessories but it also comes with an outlandish price tag as well.

I didn't say they took all of our ideas out there and went with them. One hint I did get was the bags on the Nomad and Voyager. Many of us love the clam shell bag style. It was told to me that this might be an option in a year or two because of the voices stated by many owners.