Old Member needs some new help - Suzuki Volusia Forums : Intruder Volusia and Boulevard Forum

ragin cajun · 11-18-2012, 09:22 AM

Hey all, it's been a while since I've been around regularly. Had to sell my Volusia due to unemployment and been several years without a ride but I'm on the verge of getting a new (to me) one. It won't be a Volusia but I know how knowledgeable and helpful everyone has been here to me in the past...so I hope you don't mind me picking your brains on this one.

Looking at an a Kawa Vulcan Nomad 1600. The Nomads have a lot of what I'm looking for (look, style, hard bags, shaft drive, FI, liquid cooled, etc). A few questions as I get back up to speed on newer model bikes.

1. What is considered high mileage for a FI cruiser these days? One bike in particular has 40,000; about 6500 miles per year on it. (It's an '05 model) It looks in great shape, no rust at all. Shows definite pride in ownership, garage kept. When I went to look at it the guy had it up on a jack so it wasn't sitting on the tires. I thought that was a bit extreme, but hey.

2. Is there ever a case of "too few miles"? I've seen other bikes that have like 500 miles per year on them. Can riding "not enough" cause issues with seals and other components? These are older bikes too, 05-07 models.

3. If you were looking at a used bike, would you be more inclined to go with a broken in bike with lots of extras (pegs, bars, risers, lots of extra chrome) with the higher mileage or a stock bike, barely ridden, knowing you'd never afford all the extras.

I'm really torn at this point, I love bike #1 but wonder if the mileage is a major issue. I don't view 6000-7000 miles a year as "excessive". I'd do that easily if I made it a daily rider. As it is for this area my normal weekend runs on my Volusia were about 300mi just to get far enough out of Houston to enjoy it. Do that weekly and that adds up quickly. And while bike #2 is the same bike, less the bling, I do wonder if the low mileage could be trouble. I mean 3000 miles in 6 years isn't much at all which means it's been parked...a lot.

Sorry for the rambling but hopefully you guys can give me some good feedback to make an informed decision. Thanks, and looking forward to being back on a scoot soon.

v0lusia · 11-18-2012, 09:39 AM

Welcome back, I am on a 2003 Nomad (1500FI).

A well cared for bike with 40,000 can easily be better than a less used bike with 3000 miles. But without seeing exactly which bikes we were comparing it is just speculation on our part. I bought my 03 in 2008 or 2009 with only 3500 miles. It's been a good bike for me. Bikes that sit need to be gone through just like bikes that have been ridden. Old/dry rot tires, old fluids, etc..... There are not a lot of common Nomad problems, this site Vulcan Bagger Forums - Powered by vBulletin is a pretty good source of information for them.

One thing to check is on a test ride.... Get the bike into 2nd and get on the throttle pretty good. If it pops out of 2nd gear you are looking at about a $1500+ repair. THe shifter fork is bent and requires fairly major labor to replace. It is a known problem with 1500/1600s that have been agressively shifted and/or mis-shifted too many times. It is a problem I have now (my own fault).

v0lusia · 11-18-2012, 09:42 AM

I don't think 6k/year is excessive esp. in warmer climates. I was averaging 12k/year on my Volusia in New England.

That being said, I would go for the bike with less miles if is was taken care of as well as the higher mileage bike. You can always add the bling

but most of that is for show anyway because as you said these bikes come off the floor pretty complete.

ragin cajun · 11-18-2012, 09:43 AM

No big update but I decided to run a vehicle report this morning just in case. Show's the bike was sold in '09 w/ 15300 miles and then per title sold in September of this year with 40k. So 25k in 3 years. 15k in the preceding 4 years.

I did test ride it and got on the throttle pretty good to run it up through the gears. Didn't pop out (whew).

**BearBait** · 11-18-2012, 10:00 AM

The 1600 Nomads are pretty bulletproof and long lasting, as far as I know. I had one - traded it in on a 1700 Vaquero - and loved it every mile I rode. Never had a problem. I wouldn't think that 40K miles would be an issue.

Woodswoman · 11-18-2012, 11:02 AM

Ragin Cajun, how many miles a year do you anticipate putting on the bike?

.

472viper · 11-18-2012, 11:14 AM

I just sold a 1600 Classic, 2007 with 28k on it, I never had a bit of problem with it.

I have to store mine for up to 5 months a year cause of winter.

A couple times in the spring I've had to tighten a couple hose clamps, it's not uncommon and no big deal.

ragin cajun · 11-18-2012, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodswoman

Ragin Cajun, how many miles a year do you anticipate putting on the bike?

.

Probably about 5-6k per year for me. No more than 8k if I get crazy..lol.

Woodswoman · 11-18-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragin cajun

Probably about 5-6k per year for me. No more than 8k if I get crazy..lol.

Then it sounds like chances are that the bike you prefer should give you years of happy riding.

.

SahZooKee · 11-18-2012, 10:41 PM

2006 Vulcan Classic 1500 here.

Pull. The. Trigger.

11-18-2012, 09:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
ragin cajun VR Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Atascocita, Texas Posts: 290 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Old Member needs some new help Hey all, it's been a while since I've been around regularly. Had to sell my Volusia due to unemployment and been several years without a ride but I'm on the verge of getting a new (to me) one. It won't be a Volusia but I know how knowledgeable and helpful everyone has been here to me in the past...so I hope you don't mind me picking your brains on this one. Looking at an a Kawa Vulcan Nomad 1600. The Nomads have a lot of what I'm looking for (look, style, hard bags, shaft drive, FI, liquid cooled, etc). A few questions as I get back up to speed on newer model bikes. 1. What is considered high mileage for a FI cruiser these days? One bike in particular has 40,000; about 6500 miles per year on it. (It's an '05 model) It looks in great shape, no rust at all. Shows definite pride in ownership, garage kept. When I went to look at it the guy had it up on a jack so it wasn't sitting on the tires. I thought that was a bit extreme, but hey. 2. Is there ever a case of "too few miles"? I've seen other bikes that have like 500 miles per year on them. Can riding "not enough" cause issues with seals and other components? These are older bikes too, 05-07 models. 3. If you were looking at a used bike, would you be more inclined to go with a broken in bike with lots of extras (pegs, bars, risers, lots of extra chrome) with the higher mileage or a stock bike, barely ridden, knowing you'd never afford all the extras. I'm really torn at this point, I love bike #1 but wonder if the mileage is a major issue. I don't view 6000-7000 miles a year as "excessive". I'd do that easily if I made it a daily rider. As it is for this area my normal weekend runs on my Volusia were about 300mi just to get far enough out of Houston to enjoy it. Do that weekly and that adds up quickly. And while bike #2 is the same bike, less the bling, I do wonder if the low mileage could be trouble. I mean 3000 miles in 6 years isn't much at all which means it's been parked...a lot. Sorry for the rambling but hopefully you guys can give me some good feedback to make an informed decision. Thanks, and looking forward to being back on a scoot soon. __________________ Ragin Cajun Laissez Les Bon Ton Rouler 2003 Honda Valkyrie/Black on Black 2003 Volusia/Silver & White (SOLD)

11-18-2012, 09:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
ragin cajun VR Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Atascocita, Texas Posts: 290 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	No big update but I decided to run a vehicle report this morning just in case. Show's the bike was sold in '09 w/ 15300 miles and then per title sold in September of this year with 40k. So 25k in 3 years. 15k in the preceding 4 years. I did test ride it and got on the throttle pretty good to run it up through the gears. Didn't pop out (whew). __________________ Ragin Cajun Laissez Les Bon Ton Rouler 2003 Honda Valkyrie/Black on Black 2003 Volusia/Silver & White (SOLD)

11-18-2012, 10:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
BearBait Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tannersville, NY (Northern Catskills) Posts: 4,222 Thanks: 601 Thanked 560 Times in 384 Posts	The 1600 Nomads are pretty bulletproof and long lasting, as far as I know. I had one - traded it in on a 1700 Vaquero - and loved it every mile I rode. Never had a problem. I wouldn't think that 40K miles would be an issue. __________________ BearBait '11 Vulcan 1700 Vaquero (Ebony)

11-18-2012, 11:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Woodswoman Senior VR Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Catskill Mountains, New York State Posts: 5,189 Thanks: 859 Thanked 889 Times in 570 Posts	Ragin Cajun, how many miles a year do you anticipate putting on the bike? . __________________ Woodswoman (a/k/a Mrs. BearBait) *Dum Vivimus, Vivamus!* 2010 Victory Cross Roads, "Doctor Pepper"

11-18-2012, 11:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
472viper Senior VR Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: So. Dak. Sioux Falls Posts: 23,741 Thanks: 753 Thanked 1,527 Times in 1,196 Posts	I just sold a 1600 Classic, 2007 with 28k on it, I never had a bit of problem with it. I have to store mine for up to 5 months a year cause of winter. A couple times in the spring I've had to tighten a couple hose clamps, it's not uncommon and no big deal. __________________ 2006 M50/C50/109fender/ SE 50 wheels and HD bags 2007 1600 Kawasaki ClassicSOLD 2008 FLHX Street Glide 105th Anniversary #1387 USAF 1973-1977 SoDak ANG 1977-2010 Run my fingers across the bars of his cage and make the little monkey dance

11-18-2012, 10:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
SahZooKee Senior VR Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fort Pierce, FL Posts: 1,189 Thanks: 367 Thanked 148 Times in 109 Posts	2006 Vulcan Classic 1500 here. Pull. The. Trigger. __________________ '01 Volusia (sold) '06 Vulcan 1500 Classic (sold) '00 Yamaha Road Star Silverado 1600 Scenic overlook on The Tail Of The Dragon

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