Buy new or used Vulcan 1600? Found new one discounted

[BarryG]

Ok..so been thinking about a cruiser for a 2nd bike for when around town riding, cruising along the beach, some commuting...etc. I love my big sportbike (CBR1100XX) but not for more casual cruising.

So sat on a C50 suzuki and Vulcan 1600....liked them the best. Feet are forward but way forward like the VTX. Was thinking Vulcan 1600 b/c of the extra power for the hwy. Found some very low mileage '03 and '04s for around $7k. But a dealer here in So Cal has '05 1600s for $7599 not including tax, freight..etc...but I'm assuming around $8K OTD. Is that a good price or should I try and get a nice used one w/low miles under $7K?

Thx,
Barry

[troop]

If you're talking $500. diff between new/used I'd go new. You get 12 mo warranty, peace of mind knowing how you broke it in and 1-2 yrs less of depreciation. Kawasaki dealers shouldn't be charging freight or set-up, just tax, title and reg. You're gonna have to pay that on a used one also so what hell... Troop

[BarryG]

A lot of CA dealers try to charge set up fees......that's probably why they have the bike listed so cheap initially. If it's just tax, tags..+ 7599.....I think it's a pretty good deal. I think it's one of those things you just haggle with with face to face.

[jukief]

Sounds like a very good deal to me! Watch those extra charges, though. They can really add up. Maybe you can negotiate some of them away.

Good luck!

[longbeachgary]

The cycle trader has an ad for the 2005 1600 Mean Streak at 74 motorsports for $10,000 out the door so your's could be a really good deal!

[pitchinguy]

Personally, for a thou or 15 hundred, I'll take the new bout every time. You 're sure of what you're gettin + the warranty.

If the used has a truck load of accessories with really low milage, that could make a difference. Pipes, air & fuel can run a grand. Add winshield, bags, grips, seat, a little chrome & you can get over a couple thou real quick!

To me, blingin up a new bike is half the fun!
Jus my 2

[BarryG]

Dealer told me they can do $8053 OTD on an '05 1600 with just under 500 mi on it (demo). He's looking to see if he has leftover FI versions of the 1500 since those would be less. Is there much of a diff between an FI 1500/1600?

[pitchinguy]

Dealer told me they can do $8053 OTD on an '05 1600 with just under 500 mi on it (demo). He's looking to see if he has leftover FI versions of the 1500 since those would be less. Is there much of a diff between an FI 1500/1600?

That sound's like a really sweet deal, especially if you're gonna get all the warranties!!! They are gonna do new oil, filter, etc, right?

I haven't had a 1500 but I just turned 7K on my 05 1600, & I couldn't be more pleased with the bike!!! I especially like the fuel injection, haven't had to do a thing. I put Hard Kromes on & had a little poping between gears. The idle seemed a little high with the new pipes, so I cut it down a little & that stopped the poping. Runs great!!

You won't go wrong with a 16 & if you trust the dealer that sounds like a sweet deal!

[BarryG]

They have new '05 FI 1500 is 7900 OTD with some '05 FI 1500 demos for mid 7's (less than 1k mi). I'm just still debating whether I want a big 700lb cruiser or something smaller like a Volusia/C50T.....shaft but smaller. Just thinking 800cc would be straining at hwy speeds compared the 1600. A las...I'm also considering a V-strom 650 too but it might be too light for extended freeway duty.

[Frankt07]

barry
once you get used to the bike, you wont notice the weight. the bike is really balanced
go for new. cant beat a bike with a warranty

[bomberchamp]

I'm a brand new rider and haven't had a problem with my 1500 being too big. All my friends that bought smaller were dissapointed with the lack of power after about a month. So I would suggest getting a bigger bike since you already have some miles under your belt

[pitchinguy]

Like Frank said, you won't notice the weight because Kaw's big cruisers are so well balanced. To me they handle better than the smaller, lighter bikes, the weight seems to make them actually handle smoother. 1st time I sat on a 16 in the showroom, I thought that sucker is way heavy, but as soon as I got it rolling in the parking lot all doubts were gone. I couldn't believe how easy the bike was to handle & ride. I was sold before I got accross the parking lot!


If your dealer has all those demo's you should do some test rides & see for yourself!!

[BarryG]

I called the dealer (sales mgr back). Said the '05 w/493 mi may not be under warranty depending on the service date on when it became a demo. He's going to have to check. Said all the fluids were changed when the dealership acquired the bike..I told him I'd believe that if I see it documented somewhere....again he said he'll look up that info.

The '05 1500FI w/0 mi of course has the full warranty...and that's $7900 OTD...$150 less than the 1600. I'd think I'd rather have the 1600 though.....for one the stock exhaust on the 1600 is supposed to sound good. But the black 1500 is a good looking bike.

[BarryG]

If your dealer has all those demo's you should do some test rides & see for yourself!!

Good idea! That's what I'll do.

[cjjtulsa]

They have new '05 FI 1500 is 7900 OTD with some '05 FI 1500 demos for mid 7's (less than 1k mi). I'm just still debating whether I want a big 700lb cruiser or something smaller like a Volusia/C50T.....shaft but smaller. Just thinking 800cc would be straining at hwy speeds compared the 1600. A las...I'm also considering a V-strom 650 too but it might be too light for extended freeway duty.

I traded my '05 M50 (VZ800) for an '04 Marauder 1600 and am glad I did. The 800cc was a good bike, but the Marauder/Mean Streak is just as agile as the 800 to me, and is much more comfortable torque-wise than the VZ800 was. That's the biggest reason I traded. That and the 1600 is cool - not to mention it actually has brakes! Where I was shifting into 5th with some pretty good RPM buzz I'm now shifting into 4th cruising comfortably. I love it.

[BarryG]

I've also found a stock champagne '03 1600 classic w/ 1260 mi on it locally..owner says it's literally in brand new condition, covered in the garage. He brokes his neck in a dirtbike wreck and stopped riding the Vulcan. He's asking $7K /obo. I'm going to take a look at that one on Sun....assuming it's not sold before then. If I could get this bike for around $6500....think it'd be a sweet deal. Yeah..no warranty but these bikes seem pretty reliable and a 1yr warranty to me isn't all that impressive anyway.

[jim devlin]

I bought the 1500 about 3 months ago for $7800 otd. It was a great deal and the bike is awesome. It rides great and I do not have any buyers remorse. As far as I can tell the 1600 hundred has a few upgrades over the 1500. The significant differences are 1. The 1600 has a 5 gallon tank vs. a 4.2 tank. 2. It has mag wheels instead of spokes. 3. The ignition is on the tank console instead of the annoying place it is located on the 1500. 4. It has dual disk brakes up front instead of a single disk brake.

Either bike is a great bike and the prices you are stating are well worth the price.

Jim

[1400pilot]

I'd go new first, but that 03 is a good deal also............desicions,desisicions

good luck which ever way you go!!!

[BarryG]

I bought the 1500 about 3 months ago for $7800 otd. It was a great deal and the bike is awesome. It rides great and I do not have any buyers remorse. As far as I can tell the 1600 hundred has a few upgrades over the 1500. The significant differences are 1. The 1600 has a 5 gallon tank vs. a 4.2 tank. 2. It has mag wheels instead of spokes. 3. The ignition is on the tank console instead of the annoying place it is located on the 1500. 4. It has dual disk brakes up front instead of a single disk brake.

Either bike is a great bike and the prices you are stating are well worth the price.

Jim

I think the 1600 also has around 100 more cc's.

[robrider]

I actually like the lines of the 1600 better, along with the extras listed above. All in all, not sure if it's worth $1,000 extra, but if your looking at a small difference, then I'd go for the 1600. That's what I did. I was going to buy a new '05 1500, but was offered a new leftover '04 1600 for about $200 more. That was worth it to me...