Mileage Question for Nomads?

[atmooney]

Hi everyone! I'm going to be buying a used '05 Nomad, and I'm wondering a few things about mileage...
1. It has just over 18,000 miles. Is this alot? Average?
2. How many miles can one expect to get out of a well maintained machine like this?
The bike is in "showroom" condition, except the mileage, And I'm gonna go through w/the purchase, but I was just sorta curious about the miles...
I will be posting pics as soon as she's parked in my driveway! -Al

[AlabamaNomad]

On the KawaNOW website there is someone there that has over 100,000 on his bike. I have read with regular maintenance they will go for a long time. You need to get the manual and check the drive shaft for grease some don't come with enough and check the swing arm grease as most is suspect don't do this maintenance. I have a 2008 bought and drove home 10/01/08 and have 12,000 on mine as of couple of days ago. I think for the type of bike this is 18k is 6,000 miles per year for 3 years, and this is only 500 miles a month many of us will drive this much in a weekend on this bike.
Jon

[RichLockyer]

18k?

It's barely broken in

Seriously... that is low mileage. Things to start looking for are clutch slippage and loose timing chains. The timing chains can be easily fixed in an hour or two with a set of Chuckster's extenders.
The clutch is a little different... there are a couple of solutions. The system that I just installed results in a very heavy clutch pull that may be too much for those with a weaker grip.

Gadget's Fixit Page For Kawasaki Nomad & Classic Modification Maintenance & Repair
A lot of this is specific to the 1500, but the 1600 is very similar... identical in many aspects.

I've got 34k on my '06 and it's been a great bike. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

[STR8RZR]

Just went over 25k on mine. Never had any problems other than a little wobbling. Taking in for 25k service in the next couple of weeks. Having steering bearings checked during this service.

You will love the bike and 18k is nothing.

[clk328]

Milage seems ok to me. I have an 07 with 15K miles on it, runs better than when it was new.

[atmooney]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your taking the time to answer! Great forum ya have here. --Al

[RunningBear]

I have a 2002 Vulcan Nomad fuel injected. I purchased it used four years ago with just under 24,000 kilometers. It just turned 77,000 kilometers yesterday.
I do my own maintenance on it ex: oil, filter and tire changes. I have been well satisfied with the bike.

[ho$]

You will be fine with that mileage. This is a great bike and will serve you well for many, many more years. Also if you get it check out KawaNOW Message Forum - Home and join KawaNOW, we are worldwide group of Nomad Owners.

[atmooney]

Thanks ho$! Already joined it, and what a great forum!

[Kodiakmac]

It has probably been ridden for only 4 summers...only 4,500 per year. So whoever had it, certainly wasn't hard on it. If the service records are in order, and it hasn't been wrecked, try it out for a good day...and if you like it, buy it.

[Nomadinator]

QDogg on the Delphi site has 220,000 miles on his 2003.

I only have 40,000 on my 06.


Scroll down some, you will see him.

100,000+ Club

[skewterdewd]

Not much cause for worry at that mileage. Check the service records. It's prolly ready for some new fluids, air in the tires, and a fresh coat of lemon (or orange) pledge, and then some serious riding.

[warsw]

Originally Posted by atmooney

Hi everyone! I'm going to be buying a used '05 Nomad, and I'm wondering a few things about mileage...
1. It has just over 18,000 miles. Is this alot? Average?
2. How many miles can one expect to get out of a well maintained machine like this?
The bike is in "showroom" condition, except the mileage, And I'm gonna go through w/the purchase, but I was just sorta curious about the miles...
I will be posting pics as soon as she's parked in my driveway! -Al

18,000 miles is very low for a 05 Nomad. I have put 38,000 miles on my 07 Nomad during the 1.5 summers I have had it and it runs better now than the day I bought it. The bike really didn't feel broke in until I had about 12,000 miles on it.
There are a few maintenance items that should to be done (grease steering head bearings, swing arm and drive shaft) but these are pretty much just normal maintenance. I did put the cam chain extenders on at about 26,000 miles but this is also an easy fix that only cost about $25.00. Other than that change oil and keep the tires up and ride. The Vulcan line of Kawasaki seems to be pretty much bullet proof.

Now where are those picture?