looking for a new motorcycle

Hello Everyone,

I am in process of buying a new ( different ) motorcycle. I currently own a 1994 Kawasaki 750. I like the bike a lot but I want something I can comfortably ride long distance. I am currently looking at a Kawasaki 1500, 1600 or Nomad and the Yamaha 1600 Roadstar. The 750 is great around town or on short trips but is a little light and seems to run be wound out a little at highway crusing speeds of 70 mph.

I like the looks of the Yamaha better but like the water cool and shaft drive of the Kawasaki better. I am 53 yrs old and will probably keep this bike a long time so resale is not a factor. I will probably buy a used bike 1999 thru 2002.

Anyone have-know of problems with either the Kaswaski or the Yamaha ?

Thanks

I can't speak from personal experience, but I don't hear anyone complaining about any bike in particular. It just seems the new fangled bikes get better and better and last longer. It's probably safe to bet that a bike as new as you plan on buying, if from a dealer, would be in very good maintenance and reliable.

Good luck with your shopping. Maybe someone will post that has personal experience, good or bad.

The new Yamaha v-star 1100 is a great buy at only 7500 at most dealers and a huge aftermarket you can,t go wrong. where are you from. :)

I own a 2004 Nomad. Excellent bike. Great for city or long trips. Don't expect a powerhouse, but it is a great tourer, even 2 up. I purchased the bike in Oct. '03 and have 16,800 miles at this writing. I ride mine quite a bit. We rode to Deals Gap from S. Florida, and rode through North Carolina for a week, no problem. The hard bags are nice and it came with a windshield. The 1600 Nomad has a backrest supplied also. I did a little research on several bikes, with long distance riding in mind. I even looked at the older 1500 Goldwings, but just wasn't ready to take that plunge. Whatever you decide on I'm sure you will have a great time riding.

Quiltnride, during the Leesburg Bikefest I had the chance to ride a new Kawi 1600 Vulcan, an 1100 cruiser Yamaha, and a Gold-Wing. It was interesting to note how different each of these machines were, yet each of them impressed the tar out of me with their powerful engines, great handling, and quality of construction. There are a LOT of really nice rides out there! I would encourage you to test ride as many bikes as possible. I used to sell motorcycle parts many years ago, and I am pleased and amazed to see that the quality of almost every brand, both American and imported, seems to get better and better. Good "bike hunting" to you, and please let us know what you end up with.

For what it is worth, the 1500 Nomads are the tits when it comes to touring. Anything past 1999 has the new steel oil gear in it and not the plastic POS. (was known to cause more than a few problems) All my rowdy friends are heading toward touring bikes, Bimmer's; Gold Wings, and the like. For a beginning tour bike, a Nomad is a great deal.
Mr. J :cheers:

Quilt, I've done the shaft thing, and the chain thing, and in my opinion, shaft is the ONLY way to go. You eliminate gobs of mx and cleaning with shaft drive. The only negativies to shaft drive are very minor HP / torque losses, and "jacking" in the turns, which is easily adapted to. That's not much of a consideration on a touring machine. Kawi and Yamaha both make excellent motorcycles. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I have a 2004 Kawasaki 1500 Classic and love it. It is an excellent ride, very smooth with the shaft drive, comfortable and it looks great too! Only drawback is the stock seats - they a horrible. Switched to Mustang seat. IMO, you can't go wrong with the Kawi 1500 Classic, 1600 Classic or the 1600 Nomad. Great bikes at a great price!!
My buddy has a Yamaha RoadStar which looks great, but it is not as comfortable and smooth a ride a my Kawi, and that is his words. By the way, I am 51 and just started back riding last year after a 20 year layoff.

Glad to hear you are back on the road and having fun bama.