Advice on Kawasaki VN1500

MrKeeno

MrKeeno

MrKeeno

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Joined
13 Mar 2004
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Derry
Hi all

Im trading in my honda hornet 2003 for a cruiser type bike, the honda is by no means a superbike but i find myself going too fast and too hard on it, its not worth my licence. Also my girlfriend has hinted that if i got a cruiser she would be more interested in going on the back, the hornets too high of the ground for her to be comfortable.

Ive been to a local dealer in N.Ireland and he has a Kawasaki VN1500, its 2003/2004. The dealer said that he does not know the exact date the bike was made but that it is either 2003 or 2004? Surley he should know this? Its a brand new bike and is unregistered.

The bike is for sale for £6495 but im not sure if thats a bit much for a 2003/2004. Ok I may be the first registered owner in 2006 but if I try to sell the bike in a few years time the age would probably be a factor.

This is a link to the actual bike : http://www.2ucomputers.net/vn1500.jpg

Any opinions or idea's on what questions i should be asking this guy?

Any input would really be appreciated.
 
I think a lot of people switch from sportyish bikes to cruisers, and then back again, but each to their own..
Do remember that they don't handle too well, and I think you are probably more likely to get yourself into trouble in that respect.. plus being a 1500, I don't think your licence is gonna be any less likely to escape the long arm of the law..!!

regarding the bike..
I'd be asking about how it's been stored, 2-3 years is a long time.. tyres especially.. but if they've stored it properly, and give you a decent warranty all at the right price, then it sounds OK..
 
Hornet 600 or 900 it's going to make a difference to the advice, either way your ability to loose your license will be pretty much the same as neither are screaming sports bikes so it's your attitude.

Why do you ride a bike? if it's for fun then cutting your cojones off because your girlfreind says so is not going to make you happy, and she should respect that, otherwise at some point your bike will come first. If your happy pootling around at slow speed on a bike that rides and handles like a car then that's different.

Me, I still have to form a relationship of equals with my fireblade, a lot of the time I know that she will kill me, some of the time I feel I'm the boss, the rest of the time I know I should be riding a Hornet .....
 
I'm not into the custom style bikes myself, but if someone twisted my arm and said I had to buy one I think I'd have to get a proper Harley. The kawasaki is probably the better bike, but somehow I wouldnt feel right riding a japanese custom bike. I've had a ride on my dads Virago - decent bike - bags of torque, fairly comfy, but just didnt feel 'right'.
 
I don't expect the kind of questions you would ask prior to purchase would differ greatly from sports to cruiser, though I suppose you'd be forgiven for not checking the head races for wheelie damage. Take it for a test ride and make sure its history adds up.
 
Personally, I think your a bit young for a cruiser.... and if you like wringing the neck of your hornet, I don't really see what difference the cruiser will make, you just need to slow down.

Each to their own though.

Questions to ask?

How long has the dealer had it? has it been parallel imported?

Whether it's been used or not, you should not be paying new prices for a 2003 registered motor, the dealer obviously can't shift it if he's had it for 3 years so it should be ready for a big discount.

If you do buy it though, make sure the dealer throws in a Open face helmet, (matt black is preferred) tassely leathers and a gay biker mustache ;)
 
And the plot thickens :evil:

I contacted Kawasaki to see if they could identify the year of the bike and they sent me an email saying that the can confirm the bike is appears to be a 1998 VN1500-D2. 1998 :(

Man thats some gap in age and the dealer must be aware of it, if thats the case then this guy is really taking the No Swearing, Big Kev.

Hows that for customer service.

Opinions ?
 
If you fancy a cruiser with decent handling, get a Honda F6C, commonly known as a Valkyrie. They stopped making them in 2004 though.

Here's mine shortly after I purchased it, and about 8 months before I wrecked on an LA freeway.

J001.jpg


J002.jpg


The colour of mine was blue/pearl white. A rare enough combination that I had to have mine specially ordered from the USA. Honda made them in the USA next to the Goldwings.

I still have an .avi of a USA TV ad. - Valkyrie drifting! email me if you want it.
 
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Well i phoned him today to ask if he was able to find out the age of the bike :)

Convo went something like this

Me > Hi, have you been able to find out the age of the VN for me?

Dealer > No m8 i havnt had a chance yet, i dont think its going to work anyway/

Me > what do you mean its not going to work out?

Dealer > Ive never had as much crap trying to sell a bike

Me > Im only asking what year the bike is, it effects the value if i try and re-sell it in a few years time. Ive been told its a 1998 bike?

Dealer > crap, sure how can i work with you if if you are listening to crap from other people

Me > the other people are kawasaki, i phoned them with a discription of the bike, they told me the bike with that colour scheme was produced for 1 year starting 1998.

Dealer >Do you think i would try and sell you a 1998 bike?

Me > Well it is 98 so yes

Dealer >well its not going to work out anyways

Me > thats fine, goodbye


I have received 2 emails from kawasaki confirming the bike was made in 1998, i have alos talked to them on the phone. Safe to say the dealer was non too happy on the phone, basically he had been rumbled and knew it :)
 
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Woops just noticed another swear word, sorry mods :(

I am also posting this thread in a bike forum and it has no rules against swearing, i just copied and pasted it from there.

Sorry again.
 
busman said:
Woops just noticed another swear word, sorry mods :(

I am also posting this thread in a bike forum and it has no rules against swearing, i just copied and pasted it from there.

Sorry again.
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