looking at 2009

[keithmaine]

Hi my name is Keith, I am a noob to the Voyager 1700, but not to bikes. I have been riding for 45 years and I average 20,000 to 25,000 miles per year on 2 and 3 wheels (Ural Gobi) I ride year round and commute daily on motorcycles here in Maine. I sold my 2009 FLHT (17 months old with 27,000 miles on her) for the Ural, I am now looking for a comfortable cruiser for more highway use. Since I have dual sport and other categories covered, I now need a true street bike.

What I am looking at is a 2009 Metallic Titanium with 7200 miles on it. It apparently has been ridden every year, but limited and has current inspection. The bike looks brand new and is at a very reputable used motorcycle dealer in my area.

The guy wants $10,995 for it. what are the issues with this bike and what to look for, I know to ask about the recalls on ECU and heat shields, but are there others ? where there first year issues with the '09s?

Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Keith

[keithmaine]

18 views and no replies ????
please give me some insight

[alta drifter]

i have had no issues with my 2009 I bought it new in the winter of 2010, so I have now ridden it for 3 years and have approx. 35000 kms on it. it is clunky shifting gears from 1st to second. some people (not me) have had issues with the gear indicator (which will affect if your cruise control works). the original tires (bridgestones) do not seem to last very long. every year I do a 5000-6000 km (3000-3500 miles) week long trip(8-11 hour days) and find the bike very comfortable. my wife is comfortable riding on the back other than she finds her legs feel cramped after a couple of hours (she is 5'11"). I am very satisfied with this bike and have no intentions of getting rid of it.. the only other complaint I have heard is regarding gas milage

[hank43]

18 views and no replies ????
please give me some insight

Well, I personally think that you could do much better buying a NEW (Never sold, but left over) Voyager of a later vintage, say a 20 12 or newer for not too much more than what this guy wants for the 2009. I own a 2009 Voyager, and when you include the after market parts I have (Like the KAMS) and having to deal with the clunky transmission etc. on the 2009 model, This would seem to be a better buy. True, it would cost more than $10,995, but in my area, I have seen new old stock voyagers going for about $3,000 or $4000 more than the $10,995. I got mine new in 2010 for about $2500 off list, and that included ABS brakes. Shop around would be my suggestion, maybe even a different state......sales will probably be slow now, because of the winter months.......
Don't know if you have Costco stores in your area, but if you do, they will save you about $2500 off the price of a brand new one. And, then give you a couple hundred cash to boot! Check it out here ------->
http://www.costcoauto.com/enterzipcode. ... fault.aspx
Costco has a deal with Kawasaki Motors on every bike model they make. Sign up, they send you to a motorcycle dealer, no price haggling, same for cars. I have bought several cars this way in the past.... Savings usually pay for tax and lic/registration, which is substantial in California. (8% sales tax + $350.00 new vehicle registration and lic.)

Hope this helped you out some!

hank

[debron]

I ride a XII but. . . . 2009 was the first model year for the 1700 Vulcan Voyager and "they" always say never to buy the first model year (usually referring to cars) though I haven't heard of any particular problems with an '09. Some here with an '09 have close to 100k with no problems. The 1700 in any vintage is a very fine bike yet there were improvements with each year so the newest you can afford is best. A fair price for an '09 is probably more realistically $9k - well, I've seen them advertised at that price, but expect to pay more from a dealer rather than a private party. At 7200 miles though, it's a "new" bike. You can probably get it for $10k.

BTW, gas mileage on these bikes is relative to the speed you ride. And they are no worse than other bikes in the same size range.

[keithmaine]

Thanks for the info guys I will check out all avenues and my plan was to start at offering $9000
$10 would be my max

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Having owned an 09 (Blue//black) and logged considerable mileage on this bike. Keep in mind that MaKaw offered updated heat shields for free (installation included) for any owners that wanted them due to the heat issues. They work alot better. If it's an ABS bike , expect to pay around 10, non abs bikes should be around 9 for this year. Mileage (fuel MPG) is considerably less than the HD you have been riding, but still depends on the way you ride it. I usually averaged about 10% less when compared to the my HD Ultra with a similiar sized engine and cams,etc. There are some other issues that come from wear , check out David (north Alabamas) posts for these items. He includes great pics also to help you out. Good luck , you should be happy with whatever year you get.

Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President

[keithmaine]

Checking KBB on this bike is $11,090 retail, $7090 trade in with average of 20,000+ miles

This guy is a dealer and assuming gave trade in he has room to deal. I will find out next week.

[boscoe]

I bought my 2011 Voyager with 14000 miles this past summer from a dealer for $9200. It has the Kawasaki Good Times warranty until spring of 2018. i upgraded from a 2004 Mean Streak 1600. So far I have put about 2000 miles on the Voyager. Bike had the wing pegs and exhause wrap on it from previous owner. Otherwise it is stock. Other than speakers, tires and fluid changes, I haven't done anything to it yet.

Transmission is very clunky, but folks say it is normal. Drive belt is much noisier than shaft drive, but everyone says this is normal. I replaced tires with Bridgestone Exhedra Max, so I can't say much about tire mileage. Headlights with driving lights are wonderful. Bike handles great. Plenty of power, but doesn't have the low-end torque like my Mean Streak did. Voyager will go 60 MPH in 2nd gear. I love having the radio. Upgrading the stock speakers helped a bunch. My seat sucks. Can't wait to get a Corbin or a Mustang. Pushes my balls up the gas tank, and doesn't seem to have much padding for my rear. Nice little backrest from the passenger's seat, though. Bike seems to be well built, but I worry that bags and trunk plastic is kind of flimsy. Starts and runs well. Checking oil sucks ass. I'm happy with my bike and can't wait for better weather to ride some more!