Kawasaki Concours Forum

Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: Elfmaze on December 04, 2012, 06:44:51 AM

Title: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Elfmaze on December 04, 2012, 06:44:51 AM
I have been using an old econoline van for my motorcycle transportation needs.  But the Concourse is much bigger than the z1000 And I have been afraid to load it.  I've been keeping a close watch on the new batch of vans coming out.  Maby in a year or two I'll have to throw down on one.  After all the econoline will be 25 yrs by then!  ;D

2014 Ford transit Van

(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/fordtransit01-1346892939.jpg)

Nissan NV

(http://media.caranddriver.com/images/11q2/398063/2012-nissan-nv2500-high-roof-sv-photo-401481-s-986x603.jpg)

And of course the pricey Sprinter van

(http://s3.racingjunk.com/ui/4/13/27462134-906-New-2011-Sprinter-Van-Motocross-Hauler.jpg)

I would like to have one big enough to partition off the rear for a garage and still have a "living space" in the middle.  Tv,  bench/bed,  microwave and fridge.   

The future shall be grand as long as the oil keeps flowing!
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: gPink on December 04, 2012, 07:07:02 AM
Anything there less than the cost of a house?
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Outback_Jon on December 04, 2012, 07:21:22 AM
Well, I wouldn't say "excited", but it is nice to see some new styling on any vehicle.  Chevy/Ford/Dodge vans have all looked nearly identical for years now.

Nissan's at least looks like any engine compartment work would be a huge improvement over previous van designs.
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Elfmaze on December 04, 2012, 07:25:06 AM

Nissan's at least looks like any engine compartment work would be a huge improvement over previous van designs.

And even more-so that some modern cars.  Besides being a bit taller.  That NV is going to be a dream to do routine MX on.  Sparkplugs are all easily accessible

The NV also has bolt points all along the roof and tiedowns, bolt points all along the bed.   they were really thinking when they designed it.  Too bad it looks soo stupid with the big forehead.  Lol.  A light bar, rookrack and bully bar will toughen it up a bit.
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: VirginiaJim on December 04, 2012, 07:39:30 AM
They look European to me...
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Elfmaze on December 04, 2012, 07:43:46 AM
They look European to me...

This is true,  But at least, Less the sprinter Van. The Ford and Nissan are made in America!
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Cholla on December 04, 2012, 12:28:01 PM
What's a Concourse?   ;D
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Elfmaze on December 04, 2012, 08:03:57 PM
What's a Concourse?   ;D

Its the place at an airport where you sit and wait for your plane... obviously.   why do you think I need a bigger van?
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: stevewfl on December 04, 2012, 08:36:00 PM
I'd rather strap my bike to the top of an old 'caddy hearse that ride around in that Nissan thing (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Strawboss on December 05, 2012, 11:35:47 AM
Thought you were talking about vans like the Ford CMax and the like. I like that segment.
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: shreveportSS on December 05, 2012, 06:53:21 PM
Uhh, No.
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Elfmaze on December 06, 2012, 12:30:22 PM
Thought you were talking about vans like the Ford CMax and the like. I like that segment.

It would be hard to pack a bike,  tires, fuel and tools into the Cmax though!    ;D
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Roadhound on December 06, 2012, 02:18:25 PM
They all have 4 wheels, nothing about them to get excited about. we for damn sure don't need more vehicles on the road that we can't see over and can't see thru.
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: rcannon409 on December 06, 2012, 04:18:59 PM
I use one at work, so a "change" or upgrade will be nice. I have my first oen in 1998. I've had three others between then and the newest one. 

 A few weeks back they bought me a 2013.  There is almost zero changes between any of the vans. Fuel mileage is still terrible (14.5 unloaded) as is the overall driving experience.  Plus, the storage area is still difficult to access and too low to be great. 
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: datsaxman@hotmail.com on December 12, 2012, 05:46:42 PM
The NV is a fuel hog, and not that big inside.  They copied the US 3/4T vans from the 70s-90s TOO WELL.  Oh, and heavy too. 

The Ford looks like an even more expensive copy of the Sprinter.  I have a 2005 Sprinter that I got used, and it is a pretty good tool.  23-24 mpg, loads of room, built like a Benz truck.   

YMMV  of course.
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: graham downunder on December 12, 2012, 07:21:20 PM
I've got a 1999 Mercedes Spriter 312 long wheelbase single rear wheel each side . Its the 5 cyclinder 2.9litre Turbo diesel works great . FORGET the transit van too many people have bad problems with them when the 60,000 plus miles ,so they do not hold their value . I would buy a second hand one and put some money aside to improve the suspension as they are generally worn . By the way the brake pads on the sprinter are HUGE easy twice the size and twice the thickness of Toyota stuff .
Title: Re: Anyone else excited about the new crop of vans coming out?
Post by: Elfmaze on December 12, 2012, 09:19:36 PM
The NV is a fuel hog, and not that big inside.  They copied the US 3/4T vans from the 70s-90s TOO WELL.  Oh, and heavy too. 

The Ford looks like an even more expensive copy of the Sprinter.  I have a 2005 Sprinter that I got used, and it is a pretty good tool.  23-24 mpg, loads of room, built like a Benz truck.   

YMMV  of course.

besides the lower towing the sprinter is perfect,  but high prices have held me back so far.  need to figure how to finance as an rv