Bashing Harley's

[Loafer]

Sounds like a conversation I once had.
Buy what makes YOU happy, and then ride with pride.

[Blue Rebel]

I always liked the style and design of the nomad. Had a 700 Vulcan a long time ago, and shortly there after they came out with the nomad. I thought it was absolutely beautiful. Needless to say, the Vulcan didn't stick around long.

Wife likes the passenger set up on the nomad better as well, than the harley's.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by loafer

Sounds like a conversation I once had.
Buy what makes YOU happy, and then ride with pride.

DéjÃ* vu ???

I was afraid I'd find you in here Gerry!!!

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by glwilson

DéjÃ* vu ???

I was afraid I'd find you in here Gerry!!!

I'm behaving myself. ;)

[ponch]

FWIW, I tested an Ultra last weekend. It handled way better than the Nomad I had, but I have to admit, for me, I didn't see the value in spending 22K on a bike like that. I will say though, that the dealer was very nice, no pressure and was helpful. I say take a test ride and see what it is about. If you like and think it'll work for you, mazel tov. That's all that matters.

Originally Posted by nomadwest (Dave)

I for one have been eyeballing the Ultra Classics for awhile now. They have everything I want in a bike and are a beautiful machine. I love my Nomad and just have not been able to justify twice the cost. The other thing that really bothers me is the attitude of the majority or Harley owners I come into contact with. I have only had one comment in 3 years from Harley owners where they referred to my bike as being nice. I have made that comment to them several times just to see if they would return the favor and they just look at the Nomad as if it is a cheap made bike. Then there are those who will not return a wave at all. I work with a couple of guys that own Harley's and they often refer to metrics as Jap crap. One of the reasons I might never own a Harley boils down to I just don't want to be a part of that idiotic stuck up mentality. So I don't bash Harley's. Just the personalities they create.

[timebandit]

Originally Posted by macmac

What makes a bike any good or not to me is discovered in the wrenching. Being from the back ground of a pro foreign car tech I just agree with the way the Nomad is made.

The Nomad isn't perfect, but no other bike is either.

HD guys don't bother me any, and i don't bother them back.

The new younger crowd haven had just the choice of HD or brit bikes either. Most of them have no idea whats inside a engine for that matter.

Bikes didn't used to be a turn key ride, and a rider had to be at least a part time tech.

Now a days any fool with money and a mild desire can ride what ever he wants.

I'm with you on this

[cdneh]

Sorry Ring but I don't get your comment when yo say 'especially the new ones". The new Nomads handle better in tight spots like parking lots and do well on the twisties too.

[skiman]

The Harley has a 3 inch shorter wheelbase then a Nomad and 4 degrees less rake and .1 inch less trail so of course the HD is going to handle better at low speed and corner better then a new Nomad. With that said saying a Harley or a Nomad corners good is non sense one quick blast on a sport bike will bring your definition of good cornering back to reality.

[ponch]

Like you said, it's all relative. We are talking cruisers here. As far as a new Nomad or Voyager goes, I can't say how the new one's handle. Mine was a 2007.

Originally Posted by skiman

The Harley has a 3 inch shorter wheelbase then a Nomad and 4 degrees less rake and .1 inch less trail so of course the HD is going to handle better at low speed and corner better then a new Nomad. With that said saying a Harley or a Nomad corners good is non sense one quick blast on a sport bike will bring your definition of good cornering back to reality.

[skiman]

The steering on the new nomads should be a tad better not near as quick as the HD.
But your only going to get 800 plus pounds of bike and rider to change directions so fast

[skiman]

Ponch did you have any problem with the air cleaner hitting your knee I did on the ultra I rode

[Sin City Stan]

I'd have to say that my Nomad is accepted and complimented by the overwhelming majority of the Harley riders I encounter. More often than not they don't know what it is and are surprised when I explain.

25 years ago it was a different story when my Norton was barely acknowledged by the AMF Harley crowd. The Japanese bikes were battered incessantly. And the irony was the AMF Harley was a real POS. At least the current Harley's IMO are a quality product and in my case so have been the riders.

[ponch]

I rode a 2009 and I don't remember hitting the air cleaner, but I do remember my left foot feeling like it was going to fall off because of the dumbass agricultural shift gear. It really gets in the way of my foot. Even after the short ride we took, I felt enough pressure on my tail bone to say, I would have to change this seat...

Originally Posted by skiman

Ponch did you have any problem with the air cleaner hitting your knee I did on the ultra I rode

[skiman]

Yeah I remember the shifter too takes up all the good space on the floorboard the one I rode was a 103ci police bike and had a police emblem air cleaner maybe it is bigger then a stock one even the owner of it said he paid all that money to have his knee hit the aircleaner

[ndbigfish]

Got no reason to bash. Those that ride, ride with a passion for the experience. One of the motorcycle aftermarket retailers gave away shirts that read "Shared passion, individual style". You have to realize there are those that ride for the passion and those that own motorcycles to belong to something larger than themselves. There will always be those that feel they are "above" the rest; metric or HD. I've seen it in every organization I've been in.

I was asked to ride with a couple of HDs next weekend. They asked specifically not to bar hop or stop every 30 miles. They want to venture into a touring style of riding. Fine with me and I'm glad to have the company and possibly make some new friends. One time companions or often riding partners, I plan to enjoy the day.