Holding me back!

[jagcamp]

@schoeney: so you run your bike at wide open throttle while cleaning with a toothbrush?? I find that hard to believe! That would be almost as rediculous as not checking your tire pressure and thinking your forks were made of rubber!!!! It still does feel rubbery and I will remove the rubber things. I do want risers cause the handlebars are more forward than I am used to. My virago is really laid back. I am 5'9". There are many choices in risers. I want a relaxed stance, unlike ape hangers. Any suggestions?

[jagcamp]

Even with my front tire at 40lbs I have more looseness than I would like. I loosened my handlebar clamps and rotated down and I like the position. My question is can I remove the rubber parts on the stock risers? Also the vibration is almost completely gone after debaffling and adding a k&n filter to the RIGHT side of the bike. It is like it was so starved for air it could not combust at just the right time. I am now delighted with my nomad. It has much more power and smoother than the test drive!!

[Yellow Jacket]

I've checked the Kawasaki parts diagrams for both the 1600 and 1500 Nomads.

There are no rubber parts shown in relation to the risers. Someone had mentioned rubber pads beneath the risers. They do not appear in the diagrams. My 1600 has no rubber parts anywhere near the risers.

[schoeney]

Originally Posted by jagcamp

@schoeney: so you run your bike at wide open throttle while cleaning with a toothbrush?? I find that hard to believe! That would be almost as rediculous as not checking your tire pressure and thinking your forks were made of rubber!!!! It still does feel rubbery and I will remove the rubber things. I do want risers cause the handlebars are more forward than I am used to. My virago is really laid back. I am 5'9". There are many choices in risers. I want a relaxed stance, unlike ape hangers. Any suggestions?

Haha....no I did not clean them at full throttle. I cleaned while giving enough burst of throttle to keep it running. Doesn't take much. Cheers

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

I've checked the Kawasaki parts diagrams for both the 1600 and 1500 Nomads.

There are no rubber parts shown in relation to the risers. Someone had mentioned rubber pads beneath the risers. They do not appear in the diagrams. My 1600 has no rubber parts anywhere near the risers.

My 1600 has no pads under the risers either.

[Netnorske]

These are the aftermarket risers (Phat II's) that I had on my 2008 1600 Nomad. There were no rubber parts in either the OEM or aftermarket risers. I loved those Phat II's...!

[Silent Sam]

No Rubber on mine either..tho the handle bars were custom re-placed by the guy I bought it from ! ?

I have noticed that the front tire pressure is -"Road Feel/Steering ..Sensitive" within only a couple psi....I run a Metzler 880 www, on the front and 42 - 45 psi..seem's best !

If the pressure drops to around 40 psi..she gets - noticiable steering --anomolies !

[jagcamp]

I am so grateful for this forum as a new owner. 40 lbs is more than I ever ran on the virago. This bike is so much heavier though. Silent Sam, now I will try 45. Thanks! And to everyone who replied. Now I won't take my risers apart to verify after all that validation.

[Silent Sam]

Drop a comment to let us know if the higher air pressure helped you out !

Different tires have considerable differing handling trait's !

[jagcamp]

Yes, having the front at 44 lbs gives a very solid feel at all speeds. I have read comments where some owners experience "tank slapping" if they let go of the handlebars while riding. I have to say I would not ride without hands on but I did test mine and it was rock solid at 50 mph for about five seconds. That's about as brave as I am!

[mick56]

my bike has 40lbs in the front 42 rear and i get real bad head shake at anything below 60mph when i take one hand off the bars to push the choke in, i have to be quick or i would lose control altogether, scary !