What do you think of the new 1700 Nomad?

[cactusjack]

""4) Weak clutch springs" err maybe, but the idea was so a missed down shift wouldn't lock the rear wheel, more of a thing for a newbie rider, but with the cc's and torque it wasn't a bad idea, it just didn't work well. The fix is a Barnett spring for both problems, and it's cheap."

I would argue that a newbie rider has no business on a Nomad. You should work your way up to a Nomad, not start out on one. Too much power and weight for a rookie.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Alright!!!! A chance to rip on Nomads and get revenge!!!!

I second and third what BD said!!!!!

And more... on pre-2009 Nomads!!!!

Your head gets knocked all around like you're in a tank...
The pipes are putrid sounding...
The bike isn't balanced all that well compared to others...
You'll have to spend countless dollars and hours to buy and install the accessories that should have come with the bike in the first place...

Regarding Kawa dealers...

They don't have any parties...
They don't send you birthday cards...
They don't give you gifts...
They don't send you a 820 page accessories catalog for your bike...


So... in many ways... no one was totally happy with any of the Nomads!!! If they were, and if the bikes were so great off the assembly-line you wouldn't have KawaNOW or other sites like Gadget's!!!

Whew!!! Finally got that off my chest!!!! ;)

Been saving that one up, haven't you Greg?

No, the Nomad isn't perfect. But it's an awesome looking bike to start building upon.

[Cajunrider]

I would argue that a newbie rider has no business on a Nomad. You should work your way up to a Nomad, not start out on one. Too much power and weight for a rookie.

I can attest to this from my own experience. My first bike was my Nomad. It took rolling up a couple of thousand miles before I really began feeling comfortable. A few more thousand before my confidence was well established. Maneuvering in parking lots was the worst for me. I respected and feared the weight of the Nomad more than the power. But I wholeheartedly agree, a rookie should start out with a smaller and lighter bike before moving up to the Nomad.

[billz410]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Alright!!!! A chance to rip on Nomads and get revenge!!!!

I second and third what BD said!!!!!

And more... on pre-2009 Nomads!!!!

Your head gets knocked all around like you're in a tank...
The pipes are putrid sounding...
The bike isn't balanced all that well compared to others...
You'll have to spend countless dollars and hours to buy and install the accessories that should have come with the bike in the first place...

Regarding Kawa dealers...

They don't have any parties...
They don't send you birthday cards...
They don't give you gifts...
They don't send you a 820 page accessories catalog for your bike...


So... in many ways... no one was totally happy with any of the Nomads!!! If they were, and if the bikes were so great off the assembly-line you wouldn't have KawaNOW or other sites like Gadget's!!!

Whew!!! Finally got that off my chest!!!! ;)

SOCK IT TO 'EM , GREG!!! hahahah

[snarleybill08]

i almost bought a 1700. the bags turned me off. mainly the ugly cutout for the shocks. i may still buy one someday. i bought my 08 instead. i always liked the styling since they came out. can't believe i waited so long. as far as i can see the 09 is a great bike.
i just think the 08 on back is the best looking v-twin made bar none. how about an 09 with 08 bags. that would be one fine looking bike. i was never satified with any bike i've ever owned. thats the fun of owning one, personalizing it to fit.

[macmac]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

""4) Weak clutch springs" err maybe, but the idea was so a missed down shift wouldn't lock the rear wheel, more of a thing for a newbie rider, but with the cc's and torque it wasn't a bad idea, it just didn't work well. The fix is a Barnett spring for both problems, and it's cheap."

I would argue that a newbie rider has no business on a Nomad. You should work your way up to a Nomad, not start out on one. Too much power and weight for a rookie.

I wouldn't argue that point a bit, but in this day and age with no training what so ever anyone who wants can get liter bikes with over 100 HP on the ground...

A lot of brand new riders just buy what ever the biggest bike is they can afford. Many of them never get off the dealer's lot without some wild incident or death.

I watched a HD vidio once of a newbie, who was all full of himself, and he went maybe 50 feet and crashed doing more than 30,000 in dange to just that one bike not to mention get hurt, and mash other bikes..

Personally I think all riders should also be mechanics, maybe not diagnostics techs, but good solid mechanics.

Bikes are not for every one... They are personal machines. The only other machine that is is alike to me is chain saws.

If I know you are a rider I might let you ride my bike and if I know you can run a saw well I might let you run my saws...

Any fool can take my car or trucks. Cars and trucks are not that personal to me.

[macmac]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

I can attest to this from my own experience. My first bike was my Nomad. It took rolling up a couple of thousand miles before I really began feeling comfortable. A few more thousand before my confidence was well established. Maneuvering in parking lots was the worst for me. I respected and feared the weight of the Nomad more than the power. But I wholeheartedly agree, a rookie should start out with a smaller and lighter bike before moving up to the Nomad.

Yeah me too, but more miles than you. I bought the 01 and put 1,000 miles on it before i left for Cal. When I was back on the east coast I still wasn't at ease with the 1500 totally.

It was stolen and I got the 06 and I wasn't at ease with that till the end of the following season.

The crash on a gravel road in SD didn't help at all, and neither did a fools stop in Cal where i dropped the bike at 0 mph. ::)

The 06 has never been down once, not even when it was clamped in a vise of jeep I couldn't have dropped it if I wanted too.
........................................
With in days of getting the 06, there was an event called Blessing of the Bikes i usually attend up nawth.

With a paper plate and every sticker there is on a Nomad I went. I was in brand new chaps, jacket and lid...

I have friends there, and know about where they park. They have wings, but there were many HD;s in line with them.

When I got there I lined up as if one bad move would take down the row and said Hey Buddy to a stranger, How to I fish neutral?

The result was total chaos, untill Kim a friend of mine said "Bill just stop it." Then she said "He just got back from a ride to the west coast...."

It was splendid fun teasing so many riders...

[blowndodge]

GO TRUIMPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[metalman]

I was interested in the new Nomad and Venture because of the larger engine and six speed transmission. After sitting on the Venture for about three minutes and feeling how cramped it was, I knew my 06 Nomad was more suitable for me. I am not happy with the engine rattles, relatively low power, speedometer accuracy, required drive shaft maintenance, and middling fuel economy, but I'm still happy I have the Nomad.

[drno]

Originally Posted by drno

Bought one in March of 09. I really like the bike. After everytrip it just kept getting better and better. Its a fairly big departure from the 08 for sure, but it is its own bike. Like most bikes, if it fits you and you like it great. If not, youll probably ride something else.

You gottta watch this guy, he takes everything personally....lol

What I like:
-The torque is fantastic, even with passenger loaded up.
-Economy at first wasnt too good, but im getting 48-51mpg imp now (7400kmon bike) single, 45-48 with wife and gear and I like having a long range for those seldom seen fuel stops. (not that I want to ride that far without a stretch)
-Comfort. First bike Ive had that after a 12 hour ride my legs wernt all wobbly and I wanted to get back on again rightaway. (previous rides: 1984 Aspencade, 1975Gl1000, 1978CX500)
-The first bike that the bars actually reach to my short arms without risers.
- Exaust sound is great (more in dislikes)
-Handling is very nimble, almost cant belive its over 800lbs with 20lts of fuel up high.
-Bike balance is amazing.
-I bought it because I liked the looks of the bike better than the other 09 brand offerings.
-Saddle bags contrary to opinion work great and the flexability actually helps load more crap in there. Lid to bottom thing isnt an issue. Stack it up and close the lid...
-Trans: the 6 speed is great man.
-Clutch is smoooooth. Very nice engagement and feel.
-Brakes: good.
-LED "Transformer logo" tailite is cool in the dark. It took me three months to notice the tailite is actually a "V" for vulcan. A buddy pointed that out. I went hey, look at that lol.

What I dont like
-Initial setup could have been improved, no need for overtite belt and rear wheel misalignment. PDI should have been alot better.
-Dissapointed that alot of the chrome trim is plated plastic. I though that was cheap. And the bike isnt...
-12 second wait after startup before you hit the throttle is bull$@^!. (See how much fun that is with a 2 hour wait at a boarder crossing, start stop start stop..the guards didnt get the kawa memo and wonder why you arnt goin to the gate right away...) if you dont you can mess up the ECM idle and dissconnecting of the battery is req to correct.
-Bags work great but the shock cut out is bad looking. i feel it takes away from the bikes good looks.
-Changing the rear tire is going to suck.
-Ehaust although a very very nice rumble needs to be about 50% louder.
-Not too "tinker" friendly.
-Trans: it is a bit clunky in 1-2-3
-For some reason the horn button location is a bit hard to hit with my thumb.

Thats about as honest as I can be I think, over all, Im really happy with the machine. Hopefully all goes well and ill be at the Kalispell MT rally location this summer.
-=DrNo=-

[Netnorske]

Sounds like a fair critique, but wow....that 12 second delay after starting before twisting the throttle sounds like a nightmare! WTF...?? I've never heard of such a thing as that....

Say it three times fast....Kalispell, Kalispell, Kalispell...... ! Just know drno that if you show....everyone is gonna wanna ride your bike.... ;)!

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by metalman

I was interested in the new Nomad and Venture because of the larger engine and six speed transmission. After sitting on the Venture for about three minutes and feeling how cramped it was, I knew my 06 Nomad was more suitable for me. I am not happy with the engine rattles, relatively low power, speedometer accuracy, required drive shaft maintenance, and middling fuel economy, but I'm still happy I have the Nomad.

I assume you mean Voyager, not Venture? The Venture doesn't have a six-speed tranny.

[peterdarby]

As an 09 owner I am not offended by any criticisms of the bike. Everybody gets to have an opinion and I rank them all the same, mine included. Personally I agree with the sentiment that the 08 bags look 100% better than the 09s, although once you use the top loaders they are handy and roomy. And the 12 sec delay after starting is annoying but not overly so (gives me time to get geared up and Ipod running. After having ridden nine hours over twisting mountain roads in a pouring rain, anything anyone says negative about comfort and handling is pretty much ignored. And a cruise control that holds a steady speed rather than a throttle position seems heaven sent after the same nine hour trip with constant throttle manipulation. By the way the LED tail light is not a V, it is a heart. I know because a pretty redheaded girl told me so.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

GO TRUIMPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Truimph? Maybe you should choose a brand whose name you can spell, like HD.

[blowndodge]

How do you spell HD???