Nomads, Harleys, A Canadian Perspective

[Loafer]

I have tried the 1700, and I thought it was an improvement. :)

[biscuitsngravy]

I ride with Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders that have all kinds of bikes. Nobody puts down anyone else for what they ride. I judge a person by their character, not by what they ride. BnG

[poppy]

Originally Posted by loafer

Thanks for the link Poppy. :)

No problem! We should all save that link for potential future use! haha!

[dobromo]

Well, I don't know about Canadian point of view, but here in Arkansas, there is a pretty good mix of imports and HDs. Personally, I think there is nothing quite like a Harley. I love the sound of them, and sometimes even the vibration.
But ....I bought an old "96 Vulcan Classic a few years ago. It had quite a few miles on it (71,000 with only the top end rebuilt). It had a set of Cobra Drag pipes on it, and sounded great. It wasn't a Harley, but it had the retro look, and good sound. I was in love with a Kaw! Yeah! I rode it for 3+ years, and only put a clutch, battery, brakes and tires on it, besides alot of extras. It ran like a champ, but I really began looking at the Nomad and really liked the look. I found out that a friend of mine had a '06 Nomad, and was about to let it go back. I got in that saddle for an amazing price; hey, it was a rescue, alright?
Occasionally I get some grief about riding a "burner", but then I tell them about the Harley that I have at home, that is ALWAYS broke down. It is true! I have a '72 Sportster as well. It's a great bike if you are a good mechanic. Most of the Harley riders I know around here get rid of their bikes before 40,000. I know part of that is the "sickness" of needing a new toy. I know there's some somewhere, but I've not met anyone with 84,000 miles on their Harley with minimal work as my Classic.
I love my Nomad. It's a great bike. It's a shame that quite a few Harley riders won't give a wave to an import rider. But, that can come in handy too. I have a few friends that are patched to outlaw clubs. Since I ride an import, I don't have to bother explaining to them that I don't want to prospect with anyone. I would be asked if I rode a Harley.
I'll probably get another Harley one day, but I'll never trade my Nomad for it. Heck, you have to have at least one bike you can depend on! :)

Perry

[ponch]

A couple days ago a friend of mine that bought a 2009 Ultra new had a bearing go bad in his transmission. May be he had 24K miles on it. It was under warranty, but a friend of his with the same bike had the same problem not long ago. He actually has to wait 2 weeks to get a bearing from Milwaukee...Ok. All manufacturers have issues. Even the BMW I have looked at has had a 4% final drive failure rate. BMW hasn't seen fit to have a recall and no one seems to know why.

All that being said, the only issue I had with my Nomad in 18K miles was an O-ring in a coolant pipe in the front jug started seeping after 6 months and was replaced under warranty. As much as I have a boner for the BMW, the voyager starts to look ok...

This is some leaked photo of the new beemer tourer. http://postimage.org/image/36v5r3ic/ 6 cylinder 1600, 160hp, 130 ft/lbs of torque. Not bad for a 1600...Looks lighter than other touring bikes too. Must be a rocket and cost as much too...

Originally Posted by dobromo

Well, I don't know about Canadian point of view, but here in Arkansas, there is a pretty good mix of imports and HDs. Personally, I think there is nothing quite like a Harley. I love the sound of them, and sometimes even the vibration.
But ....I bought an old "96 Vulcan Classic a few years ago. It had quite a few miles on it (71,000 with only the top end rebuilt). It had a set of Cobra Drag pipes on it, and sounded great. It wasn't a Harley, but it had the retro look, and good sound. I was in love with a Kaw! Yeah! I rode it for 3+ years, and only put a clutch, battery, brakes and tires on it, besides alot of extras. It ran like a champ, but I really began looking at the Nomad and really liked the look. I found out that a friend of mine had a '06 Nomad, and was about to let it go back. I got in that saddle for an amazing price; hey, it was a rescue, alright?
Occasionally I get some grief about riding a "burner", but then I tell them about the Harley that I have at home, that is ALWAYS broke down. It is true! I have a '72 Sportster as well. It's a great bike if you are a good mechanic. Most of the Harley riders I know around here get rid of their bikes before 40,000. I know part of that is the "sickness" of needing a new toy. I know there's some somewhere, but I've not met anyone with 84,000 miles on their Harley with minimal work as my Classic.
I love my Nomad. It's a great bike. It's a shame that quite a few Harley riders won't give a wave to an import rider. But, that can come in handy too. I have a few friends that are patched to outlaw clubs. Since I ride an import, I don't have to bother explaining to them that I don't want to prospect with anyone. I would be asked if I rode a Harley.
I'll probably get another Harley one day, but I'll never trade my Nomad for it. Heck, you have to have at least one bike you can depend on! :)

Perry

[glwilson]

The BMW looks nice

I wonder if they lowered the seat any. I can't ride one because they were too tall (and that I wasn't overly crazy about the riding-position).

But, I'll bet that thing is smooth as silk screaming down the road...

[ponch]

It looks lower to me. When it comes out, check it out.

Originally Posted by glwilson

The BMW looks nice

I wonder if they lowered the seat any. I can't ride one because they were too tall (and that I wasn't overly crazy about the riding-position).

But, I'll bet that thing is smooth as silk screaming down the road...