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03-25-2013, 11:23 AM | #32 |
Jr. Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 16
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How is the dealer support in your area? In my region there are only two Harley dealers and they are far apart. This is an instant fail as there are many more Kawaski dealers around, so the choice is easy.
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03-25-2013, 11:52 AM | #33 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Beecher City IL 62414
Posts: 320
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Yes they were you never planed a trip on one for fear of break down It took several thousand dollors and after market parts for my brother to get the bike he wanted and now its just an in town bike. I don't know how many times I saw oil on the ground under may bike after a ride but I enjoyed that bike while I had it just for the name.The sportster was a better bike in my mind but I had a good time on them both was young and full of other things. They sure don't compare to todays Harleys even if parts are made in china. Victory is I think the only bike built in the usa other than the indian and can't wait to see one of them.
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Only a motorcycle rider knows why a dog sticks he head out the car window. Enjoy life. |
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03-25-2013, 11:58 AM | #34 | |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Beecher City IL 62414
Posts: 320
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Quote:
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Only a motorcycle rider knows why a dog sticks he head out the car window. Enjoy life. |
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03-25-2013, 01:34 PM | #35 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: California
Posts: 157
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Just returned from a Vegas weekender with a buddy. Trip was 600 plus miles. His has slip ons and mine has Vance and Hines exhaust plus a Programmer. Messed around a few times on the highway and the bikes are dead even. I payed 5K for mine and he just bought his for 22k (traded in his 07 Ultra Classic that was breaking left and right) I'm cheap and I really like Harleys except for the insane price. I'm adding a reckless fairing and I guess I'll have to just pretend my bike is a real bike, even though it is not a Harley.
His: 2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited 103ci motor 15k miles Mine: 2006 Nomad 1600 16k miles PS: This is a quick performance comparo and although not exactly apples to apples, it does show that an older Nomad can do well against a newer harley. Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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03-25-2013, 02:29 PM | #36 | |
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sebastian, Florida
Posts: 1,016
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Quote:
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2008 Nomad Red/Black 1998 1500a VBA #02113 Antlers, Oklahoma '12 Blairsville, Georgia '13 Antlers, Oklahoma '13 Eureka Springs, Arkansas '15
Last edited by manban9888; 03-25-2013 at 02:33 PM.
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03-25-2013, 02:43 PM | #37 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Elk Grove, Ca.
Posts: 187
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I too traded off my '05 Nomad for an HD Ultra Classic. I was never really comfortable on the Nomad due to it's wheel base, rake and trail configuration and the heavy steering. I had the bike 3 years, added fairing, trunk and other goodies to make it like I wanted it. When it came time to sell, all the added accessories didn't amount to a hill of beans. I looked at both HD and Victory, decided on the HD. Why? All my riding buddies have HD's, we have done a yearly tour averaging 2,000 mile and 10 riders for 15 years, that's conservatively 300K miles. I can count on one hand the number of breakdowns which includes flat tires, a bad starter, battery and an ignition switch problem. I have become convinced HD has solved many of the "old issue" problems, producing a reliable motorcycle. Bump to many of CJ's comments.
I felt I lost about 3 years of riding enjoyment but now have a bike I have confidence in when it comes to handling. I have to say for those owning or looking to buy a Nomad or Vaquero, Kawi makes a bullet proof machine.
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When you come to the fork in the road ..... take it! |
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03-25-2013, 03:41 PM | #38 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: California
Posts: 157
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I think their paint and chrome is second to none. They LOOK like quality. HD has marketed their brand and made people believe they're buying the very best and all others are just "throw away" bikes. I've heard that from Harley riders many times over the years. I don't think they really believe it but it makes them feel somewhat superior. Harley riders will buy a $20,000 bike and develop a million dollar attitude. I see it every time I ride.
If a person believes a Harley-Davidson is the bike for them and they ride, ride, and ride, then more power to them. I was raised on this motto, "It's not what you ride, it's that you ride." But, to tell me Harley-Davidson makes the only real motorcycle and it is the finest bike made, then I have a problem with that. All motorcycles are real motorcycles, not just Harley-Davidsons. No, they are not the finest bikes made. While they have made great strides in manufacturing quality, (I read manufacturing trade publications) they are still a mediocre design. The one area that Harley-Davidson is great is advertising the image and lifestyle. Yes, Sir, the folks in Milwaukee are marketing geniuses. They are truly brilliant. To get so many people to believe Harley-Davidson is the only REAL motorcycle made is brilliant. To get so many people to buy into (and buy and buy and buy) the whole "Harley Lifestyle." |
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03-25-2013, 05:03 PM | #39 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Goreville, Illinois
Posts: 202
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Water cooled vs. air cooled. That is the deal breaker for me. I will not cook atop a big V-Twin that is air cooled. I rode along with a Harley rider in Cades Cove TN. and watched him and his girl cook in the summer heat as traffic was crawling along. I and my wife were fine on my Nomad.
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03-25-2013, 05:14 PM | #40 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: wheatland,wy.
Posts: 3,642
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since the only harley i ever owned was an 84 fls it wouldn't be fair to compare it to the nomad or vaquero i now own.
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bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold |
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03-25-2013, 05:18 PM | #41 |
Top Contributor
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: North Wilkesboro, NC
Posts: 6,289
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If I had to choose between a pre-'09 Nomad or a Road King, I'd choose the Nomad. If we're talking about an '09+ Nomad, I'd choose the RK. The pre-'09 Nomads are great bikes. I don't fit as well on the newer Nomads and they seem to run warmer. Not that I plan on getting either as I'm very satisfied with my Victory.
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 |
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03-25-2013, 05:22 PM | #42 | |
Mega-Contributor
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever!
Posts: 21,926
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Quote:
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Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08|Custer '09|Cortez '10|Crescent City '11|Kanab '12|Antlers '12|Estes Park '13|Antlers '13|Orofino '14|The Dalles '17 |
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03-25-2013, 05:31 PM | #43 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 261
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Here are my thoughts;
-I'm 6-04 and find the Road King to be smaller and less comfortable. -I'm paying cash for a bike, as it is a luxury not a neccessity. My 2000 Nomad set me back $3000. Similar era RK's were $8000+ and have cam tensioner issues. -I don't really care what OTHER people think of my bike, I want to ride something comfy, reliable and affordable. I don't need to spend $15K on a bike to impress someone else. I am plenty happy with my $3K bike. If the bikes were the same (or close) priced, I might look a little harder at the RK because I really like the way the bags look on the RK Classic. |
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03-25-2013, 05:36 PM | #44 | |
Sr. Contributor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Way East Valley
Posts: 12,017
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Quote:
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Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad | 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic | 1984 GPz750 | 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09|Prairie Du Chien '10|Crescent City '11 |
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03-25-2013, 05:38 PM | #45 |
Sr. Contributor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Way East Valley
Posts: 12,017
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My RT throws off the least heat of any bike I have owned. In fact, I would say I don't notice it, even out here. The nomad could be a lot on a hot day. I remember remarking to myself on some 100+ days in Iowa and saying to myself, wow, that's hot.
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Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad | 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic | 1984 GPz750 | 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09|Prairie Du Chien '10|Crescent City '11 |
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