I don't know why

[deacon]

I don't know why anyone would want more power! Yesterday I was merging into traffic on the local interstate and needed to goose the Nomad to get ahead of traffic, darn near lost my grip when I went from third to fourth! Really, my left hand was only hanging on by the last finger joints! Scared the h**l out of me Most likely it was my lack of experience with a bike this size, my previous bike was a C50 Suzuki. Actually, one of the reasons I went to a bigger bike was because I needed something that would accelerate faster onto the Interstate, guess I found it I'm an old fart and don't normally ride hard ;) Gotta stay in my range of ability. I do have a new found respect for the 1600

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by deacon

I don't know why anyone would want more power....

Try riding two-up...loaded saddlebags, a full trunk and a 25 lb luggage bag on top of the trunk...going up a long grade over the Continental Divide. You'll better understand then.... ;).

[ringadingh]

I grew up around powerfull bikes and snowmachines and I sometimes still lust for some real hard accelleration, It seems to be something that never leaves some of us. Im fortunate that when I have a craving to go for a real high speed blast I can borrow my brothers BMW and satisfy my urge.

[fish]

my previous bike 800 kawa and my wife's 750 honda are quick out of the hole and I think they could beat the nomad. Now on top end its a different story.

[dandantmm]

Originally Posted by deacon

my previous bike was a C50

Don't ride a GL1800 Goldwing. Your new Nomad will feel like your C50. I still miss the power of the GL1800.

[deacon]

I'm sure when I get my 16 yr. old son (6'1" 190lbs) son the back I'll need that power!

[blowndodge]

As far as I agree the Nomad is kind of slow for a motorcycle, I can still vastly exceed the speed limit just on the on ramp of any interstate or freeway. I guess those of us that grew up on GS1100's and the like remember extremely frantic acceleration of days gone by and we still remember it!

I remember after my 20 year departure my first ride back was on a buddies Kawasaki ZX 10R.... I was speechless..... I'm almost over wanting that kind of acceleration!!..... almost..!

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

As far as I agree the Nomad is kind of slow for a motorcycle, I can still vastly exceed the speed limit just on the on ramp of any interstate or freeway. I guess those of us that grew up on GS1100's and the like remember extremely frantic acceleration of days gone by and we still remember it!

I remember after my 20 year departure my first ride back was on a buddies Kawasaki ZX 10R.... I was speechless..... I'm almost over wanting that kind of acceleration!!..... almost..!

BD...can you say Triumph Rocket III..... ?? You know you want one.... ;)!

[usranger74]

Ridding solo and carry all the ridding/camping gear I care to carry, the stock Nomad is all I will ever need.

[ells]

I think Deacon experienced the Nomad's torque, going from third to fourth at higher rpm (and single rider) is a kick.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I have never felt that my Nomad lacks the power or speed I need. If it wasn't enough I would sell it and buy something else.

[dank]

3rd gear is definitely the Nomad's sweet spot. I never thought of the nomad as slow, just felt slower than one would expect for a bike with 1600CCs to be. That was partly how the motor was tuned, partly the barn door windshield up above 75, and partly the tall first gear. But it was evident every time my 22-year-old son blasted out of a stop sign on his 1500 classic. Not a functional issue in terms of more than keeping up with traffic, but still a noticeable difference between expectation and reality.

[bobhamlin]

It's more a matter of knowing what to expect. My first BIG bike was a '68 Triumph 650. The first time I accelerated from a ramp onto the highway, I had the same experience as Deacon--almost tore my hands off the bars.

I had a couple Vulcan Classics immediately prior to this Nomad. My first impression of the Nomad's first ride was "Geez, this is a BIG and WIDE and HEAVY bike!" Alternating the bikes for a while made the last Classic seem sporty.

At this point in my riding life, the Nomad has more than sufficient ooomph for the riding I do--commuting, local touring, and a yearly, 2-up, full luggage (did I mention 2-up?) vacation ride.

[jmax5105]

I had a Concours for about 3 years and DEFINITELY miss the accelleration (at any speed) that that bike offered... always plenty of power awaiting my command at any time. Of course, on the freeway, I was also generally around 5500 RPMs. I know I can't compare the Nomad to the Concours, but going from that bike to the Nomad was a little tough if I were ONLY comparing acceleration/power, etc. That being said, I wouldn't trade in my Nomad for anything. I love the comfort that it provides while riding and I have learned to accept the cruiser mentality of speed/acceleration as my bike keeps reminding me, "don't worry, I'll get there, just give me a bit more time". I LOVE my Nomad, it's just a different kind of bike.

[thedude]

To me the Nomad and my previous bike a Harley Electra Glide Ultra Limited both seem very slow when it comes to acceleration. If fact, I don't remember either being too different than my Suzuki 800 either. I can't even keep up with my Brother on his Honda 1100 Shadow.