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06-04-2009, 09:44 PM | #1 |
Top Contributor
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Everett, Washington
Posts: 5,709
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Brief Bike Swap
Awhile back I posted about a guy who works for me that sold his nice 1700 Road Star for a HD Road King. Well today we went for a couple hour ride after work since it is about 85 here today....and once we got out of town we switched bikes for a short stint.
OMG....all I can say is I know for sure what WON'T be my next bike....sheesh ! It was like riding a bull at a PBR rodeo. I had to lean way far forward and hunch up on the seat, the clutch was stiff, it shifted like a diesel truck and the rear shifter was too far forward on the floorboard. The balance was all wrong for long rides and I wouldn't have wanted to ride that thing a hundred miles, let alone a thousand. We only went about ten and I was dying to get off. When he got off my Nomad, he said it felt like he was climbing onto a Winnebago... ....and that he could not believe how well and smoothly it cornered. I think he secretly misses his old bike already, but he will never admit it. He did say he misses his old seat, but that's about as far as he would go. I guess why should he care about comfort....he now has a HARLEY-DAVIDSON.... ::). In the immortal words of Billy Crystal...its not how you feel...its how you LOOK...yeah right .
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Kris Olsen VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic "Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional" Custer 2009|Kalispell 2010|Cortez 2010|Crescent City 2011|Kanab 2012|Canmore 2012|Estes Park 2013|Orofino 2014|Lake Tahoe 2015|Red Lodge 2016 Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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06-04-2009, 11:40 PM | #2 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Kerrville Tx
Posts: 1,713
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Brief Bike Swap
there's quite a few things I liked about the Harleys I've ridden. Comfort on the long haul wasn't there.
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Robert(skeeter)Dozier 07 Red&Titanium Nomad 81 Suzuki 850GL KawaNow pre# |
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06-05-2009, 07:28 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NW Region
Posts: 5,222
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Brief Bike Swap
I have never ridden a Harley but I have ridden other brands and sat on many different bikes. Coming back to my Nomad is like putting on your favorite pair of jeans...it just fits and is comfortable.
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VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina |
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06-05-2009, 07:48 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada
Posts: 35,387
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Brief Bike Swap
I have ridden some HD's that I didn't like at all, and some that were pretty good to ride. My biggest beef is the way they shake at idle, although they smooth out as soon as your underway, Im not sure I could get used to them. Other than that I found the Ultras handle pretty good and feel lighter than my Nomad. Its a more upright sitting position thats not uncomfortable to me, just different.
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2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 |
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06-05-2009, 10:27 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 0
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Brief Bike Swap
A lot of things are just a matter of what you are used to. Try getting in the car when the seat and steering wheel are set to your wife's setting. The car feels all wrong. Thank God for Lexus' auto reset buttons :)
I had a Harley for a winter (helping a friend out). Other than the turn signals on each bar, I was fine with it. But what I like about the Nomad is that it does everything pretty good. Stability, not hunting for a straight ahead track, cornering (though a lack of cornering clearance), general comfort, it's just a good all around bike. I must say, when the dealer took the engine out and put it all back together, the bars were in the wrong spot and it all felt wrong and uncomfortable. Kind of like getting on a Harley :) Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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06-09-2009, 08:05 AM | #6 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Brief Bike Swap
I have ridden my brother's 2008 RK and found it to be very smooth and comfortable to ride. I think anytime you get on a bike that is "new to you" there will be an adjustment period before you feel familiar with it and can relax enough to enjoy it.
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06-09-2009, 09:08 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Grand Prairie, TX
Posts: 802
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Brief Bike Swap
I'm surprise you would even have a thought about what your next bike would be, after all the customization you've done to your current one. Keep the 'nad!
I've test ridden several bikes after I bought mine, including a Goldwing and a ST1300. Neither compare to the comfort and "planted" feeling I get on the Nomad. Just a great all-around motorcycle.
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_______________________ "Taranis" and the Lovely Ann KawaNOW Oldschool #885 His: 2006 Nomad Hers: 2008 VN900 Classic LT |
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06-09-2009, 11:50 AM | #8 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dyersburg TN
Posts: 2,858
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Brief Bike Swap
I agree with Cas - anytime you swap bikes there is a period of adjustment, getting familiar and comfortable with a different bike.
But also as Dan and Taranis said the Nomad is a great all around motorcycle and a wonderful day long cruiser. I am very happy with my Nomad.
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Nancy '05 Nomad Blue/Silver Kawanow Member #23 Hubbie-Ken '10 Metalic Black Goldwing |
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