1600 or 1700 ??

I'm thinking of getting a Nomad. I'm not sure I would like changing the belt on the 1700 every 10 months(50K miles). Is the belt drive really that much nicer than a shaft to warrant the frequent changes and the chance of a roadside breakdown due to a rock finding it's way between the belt and gear? I've seen several Harleys broke down due to a rock tearing the belt up. My wife has a 750 Vulcan and I haven't noticed any annoying slop in the shaft drive unlike the slop on my Goldwing (Which is noticeable but not really annoying).Is it true they changed the cooling system on the 1700 to the same as the 2000cc where it cools only the heads and not the cylinders? I don't understand why they wouldn't want to cool the cylinders as this is the major warp/wear point of a air cooled engine. I ride a average of 60K miles a year so longevity & low maintenance are major factors for me. Help me decide.... Should I find a nice used 1600 or buy a new 1700?

[flatlander]

I had a 1500 Nomad and enjoyed the reliability of the shaft drive and never noticed any "slop" in it, I now have a 1700 and have noticed no ill effects from the belt. Others have questioned the rock issue and others have stated they've gone years without incident. As far as changing it every 50k miles, you change tires more often than that don't you?
Yes, the liquid cooling is in the heads only and boy does that engine put out some heat, especially when it's in the upper 90's.
I think if I were you I would look for a new '08 1600, they should have some good deals on them right now.
You also would be dissapointed in the lack of accessories for the 09's.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my 09 Nomad but if you have reservations about the belt and cooling you might be happier with the 1600.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you decide.

Thanks Flatlander. Your comment makes sense about changing the belt. The cooling system is what scares me the most. It may be fine but is still too new to be "Proven" yet. My V-Twin Honda now has just over 330,000 miles and runs as well as the day I bought it with ZERO repairs. My Goldwing has had no issues with just over 100,000 miles so far and the Wife's 750 Vulcan has been great as well. I hate to change to a different system when I've had such good luck with these. I've seen some good deals on new 2008's on Ebay but don't have the $$$ saved just yet(Credit stinks).

[borto1990]

I never had a belt drive bike, just my vulcan 750 and not the 08 nomad. just being in the maintanence field if you keep the spline lubed properly is should last for a DAMN long time. as far as the price, when I was lookin for my new 08 back in april I found them on ebay for typically around the 10,2 range, but right after I bought mine for that I saw 2 in wisconsin for 9,100. so deals are out there for the 08's!

[dogdoc]

I'll stick with my .05 1600 and Im happy!! :-)

[dhomoney]

I had a belt on my 900 Custom and I loved it. I notice some slop in the shaft on my Nomad that my 900 never had. I like belt drive since it delivers power to the wheel more efficiently than a shaft does as well. The 09 also gives you cruise and 6 gears. That said I wouldn't trade my 07 Nomad for an 09 Nomad, as I love my 07 and have put to much love into it. :)

[putt]

Originally Posted by mikem

Is it true they changed the cooling system on the 1700 to the same as the 2000cc where it cools only the heads and not the cylinders?

So if its the "same as a 2000" then can it be said that its "unproven?" Whats the track record of the 2000? But anyway, the heat is in the heads, thats where the actual combustion takes place and if you're gonna' put fins on V Twin cylinders it do create problems. And as the marketing guys will tell ya' folks do not want fin-less engines. Ever take a look at the cylinders on an outboard? Ugleeeeeeeeeee! But, they be cool. :'( I seem to recall there were some early water cooled bikes (1960s Hondas?) that were finless and weren't received too well. At least not by me. Oh and water cooled engines are gonna' run at least 180 F, probably more and when you compound that by putting one of the cylinders between your thighs,(V Twin, can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em) I don't care how much water jacketing it has, all that metal is gonna' be 180 degrees (and oh yeah,did I say probably more!)
Could I recommend a horizontally opposed 6?

[dogdoc]

You sure could putt, but then you would have to call it a Valkyrie. :-) Sweet bikes by the way.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

When I bought my '08 April 1, this year from local dealer, I could have bought an '09 but I prefer the shaft to the belt. Remember as a teenager when my cousin had a bike from Sears and was belt driven, ever time it rained it slipped. Guess the technology is better these days but that is still in my memory. My '08 cost me 12,198. Saved a few bucks from the list price.

[ringadingh]

My pal has over 90,000 miles on his Ultra which is belt driven and he's still on the original belt, its never been a problem and I havn't heard of any by others as well.The kevlar belts used today are no problems as far as wear and stretch.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider

When I bought my '08 April 1, this year from local dealer, I could have bought an '09 but I prefer the shaft to the belt. Remember as a teenager when my cousin had a bike from Sears and was belt driven, ever time it rained it slipped. Guess the technology is better these days but that is still in my memory. My '08 cost me 12,198. Saved a few bucks from the list price.

The new belts are a cogged style whereas the Sears bike was a V style. Even the first Polaris ATV's used to have problems with the drive belts slipping when they got wet, now they are enclosed in a waterproof housing that has cured that issue.