Help me choose!!!

[coffey67]

My wife and I are about to embark on a month-long ride/camping trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway and then south. We will put on anywhere between 3K to 4.5K miles. She has her own bike. Here is my dilemma: I have two bikes to choose from for myself. I have my 2013 Vaquero that I had been planning on riding and I have my 2007 Nomad. I am starting to think I may want to take the Nomad.

Since we are camping I will have to pack the following additional gear in addition to our clothes and normal stuff: Tent, tarp, air mattress, two sleeping bags, two compact folding chairs, mess kits, and a small amount of additional camping gear.

If I take the Vaquero there is no back-rack. I will have to stack two dry bags and the camping chairs on the pillion seat and strap it down to a versa-mount that fits under the seat. The two dry bags will hold the tent, tarp, sleeping bags, air mattress, mess kits, rain gear, and various camping gear. The chairs will sandwich between the two dry bags and everything will be bundled tight together by some ratchet straps. In addition to everything being strapped down to the versa-mount I will also secure it to the drivers back rest to keep it from sliding back. The whole thing will be about as wide as my hard bags and no taller than my shoulders when I am in riding position. The bottoms of the dry bags are hard so they will not sag and come in contact with the hard bags. The hard bags will hold my clothes and normal trip stuff.

If I take the Nomad I have more options as far as storage. The Nomad has a back-rack that I can put my T-bags on. The t-bags can hold some of the camping gear and less will have to ride on the pillion seat. I also have the option of pulling my trailer with the Nomad. If I opt to pull the trailer everything can fit into the trailer and nothing will have to be carried up high on the bike. In addition my wife will not have to carry a tail-bag on her pillion seat.

The advantage of taking the Vaquero is that it is a 6 speed and it is new and a lot of fun to ride! The Vaquero has no hitch so the trailer is not an option. The Nomad has more storage options and the ability to pull my trailer. The Nomad is only a 5 speed. I like riding the Nomad too but it is not my NEW bike.

So what do you all think? The Vaquero with everything stacked on the pillion seat? The Nomad with the T-bags on the back rack? Or the Nomad pulling the trailer?

[blowndodge]

Coffey I don't think any of us could provide the answer you want. You know the delima and how each back must be packed differently. It's really your call. When I have choices I usually decide on them, not by popular opinion.

[coffey67]

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Coffey I don't think any of us could provide the answer you want. You know the delima and how each back must be packed differently. It's really your call. When I have choices I usually decide on them, not by popular opinion.

Just thought there may be some things I am not taking into consideration. Never hurts to seek advice from those who have been down the same road before! This one is really a toss-up for me.

[crazygene49]

I would probably opt for the Nomad and trailer.

[rayski271]

nomad

[davidhollinger]

Backrest and easier packing... go Nomad!

[haygrrr]

I'd get the trailer on the Vaquero....

[cactusjack]

Sounds like you need a trailer to tow with that Vaquero.

[DHACK666]

Can the little women ride the Nomad w/ trailer? If so load her up and enjoy the ride.

[coffey67]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Sounds like you need a trailer to tow with that Vaquero.

Dilemma solved! I took the Nomad out for a ride to see what she would say. That was the first time I rode her since I bought the Vaquero. In comparison I like the Vaquero much better. I did not realize how much better until I rode the Nomad again. So, after the ride I got online and ordered the hitch for the Vaquero. I will ride my new Vaquero and tow my trailer. I also decided to sell the Nomad. She is an AWESOME bike and deserves to be rode. I just realized that I will not ride her very often after having the Vaquero under me. Here is a link to the Craigslist ad: http://carbondale.craigslist.org/mcy/3809527481.html

[blowndodge]

I'd take the Victory Cross Country Tour. Ton's of storage space and power...............................oh you don't have one. My bad!

[Framer]

Originally Posted by blowndodge

I'd take the Victory Cross Country Tour. Ton's of storage space and power...............................oh you don't have one. My bad!

That's just Mean

[HurtSoMuch]

had a big bike show in Oslo earlier this year..Victory had a HUGE stand....tried a couple of them bikes..NOT impressed at all...they felt...not comfy...only top model got hydraulic clutch..whats up with that?? the others felt hard like hell...not my cup of tea..guess thats why i have the Nomad(best ever)

[blowndodge]

HurtSoMuch................ nuff said!

[IntheWind]

I would go with--Hotels!
_________
IntheWind
'08 Nomad