My All Time Driver

[Oracle]

My '01 1500 Nomad with 39k is currently my daily driver as long as it's not raining too hard. I live roughly 45 miles from my job, which means on average, I'm riding a little more than an hr to and from work; More if I have errands to run before heading home. Not only do I ride 5 days a week in traffic both ways, I take her on long trips, personal therapy, some date nights with the wife, poker runs, and various charity rides as well.
I love the fact that I can pack my tablet, rain gear, and chaps for times like now when it's in the high 40s/low 50s in the morning and 80s in the afternoon, but I'm a little concern. I'm wondering if I'm putting too much on her. Should I look into a commuter bike or did Kawasaki build her to take such abuse?

[smbke]

I have a 2003 Nomad and I too commute with it almost every day, though only about half as far as you. My bike was 10 years old when I bought it and I put more miles on it the first year than the previous owner did in 10! I think proper maintenance and sensible riding are the key to longevity with the Nomad.

[Oracle]

Sounds good Smbke.
I will make sure I keep up with the maintenance on it. I've done well with that so far, just need to clean the hypercharger filter and get it in the shop to have the carbs check to make sure they are in superb working condition.

Thanks

[ponch]

A 2001 should be fuel injected. No carbs in that case. I would think the bike would have more miles on it considering the commute, that said it's not done yet, not based on mileage. I think the record is 260K miles on a 2003 Nomad. I know GV550 has 275K on a 2009 Voyager, but that's a different bike.

[Oracle]

Mine is carbed...
I wish it was fuel injection. Maybe then I'd be able to get more than 115 miles per tank.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Oracle

Mine is carbed...
I wish it was fuel injection. Maybe then I'd be able to get more than 115 miles per tank.

I thought they did away with it by 2001. I guess not. Oh well.

[mick56]

Originally Posted by Oracle

Mine is carbed...
I wish it was fuel injection. Maybe then I'd be able to get more than 115 miles per tank.

I've got a 1999 and unless your's has a smaller tank there is something wrong with your bike,i get 120m before reserve,and that give's me another 30m,that's after doing the Coyote modification's,and i dont hang about either !

[Oracle]

Originally Posted by mick56

I've got a 1999 and unless your's has a smaller tank there is something wrong with your bike,i get 120m before reserve,and that give's me another 30m,that's after doing the Coyote modification's,and i dont hang about either !

I've only reached the point of needing to flip to the reserve once and that was at 117 miles. I have no doubt there's something wrong somewhere, just don't know where to start looking. Obviously I can't do what everyone says is the best thing, which is a fuel processor. When I git the bike a yea ago, I was told the carbs was checked and it had been on the dyno after the hypercharger and the exhaust were installed. I know it's not me pushing the rpms because I don't let it get pass 3k before switching gears unless I'm enjoying the power at the moment. I'm wondering if I need to do a stage 1 or 2 carb set at this point.

[mick56]

Originally Posted by Oracle

I've only reached the point of needing to flip to the reserve once and that was at 117 miles. I have no doubt there's something wrong somewhere, just don't know where to start looking. Obviously I can't do what everyone says is the best thing, which is a fuel processor. When I git the bike a yea ago, I was told the carbs was checked and it had been on the dyno after the hypercharger and the exhaust were installed. I know it's not me pushing the rpms because I don't let it get pass 3k before switching gears unless I'm enjoying the power at the moment. I'm wondering if I need to do a stage 1 or 2 carb set at this point.

So your mileage is about right, and if it's been dyno'd i'd leave it alone, a fuel processor is not going to work on carb's mate,no electronic's

[Oracle]

Originally Posted by mick56

So your mileage is about right, and if it's been dyno'd i'd leave it alone, a fuel processor is not going to work on carb's mate,no electronic's

Well I guess I'll stop worrying about it and focus on enjoying my baby...
She has been very good to me.

[nomad ryder]

Don't plan on getting 120 mi. to the light coming on on a FI bike. Mine is usually about 110, 115, right in there, and I have the big three mods. But then, it runs like a scalded dog, I don't commute on it, but some more range would be great, but from what I read, this is right in the ballpark.

[Oracle]

Gotcha...

Here's a quick note:
I went on a tank long ride and discovered something. Without the windshield, I can get 117 miles and the needle looks like it can go another 20 miles and the it feels like the throttle response was significantly different.

Has anyone experienced this feel of a change or am I crazy? (Hopefully my wife doesn't answer this) LOL

[mick56]

Originally Posted by Oracle

Gotcha...

Here's a quick note:
I went on a tank long ride and discovered something. Without the windshield, I can get 117 miles and the needle looks like it can go another 20 miles and the it feels like the throttle response was significantly different.

Has anyone experienced this feel of a change or am I crazy? (Hopefully my wife doesn't answer this) LOL

That would make sense since you are trying to shove a huge amount of air out of the way with the shield.

[Oracle]

Sweet!!!

[Oracle]

Does a fairing better distribute the airflow, thus allowing the true power to show it's beautiful face? Do you get better gas mileage with a fairing?