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07-06-2017, 01:24 PM | #1 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Banner, WA
Posts: 644
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Time to part with the Nomad
I reached the conclusion on July 4th that my 2007 Nomad has to go. I never thought I'd be one of those older guys who can no longer manage a big bike but I am there.
A Canadian friend from Castlegar BC rode down to visit us on July 3rd with the plan being for me to ride back with him, tour some awesome western BC roads, stay over in Cache Creek, and then head east into the Kootenays. I hadn't take the Nomad out much since a March 3rd hospitalization so decided that I needed to take a bit of a test ride before making the decision to ride north with Gord. We took the beautiful ride around our Hood Canal, about 130 miles, that took us into the Olympic National Forrest. I realized I was in a bit of trouble after about 100 miles. I almost dumped it in the parking lot of a little hamburger joint just trying to put the kickstand down. It's a beautiful bike and after owning three Harley's, two BMWs and a host of other bikes over the last 50+ years, this was one of my favorites. One of my most memorable rides was to Salmon Arm, BC to meet the wild and crazy Canucks back in 2015. What a great group of guys and with some stunning Nomads. Back then the weight of the bike didn't bother me but in two years the old body warranty has run out and I can no longer manage it. I put a Russian side car on the DL650 on which I rode to the Artic in 2015 and will be looking for another suitable "tug", as they call a bike in the hack world, on which to build a touring rig. I'll put the Nomad up for sale locally and will stay on the forum for awhile because I find it most enjoyable. I think the Nomad is a great machine and one which I'd planned to tour the US. Such is the pity. As they say, aging is definitely not for the faint of heart.
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Mike USN Retired 2007 Nomad Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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07-06-2017, 01:46 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Placerville, CA
Posts: 2,959
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Sad day when we all have to face that time in our life. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide for in the future.
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Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625 |
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07-06-2017, 01:52 PM | #3 |
Top Contributor
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,978
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Take a close look at a Yamaha 1300 V Star Tourer at a dealership. 120 lbs less weight than a Nomad but has all the Nomad amenities and does 50 mpg.
Pull it up off the sidestand, not a lot of effort required. Easier in parking lots, or 2 up. It feels and rides a lot lighter than a Nomad. I sold my Voyager because of the weight and bought the V Star. And Ivan does a reflash for the V Star ! |
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07-06-2017, 04:03 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
Posts: 15,154
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Yeah the Nomad got to be to much for me to ride everyday also.
I bought a Victory Kingpin. Only around 140 pounds lighter than the Nomad but it handles sooooo much better. The Nomad always felt top heavy to me. I still ride the Nomad to bike nights to see if anyone wants to buy it but no takers yet.
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] |
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07-06-2017, 05:05 PM | #5 |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Greenwood, Ark.
Posts: 4,736
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Best of luck to you Mike. I hope you find something that suits you soon.
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Dave Jesse 2012 1700 Gray/Black Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad Green/Silver Sold VBA #1108 2010- Eureka Springs - Antlers - 2011- Maggie Valley - Antlers 2012- Margaritaville Ride - Van Buren - Antlers - 2013- Estes Park - Antlers 2014- Mountain View - Antlers - 2015- Eureka Springs - Antlers 2016- Salem - Antlers - 2017- Eureka Springs - Lake George - Antlers - 2018- Custer - Antlers Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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07-06-2017, 05:09 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 119
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More of us understand...as time goes along...good luck finding something else!
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07-06-2017, 07:29 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NW Region
Posts: 5,222
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Good luck Mike.
Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
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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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07-06-2017, 07:33 PM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Sale Australia
Posts: 157
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turn it into a outfit
what better TUG than the one you already know
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2005 Nomad 1600 Cobra tru duals Dobec EJK 2.5/3.5/1.5/6/2.5/3.5 Cadmad / K&N + original intact Progresive 412HD / Front springs also Darkside rear tire 36psi 195/55/16 Towbar/ classic trailer Penrite HPR15 diesel oil Led lights front and back |
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07-06-2017, 08:38 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ankeny Iowa
Posts: 3,697
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Good luck on your next ride Mike!
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VROC#34321 VBA#01867 2012 NCR Rally Savanna. IL. 2013 National Rally Estes Park, CO 2014 NC/SC Rally in the Ozarks, Mountain View AR 2014 NE US/Eastern Canada Rally,Lincoln NH 2015 VBA/VRA Eureka Springs AR 2015 Antlers Rally, Antlers OK. 2016 SCR Rally Salem MO. 2016 NCR Rally Hillsboro WI 2017 Eureka Springs AR 2017 National Rally Lake George NY 2004 Blue and Silver 1500 Nomad(RIP 9-26-19) 2000 Red and Silver 1500 Nomad 2012 Pearl White 1700 Voyager |
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07-06-2017, 08:57 PM | #10 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Holden, LA
Posts: 60
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Quote:
TC, interesting that u made the comment about the Nomad having always feeling top heavy to u!! That's exactly what I felt as well!! I've even mentioned that to a few people that I rode with!! Good to know that it wasn't my imagination!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
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07-06-2017, 09:27 PM | #11 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hot Springs, SD and other warm and dry places
Posts: 1,043
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I reached that point last fall........dropped the 1500 and couldn't get it back upright. Had to go find some one to help me. As soon as I got back home (I was in northern CO.) I found a 15' 650 Kawasaki Versys LT and traded it in. The Versys is a much more manageable bike at 500 lbs and still has hard bags and a trunk (called a top case on sport type bikes). I'm getting ready to do a 3000+ mile ride starting Sunday.
Yeah, old age isn't for wussies. |
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07-06-2017, 11:13 PM | #12 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Somewhere South of Alaska....
Posts: 2,359
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Yep, Thats the reason why I'm building a trike! No need to hold it up, etc, etc.....
The 1700's and the 2000's have rear belt drives, easily converted to trikes. Have that extra room to carry stuff with the rear trunk, etc.... Good bit narrower than a car, its still a bike.... DNA makes belt driven rears that can be adapter over. On my trike, I went from a driveshaft to a chain that drives the rear.... Another thing that makes it easier for me to ride my 1500 right now, is I lowered it. Just a couple of inches makes all the difference in the world. Trike should be complete in a couple of years....then I'll slowly switch over....
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--------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... *My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved* --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride!
Last edited by DragonLady58; 07-06-2017 at 11:26 PM.
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07-07-2017, 12:15 AM | #13 |
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 305
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Mike, sorry to hear this news.. I too understand about muscling these machines around. At 64 I'm starting to feel it, especially early in the season. But hey, I figure I've still got several good years of riding my current Nomad. I'm going to hate to give up the power and the feel of that big machine under me though.. Good luck on whatever your next a venture may be..
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Cheers, David Baughan aka: Kawalski Rider VBA #03514 2002 Vulcan VN1500L Nomad fi Pearl Burnish Beige/Pearl Luster Beige |
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07-07-2017, 05:28 AM | #14 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Lake Travis, Texas
Posts: 518
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I think what keeps me going is "Burt Munro".
Meeting many riders over the years whom love to ride - But have switched to 3 wheels. |
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07-08-2017, 08:11 AM | #15 |
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 50
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Navigator,
I have an alternative suggestion. I'm close to that age and am a little uncomfortable riding two up. I will be sending my Nomad 1700 to Norm at Endeavor IDO to add two front wheels. I owned a Spyder a few years ago and liked the way it handled. If you are not familiar with Endeavor, google it. There are lots of pictures and the cost is reasonable. I love my Nomad, and this is a good way to keep it and keep riding.
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2013 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1700 Endeavor Reversed Trike Ultimate Seat with Driver Backrest Ivan's ECU flash FUO59C4B Freedom Performance Eagle Slip Ons Luverne Kawasaki Lowering Kit Batwing fairing 2017 Indian Springfield Wife who is a great cook! Manning, SC |
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