Nomad at a Harley dealer

[glwilson]

It's no news that I traded my Nomad in for an '09 Ultra. (Yeah, yeah... you can calm-down the noise now!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif)

I had to go back to the dealer to pick up my state registration papers because the state mailed them to the dealer instead of me (and no it wasn't to pick-up some parts for the bike that had fallen off!).

I turned to the showroom and there it was... my old '04 1500FI Dark Bronze Nomad on the showroom floor for sale among the Roadkings lined up along the window.

Since the salesman told me that "they" do not put any bike on their showroom floor but Harley's; I asked the manager why my Nomad was on their floor.

He said that he saw the bike in the back the day after I traded it to them and thought that it looked pretty sharp and in great condition. He said he asked someone about it and decided to take it for a ride. He said he really thought it was a great bike and since it was in great shape he said he thought he could sell it pretty fast -- so decided to keep it and put it on the showroom floor (rather than sell it it through the wholesale route).

I asked if he had any "takers" and he said one of the salesmen had taken a credit app from someone just that morning. So... either the Nomad will be gone right away; or it will go pretty fast in his opinion.

Anyway... thought you guys would like to hear about this story.

I would have taken a picture of it on the showroom floor if I had my camera with me; but didn't. I will be taking my Ultra back tomorrow morning for the 1,000 mile check-up and will look to see if it is still on the floor. I'll have my camera with me in case it is.

They were asking $6,495 for it, just in case any of you were wondering what a Harley dealer would price an '04 1500FI Nomad at. (Kegal's Harley Davidson; Rockford, IL)

[dantama]

It's no news that I traded my Nomad in for an '09 Ultra.


Whoa, I must have missed something. Something happened after the Natl rally?

[AlabamaNomadRider]

How much did they allow you on the Nomad toward your purchase? Just curious.

[dogdoc]

GL, whats that 1,000 mile check-up going to cost you? i think the 600 mile on the Nomad cost me about $140>> just curious. :-)

[pagemastr]

GL: So, tell us, how do you like the Ultra?

[dandolfn]

i think the 600 mile on the Nomad cost me about $140

I just looked mine up.

It was $99.41.

[psychocycle]

Enjoy that Ultra, it's a beautiful bike.

[lw]

I went in to my local Kaw Dealer for a tail light bulb a couple days ago and saw the reverse, two Harley trade-ins on the floor. I guess somebody finally got de-programmed and left "the Harley lifestyle" cult.

Before anyone makes an assumption of implication; I know that the "cult" thing doesnt apply to Greg, he's way too smart to fall for that.

[glwilson]

I haven't drank the Kool-Aid and never will... so thanks LW.

Doc... I don't know what the 1,000 mile check costs -- didn't ask; but they showed me the list of items they look at and make adjustments to if needed. It also includes changing the fluids in the bike. I got the impression that the charge wasn't all that much... mostly just your fluids and filter costs plus labor to change them out. I will be going with synthetic for all fluids; thus will pay a bit more. But I will let you know when I get the final bill tomorrow.

Jack C.; to be frank; I like the bike a lot. It has been lowered; thus fits my short stature well. I can handle it better at slow critical speeds than I could the Nomad. The power is fine -- no problem with that. The ride is comparible to me. My wife likes the Ultra's ride better from her perspective though. The comments from many about vibration are not an issue with this bike. It does not vibrate at all and is very comfortable -- even for long distances. The bike can look like it is shaking a lot at a stop; but frankly that is more of an illusion than a fact. All vibration instantly disappears upon the smallest acceleration. So... overall.... a great bike with all the features one could want on a bike.

Dan L.; yes... an Ultra. As mentioned... I like it; and was able to get a great price on the '09.

Alabama; $6,000; which was exactly the same that the Kawasaki dealer was going to give me for a Voyager.

Psychocycle: Thanks, I will and have been. It is a great bike despite some who want to claim otherwise.

[Top Cat]

The comments from many about vibration are not an issue with this bike. It does not vibrate at all and is very comfortable -- even for long distances. The bike can look like it is shaking a lot at a stop; but frankly that is more of an illusion than a fact. All vibration instantly disappears upon the smallest acceleration.


http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif OK, I'll go along with the fact it smooths out on acceleration.
But that shaking at a stop is no illusion. That is shaking. I have seen Harleys at stop lights and the air cleaner looks like it is going to rattle its way right off the engine.
It is your choice to ride a Hog and it makes no difference to me. I just wanted to set the record straight. ;)

[Dave]

"t's no news that I traded my Nomad in for an '09 Ultra."

Oh My GOD!!!! Why would you buy one of those pieces of junk?

[blowndodge]

If anyone should know it's DAVE!!! Hopefully Greg's is 'house broken' http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[cactusjack]

I rode my buddy's '06 Road Glide a while back and reviewed it here. One of the things I mentioned was that it shakes like hell when it's sitting still, but as soon as you twist the grip, it smooths right out. It didn't bother me at all.

[glwilson]

"t's no news that I traded my Nomad in for an '09 Ultra."

Oh My GOD!!!! Why would you buy one of those pieces of junk?

Ha!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif A friend of mine named Dave bought one and told me it was great!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[glwilson]

The comments from many about vibration are not an issue with this bike. It does not vibrate at all and is very comfortable -- even for long distances. The bike can look like it is shaking a lot at a stop; but frankly that is more of an illusion than a fact. All vibration instantly disappears upon the smallest acceleration.


http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif OK, I'll go along with the fact it smooths out on acceleration.
But that shaking at a stop is no illusion. That is shaking. I have seen Harleys at stop lights and the air cleaner looks like it is going to rattle its way right off the engine.
It is your choice to ride a Hog and it makes no difference to me. I just wanted to set the record straight. ;)

Have you been on an '09?

If not; you may be surprised at how much the shaking you are referriing to IS an illusion. What you are seeing is not felt by me while on the bike like you would think -- or as I would have thought. My bike is a smooth riding bike -- otherwise my wife would have vetoed the purchase, believe me. All I can tell you is what I experience with MY bike.

So... no offense... but I see a lot of misinformation about HD's all the time and thought I would set the record straight from my perspective.

[glwilson]

If anyone should know it's DAVE!!! Hopefully Greg's is 'house broken' http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Yes it's housebroken! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[dantama]

Greg, so what got you pointed in the Harley direction?

Were you already thinking about a switch at Custer? Hit you on the way home? Got caught in the dealers tractor beam and it pulled you in?

I know Harley makes a good bike, so no problem there. Just curious where the fork in the road happened.

[nomad561]

An Ultra will be my next bike too.Although it will be a couple of years down the road.

[phenrichs]

Hey GL that's nice to hear. Here the HD dealer has a seperate building they call the Pre-Owned Center. They only have new bikes on the showroom floor. You have to travel across the lot (over 200 yards) from the front door to the pre-owned building. And nothing there that ain't HD or Buell. It's nice to see some respect for the Nomad.

[mikesth]

I'm with you Greg - Don't take too much grief

Guys, I also haven't "drank the Kool-Aid" but I can tell you that the '09 Ultra is an incredible bike. Ask Greg, Coon and Myself. I've ridden all my life and after taking the Ultra out for a test ride, I had to have it. It's simple as that.

My Nomad was a wonderful bike, I was very proud of it and the way it looked and performed. I had finally gotten it to where everything was done and just needed new skins...then I rode the Ultra. Motorcycles have always been a very emotional purchase. You can talk about how economical they are and how you don't have to deal with maintenance like Harleys - I would agree, but I'll call BS when I see it...each of us could live without a bike, but when you ride one that pulls at your heart, you are lost and might as well give up and give in.

Each bike I have owned was the "perfect" bike at that time in my life and each bike I sold was replaced by the next "perfect" bike. I am sure the Ultra will follow the same path. BUT, I would ask that you give your fellow riders some credit...the Ultras we bought don't leak oil and haven't broke down on the side of the road and I have gotten SO many complements on this new ride... Everyone, just enjoy the ride!

Now...to get you'all going again, I performed all the maintenance on all my past bikes, but this one intimidates me. Probably because of the cost of the bike - heck, it was more than my car. BUT...the 1000k maintenance at Mancuso's Crossroads runs $418

That ought to make you Nomad owners happy http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[mikesth]

One more item of interest...those rims - you see them on Greg's and my pictures...they are terrible to clean (and I don't clean my bikes hardly ever) - the 2010 rims are the same but chrome so they should be easier - I've given up already.

Finally, some mo at the Motor Company decided that valve stems should be straight, not 90 degree. THAT was the first cussing my new bike got.

Other than that, I'm very satisfied. And fwiw, they are dealing pretty well these days on HDs

[Top Cat]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif OK, I'll go along with the fact it smooths out on acceleration.
But that shaking at a stop is no illusion. That is shaking. I have seen Harleys at stop lights and the air cleaner looks like it is going to rattle its way right off the engine.
It is your choice to ride a Hog and it makes no difference to me. I just wanted to set the record straight. ;)

Have you been on an '09?

If not; you may be surprised at how much the shaking you are referriing to IS an illusion. What you are seeing is not felt by me while on the bike like you would think -- or as I would have thought. My bike is a smooth riding bike -- otherwise my wife would have vetoed the purchase, believe me. All I can tell you is what I experience with MY bike.

So... no offense... but I see a lot of misinformation about HD's all the time and thought I would set the record straight from my perspective.

No offense taken Greg,
I didn't know what you meant by "the shaking is an illusion"
I thought you were saying it really wasn't shaking, it just looked like it was. I knew it was actually shaking, not just my imagination.
I guess you meant , it was shaking at a stop but it goes unfelt by the rider. I can't verify that but I will take your word for it.
Hope you and the wife enjoy many happy miles on the new purchase.

[mikesth]

it was shaking at a stop but it goes unfelt by the rider. I can't verify that but I will take your word for it.


You can feel it slightly - it is not annoying and as has been pointed out, it smooths out immediately

It's the rubber isolating mounts I guess.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Keep us posted as to how much you like it. It seems that you are happy and that is the important thing. I am happy with my Nomad and at my age it will probably be my last bike. After all at 62 and will be 63 in November, how many more riding years can I expect.

[abbo]

;) No offense to anyone, but I sat on a ultra Classic on Saturday and I can definitely say it didn't feel as comfortable as the Nomad. Didn't drive it tho. My next one was going to be a "Wing" but am still toying with the idea of an Ultra! I like the accesories on them! Just my thoughts!! Just ride!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[Dave]

If anyone should know it's DAVE!!! Hopefully Greg's is 'house broken' http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

The euphemism!

I love the 09 ultra. As soon as I roll on the throttle, it's smooth. Greg make sure to get the high end J&M speakers for you helmet. They're worth it vs the ones that come with the bike.

[glwilson]

Doc: The bill for the 1,000 mile check-up (has to be done to stay in warranty) is listed at $275 at Kegal Harley in Rockford. I did -- and did not have to pay that price.

I got a discount to $175 for that check-up -- HOWEVER, I also switched to synthetic oil and tranny fluid. That costs more. I changed-out the breather to a hi-flow breather -- that cost more. I had the bike re-mapped for fuel management -- that costs more. Overall... the bill was rather steep... around $575 in total if I remember. Otherwise... like I said... it would have been $175.

One added thing they did for me for no charge was to "un-program" all of my radio equipment, clock, and etc. which I now have to re-do. Real nice of them to do that I must say.

One thing for certain is that my Nomad was less expensive to maintain. You guys can be thankful for that.

TC: I wasn't denying the bike looks like it shakes... and it does at a stop... it is just that MINE doesn't rattle your teeth out as it might look. The two items that look like they shake the most are the horn and the air-intake -- which gives it a more dramatic look as if it will knock you off the bike if you wait too long. I know some others do seem to knock the rider around a bit; but mine in not a problem on that issue at all. So... absolutely no longer a real issue regarding whether one should or should have one. (I am speaking of the Ultra-Classic only which has had quite a few major changes in '09 from previous years.)

As mentioned by Mikesth; the straight tire air-valve is a "genius" idea. Wonder what engineer came up with that one? Probably the marketing department did so I'll go and buy a new one from them later!! Ha! Don't think that I am not suspecting them of pulling that stunt! And the rims; while looking very nice; are a complete pain to clean. I have practically given up on mine. At least the part that isn't exposed when I do clean them. I just have to hope that part of the rim is exposed on the next cleaning otherwise parts of them are not going to ever be touched! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Dan; I posted on our regional board my reasons. There were far too many to re-post here; but in brief I was starting to look for more of a "dresser-style" bike that I didn't have to put-together. A "dresser" fits more of the style of riding my wife and I do -- long days of riding long-distances.

I looked very, very hard at the Voyager; and all the others brands to include the Goldwing. Didn't like the Goldwing for my stature (I am too short for it even when lowered). There were many other reasons as well -- which disappointed me since I really like the whole idea of the Goldwing.

I am hesitant to speak about the Voyager here; so let's just say that it was "in the running, but didn't make the cut". The main reason it didn't make the cut was that it didn't feel as good as the Ultra (remember my Ultra has been lowered 3"). Maybe if the Voyager was lowered (if possible) it might have had more of a chance.

The only other metric "dresser" option didn't make the cut either when compared to the Ultra's feel for me.

When all other comparisons were made; the final decision was made based on the following two points:

1st: How each of the bikes handled at slow/critical speeds. The Ultra won hands-down for me. The new frame and the lowering-kit made that bike a dream to control at the slowest of speeds while fully loaded.

2nd: The deal I was offered on the bike. If that had not occurred I would not have bought it -- period.

Abbo: That's why they make all kinds of bikes. I can't say that there is a perfect bike anywhere -- although the Nomad has a lot of points going for it to make it a contender for one. I, personally, loved my Nomad. It took me to a lot of great places with complete reliability and comfort -- that's a fact that cannot be denied.

To the original point of this thread:

My Nomad evidently sold as it was no longer on the showroom floor among the new Roadkings. Actually, it was kind of sad to see my Nomad there on the showroom floor the other day. In hind sight... I just should have kept the bike for no more than they gave me for it. My wife agrees. But it is too late... as they have a buyer for it.

But one thing for sure... as the Harley dealer's manager said... it's a great bike and it will sell fast. He was correct on both statements.

[Dave]

BUT...the 1000k maintenance at Mancuso's Crossroads runs $418

That ought to make you Nomad owners happy http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I thought Westminster HD corn-cobbed me @ $375. One thing that you failed to mention, unlike the all black Nomads, the two tone silver and white Ultras are faster than the black Ultras!!

[psychocycle]

I love my Nomad, but it's all about the open road and two wheels. I respect everyone's choice in what they ride. The 2009 tour models changed drastically for the better. Changed frames and exhaust set-ups making a better ride for the rider and passenger. I ride with a lot of Harley riders and we are always switching bikes on the road and I will tell you there is a huge difference in shaking at a stop between a 2002 and a 2009 Road King. And that 96 ci pulls nice no matter if your on a Street Bob, Street Glide or an Ultra. So enjoy Greg and hang around and let us know how it goes. My only comment is that are you going to synthetic a little early. I thought they wanted to get at east 6,000 miles on Dino oil first?

[glwilson]

Psycho: I didn't know anything about waiting on syn-oil. Now you have me worried somewhat. Everything I have read said I could... but again; I am a dumb-sh!t when it comes to mechanical work. All I ever say (as I did to the HD dealer today) -- I'll expect your best work for which I am willing to pay a fair; if not a premium, price. But as soon as I find out I have been screwed I'll use every resource I have to make sure your business suffers; because I know a lot of people and have the resources to spread the word to them quickly. (There are multiple dealer choices around our area, to which they do not want to lose business to.)

Dave; http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif You are really confused partner! Black is the fastest for all vehicles!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

PS: Dave those speakers were a gift from my dealer; I already have them now!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Just joking. I'll check into them. Thanks for the heads-up on that; and a couple other things BD has forwarded to me from you. ;)

[psychocycle]

Greg, the dealer should/would have warned you if they thought it was unwise to switch to synthetic so don't worry. Specially if you have done some reading on the subjecct. This came from a friend of mine with a Road Glide and it could have just been his personal preference, I'll check with him and see what he has to say on the subject.

[mikesth]

the two tone silver and white Ultras are faster than the black Ultras!!

LOL http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

What I have found is the Ultra responds best to smooth

If you can be smooth, the Ultra will hustle through any corners - amazing for such a large bike

[VulcanE]

GL, Congrats on the new scoot!!!! The Ultra is one fine machine!! The '09s were redesigned and are greatly improved over it's predecessors. I hope you and the wife get many miles of enjoyment out of it. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[dantama]

[quote author=genecross board=general thread=12785 post=206052 time=1249936442

After all at 62 and will be 63 in November, how many more riding years can I expect.[/quote]


20-25 years

[Top Cat]

+1 what Dan said. I am 64 and look forward to many more years of riding. I don't figure this Nomad will be my last bike.
Gene Cross, you need to be more positive. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[psychocycle]

Hey Greg, spoke with the Road Glide owner and he says that the topic of going straight to syn oil goes both ways and so does what the dealers suggest so sounds like your on solid ground. Not that I really know s!#*t about it. Either way, enjoy the new scoot and don't forget to give us Nomad riders the wave.

[glwilson]

Hey Greg, spoke with the Road Glide owner and he says that the topic of going straight to syn oil goes both ways and so does what the dealers suggest so sounds like your on solid ground. Not that I really know s!#*t about it. Either way, enjoy the new scoot and don't forget to give us Nomad riders the wave.

Thanks. I double-checked with the dealer and they said they actually like to use dino for the first 1,000 miles; but after that synthetic is fine. I'm like you... I don't know sh!t about some of this stuff; but ask a lot of questions.

The synthetic does seem to make the bike run cooler; however synthetic in the tranny makes it sound different than dino. I asked about that also and was told that I had the best synthetic put in and many times it does sound different. Hard to explain.

Oh... and about waving... I even wave to the scooters!! ;) You gotta love the scooters man!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif