Another new newbie to push around...

[nighthawk700]

Hi, just found this forum today. I'm shopping for a new/used bike, and right now the Nomad is at the top of my list.

I currently ride a '98 Kawasaki Concours, which I love, but I keep having problems, mostly related to the carbs fouling up, and I'm also tired of tiptoeing around on the bike (I have a 29" inseam). I had focused for about 6 months on getting a Goldwing, but I've finally accepted that they are out of my price range. Then I recently thought about how much riding I do (not as much as before the wife and kids) so I really don't need all the bells and whistles of the Wing anyway. Then I started looking at cruisers, since I really want that lower seat height. But my key considerations are

No Chain, never had one, never want one[/*:m:meqj7j2q]
Hard, lockable luggage, with actual room in it for more than a t-shirt[/*:m:meqj7j2q]
A wind screen[/*:m:meqj7j2q]
No more carbs!!![/*:m:meqj7j2q]
Affordable (my first kid starts kindergarten next year, and the wife wants private school... ::))[/*:m:meqj7j2q]


There were a few other odds and ends too. After some searching, I wound up looking at the Nomad and a few of the Star bikes. Nomad seems to be the better deal overall.

However, today I went to see one in person. The first dealer I went to (a very large dealer) didn't have Nomads, said they weren't getting any in this year at all. I called up another dealer (didn't want to drive the 45 min for nothing) and they had one on the floor, so I went there. I finally got to sit on one. Nice, although it was all black, I think the two color ones look nicer (personal opinion only). Probably would take getting used to, as I've been on the Connie (or MSF training bikes when teaching) for 10 years, I'm not used to the cruiser style. Just wish the dealer had a better floor, the paneling was so smooth, my foot kept slipping when holding the bike up. Anyway, as I got off, the dealer mentioned it was a 2006.

Maybe Nomads don't sell well in my area? I was surprised that one dealer would have none coming in all year, and the other had one, new, no miles on it, from 2006.

I'll be looking for recently used as well, just really started searching for all this last week. Anyway, I'll be lurking around a bit, but wanted to at least give an initial "hi"

[jon]

Welcome

[dakals]

Welcome from Wisconsin!!!!

[trip]

Welcome nighthawk....make yourself at home here on KawaNOW.

I was in your situation just over 2 years ago. After much research and consideration, I decided on the Nomad.....I've never looked back...it's a wonderful bike.

I'd say make your best deal on that 2006 and let's get to riding.

Trip

[jussmatt]

Welcome to the Crazy Train Nighthawk!!! Grab a cold one and enjoy the ride!!

I think you're making the right choice looking for a Nomad...not to mention finding this forum!! I haven't been in N.Va for a while now...but where was it you were looking?? Being that you're in Fairfax... I would assume you've looked out in Manassas or out that area... once you get out of the " High Fluten" areas.. you might have more luck. Just a thought...

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u272/DrNickDC/welcome.gif

[ringadingh]

welcome!!

[mercianbike]

Welcome Nighthawk -

Check out Craigslist.com. There is currently a 06 with 700 miles on it for sale in Manassas. I recently saw a green/silver one in Ashburn but it's not currently listed.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/574763923.html

You might also want to give the Kawa dealer in Unionville, VA, a call at (540) 854-8800. That's just south of Culpeper. This is a family owned business; the parents run a Feed Home & Garden shop and the daughter Lucretia and her husband Jake sell motorcycles. A nice bunch of people to deal with.

Welcome from Nebraska Nighthawk. You will love the Nomad. The fuel injected ones started in the 2000 model year. Early 2000 were carbureted, then the FI came out later in the year.

[ells]

Nighthawk, Welcome. Sounds like an FI Nomad fits your bill well. I really like mine, '05. Looked at and test rode the GW and decided I didn't like irrespective of price, and since have heard that they can be a bear in crosswinds. Ride the Nomad all time in some fairly strong cross winds and no problem. Haven't looked recently, but when I was shopping, I kept an eye on E-bay and when one came up in my area, I went and dealt on it in person and did quite well I must say.

[buckeye]

Welcome from Ohio nighthawk, I guess that there are areas where even the Kawa dealers still think that Kawasaki means only Ninja. They are just missing the best bagger on the market, not to mention a great value!! I have an '06 and love it.

[blowndodge]

Welcome Nighthawk. If you get one you'll be happier than a Nico Pig in shiit!!!!

[coacha]

Welcome from Florida.

[audiogooroo]

Welcome from Colorado!
You'll love the Nomad!

[cactusjack]

Welcome aboard from Phoenix, AZ where I ride a metallic diablo black '07 - the fastest color.

Welcome. Its a great all around bike. Perfect for around town and for days out on the open road.

[redeye]

Welcome from Northern California. Nothing beats that fuel injection for E-Z riding & power. -Rich

PS Black is the fastest of them all. Just my $00.02

[mrghost]

Welcome right on it from Ms http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[misunderstood]

Welcome from TN.

[classic1]

Hello from another virginian. You will love the nomad. The locking hard saddlebags are a real asset and will hold a lot more than you think.

[skyhookman]

Welcome from Kentucky.

[gshep]

Welcome from Mid Tennessee

Ride Safe
Shep

[unwind2]

Welcome Nighthawk700!

FYI....When I went shopping for my Nomad. I knew I wanted a Nomad....we had a '99 Nomad that I had driven before. I was wanting a blue/silver. Every dealer in a close proximity either had non or had black/silver (this was 2005). My hubby was talking to one dealer in Kentucky (we're in TN). He had a black/silver but knew of a dealer in Illinois that had a blue/silver. He trailed his black/silver and swapped with the other dealer fro the blue/silver and brought it back to his dealership for me. So if you can't find one around where your at you might see if a Kawa dealer is willing to locate one for ya.

[rlfaubion]

On the Craigs list bike - offer $8K and see what happens. You won't regret a Nomad. Welcome in here

[nighthawk700]

Thanks for all the welcomes. I'm still looking around the forum, getting plenty of "If I get a Nomad, that would be a good idea!" material. :-)

Trip said: "I'd say make your best deal on that 2006 and let's get to riding." If it had more colors than just black, I'd probably be doing that already. I'd really rather get a bike with some color in it though.

Same with the one on Craigslist, it's all black. My wife thought I should get a black one and get it painted. Seems like it would be a lot of effort. There are some others on Craigslist in color, so will probably get in touch with them to try to take a look.

JussMatt asked about the dealer. Manassas is the one with the 2006, Colemans in Falls Church is the one that doesn't stock any. When I get some more time, I'll search further out. Wish the dealers would list what is on the floor on their websites. They only seem to do that with used bikes, new bikes just go back to mother Kawasaki's directory of all bikes.

Thanks again for the welcome messages.

[dakals]

Hey nighthawk we don't push around here we punch! LOL

[beezer]

Welcome from Pa

[mark]

Welcome Nighthawk from the Shenandoah Valley of Va. You need to call Waynes Cycle in Waynesboro .I know it's a little far from Fairfax but it will be worth it. Talk to Greg or Scott. phone 540 -943 -1111. They sell bikes to folks in N Va all the time.You will be hard pressed to beat them.Thay always have a couple of nomads each year.

[donoller]

wecome from tn. i have a red and silver and love it .

[donoller]

oops ,,,,welcome

[sancho]

welcome I too am new. I picked up an 2006 w/ 3100 miles and 2 years of extended warrenty for $9200 from a dealership. think I got a real good deal so u should be able to find one reasonable........ good luck happy motoring

[tomk]

Welcome aboard!

One question: You seem to have an aversion to black Nomads. I can't understand why that is as many of us own one. I guess no one here has mentioned anything about the superior speed of the black unit?

I thought I'd mention that to you just in case you wanted a Nad with more power from the factory. Welcome!

Welcome Nighthawk. If you get one you'll be happier than a Nico Pig in shiit!!!!


If I didn't love you.... I'd hand you your adam's apple in a paper bag.


What a day.... I'm beat...

[nighthawk700]

One question: You seem to have an aversion to black Nomads. I can't understand why that is as many of us own one. I guess no one here has mentioned anything about the superior speed of the black unit?


Just my personal taste. Would prefer some color. I'm not knocking the black for those who have it. But I want to be able to approach my bike and say "Ahhhhhhh!"

[tomk]

[quote:e1i4r466]
One question: You seem to have an aversion to black Nomads. I can't understand why that is as many of us own one. I guess no one here has mentioned anything about the superior speed of the black unit?


Just my personal taste. Would prefer some color. I'm not knocking the black for those who have it. But I want to be able to approach my bike and say "Ahhhhhhh!"
[/quote:e1i4r466]


As we all do brother!

[stambukj]

Welcome! Mine is also Black but has a little green and maroon thrown in>>>

[misunderstood]

Mines black and I say "Ahhhhhhh!" whenever I see her.

[nightmare]

Welcome from the Sooner state, you wont be dissapointed in the Nomad

[terbear]

I am new to this forum also, great source of useful info, and some B.S. mixed in makes for entertaining reading sometimes.

Welcome from N.D.

[Todd]

Dont know how I missed ya nighthawk, but welcome....

terbear...B.S. where ??? not here!!!!