Nomad's best year?

[acphillips56]

First time post to this forum. My 2000 Nomad with 60k miles is on it's last legs- transmission problems. I love the bike so I'm looking for a replacement but thinking of going a few years newer. I've heard the 2006 is a great year for the Nomad. I've also heard that the changes made to the Nomad in 2005 (I think) messed up an otherwise good thing. I'm hoping the collective wisdom of this forum can enlighten me! :)

[ndbigfish]

Welcome.
Not sure you can go wrong with a Nomad, but what is best for one is not the best for another. I think you'll have to define your criteria (wishes) better or you will see everyone chiming in that the year they have is the best. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Is fuel injection important? What about tire size? Do you need the power of a 1700, 1600 or 1500? Wanna pull a trailer; ride 2-up alot. Give the folks something to work with.

[cactusjack]

If I was looking for a used Nomad, I'd look for the lowest mileage 1600 I could find.

[blowndodge]

Get a 2006 Green/Silver Nomad. The fastest year/color combination to date! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[josh]

I would put a 2005 Silver/Black Nomad against a green one any day... Black means not only did you go fast enough to have the paint fly off and leave silver but you left scorch marks on it to make the black, and that was just from the friction with the air!

[AlabamaNomadRider]

See what you get yourself into when you don't cover all the bases. As Brad stated the green/silver was the fastest until the black 2008 rolled off the assembly line.

It really would be you own preference. I would prefer fuel injection over the carbed model. If you prefer drive shaft over belt drive the 2008 was the last year for the drive shaft.

As Scott stated I too would go with the 1600.

[MAS Tequila]

Get yourself a low mileage 1600 from ebay or one of the salvage yards.

Stick that in your 1500 frame and you will love it.

And save a bunch of $$$$.

That's what I did. I put the 1600 in my 03 1500 bike.

It will fit right in.

MT

[redjay]

There was an 08 on here for $7000, a steal.

[bobhamlin]

Get a 2006 Green/Silver Nomad. The fastest year/color combination to date! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
I have to agree on the year and the silver aspects.

However, an original maroon/silver covered entirely by blue increases hp 5-7% for the same mpg. ;)

[trip]

If I was looking for a used Nomad, I'd look for the lowest mileage 1600 I could find.

I feel the same as CJ..... find the lowest mileage 1600 you can find. You might check the For Sale section for some nice Nomads that are priced well.

[ringadingh]

I don't think theres any problem with any of the years for the 1600's. They are all good.

[recumbentbob]

I don't think theres any problem with any of the years for the 1600's. They are all good.

yea but a blue/silver 08 is the most reliable............... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[macmac]

The 06 Green and Silver is fairly Moose Proof. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[cactusjack]

Boys...boys, come on now. We all know that the ebony black Nomads are the fastest. They leave the factory arctic white, but the friction from traveling at such a high speed (much like the space shuttle upon re-entry) scorches them to a shiny black.

[blowndodge]

If mac and I (a bunch of gear heads) figured out that Green/Silver 2006 were the best year and color what more needs to be said? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[usranger74]

I faced the same question this past spring as I wanted to get off my Honda Shadow.

I ended up making mileage and cost my two biggest screens. And, I wanted a 1600 as well. Ended up with a 07 with less than 2500 miels at what I thought was a very good price.

And, all of them will go as fast at the next one.

[acphillips56]

Learned a lot from my first post- it's the color that really matters!:) I'm kinda partial to the green and silver! Thanks all for the input. I was thinking about a new engine but I like the idea of putting a 1600 in my 1500 frame....

[sonny]

Scooters are like horse, they are best bought from the saddle. I chose a Nomad by the seat of my Levi britches picked witch one with me watching miles and price. I think eventually all vehicles end up having at least one inherent problem...ie POG, cam chain tensioners, ect. Low miles, good price, can still get parts easily, and you feel right on it.
And the paint they put on the solid '01 maroon is so good that it does not come off as you blow the mirrors off of the other years and colors. Those of us who own them don't have to tell foils about it, we just know we can. If you have to prove that it really runs, it probably don't.:-0
thanks for your time

[Loafer]

Here in the Northeast, where the air doesn't make you light headed.Where you can think very clear. Reality sets in. '01 Gray on silver is the best!

[MAS Tequila]

Learned a lot from my first post- it's the color that really matters!:) I'm kinda partial to the green and silver! Thanks all for the input. I was thinking about a new engine but I like the idea of putting a 1600 in my 1500 frame....

Then do it. It is actually a fairly easy job. Find a decent 1600 and it will bolt right in. The Classics and the Nomads are the same. The Meanie only has one stator, so the electrical hook ups need a little modification.

If you do the swap, the biggest thing will be having to drill and tap two holes for the intake. The FI throttle bodies have the lower bolt in a different spot. But this is super simple. Just bolt the carb on with the top bolt, then mark the spot for the lower on. Drill and tap it. Everything else is a direct bolt in.

Don't believe the naysayers. I just did the swap 4 weeks ago.

I'll answer any questions you have about it.

MT

[bokobob]

Well, although I have an 07 1600 Nomad, I personally think the best looking Nomad was the two tone green one of 1999...yes, it had the POG problem and so on, but just from the looks standpoint, it was to me the most striking ever..

Buy low mileage late model bike though, IMHO on the practical side of things. personally, just my taste, I don't care for 09's and up, cosmetically, though wonderful bikes..

Bob

[bobhamlin]

Here in the Northeast, where the air doesn't make you light headed.Where you can think very clear. Reality sets in. '01 Gray on silver is the best!

Loafer,

Gray on silver? Did you get the bike colors to match your hair? ;)

uhh: could you send me those paint numbers?

[macmac]

BD, I think my green and silver 06 will be faster than yours once my powder coat black nacell gets done, if ever. i sent that to powder coat in Spring, and it ain't done yet. I guess the guy is waiting for next season.

Now I gotta do something with that cobra light bar, where it turns back at about 45 degrees.

The other day the flats were blinding me and at one point the sun was heating my upper lip, right thru the stash on my mug. And I need a good ideer for the tach too, as when the sun hits that riggins I can't see squat.

[Loafer]

My hair changed color during my first ride on my '01. I'm surprised you haven't found the color numbers your looking for at the paint by number site.

[macmac]

I had that color 01 1500, and it was Evinrude blue, which made a near perfect match on trailer fenders. That made the trailer about 18 horse power I think.

I honestly have not seen a color that doesnt look good, and that even includes black. The red/gold, green/silver are very cool looking. The older Kawa green still to me is the best. But as I said, they all are very good color choices. Kawa gets a thumbs up on paint colors.

[skipper]

It is hard to figure out if its the black or the red that make my 08 turn into a rocket. Then again, it could be the synthetic oil. LOL!!

Kip

[skiman]

My black red 02 is so fast I had to put a fairing on it with special ceramic paint to take the heat

[harleyandangel]

The 2000 Rules !!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif ;)

[cyclecat]

You need to sit on and ride a 1600 and a 1700 before you make any decisions. Brian and I have both ridden a 1600 and find that the seating position and ride is not the same as our 1500's and neither of us cared much for the ride or seating position on the 1600. We are going to get to try a 1700 today at the rally in Kalispell; DrNo has kindly offered us a test ride on his '09 and we are going to take him up on the offer.

The power difference between the 1500 and the 1600 is not that much since we are talking about a 60cc difference. I don't know what that amounts to in hp but I do know my 1500 will run with the 1600's all day long and never get behind.

Dragonchaser has the right idea; if you like your 1500, change out the engine and it would be a lot cheaper.

[wiz]

There are several deals on 1600s here on Kawanow that I would jump on if I needed a new ride for whatever reason. The one that already has the fairing is a steal and I cannot believe it has not yet sold.
http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=17718

[schoeney]

Don't forget reliabilty!

I believe the gentleman that owned the Nomad w/273k miles had a 2003. So while the 1600 and 1700 have more power you need to remember the turtle and the hare story!

Oh and the 2003 is puuuuuurdeeeee

[Stump]

Hay now whats wrong with the 1500 ? I love my 01 1500 , it has plenty of power and it still looks good . 1600's are nice but don't fotget were the nomads began , 1500's run good ,look good, and was there first . Need I say more ?

[skimo]

I don't think theres any problem with any of the years for the 1600's. They are all good.

yea but a blue/silver 08 is the most reliable............... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I'll second this and add that the 08 is the most valuable ;)

I mean it's the last year of the old style saddlebag http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[cactusjack]

The saddlebags on your '08 look just like mine on my '07.

[wompus]

NOMAD HAD A BAD YEAR!?? http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif
That's funny, but I thought they were all as...almost.. as good as the 99 G/G models! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

They aren't Harley's where you have to figure which one was good and which one was pure junk.

These are Nomads... they are all great!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif



.

[1badbagger]

Having ridden both the 15 and 1600 (I own the 1500) I thought the difference in power was small if anything at all. I think the seat on the 15 is more comfortable. While the 16 has a really nice tank that holds more fuel. There is also less rake on the 16 making it easier to handle at slower speeds. I don't think you can go wrong with any nomad.

[billmac]

The best Nomad issue has already been discussed thoroughly and I think it is clear that the year doesn't matter. As long as you buy the Ebony color, you'll be fine.

Truthfully since all Nomads are basically the same, it probably comes down to value. I would sell the 1500 to someone good with tools and look for a low mileage Nomad at a good price.

When my 07 Nomad was totaled, I had a hard time finding the precious black color. I finally found an 06 with just 2k miles.

[ponch]

I have a 2007 for sale...


First time post to this forum. My 2000 Nomad with 60k miles is on it's last legs- transmission problems. I love the bike so I'm looking for a replacement but thinking of going a few years newer. I've heard the 2006 is a great year for the Nomad. I've also heard that the changes made to the Nomad in 2005 (I think) messed up an otherwise good thing. I'm hoping the collective wisdom of this forum can enlighten me! :)

[Loafer]

I bought mine new in April of '01, I have had very few problems over the years, and I still think its a great ride. I have tried the 1600 and the 1700 at Americade, I liked them mostly, but after so many years of riding mine, I would have a hard time parting with it. Buy any year Nomad you should be as happy as the rest of us. You deserve the best!

[Kawhead]

Take any Nomad, and add Rotella T6 and a car tire and that baby will last forever and FLY!

That's how you stir the pudding. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[chspence]

Out of interest, what exactly happened to the transmission.
2007 Nomad 1600.
Chris Spence.

[Loafer]

Out of interest, what exactly happened to the transmission.
2007 Nomad 1600.
Chris Spence.

Yes, what did happen?

[crabbypaddy]

I have a nice 08 red/black for sale a an outstanding price..... see the classifieds

[phenrichs]

Get a 2006 Green/Silver Nomad. The fastest year/color combination to date! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

+1000 on that BD

[tanker]

I`d go with a low mileage 2006 - 2008 Nomad 1600. Mine is a black 2008 and I absolutely love her - even my wife is jealous...

But seriously, the 1600 NAD is a very matured model, you cannot go wrong with it, given you maintain the bike well enough.

Best of luck!

[Bdog]

You all know the truth..its the black one..07 to be precise!!! Fastest from the factory!!!

[Loafer]

You all know the truth..its the black one..07 to be precise!!! Fastest from the factory!!!

evidently the paint doesn't stick on black Nomads, they are all painted with a mixture from the other colors left over, from the weeks work. and put on rather thinly, so they can dry faster,because they do the black ones on friday afternoon,when everyone just wants to go home and don't care about the quality that they put into all other colors all week.