1500 vs 1600

[doublel]

I am starting to research my options for a new bike. I am looking mostly 2002 to 2008. I was wondering if some of you had owned both the 1500 and the 1600 and what your opinions are on both. Which do you prefer for comfort, handling, gas mileage?
Etc. Thanks!!

[cactusjack]

Personally, I'd buy the 1600 with the least mileage I could get my hands on. Not that there's anything wrong with the 1500, I'd just want as close to new as possible.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Larry, I'm with CJ on getting the newest bike with the least mileage possible for your money. There really isn't a lot of difference between the 1500 and 1600. Gas mileage should be pretty close between the two. Might have just a tad more power with the 1600.

[Netnorske]

Larry,
One of our members, Jim McFarlane (fakebikerdude59) in Tacoma was selling his 2008 Blue/Silver 1600. I don't know if he still has it, but it had about 15k on it I think. That would be a nice ride...and close to home. I will PM you his cell number and you can give him a call....

[ringadingh]

The 1500's are easier to work on, especially under the seat and around the battery area. They have aluminium rims, a lot more accessories were available for them, and you can still find them with pretty low miles if you look around. The 1600's have a different tank profile, wider rims, and a few other minor changes.
I like the look of the 1500 better than the 1600's personally but its just a minor detail anyways as they are very similar. If it doesn't matter to you, you should probably get the newest bike you can afford.

[Top Cat]

Just curious doubled, what is the bike in your signiture picture ???

[doublel]

TC-The pic is my former bike. A 2000 1500 fuel ijected

[Top Cat]

TC-The pic is my former bike. A 2000 1500 fuel ijected
Thanks for the reply.
I would go as new as I could afford up to 2008. That is what I plan on when I trade my 07 in.
I will go to as low a milage 07 or 08 I can find and transfer my acessories to it then sell the one that has high milage.

[ringadingh]

If I was to trade up to a newer bike I wouldn't be able to transfer all the accessories to a 1600. the fairing wouldn't fit, and neither would the rack and beerbox, as well as some of the fender trim. On the other hand if I put all the old stuff on the bike, its really not all new is it.

[waterman]

Having owned a 1500 and a 1600, I would opt for the 1600. Here are my thoughts. The 1600 handles much better than the 1500. Not much difference in regards to gas mileage and feel when going down the road. The biggest difference was with low speed handling. Much improved on the 1600.

[Jared]

I always thought they were the same bike, but with different gas tank and fenders and a slightly tweaked motor. Is there really all that much difference? I can't imagine why it would perfor differently at slow speeds? Also, why wouldn't the fairing work on the 1600? Aren't the forks the same?

I'd love to see a list of the difference. Is there such a list around?

Like others have said, the 1600 is a great bike. Newer, with low miles would be ideal.

[GIBBY]

Hey Jared,
Go to the top of the page and click on Nomad Specifications, most of the relevant info. is located there. The fork width is greater on the 1600's. My choice would be to get the newest 1600 possible with the least mileage.

[Top Cat]

If I was to trade up to a newer bike I wouldn't be able to transfer all the accessories to a 1600. the fairing wouldn't fit, and neither would the rack and beerbox, as well as some of the fender trim. On the other hand if I put all the old stuff on the bike, its really not all new is it.
Not following your logic on that Steve.
The bike would be new to me with less miles and I would save a ton of money by not buying new accessories. ??? Makes sense to me.

[waterman]

I always thought they were the same bike, but with different gas tank and fenders and a slightly tweaked motor. Is there really all that much difference? I can't imagine why it would perfor differently at slow speeds? Also, why wouldn't the fairing work on the 1600? Aren't the forks the same?

I'd love to see a list of the difference. Is there such a list around?

Like others have said, the 1600 is a great bike. Newer, with low miles would be ideal.



Jared,

The 1600 has more rake on the front. This leads to better handling. It isn't much but it is enough.

[Jared]

Interesting. I never knew there were so many differences. Esthetically, the 1600 looks better to me.

[doublel]

Thanks for your input guys,
I have been thinking along the same lines of buying the newest lowest mileage I can afford. I thought I had heard the 1600s were a little better at low speeds which is important to me as I have only been back into riding for a few years. My 1500 is gone so I won't be switching out any accessories so that is not an issue.
I probably am looking at a 2006ish 1600 with 8-15k for my budget and I should be able to ride that for a long time since I take good care of my stuff.
It will probably be close to stock. I don't need many options.. I'll just have to get risers and highway pegs, oh and a luggage rack, oh yeah than I like those windshield bags for my sunglasses and camera oh and the tank bra with the little pocket for my cell phone oh and oversize lowers and oh yeah those.................

[Top Cat]

Thanks for your input guys,
I have been thinking along the same lines of buying the newest lowest mileage I can afford. I thought I had heard the 1600s were a little better at low speeds which is important to me as I have only been back into riding for a few years. My 1500 is gone so I won't be switching out any accessories so that is not an issue.
I probably am looking at a 2006ish 1600 with 8-15k for my budget and I should be able to ride that for a long time since I take good care of my stuff.
It will probably be close to stock. I don't need many options.. I'll just have to get risers and highway pegs, oh and a luggage rack, oh yeah than I like those windshield bags for my sunglasses and camera oh and the tank bra with the little pocket for my cell phone oh and oversize lowers and oh yeah those.................

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif When I bought mine I said to Cindy, look it has everything on it already. I won't need to add any accesories.
She said,"You will find something to add".
Well, she got that right. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[caper]

I have the 1600 and I don't like the engine noise! The 1500 idles quieter than the 1600:(

[ringadingh]

When I was shopping for mine I was looking at new bikes only, then one day the one I bought popped up on the internet and had all the goodies I was planning on adding. I made a deal and had it shipped to me.

[jesse]

I have the 1600 and I don't like the engine noise! The 1500 idles quieter than the 1600:(
I was just thinking the same thing! Although I do like the handling of the 1600.

[chucks1911]

I bought my 07 with 3,200 miles on it this past August for $6,500 from a local dealer. Its a buyers market now.


Thanks for your input guys,
I have been thinking along the same lines of buying the newest lowest mileage I can afford. I thought I had heard the 1600s were a little better at low speeds which is important to me as I have only been back into riding for a few years. My 1500 is gone so I won't be switching out any accessories so that is not an issue.
I probably am looking at a 2006ish 1600 with 8-15k for my budget and I should be able to ride that for a long time since I take good care of my stuff.
It will probably be close to stock. I don't need many options.. I'll just have to get risers and highway pegs, oh and a luggage rack, oh yeah than I like those windshield bags for my sunglasses and camera oh and the tank bra with the little pocket for my cell phone oh and oversize lowers and oh yeah those.................

[cyclecat]

Having ridden a 1500 for 8 years makes me prejudiced but I like the riding position and the handlebar position on the 1500 better than the 1600. As was said before, the list of accessories for the 1500 is bigger than for the 1600.

[lw]

Were I in the market, I would buy Crabbypaddy's bike:

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=19629&start=0

[zoom45]

I'm partial to the 1500 because I don't know any different (Its the only big bike I ever had). Mine is a 2000 1500 (carbed model) with over 80,000 on it. I put over 76,000 on it myself). It's been a good one. I think I'll keep it until parts are not available or I can't fix it anymore. I'm updating with a Harley fairing this week. The only negative comment about it is the gas tank. Not big enough.
Zoom45

[racinchef]

I'm with Zoom, my 2000 carbed N'ad is the only one I've had or ridden and I'm very happy with it. When I can I'll put some money into it to bring it back to pristine condition. If I were to get another bike it would be a bare cruiser like the V2K or the Yamaha Raider or the Suzuki C109, or the new Triumph Thunderbird with dual headlights. But, I would definitely keep La Bette Noir!

[minst7877]

I have the 1600 and I don't like the engine noise! The 1500 idles quieter than the 1600:(
I was just thinking the same thing! Although I do like the handling of the 1600.

I rode a 06 1600 Vulcan Classic the summer of 09 and felt like I was fighting with it every time I got on it. Never felt comfortable on that bike and was real leery of getting the 99 Nomad for the same reasons but once I got on the Nad it was like night and day different and it feels like it is a part of me when I'm on it. Don't think I would ever go to the 1600 again but I don't know if there are differences in the handling of the 1600 Nad and the Classic.

DC

[crabbypaddy]

Thanks LW ! I can tell your a man who has an eye for the Perfect! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif My Nad is kickass to say the least! I may regret selling her but it's a quest now. I live in central Indiana and it's hard to sell a metric bike here. I am hot on a Cross Country right now and if she don't sell soon, I am gonna trade and lose some green! I am OCD an my machine is Perfect and been kept perfect even though I have put over 15K on her

[doublel]

I have looked at your bike crabby. i won't be buying for a few months though so I'll see if it is still around. :)

[jasonc32amg]

I was just thinking the same thing! Although I do like the handling of the 1600.

I rode a 06 1600 Vulcan Classic the summer of 09 and felt like I was fighting with it every time I got on it. Never felt comfortable on that bike and was real leery of getting the 99 Nomad for the same reasons but once I got on the Nad it was like night and day different and it feels like it is a part of me when I'm on it. Don't think I would ever go to the 1600 again but I don't know if there are differences in the handling of the 1600 Nad and the Classic.

DC

My 05 1600 Nomad is smooth as butter and tight well over 90 which is as fast as I'd want to go on this tank. Coming from the sport bike side of things I love this bike. You can score great deals on low mile exampes.

[delivery58]

There was a thread a while back, and seemed there was a heavy leaning towards the 1500's. From a buyers perspective, mileage is (almost) everything. But just a side note... I recently purchase a Valkyrie (in Sept.), they are a pretty awesome motorcycle, considering a nice used one is $5500 - $6500. That said, I'm still weighing the pro's / con's of my 03 Nomad vs the Valk... and there is no clear winning.... That just goes to say how Great the Vulcan Nomad is!

[crabbypaddy]

Doublel .... keep me in mind.... I am resisting the trade!

[schoeney]

I have only ridden the 1500 so to say it is better would be foolish.

I do love my 1500 and I think the differences between the two would be splitting hairs....both pros and cons.

The power difference is minimal and lets face it, if you are considering a Nomad power is not at the top of your list anyhow as there are many others more powerful.

Mileage is a factor but age and lack of use are factors as well. I would go sit on both and if one "feels" better go with that. Keep in mind there are lots of mods you can do to improve the "fit" if needed.

If there isn't a big difference in the "feel" I would go buy the best deal that fits your budget.

Good luck.

[MAS Tequila]

The main difference between the two is not engine size. It is the frame changes as well as the suspension changes.

MT

[unwind2]

There was a thread a while back, and seemed there was a heavy leaning towards the 1500's. From a buyers perspective, mileage is (almost) everything. But just a side note... I recently purchase a Valkyrie (in Sept.), they are a pretty awesome motorcycle, considering a nice used one is $5500 - $6500. That said, I'm still weighing the pro's / con's of my 03 Nomad vs the Valk... and there is no clear winning.... That just goes to say how Great the Vulcan Nomad is!

My son has a valk. He is home visiting for christmas (not on his bike). We don't winterize as we can catch a few decent days to ride throughout the year. Anyway, I've been working a lot and knew the Nad had not been run for a few weeks. The other day it was going to be a pretty nice day, I had to work of course. So asked my son if he would run the Nomad for me. When I got home and asked him , he was grinning and said yep...'don't think I got over 90 on it and only scraped your pegs once'. LOL http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

He let my hubbie run the 750 for me after hubbe drove his wing a bit. But hubbie said he was out on the Nomad as long or longer than my hubbie was driving the wing and the 750 so I guess he enjoyed. ;)

I have drove his valk....it is really sweet and I must admit less top heavy in parking lots.