View Full Version : 1500 vs 1600
Howdy all,
I rode a 1600 recently and loved it.But since I'm cheap/broke I was wondering how the1500 and 1600 compared?(I'm tall and have roughly 12 years riding experience )TIA http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif
The 1500's are very nice. Some folks like them better than the 1600's because of the ergonomics.
YMMV.
The 1999 models had a plastic gear in the engine that most folks end up changing. Get one with fuel injection if you can.
scott2007nomad
06-25-2008, 03:11 PM
My choice hinged on fuel injection and passenger grab rails.
jussmatt
06-25-2008, 03:22 PM
BC... Not sure of the difference between the two, since I've got the 1600... But I wanted to say Howdy from Texas and Glad you're with us!!
formikec
06-25-2008, 03:31 PM
I just purchased an 02 1500FI. I love it. I had heard the comments about power, but this one had 11,500 on it, and it has plenty of power. Plus, the price was right. I'd recommend starting with a good used 1500FI, and if you decide you want to move up I doubt you'll have much trouble selling (they are hard to find imo).
Michael
ringadingh
06-25-2008, 04:35 PM
They are both very good, either one will more than do the job. Welcome from canada by the way.
Cajunrider
06-25-2008, 04:51 PM
Welcome from Louisiana. I've only owned a 1600. Love it...
I've had a 01 for 3 months, 11000mls, well looked after. After driving 1260 mls in 1st 2 days, cant find a bad thing with it. I'm 6'3 250lb and it rides like a dream. I'd love a new bike but why when this is everything I need.
ps Welcome to the real world. LOL!
nomad1600
06-25-2008, 08:20 PM
Welcome from North Carolina. I have a 1600 and it is one great ride.
kawgirl
06-25-2008, 08:26 PM
Welcome to the Nomad world. I have an 02 model 1500 and had no problem keeping up with the 1600's in West Virginia last week.
nomad1600
06-25-2008, 08:30 PM
Hey Amy, I think it is because you have some Red color on your bike!!!!!LOL
kawgirl
06-25-2008, 08:52 PM
You may be right Aaron! :)
coacha
06-25-2008, 08:54 PM
I love my 1500.
Hey, you see that pic in Amy's sig line...........the one on the left.....that's about how far apart those two bikes were for around 300 miles that day...'cept they were laid over to the right, then the left, then the right, then the left......you get the picture LOL
VulcanE
06-25-2008, 08:59 PM
About the only real difference is in the rake of the front forks. The 1600's are a little more friendly in the slow spped zone, like in parking lots. Overall they are a lot alike.
nomad1600
06-25-2008, 10:03 PM
Hey, you see that pic in Amy's sig line...........the one on the left.....that's about how far apart those two bikes were for around 300 miles that day...'cept they were laid over to the right, then the left, then the right, then the left......you get the picture LOL
I got the picture but I'm getting dizzzzzy!!!!!!
kawgirl
06-25-2008, 10:09 PM
And oh what fun it was!
BC,welcome to the forum from Nebraska.I ride a 1600, love it.
bigdave
06-26-2008, 12:24 AM
i have a 07 1600 and love it. Welcome from Western North Carolina
racinchef
06-26-2008, 03:46 AM
Welcome from your neighbor in Vermont. I have a 2000 1500 with 28000 miles, that is carburetted and was well taken care of when I bought it this past spring. I paid $5800 from a good dealership and ended up with the best bike I have ever owned. If you are mechanically inclinced and know bikes well you can buy from a private sale, but otherwise I suggest buying from a reputable dealer.
dlarue
06-27-2008, 08:25 AM
We have a 2002 1500, and just love it. Have never had to do anything to it except routine maintenance, and we have taken it all over. I would recommend starting out with a 1500, then graduating later on, if you wish....
misunderstood
06-28-2008, 04:24 AM
Love my 1500. I've been told the 1600's sit lower, but I don't know.
flavor
06-28-2008, 05:02 PM
When I was researching the Nomad I came across a thread somewhere that talks about the 1600 and changes from the 1500. My guess is the review of the 1600 the year they changed from the 1500.
There is a little additional info at:
http://www.kawanow.org/specs.htm
I test rode an carburetored 1500 but went with 1600 for several reasons including price on a specific deal that came my way. Also liked the "feel" of the 1600 better, mostly at lower speeds but can't describe it much better than that.
The 1500 is twitchy at 5 MPH, particularly when slowing down on a lumpy road.
The 1500 is twitchy at 5 MPH, particularly when slowing down on a lumpy road.
1600 is not exactly twitch-free either under those conditions but I can't compare the two.
gopjohnny
06-29-2008, 10:32 AM
The absolute best one is the one you own otherwise you would own the other one right?
The absolute best one is the one you own otherwise you would own the other one right?
Yes. And you wanna make sure you get the faster, black one.
macmac
06-29-2008, 11:20 AM
I have had both. To me the 1600 is no slower than the 1500, or faster.. Some parts can share between these bikes and some can't.
I really think the 1600 should have had a different name.
The 1500 is better at highway speeds being very stable, but the 1600 is better in parking lot manuvers.
The 1500 has more factory options, but some like upper and lower bag rails will fit both.
The 1500 has a more 'classic" look with a straight bottom edge on the tank, and classic looking fenders.
So the 1600 has it's own look.
The 1500 has tires the same size fore and aft, while the 1600 has different tire sizes for and at stock.
The 1600 has more choices of tires over all due to this.
The 1600 is wider in inches over all and a little bit longer.
The engines don't have the same look in the upper parts where the chrome looks like valve covers..
Once again the 1500 looks classic and the 1600 has shapes in the covers.
The seats will not interchange.
The 1500 has a front axel nut, and the 1600 doesn't and the axel threads directly into the forks.
The wheels look different from one to the other. The brake calipers are not intechangable.
I really do like the classic look of the 1500 much better. Now if I'd never seen a 1500, I'd think the 1600 was a really nice looking bike for the money. Having seen the 1500, I think the 1600 looks like somebody took a 1500 to OCC and said: "You've only got 24 hours. What can you do with it?"
In otherwords, the styling to me is like a 1500 that was customized just for the sake of customizing it, with no thought given to actually making it look better. Just different.
All that being said, I do think the 1600 has improved the forks and brakes, and the keyswitch on the tank is a nice touch. The engine is a little more powerful. None of that quite makes up for the fact that they stepped on the styling.
dogdoc
06-29-2008, 01:41 PM
From what I know the 1600 Nomad was born using the 1600 Classic frame and motor and alot of the same parts, which are alot beefier than the 1500. then they added the normal Nomad stuff to make it one. :-)
VulcanE
06-29-2008, 03:55 PM
and the keyswitch on the tank is a nice touch.
The key switch being on top is not the only "nice touch" about it. When you switch it straight up to "ON" you can remove the key and put it in your pocket. after that you can switch it off and on (turn key half way to off) without the key. When it is in the "half off position" all the power is off, just like you had switched it completely off. Very similar to the Harley's.
dogdoc
06-29-2008, 04:17 PM
Not many knew that trick on here if your an old member, just ask ole Trip.
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