Talking a buddy into the Nomad

I currently have a buddy that I ride with. He's a fairly new rider and rides a Honda 1100 Sabre. He has gone on his first long ride and decided he wants a bagger. I think he is pretty set on the Stratoliner, but he rode my '03 and really likes it. I think if he goes with the Nomad he'll go with the '05-'08 version. I also told him to give the Royal Star Tour Delux a shot since that's what it came down to with me. Two questions:

1 - You guys that own the 1600, are there any recalls I'm not aware of? I haven't heard of any.

2 - Can anyone think of any other baggers on the market I'm missing? He doesnt want an HD (why be a sheep) and the triumph has too many numbers before the decimal point. Anybody ridden anything lately that has really impressed them next to the Nomad?

[racinchef]

Baggers? Let's see, off the top of my head; Yamaha RSTD, Stratoliner, Road Star Silverado Midnight, and the 1300 Silverado. Victory still has some leftover or used Touring Cruisers, a used Honda Valkyrie Tour. He can even make his own on the cheap by getting Tsukayu or Matazu hard bags. If he is set on vee twin that is one thing, but otherwise nothing beats a Valkyrie. I had one, but I enjoy a big somewhat noisy vee twin and a bike that has enough shake to let you know you are on a real motorcycle.

[Cajunrider]

No recalls that I have received any info on. So far so good...

[billmac]

yridehd, I seriously considered the Stratoliner before going with the Nomad. I nixed the Stratoliner for many reasons. First you sit on it, instead of in it. The only place I could find a Stratoliner was at a dealer showroom. The gas tank is way to small for a 1900cc motor. Plus the saddlebags were ugly to me, and price is more than the proven Nomad.

The Gold Wing and the Royal Star are pure touring bikes that deserve consideration. But like racinchef, I wanted a V-twin. To me, The Nomad was a tourer/cruiser.

After just 3700 miles on my 2007 Nomad, I am glad I bought it. Yeah, its heavy and the gas mileage could be better. But I smile every time I see a Harley rider knowing that I have as good or better motorcycle, paid half the price, have 6 year warranty, and don't have to deal with Harley dealerships in my area.

[mrfuni]

The Nomad is in a class by itself. For styling, value, dependability and ride, there is no comparison.

[caddman11]

If he doesn't buy a Nomad, he won't have Kawanow and this group of guys to ask those nagging questions.

[VulcanE]

When I was in the market for a bike, it came down to the Nomad, and the Tour-Deluxe. I liked features that each had, and started researching maintenance costs, and that's why I chose the Nad. Three years later, I would still choose the Nomad. (I love my bike) http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[ringadingh]

I looked at the Yamaha Ventures before I chose the Nomad, The only reason I didnt choose the Venture was the ugly speedometer. It looks like it belongs on a 62 Pontiac.

The Nomad had most of the features I was after, except the fairing,beerbox and lowers. And that problem was fixed. Im really pleased with it and Im sure your pal will be as well.

Just quit talking and let him ride the Nomad. If that doesn't convince him, he's not right for it & vice versa.

[watchman]

The only recall I know of is recalling how much fun I have riding the Nomad! I did consider the venture but I talked to several guys that was riding them and they all complained about how much heat you get off of the V-4 during the summer months. One guy I met said he was burnt so bad he blistered his inner thighs on a hot summer trip.

[dantama]

There are many good bikes out there, and I could be happy on most of them.

The thing that keeps me coming back to Nomads is the extended warranty. Tell your friend that for about $400 (by buying online) he can extend the 2 year warranty out to 6 years, unlimited miles.

Yamaha and the others just don't have that, and it is what keeps me coming back.

[schoeney]

Yridehd...Finally something I can contribute. I have been asking so many questions as a rookie it feels good to maybe come up with a few answers. I just went through the process last month that your buddy is going through. I caught the bike bug from my neighbor that bought a new 07 Strat o liner. I did my research on used bikes because my budget didn't allow for new (and still get a BIG bike). It was important that I bought something that was reliable, comfortable, and had enough essential equipment that I did not need to break the bank right off the bat. First let me tell you I found a ton of great bikes out there. My buddy with the Stratoliner loves his bike but he does complain about a few things. The tank size, the stock seat and his wife does not like the stock passenger seat (doesn't care much for my buddy either). He loves the power but he is a guy that drives fast all the time....I prefer a lazy 70 MPH in the country and he wants to race the stop lights and be the first to get there on long rides....too fast for me...the Nomad has PLENTY of power for anything I want to do. My buddy was also pretty envious of the Nomads stock passenger floorboards, shaft drive and loves the look of the hard bags. While I am sure most all the metrics in this class are reliable it gave me peace of mind that I had water cooled and shaft drive where the StratoLiner is air cooled and belt driven. As far as gas mileage he didn't care because we don't have a long enough riding season in the NW or time off work to put many miles on...maybe 7-8k year...any difference in MPG is negligible (at 38 versus 45mpg...about $135 diff per year...not enough to keep me from buying the bike I like riding most)...especially when you consider how many $100 pieces of chrome you buy...who cares about gas.

I considered the Valkyrie, nice bike, but they don't make them anymore and the 6 carb thing sounded expensive to deal with when it was time. The Gold Wing is an awesome bike as well but too much plastic for my taste...might as well drive a cage.

I did consider the Royal Star but two things really bugged me....the weird look in front of the drivers feet (thought it might make it hotter too) and I kept reading in reviews (by owners) about an annoying sound coming from the clutch basket (heard it was nothing wrong just due to the straight cut gear design). Not all Royals have the problem but enough to know with my luck I would get one.
The VTX1800 was too bulky (and read about an unusual amount of issues...unlike most Honda bikes).
It came down to Shaft Drive (no broken belts and longer life) and Water Cooled (cooler the engine the longer it should last), good balance + comfort were a must for me. The self adjusting valves and lower maintenance costs helped too. And yes...this website put it over the top for me....these guys and gals seem real friendly and they have so much information...have your buddy spend some time looking at Gadgets New owner area, have him read lots of posts, especially the ones about how long Nomads last and how reliable. This site gave me peace of mind that I can find out about just about anything related to my bike and where to ride without relying on a dealer that is focused on making money. Suggest when he is reading reviews by riders to focus on reviews by higher mileage riders...everyone seems to love their bike the first year or two..the real test is later. Bottom line is it doesn't matter what he rides...as long as he rides...looking forward to hear what he does.

...and Water Cooled (cooler the engine the longer it should last)...

Truely, the difference is not because of how cool an engine runs, but how consistantly it maintains its normal operating temperature.

Air-cooled engines fluctuate a lot in temperature, and that is their real undoing.

[ringadingh]

And dollar for dollar its definately one of the best buys available, especially used.

In 5 years he worst problem I've had is one blown shock absorber.

[mrfuni]

schoeney....

WELL SAID.. Welcome and congrats on your purchase !!

No recalls that I have received any info on. So far so good...

+1

[schoeney]

Thanks Joe + Frank...sorry to be so long on the post...just excited to pitch in.

[bikerbeagle]

Sadly, I can't contribute to this thread because I never considered anything else other than the Nomad. :)

[mikesth]

Bikes are an intensly personal and emotional purchase. Do NOT talk anyone into anything...just let them know what led you to buy yours.

Tell them the plusses and minusus of your bike and let them decide.

Well he road my Nomad and loved it. I'm pretty sure he'll be going for an '05-'08, but he loves the bike. I have noticed several people (me included) that are not happy with how you ride "on" the Strato.

[mncruiser]

Bikes are an intensly personal and emotional purchase. Do NOT talk anyone into anything...just let them know what led you to buy yours.

Tell them the plusses and minusus of your bike and let them decide.

Good advice here. I wouldn't want to be any part of someone buying a bike and then not being happy with their decision. I suppose there are a few weirdos out there who wouldn't like the Nomad! Go figure! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ;)

[flavor]

For what it's worth I'd like to throw my 2 cents in.........

I've been riding consistently since 1976 and had quite a few different style motorcycles. But, I wanted a motorcycle that I could move my legs in, out, forward and backwards that also sat at a comfortable angle. (You see, I'm starting to get more kinks when I take long rides in one position so I researched only "V-twins" with that criteria in mind). I looked at Yamaha's, didn't like how I felt sitting on them, won't pay the money for a Harley, though they don't brake down as much as they did. I looked and sat on as many twins as I could find. (I'd like to also note I'm tired of carrying tools to fix the modified Harley's I ride with).

The Nomad was by far the most comforable riding position for me out of all of them. As far as looks, some aren't bad looking but I think the Nomad has the best lines. The reports that I've read all give the Nomad better reviews that anything in it's class for all the areas most important to me as well, initial cost, low maintenance, handling etc.

Plus, where else would I get to go back and forth on a forum like this.

[mikesth]

My issue was mainly size - the Nomad fits me (6'4" - 280lbs) better than any Harley. I didn't like the retro looks of the Stars and I also didn't like the Hondas - doesn't leave much else for a Bagger...except Victory and I like their Cruisers and not the baggers.

I currently have a buddy that I ride with. He's a fairly new rider and rides a Honda 1100 Sabre. He has gone on his first long ride and decided he wants a bagger. I think he is pretty set on the Stratoliner, but he rode my '03 and really likes it. I think if he goes with the Nomad he'll go with the '05-'08 version. I also told him to give the Royal Star Tour Delux a shot since that's what it came down to with me. Two questions:

1 - You guys that own the 1600, are there any recalls I'm not aware of? I haven't heard of any.

2 - Can anyone think of any other baggers on the market I'm missing? He doesnt want an HD (why be a sheep) and the triumph has too many numbers before the decimal point. Anybody ridden anything lately that has really impressed them next to the Nomad?

I've test ridden a number of them and nothing touches a VTX1800. imho

[scott2007nomad]

I considered the VTX1800 but the bags, the price, and the passenger seat that my wife likes, put me on the Nomad.