Kawasaki could have Built !!!!!

[vulcanscott]

:???: Looking at the Indian Springfield . Is this not what the Nomad could have been had Kawasaki kept building it ? In Short I Want One ! :tup: 111-116 CI. Low seat height and center of gravity . factory cams and tuning avail. aluminum frame ? shorter rake and Real Dealer support . 2 times the money used but might be 2 times the bike

[ldhthept]

Been drooling over the dark horse version since I saw it. Original Springfield has too much chrome for my liking but what a ride. 2019 and up have the rear cylinder shut off at idle since they are air cooled. Very nice bike but little aftermarket stuff available and Indian accessories are pricey.

[vulcanscott]

I am finding some already decked out for 14-16 . which is the way I would go to avoid customizing prices . kinda getting into the faze of life where I do not want to work on it .

[Chuck A.]

If they would just do something with that ugly front fender.:hmm:

[vulcanscott]

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

[Monkeyman]

Had I stayed on 2 wheels, I would have seriously considered an Indian Challenger.

[ldhthept]

Yeah I found several used that would work and in that price range but they dont have the rear cylinder cut off and since I live in FL that is pretty importance to me. That valanced front fender can be changed, for a price! Just to add the sissy bar and pad is close to $1k.

[plumber63]

I would thought you would look at the Roadmaster. You added a trunk and a fairing to your Nomad as soon as you got it. Made me think you should have got a Voyager then.

I don't like windshields and the Roadmaster fairing is blah. The Challenger fairing is a lot better.
They do have a lot more features available compared to Kawasaki, hence the price 30-50% more. But air cooled on that big of a motor is a deal breaker.

They are all to small physically(like the Harleys) for me. At 6'4" and long arms and legs.

[vulcanscott]

Troy my 1st look was at the Roadmaster but I actually have the batwing back off the Nomad now . it is more of a travel thing . I like the old Classic Windshield and Chrome 50s Look . The Trunk is a Wife amenity . which can be made quick release but looks incomplete until I modify/slot it and the Nomad backrest both so I can swap chrome and all . I imagine that My Tight A$$ will stay with what I have anyway . Was just realizing How Much the Springfield looks like a Nomad especially when you solo the seat . Look at Those Lines !

[ldhthept]

If they would offer the Challenger Water cooled motor in the Springfield for a reasonable price I think that would be a hit.
Vulcanscott, I agree, hard to justify $15-20k for a toy. Ive got my eye on another Mean Streak!

[andyvh1959]

Exactly. A Mean Streak is easy to find at reasonable cost these days. It would be easy to change things like the fenders and exhaust to give it a really unique look. Use a rear fender from other Vulcan models, add a front fender from maybe a Yamaha Star 1100. A Baron air intake and V&H exhaust or Freedom exhaust and it'd be a hot ride with great handling and brakes. Parts are easy to find and insurance would be far less expensive than a brand new Indian.

If you want floorboards, lots of parts available on ebay. Bags? Lots of options that mount on the Mean Streak. Even found factory hard bags on ebay just for the Mean Streak. Not as big as the Nomad bags but maybe you don't want real big bags. Best thing is you'd have a unique bike. Buy an Indian Springfield and you'll certainly see others just like it.

[BrokeAss]

I'd go for a 1700cc Drifter with hard bags. Nobody builds a reliable Indian like Kawasaki.

[mbarr10]

BrokeAss, You may have something there.

[ballbreaker]

I was just thinking and wondering how we ever rode without synthetic oils, liquid cooled engines and rear cylinder shutoff in 80 - 90 degree weather in the good old days. LOL

[andyvh1959]

Heck, wouldn't it be easy to take a Nomad, put the Drifter front fender on it, do a classic 50's Indian style paint job on it, and use the Nomad side opening bags to cover up the rear wheel like a Drifter rear fender would do anyway? Do a single muffler exhaust on the right side like was common on the Indian back in the 50's. Maybe do the painted front forks like was common on 50's Indian, with a bezel/cowl over the headlight. Wide whitewall tires and you have it all style wise.