Is the Nomad a Touring Bike?

This kinda came up in Nico's thread about Motorcyclist Magazine and in my mind the question is still a sore one for me, because I wanted the answer to be "yes".

Not because of Nico, or Motorcyclist, but because of Geico.

When I first bought my Nomad, Kawasaki listed it on their site under "Touring Bikes". In Europe it was called the Vulcan Touring Cruiser. It totally resembles in styling and equipment any touring bike from the era whose styling it emulates.

But when I got my first insurance bill from Geico, they had denied me the lower rates you get because of their highly advertized "touring bike discount."

I called them to ask why, and was told that they just did not recognize it as a touring bike, even though the manufacturer did. I asked them what piece of touring bike gear was missing from the Nomad? They had no answer for that. They simply told me their rates were based on the approved schedule as submitted to the insurance comissioner of the State of California, and it did not show the Nomad to be a touring bike because they'd decided not to submit the schedule that way.

Imagine my surprise when forum members from Eastern states, with Geico insurance, told me they WERE getting the touring bike rate. In Arkansas a nomad is a touring bike, but in California it isn't?

The funny thing is that Kawasaki has since taken the Nomad off the category of Touring Bikes on their website, but now Geico in California says it WILL be included on their schedule of touring bikes here.

WTF? over.

[cactusjack]

...it's a breath mint! It's a candy mint!

I did notice some time back that Kawasaki no longer considers the Nomad a touring bike on their own website, last year they did.

[phenrichs]

I would bet the insurance commisioner of California is probably a ........ dramatic pause.......

HD Ultra owner and based it on his own stupid opinion. It always comes down to one guys decision. Even if it is a computer system someone has to decide what the computer outputs.
Maybe the air in Sacramento is too thin.

[schoeney]

Big bags + windshield that are not quick change, an engine and driveline that are so smooth, the tall gearing, power that isn't going to win stop light to stop light...but enough to hold 75mph all day long, stock pipes that are quiet, add the water cool and shaft drive and I don't see how it can be considered anything but a tourer. Whatever they decide to call it I like it!

No, OP, he doesn't actually decide. AFAIK he just rubber stamps what the insurance companies tell him they decided to do with their rate structure. (As long as it's legal of course.)

Steve Poizner is our I.C. He's a former electrical engineer, turned school teacher, turned businessman, turned politician. I don't know if he rides, I kinda doubt it but I intend to find out.

From his website:
"Poizner was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Texas...he was named the Top Male Student in the University...one of the Top 10 Electrical Engineering Students...moved to California...to attend Stanford...earned a Master's Degree with Honors in Business Administration. Commissioner Poizner and his wife, Carol, live in Los Gatos where they are raising their daughter, Rebecca."

[rksaw]

Cadd, IMHO the 'mad is not a Tourer, and none of us want to admit that we are old enough to enjoy a Tourer anyway.
Rich

[phenrichs]

Well personally, I don't care what the hell the rest of the world calls it. Myself, and I am sure a great many of you, would just simply call it .......

RIGHT!
The RIGHT bike for the RIGHT money for the RIGHT ride on the RIGHT day.

For you fanatics you can substitute RIGHT with PERFECT!

I personally think under the radar has its advantages. If they rated the Nomad a touring bike or the best touring bike we would be flooded with a**holes that bought it because it was on the top of the list.

[dantama]

I did notice some time back that Kawasaki no longer considers the Nomad a touring bike on their own website, last year they did.

Maybe they took it off in anticipation of a 2000cc nomad with a batwing and trunk, and it'll be the tourer http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[lw]

Tourer, Cruiser. . . it's like the old Miller Lite commercial:
"Tastes great!! Less Filling!!


Call it whatever you want, but ride it all you can.

[aj]

Is the Nomad a Touring Bike?

short answer: YES
http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[josh]

Is the Nomad a Touring Bike?
Isn't every bike a touring bike, I don't have a Nomad but I toured up to HSvroc, and OTI, and next weekend to the norcal run...You can tour on whatever you want to tour on, its the person that is the tourer not the bike.....Downloaded and watched Long Way Down, and halfway thru Kenya they ran into a guy on a bicycle riding around the world...He sure as hell was touring

[rlfaubion]

24,000 miles in 13 months - mine's a touring bike

This may seem silly, but the range on a tank of gas may be one ridiculous criteria.

"And while the standard version is a fine touring mount by our comfort, performance and appearance standards, it will only go approximately 120 miles on the 4.2 gallons of fuel it carries before hitting reserve. When you're riding cross-country, or through a desert with more ghost towns than real ones, limited range is a particularly serious detriment, so we were very appreciative of the addition of fuel injection on the Nomad last year, which increased its overall limit by more than 20 miles."

Motorcycle Cruiser 2001

?

[davidjones1]

just lookat it, all that classic style and a v-twin and at's its price it is the bike to own.
ride safe.

24,000 miles in 13 months - mine's a touring bike


Is that Sam Elliot or Peter Fonda in that pic???

[ringadingh]

In my opinion its a nice cruiser, not really a touring bike in my mind. It can be turned into a really nice tourer,but it takes a bit of work. To me a touring bike has all the bells and whistles,such as fairings,beerbox,stereo,cruise, full gauges, and a list of other amenities.

In my opinion its a nice cruiser, not really a touring bike in my mind. It can be turned into a really nice tourer,but it takes a bit of work. To me a touring bike has all the bells and whistles,such as fairings,beerbox,stereo,cruise, full gauges, and a list of other amenities.

And you have done a fine job in doing just that young man!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[formikec]

The nomad is what you make of it. That is the beauty of it. It starts as a nomad, but we (individually) make it what we want. Do you have that much flexibility with a Goldwing?

On a similar note, look up the meaning of nomad or nomadic, and then decide why they named it that.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nomadic

[VulcanE]

Yep, that's us, "just wandering around behind the animals"

[rlfaubion]

or Nico

[dkdixie]

In my opinion its a nice cruiser, not really a touring bike in my mind. It can be turned into a really nice tourer,but it takes a bit of work. To me a touring bike has all the bells and whistles,such as fairings,beerbox,stereo,cruise, full gauges, and a list of other amenities.


+1

I agree.

Cruiser fits my opinion of a Nomad better than touring bike.
My riding bud, Cliff (VulcanE) has the "touring" version and I have the "cruiser."

::)Anybody ever notice the "Nomad" badge on the back of his trunk.....looks like a piece of a '57 Chevy Nomad.

[trevwales]

IN UK it is called and sold as the Classic Tourer model.

So lots of opinions.

Well, at least two: yes and no. ;)

[dantama]

IN UK it is called and sold as the Classic Tourer model.

trevwales, how many trips over here did it take to color in all those states?

[k9sarky]

Touring Cruiser... a hybrid, the best of both IMHO. But what do I know I just ride one.

[trevwales]

Dan, I lived and worked in San Jose for 8 years, and got about a bit. Still have daughter out there and will be there next month!
Dare I say I worked for Lucas? Please don't hold it against me :>)

Trev

[donoller]

WHAT THE HECK IT FUN NO MATTER WHAT YOU CALL IT

It is to ME!

[beezer]

No, it's not, but it works for me and I'm the one riding it. Why? Where would you like to go? :)

[ringadingh]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

In my opinion its a nice cruiser, not really a touring bike in my mind. It can be turned into a really nice tourer,but it takes a bit of work. To me a touring bike has all the bells and whistles,such as fairings,beerbox,stereo,cruise, full gauges, and a list of other amenities.

And you have done a fine job in doing just that young man!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Hey Nico; And when we arrive in Custer next June, you will be able to meet us both live and in person. Im looking forward to the trip. Get prepared buddy. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif