Minimalist Touring

In the thread where I complained that GEICO wouldn't give me the touring bike discount, it's evident that lots of folks do consider the Nomad a touring bike after all.

Anyhow, in reading the latest tests of touring bikes in Motorcyclist Magazine I see they tested 3 full-boat luxo-tourers, but they also included the dresser version of the Rocket-III. Now the Rocket-III comes basically dressed as the Nomad does: boards, bags, windshield. Not the same idea that defines, say, a Goldwing at all.

But I liked their explaination of why they included this "humble bagger" (as if anything sporting 2300cc could actually be humble) in a test of tourers.

They claim that it exemplifies the "minimalist approach" to touring.

Well perhaps here in 2008 it does, but when I was younger the Nomad would have been considered a full-on garbage wagon, and "minimalist touring' meant a luggage rack or maybe a plastic milk crate wired on the fender, and a sleeping bag--and maybe even a tarp--strapped on the pillion or sissy bar.

My, how times have changed.

Me, with my minimalist tourer, at the Giant Forest Overlook 8-3-2008:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh269/caddmannq/Sequoia-by-dawg/minitour.jpg

[scion0]

Amen!

[cactusjack]

I think That's some serious glare coming off that dome, CQ! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif For a minute I thought you had a nickel-plated helmet on. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I read that article and I thought the Nomad should have been included in the comparison.

I think That's some serious glare coming off that dome, CQ! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif For a minute I thought you had a nickel-plated helmet on. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

It's brighter than the chrome air cleaner. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif Frightening, huh!

Here's one where I don't look like quite such a slack-jawed doofus.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh269/caddmannq/Sequoia-by-dawg/DSCF1816_cr.jpg

[macmac]

Oh I thought this was going to be a 'How To', and the first rule to minimal touring is to leave the bride at home. When I was a lad on a 650 bonny all I brought was a old long army coat, and a knife. I came by anything else when I needed it.

I didn't even have saddle bags.. I rolled that coat up with what ever I needed in the pockets, and tied it on the bars. I had a tool roll lashed under the head lamp.

And That little lizard Ins co says a nomad isn't a touring bike? If it isn't I don't know what else it might be.

[skeeter]

I mya be blnid now but I cna still tpye!

[cactusjack]

Aw, c'mon Cadd - I never said slack-jawed doofus! Just carry a little powder with you to take some of the shine off. http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif

[billmac]

I thought at our age, close up photos were forbidden on Kawanow, except in the joke section.

[rlfaubion]

I see old people

[blowndodge]

The Nomad wasn't considered probably because it's way lower on power than the others in the comparison.

As if this makes a 'bagger' a better bike? They commented that the Victory had the nices ride. I'd like to ride the Victory back to back against the Nomad to see if it really is that much better.

[socwkbiker]

I've read the articles about the Victory and their biggest complaint about the bags is that there is too much wasted room. You never heard that about a Nomad. Just BD's head.

[samkjr]

I've read the articles about the Victory and their biggest complaint about the bags is that there is too much wasted room. You never heard that about a Nomad. Just BD's head.

Ive had the joy of riding the rocket III but only looking at the Vision. I do see how there is a good bit of wasted bag space. Nice little piston strut though.

The Nomad wasn't considered probably because it's way lower on power than the others in the comparison...

It's way lower than the Electraglide? Of whom they said acceleration in top gear was "glacial"?

My lord I hope not!

Aw, c'mon Cadd - I never said slack-jawed doofus! Just carry a little powder with you to take some of the shine off. http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif

I wasn't accusin' you of nuthin' C.J.
It was that dang Top Dawg that took that photo makin' me look like a doofus.....and after all the trouble I went to to take photos of him with that purty young bride of his. ::)

Wait a minute..... I can see myself in the office mirror right now, and I'm wearing Bermuda shorts and Birkenstocks. Aaaaaugh! I look like Super Doofus! http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

(And nothin' will cut that shine short of a 'do rag. Here's proof of how good it works.)
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh269/caddmannq/Sequoia-by-dawg/DSCF1825_cr.jpg

[Bdog]

Cad..I hear ya with the mimilist tourer thing...I too keep it simple..no extras!! Although some of the rides here that are all dressed up look really sharp but its not my thing. I like to keep all that weight as low as possible...could be from my "cafe touring" days...shine on bro...Bdog