1500 Classic vs. 1600 Nomad . . . ??

[theteacher1959]

Greetings from Indiana. I am new to this board but not Vulcans!! I have a question for those of you "in the know." I have been riding a 2001 1500 Classic for a few years now and enjoy it very much. I use it to commute 55 miles daily and take 2 up tours with my wife. Now, I have the itch to get a Nomad . . . but i 'm not sure why (besides the obvious!). Here is my question: Will I notic much of a difference in two up comfort, ride and handling if I decide on a Nomad? i know there are a few differences, buit i want to know if those differences really translate to a much mor comfortable machine. thanks for your input!!! It is appreciated.

[rflnomad]

We love our 05 Nomad; Very comfy for two people. The bags hold more than you think too. Ride is smooth, handling is good; but it isn;t a ZX14! But, in no way does this make the 1500 Classic a lesser bike. They are a GREAT bike.
We do some two up, back road touring, and I use it to commute as well.
Again, We love ours. If I had to replace it, I would get another Nomad.

[scion0]

Welcome to the board!

[ells]

Welcome theteacher1959, Don't recall too many folks here mentioning if they ever had a 1500 Classic so maybe not too much to compare to. Lot of 1500 Nomads here and are well liked, I thought the 1600 had a little edge but probably just was the particular 1500s I tested.

[pirate]

Welcome to the board from North Dakota! Are you presently a teacher? I teach high school English here in ND, and our first day of the new school year was today.

[rksaw]

Welcome to the forum Teach...I'm not sure about the difference because I ride a '99 1500 Nomad, but I do know that you'll love the 'mad. It's a very comfortable bike that makes a great commuter and tourer all in one.
Rich

[misunderstood]

I have a 1500 Nomad and my mechanic has a 1500 classic. When he works on it and takes it for a test spin his wife raves about how much more comfortable it is (pillion is wider). He's wanting one now !!

Welcome from East TN. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[ringadingh]

Welcome to the forum, I don't even notice I have a passenger when Im going down the road. The floorboards are much nicer than pegs on long trips also. Great bikes all around.

[moenko]

Welcome from Connecticut - you'll love the Nomad, so will your wife!!

[classic1]

I went from an 01 1500 classic to an 06 nomad. Boy, I loved the 1500. I/we (my wife) love this nomad too. The passenger comforts are better. The driver position is a little different, but I can't remember what it is or was. The accessories (shield, lowers, engine guard, backrest, pass. floorboards, and LOCKING SADDLE BAGS) gives you everything you need. And as said the bags hold a lot. I put pass. floorboards on the 1500 and I noticed that the pass. floorboards on the nomad are closer to my legs (when they are in the down position) when moving the bike around. This is due to the size of the saddle bags. Harley's have even less room. And with the larger and hard saddle bags, you have to remember them when getting on and off the bike.

[caddman11]

Welcome to the Nomad land also from Indiana. I've had my Nomad for about 6 months after selling my HD. The Nad is a much smoother, more comfortable ride for both me and the wife than what I had, loads more room for bodies and the bags a pretty big.

I'm also a teacher and from my signature, can you guess what I teach. 2nd day of classes today, summers are always too fast.

[watchman]

I had a 01 1500 Classic FI. I spend almost $4000 in accessories trying to make a Nomad out of it. I added the Highway bar passenger back rest, passenger floorboards,Windshield, lowers and a set of hard bags. Then I added the things I have also added to my Nomad like highway pegs, risers, driving lights, custom seat with drivers backrest, luggage rack and extra brake lights. The ride and handling was never as good as the Nomads. I had tube tires to worry about having a flat on. And the lighter bike got pushed around on the 4 lanes easier.

Bottom line: We just returned from an almost 6000 mile, 3 week trip on the bikes. If I was still riding my Classic I don't think I would have went! Yes it is that much better!!!

[dank]

My son has the 1500 classic. I have a 1600 Nomad. He gets better gas mileage, about 5 mpg, but I think largely due to no windshield, so he also gets colder, wetter, and more bugs on his face shield. He seems to be slightly quicker out of a stop, but I think I can take him form 45-70. Clearly the Nomad has better passenger accommodations with the seat, seat back and floorboards, but his are decent too. He has leather saddlebags. I like the hard bags. We have ridden cross country together. Both bikes are great for 800 mile days and both handle crosswinds well, and both look great. The Nomad gets more oohs and ahhs from onlookers. I don't see much to complain about on either bike, and both bikes have features that let you brag a bit relative to the other from time to time. We both have ridden and like the other's bike, but neither of us would trade.

[VulcanE]

I can't comment on the differences, but just wanted to welcome you to the board from NW. Georgia, and to say that you'll love the Nad, and so will your wife!!!!!!!!

[dogdoc]

welcome and gooo for the Nomad for sure.

[mrfuni]

Welcome from South Florida...Love my Nomad

[theteacher1959]

Thank you, everyone! I appreciate the replies. It's a sad commentary when an individual (me!) has such a dilemma as to whether to buy a motorcycle, or not! Life could be worse . . .

Greetings to the other teachers out there . . .i have been back at it for about a week now and there is never a dull moment, what with 24 10-year-olds!

Again, thanks for the warm welcome and I'll be sure to keep my browser tuned in for more developments. Oh, I purchased my 1500 the day before thanksgiving and got a great price. Maybe I'll wait on the Nomad, too. But then again . . .