Newbie From Northern Virginia

[mercianbike]

Glad I discovered this forum. It's clearly one of the best I've seen as far as format, content, and execution. I've only been on two wheels for a little less than two years. Took the MSF course with my daughter just to keep her company and I became the enthusiastic one. Started off with a Yamaha V-Star 650 and it was an excellent bike for a first bike. Many keep them for their one and only bike. Got a complete education on 650's from their Delphi forum and put over 12K on it in a year and half riding mostly with my son-in-law who rides a Vulcan 2000. Enjoyed making mods and doing my own maintenance. About six months ago I decided I wanted something a little bigger and I really liked the appearance of the Harley Road King. But I couldn't convince myself I wanted to spend that much money. Then I discovered the Nomad and it had all the features I wanted and more. Found a 2006 green/silver model a few weeks ago on craigslist.com with only 3K on it that was being sold on consignment by a Kawa dealer for the party they had originally sold it to. The dealer had all the maintenance records since new, it was still under warranty, and it already had dealer installed Cobra pipes and FI2000 fuel manager as well as some additional chrome goodies. It was spotless and I thought the price was right and I bought it. Been busy transferring some of the compatible items off the 650 onto the Nomad like my Barron's tachometer, Iso-Grips and some additional brake lights. So far I'm absolutely delighted. Now I gotta jump over to the ongoing thread on who is the oldest Nomad owner and take over the leading position.

[davidjones1]

Welcome, you will love the nomad its the best big bike I have ever owned and this site ....well their nuts but in the best way, more info on the momad then anyother site. sit back and enjoy ride safe.

[Todd]

Welcome mercianbike.....been through Royal a few times riding up through VA from NC...hope we can get together and ride the beasts one day.

[ringadingh]

Welcome aboard!

Glad to have you here! You don't stop riding because you get old, you get old because you stop riding. Ride on bro!

[trip]

Welcome to KawaNOW, mercianbike! Make yourself at home.

Trip

[blowndodge]

welcome mercianbike. You got the fastest color too! Good job!

Welcome mericanBike.

[unwind2]

Welcome and hope you'll consider coming to the first ever Eastern Rally this summer....close to your neck of the woods.

[Yellow Jacket]

Welcome mercianbike. Yes, the green/silver 2006 is the best!

[chmorro]

Good to see another Nomad rider from Northern VA. I'm down in Stafford, just southeast of you. If you ever want to ride let me know. I've been riding about the same amount of time. My first bike was a Vulcan 800 classic, that my wife now rides. I am just as you, now I'm the fanatic and my wife has been riding longer than I have! Enjoy the site, and fill your head up with all the great info. If your ever looking for another rider, let me know. I'm always game for a ride!

[socwkbiker]

Welcome mercianbike! The cooler's over there, grab a cold one and enjoy! And don't listen to BD, his bike still sounds like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/1728330533_c420893206_m.jpg

[mercianbike]

Many thanks for all the welcoming comments. This is really a friendly forum where one can feel comfortable asking just about anything without being jumped on. Fortunately I have found answers to most of my questions by using the "search" feature.

Got everything transfered off my Yamaha 650 that will fit on the Nomad; Baron's tach, Kuryakyn LED voltmeter, iso-grips, and 35W bullet lights that I added for brake lights. Exchanged emails with Sid Findley (Edmonds Enterprises) today about ordering some larger lowers that will accommodate a light bar that I plan to purchase.

After riding the new Nomad about 300 miles this past few weeks, I got back on the Yammy 650 for a short ride. What a difference! I felt like I was riding my grandson's toy motorcycle. Like I said in my original post, the 650 was excellent for a first bike. But after riding the Nomad, there's no looking back. The only thing I will miss about the 650 was the 57mpg I was getting. Not so with the Nomad.

[dui546]

Welcome fellow Virginian! Hope to meet you at the Eastern Rally.

[unwind2]

But after riding the Nomad, there's no looking back.



That is sooooooooo true! :)

[dip]

Greetings from Maryland...you found the 'right' place. but the green one...well I guess you are still alright; but remember grasshopper -- Black leads the pack.