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View Full Version : SOME OF THE THINGS I REALLY LIKE ABOUT THE NOMAD


12-02-2007, 07:19 AM
I have over 10,000 miles on my Nomad now and have found it much to my liking. On some motorcycles you are starting to get tired of them after the newness has worn off, but the Nomad continues to impress me more and more as time and miles go by.

I would not mine meeting the engineers and design team that developed the Vulcan and Nomads , I think they had their heads on straight so to speak and got a lot of things right.

Here are just a few of the things I appreciate about what I consider to be one of the better motorcycles ever manufactured. Most bikes being made today are very good and no doubt include some of these same features, however the overall balanced package found on the Nomad is hard to beat.

1. Majestic feel of ride, combination of engine torque, ridding position, sound of exhaust, overall smoothness, comfort and good handling both at slow and high speeds.

2. Personality of motorcycle. Very mechanical in nature with up close and visible engine, allows you to hear the engine work in a pleasant way, yet very smooth and pulsating, alive.

3. Automatic neutral finder. Use this almost every time I ride. A simple trouble free design using some steel balls in the transmission shaft to make finding neutral very easy without the difficulty found on some bikes of going pass neutral in too second or first gear. Only other motorcycles I know of to have this nice feature were the old British Royal Enfields, and they used a separate lever to fine neutral.

4. Dual electrical charging system. Two alternator windings and rotors, two voltage regulators etc. Two separate systems of 300 watts each giving 600 watts. The wiring diagram looks like if one side of the system failed you could limb in on the other 300 watt system. Goldwinger s know that their bikes have had more than their share of electrical charging system problems, patriotically the 1200cc Wings that had to pull the entire engine to replace the alternator that went bad on a lot of them.

5. I have always liked dual spark plug ignition, aircraft use them and it was a modification that some went to the expense to improve the combustion of the BMW opposed twin.

6. I still prefer shaft dive to the chain or belt on a large road bike.

7. Design of the automatic compression release system. Works so good that many may not know that it exist.

8. Very easy to remove saddlebags. Your will really appreciate this if you every needed to remove them from a GL 1500 Wing.

9. Most components very easy to get to when servicing . Air filter, oil filter spark plugs etc.

10. Combination of rubber mounted engine with dual gear driven counterbalance, works extremely well.

11. Headlight on only after the engine starts feature.

12. Exhaust sound, particularly with the Vance & Hines dual baggers.

Their are more but this is getting a little long. I am sure their are many other things you enjoy about your Nomad other than the above. ENJOY

mercianbike
12-02-2007, 07:42 AM
Excellent summary. I wouldn't mind if you continued your list. Some things are so great, like the neutral finder, I smile every time I use it. Other things you mentioned, like the dual electrical system, I didn't know about. I've only had my Nomad since November 9th and I am still learning. So that comment was very helpful.

unwind2
12-02-2007, 08:30 AM
Ah yes the neutral gear finder. I appreciate it so much esp after I have riden the guzzi then get back on the nomad.

Idaho
12-02-2007, 09:07 AM
I too learned something, Dual electrical system?!?!?! That is great. The technician in me wonders how will we know if/when one side fails? Is there an indication on the faceplate or will something quit working?

I personally appreciate all of the extras on the Nomad that other bikes only see as add on, Dresser bars, case guards, windshield lowers, hard bags, passenger floorboards. Oh, it's also big enough to make me feel comfortable without needing a forward control kit. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

beezer
12-02-2007, 09:17 AM
it's truly a rolling work of art IMHO

ds06nomad
12-02-2007, 10:49 AM
I didn't know half those things that Shilosam mentioned. All I know is that compared to bikes in its class, the Nomad is the best value, best looking, and best equipped for the money. I haven't a single regret in purchasing it...

DS

rlfaubion
12-02-2007, 10:53 AM
Duh, just recently I came to appreciate the "can't go with the kickstand down" feature, and the side opening bags are a great design.

12-02-2007, 10:59 AM
Hey you know what i like about my Nomad ! The Ride ;)

dogdoc
12-02-2007, 12:06 PM
I love the LOOK, its beautiful just to admire in my 2 pennies worth. Ride ain't bad either.

12-02-2007, 12:20 PM
I like it cause its black and curvy. Actually there really isn't anything about the nomad that I don't like. Even the stock seat is fine with me!

ponch
12-02-2007, 12:41 PM
The seat is literally a sore spot with me. I also wish it came with cruise control and about 10 more HP. None of these are a deal breaker, but it would be perfect if it did.



I like it cause its black and curvy. Actually there really isn't anything about the nomad that I don't like. Even the stock seat is fine with me!

triguy32
12-02-2007, 01:02 PM
Amen Bro! Just got back from a trip. While at this destination we went into a HD shop, I sat on a fully dressed HD, looked at my wife, and said, "I pitty the poor fellow who has to ride all scrunched of on this thing!" NOMADS do, in fact ROCK in oh, so many ways!
Triguy

rcashell
12-02-2007, 02:19 PM
Truly an ode to a Great Bike

12-02-2007, 02:44 PM
My observations about the dual features of the electrical charging system is based on the parts diagrams and a quick look at the wiring diagram. I also like the fact that this system can generate 600 watts without the use of alternator brush's which many times are the source of alternator failure. Blowndodge or others may have more complete information on this system and I would be very interested in it.

trip
12-02-2007, 07:52 PM
There are many, many things I love about the Nomad.....but what I love the most is how I can drag that pig through Deal's Gap three times and come out with a permanent smile on my face.

12-02-2007, 08:19 PM
<hr width=40% align=left size=1 class="hr">Riding a Nomad is Forever.........*

tylerai
12-02-2007, 08:37 PM
After reading that list and doubling my knowledge about my own bike, I feel even better.

http://pages.suddenlink.net/tylerai/kawapics/bigsmile.jpg

dank
12-03-2007, 10:34 AM
Makes me glad I ride one! But you are all missing one of the greatest features. Hydraulic valves. No valve adjustments. WOOHOO!!!!!

dantama
12-03-2007, 12:28 PM
Things I like:

The adjustable windshield, can easily get it to where I just look over the top, but can slouch a bit and hide from the rain if I want.

The crash bars. If you dump it ( I like to practice slow speed tight turn obstacles, don't always make it) no painted parts touch. I know other guy who are afraid to practice the tight stuff because if they screw up, they'll do real damage to the bike.

Hard bags, the best looking ones in all of motorcycling. Why everybody else hasn't copied it I don't know.

Hard bag portable inserts, use them for carry ons when flying too.

Adjustable levers, and well shaped levers too.

easy to do oil changes. Have read about the oil filter on V-stars and how difficult they are.

Valves that don't need adjusted. Wish the adjusters wouldn't run out of adjustment reach though.

OK that one needs another. I WAY love not needing valve adjustments.

The looks of awe from old people and kids. That part surprised me. Little kids and gray hair love it. Must remind the old people of their youth, because the Nomad style is pretty much from the 40's and 50's. Little kids must just naturally have good taste.

davidjones1
12-03-2007, 08:11 PM
I love the way everyone wants to walk up and take a look alot of these are HD riders they know they screwed up spending that extra cash to get what we have stock in the nomad. lol.

blowndodge
12-03-2007, 08:29 PM
I wouldn't mind owning a HD if I thought they were as nice running and reliable as the Nomad. They're not, therefo no money honey. Too bad, I am a patriot. Just earn it HD!!

oledawg
12-04-2007, 11:02 AM
I guess all's been said. But guess for me it would be the handling,and the ease of maint.
Change oil,put in gas and ride. Does it get any better?

12-04-2007, 11:08 AM
I wouldn't mind owning a HD if I thought they were as nice running and reliable as the Nomad. They're not, therefo no money honey. Too bad, I am a patriot. Just earn in HD!!


Earn in what???

blowndodge
12-04-2007, 11:27 AM
You wouldn't understand....re read marblehead

12-04-2007, 11:31 AM
<marquee>http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u272/DrNickDC/marblehead.jpg</marquee>

donoller
12-04-2007, 06:41 PM
http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.giflets just say it looks great sounds great its fun to ride and did i say its pretty besides the wife likes it even better then the wing