Bought a Nomad

[james40]

I need more pullback, my back is still sore today. I'm not a fan of loud pipes, I actually prefer the stock. I have a 9 y/o grandson that rides with me at times and I don't want him to be getting deaf at 50 like me. I wear ear plugs now, but didn't for years. Lot's of wind and exhaust noise has taken its toll.

What size clamps for the stock engine guard? Anybody know. Thanks, James

[cactusjack]

1.25", if memory serves me.

[landman]

65 m.p. h. will get you closer to the 40 m.p.g. you hoped for.

[james40]

65 will have the trucks running you over on the freeways in California. I'd be happy with 35MPG at 75MPH.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm sure I'll have more questions over time. I'm out with the grandson for a while. Thanks to everyone. James

[gghost]

Agree about the noise. I have ridden behind some of my fellow Nomad riders who have altered/replaced their pipes and was not impressed. :-/ A more mellow tone would be great but loud is just LOUD. At one time I rode a bicycle every Saturday on 100-150 mile trips and loved the quiet (still have the bicycle 1973 Lambert). Enjoy your new (to you) ride. I hope you got the correct color.

[soverton]

James40, welcome the the world of Nomads. You will be in good hands here at KawaNOW. I have the PhatRiser II risers and I am 5'9". Be sure to check out the Scootworks scratch&dent page. I see the have the PhatRiser II right now for $99. I agree the mileage seem low.

[dantama]

Originally Posted by james40

Anybody have luck toning down the drone on V&H pipes? I did a lot of reading about the baffles. I can't be the only one that dislikes the drone at highway speeds. Is there a baffle combination that cuts down on it? I like the sounds just kicking around, but 8 hours of it at 70MPH got very old.

I did 60,000 miles with Vance & Hines pipes. When I got my next Nomad I was very surprised how much I liked the new one with stock pipes. I've had stock pipes ever since. So you're not alone on that.

[oldbikers]

James I have done about every thing you can do to the baffles on V & H baggers and the best you can hope for is to make sure the packing is good but they still have a rumble I have just bought a set of Harley touring mufflers, have not put them on yet but I know they will be a lot quieter. The phatts 2 risers are 4" high with a 2" pull back and are great I am only 5' 7" but they work for me I had the Chuckster's before I still have them if you decide to go that route I will let them go cheap.

[mark]

Congrats on the new ride. Best bike going hands down.

[psychocycle]

Good luck with the mods and welcome to the site.

[duneseven]

congratulations on the new ride your a tougher man than I if you did 8 hrs in the stock seat

[james40]

8 hours was torture, especially with a bike I had not yet customized to my body and riding style. The sheepskin helped, but my riding position killed me without highway pegs to stretch out.

My Magna is set up with a Corbin and highway pegs and I put in some pretty good days with it. Biggest difference I've found is the Nomad suspension doesn't transfer the bumps to me like the Magna. A much softer ride, I can get beat up pretty good on rough road with the Honda and the Nomad just takes it in stride. I think once I get all the ergonomic kinds worked out I'm really going to like the Nomad.

I also didn't like the heel shifter, it kind of locked my foot into one position on the floorboard. I was wearing my boots and I was able to shift fine with just the toe shifter, I think I'm going to ditch the heel shifter and toss it in the saddlebag if I find myself missing it.

As for the V&H pipes, if I can't tone them down at cruising speed, I'll offer somebody a swap for a stock set of pipes. The V&H's sound sweet though and I'm sure somebody would take me up on the offer. Different strokes, but I'm glad I didn't spend the $500 for aftermarket pipes and then find out I didn't like them.

Thanks for all the input and the welcome. James

[jonsamson]

congrats on the new ride. What year, model did you pick up?

[james40]

2008 Nomad, Diablo metallic black, debadged. I wasn't sure how I would like it without the tank badges, but I really like the look of the plain black. Nice clean look.

It needs a good cleaning after the ride and I'm going to get some pictures up after I put the drivers backrest put on and do some detailing

Thanks James.

[schoeney]

James...you might want to leave the heel shifter on for a couple weeks. Many of us didn't like it at first but after it became second nature you can't live without it....ok that might be a slight exaggeration....but you get my point.

Congrats....and I agree that quiet is nice.