1700 Nomad questions

[jlklein]

Hi folks,
So, loving my new (to me) 2014 Nomad 1700, can't believe with 200# on my old bike it handles almost as nimbly as my son's old 800 Classic :)

As I'm coming from an older (2005) Classic 1500 FI I have a couple of "is this normal?" questions:

-Shifting CLACK!: Is it normal to be so much louder than the 1500's? I have no problems shifting and it runs/responds wonderfully, but it's definitely much much louder than I'm used to hearing on any of my other bikes (Classic 1500 & 800, Drifter 800, Honda Spirit 750).

-6th Gear: Is it normal to feel like it's sorta too low in the gear, even if you shift over at 70-80mph? I did some reading and despite Kawa's recommended 6th gear shift at 38mph (???), most seem to agree that shifting at 3500-4000 rpm is appropriate, which puts the shifting speed at over 100mph. That would seem to make more sense with what I'm "feeling", but almost makes it seem like 6th gear is pretty useless off the Utah Salt Flats ;). And why does it say "OD"? Why not just 6th, OD means *down* shifting to pass with a surge of upper gear range speed, no?

Thanks,
Jeff

[ErikB]

My Vaquero is fairly loud when shifting as well, so was the last one I had. I would say in general, the 1700 is a loud bike. Lots of belt whine on decel, fairing creaking and vibrating, and shift clanking etc. My Indian is like butter in comparison. Still, I love the damn thing. :)

[mbarr10]

As I'm coming from an older (2005) Classic 1500 FI I have a couple of "is this normal?" questions:

I had the 2007 1500 classic FI. And all you have described is what the 1700 is.

It does handle corners better than the Classic. The classic had a 30 degree rake on the front forks and the 1700s have a 28 degree rake.

If your bike has had the Ivan ECU flash it is not to bad in 6th gear. after about 5,000 miles with the ECU flashed the bike (At least the Vaquero) is just getting broke in so I am told and I can see what they mean and feel it. You should be able to get rpms down in the 2000 range in 6th and feel comfortable with the motor. Just do not expect to make a pass with it there.

[jlklein]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

It does handle corners better than the Classic. The classic had a 30 degree rake on the front forks and the 1700s have a 28 degree rake.

Amazing what 2 degrees gets you :)

If your bike has had the Ivan ECU flash it is not to bad in 6th gear. after about 5,000 miles with the ECU flashed the bike (At least the Vaquero) is just getting broke in so I am told and I can see what they mean and feel it.

Yeah, she's only got a little over 3000 miles on her now (bought her with 2600 end of last month), so still "breaking in". No Ivan's flash, but it's on my short list. Sounds like it cures a myriad of minor quibbles with the bike (decel pop, heat, shifting) so just saving my pennies...it'll likely be the next thing I get after I get a Chucksters' hitch for my August trip. Then it'll be a lightbar...a re-carved seat...some slip-ons (if debaffling doesn't do it for me)...a seat backrest...

You know what they say, "Buying a motorcycle is just putting the down payment on all the accessories..."

Thanks,
Jeff

[Peg]

Both 5th and 6th are overdrive gears, but like the others say - 6th isn't really much use until you wake it up with Ivan's flash. Riding in 5th gear will often show better mileage on the digital readouts the Vaq / Voyagers have, even after the flash.

Before the flash, 6th is really only of any use on a downhill run.

Edit: And Oh Yeah! they clunk... You think the '14 1700 is bad, come listen to the '09 straight cut gears on mine. They changed the cut slightly after the first year, which helps, and there are other remedies. I've found Mobil Racing 4T fully synthetic quiets it down a little (and when it gets noisy again I know I'm due an oil change - she speaks to me). And the clunk into first gear from neutral with a cold bike can be eliminated if you let it warm up a while with the clutch pulled before selecting first.

[MrMikey]

OD means *down* shifting to pass with a surge of upper gear range speed, no?

Means the engine is turning slower than the the output shaft, somewhere around a 0.85 ratio I think?.

You should be able to get rpms down in the 2000 range in 6th and feel comfortable with the motor. Just do not expect to make a pass with it there

.
Mine in 6th at 110Kmh it's turning 2500, in 5th, 3000. Still don't like 6th a lot.
Amen on the pass unless you have a tail wind and are aimed downhill..............Mike

[smokier]

Originally Posted by jlklein

You know what they say, "Buying a motorcycle is just putting the down payment on all the accessories..."

Aint't that the truth!
Yes, clunking is pretty loud during shifting. As Peg stated

Originally Posted by Peg

And the clunk into first gear from neutral with a cold bike can be eliminated if you let it warm up a while with the clutch pulled before selecting first.

helps. I also work the clutch a bit while she warms up for those first 30 seconds or so, that too seems to help that drop into first not seem so loud.

Get IVANized; When the 2015 Vaq was bought, it came home and the ECU went to Ivan the next day. Having experienced the difference in the 2012 Vaq, the reprogramming was THAT important to me.

Ride safe,
Smokier

[warrbucks222]

'12 Nomad, clunky shift is nature of the beast, but with experience you learn how n when to shift to eliminate some. Warmup is 4 minutes. Mobil 4t quiets it, but makes 4 very thing else suck performance wise. K&N air filter significantly improved mine. Shell premium gas too.6th is overdrive & lugs til doing 75 or 80mph. Shift down, it can run all day in 5th. Shifts mostly between 2000 & 2800. 34000 miles on mine. Love it. Unlocks the beast at 4000 rpm at speed.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[mbarr10]

next thing I get after I get a Chucksters' hitch for my August trip

I also have the chucksters hitch, If you leave the receiver in It makes some noise while you travel, You will get some rattles. Less with a trailer on ( the weight). BonVoyager and Buckley1313 are using this hitch. Nice But I wanted a removable receiver. Anyway something to look at before you purchase.

[jlklein]

Thanks, folks. All great info. I did notice that when you shift makes a little difference with the clacking; I typically shift low around town and higher up in revs on the highway so will experiment a bit.

I will likely do the flash after the hitch, as I need the hitch soonest for my next trailer trip. I had a Chuckster's on my 1500 and although the hitch rattled a little with no trailer, wrapping it with a little electrical tape pretty well fixed that, and I removed it when not in use (personal preference).

I usually use Rotella T6 in all my bikes (and truck), but I did read something about them starting to put friction modifiers in it so will have to check that out before my next change.

Now time to go ride 'er to church :)

Thanks,
Jeff

[jlklein]

Been experimenting with lower shifting and ya'll were right, it does make a pretty marked difference in shifting noise when done lower in the gears (which is where Kawa seems to recommend it, but I always thought it was too low).

Thanks for the tip :)

Jeff

[mbarr10]

Been experimenting with lower shifting and ya'll were right, it does make a pretty marked difference in shifting noise when done lower in the gears (which is where Kawa seems to recommend it, but I always thought it was too low).

After the 1500 Classic slipping out of gear on occasions, I have always felt the clunk Was a Positive shift and I do not have to worry about it coming out of gear. Makes me feel good.