99 nomad 1500 good bike or bad

[bab29mks]

hi im new here i just baught a 99 1500 nomad very nice bike the price was right so what i read these are low on power will this bike run with all the other bikes of its size 75mph sometimes more sometimes less been cold here so have not rode yet friends have hd and star yamahas i would hope this bike would stay up with them it looks great for the money thanks

[zoom45]

I have a 2000 1500 and so far no complaints. Great bike. Higher speeds make it drink the gas though and you have a smaller tank than the newer bikes. I usually stop for gas about every 90-100 miles.
Zoom45

[ndbigfish]

Welcome bab29mks.

I rode to work this morning on my 99' and
I came up on a bike. Turned out to be a sport bike. I thought "Strange why am I passing a sport bike". I looked down and checked the speedo and I was going over 80 mph. He just slipped away in my rear view mirror. :) I ride two up alot, in a hilly part of the country and I have never have a problem keeping up. Only problem with 99s is the POG. I fixed that with a Judge's Steel Gear. I think you'll find it to be a fine bike, after all it is nearly 90 cubic inches.

[phred]

The '99 is a terrible bike. Out of generosity, and my sincere desire to help fellow bikers, I'll give you $100 for it, so you don't have to suffer.

[bab29mks]

lol ok thanks guys big help not for sale yet lol

[cyclecat]

Well, if the bidding is on, I'll go $200

You need to find out if the POG has been changed for the steel oil gear and if not, change it before it goes and can possibly wreck your engine.

And as for being able to keep up, I've had my Ruby up to 100 mph and backed off the throttle. When the line in the middle of the highway turns solid and then disappears, your going way too fast on 2 wheels.

[phred]

You should probably also check how much travel you have left on your cam chain tensioners. I just bought my '99 3 months ago. She has 37,000 miles on her and was completely out of travel. Here's a link to gadgets site with info on the subject:
http://www.gadgetjq.com/cc_tensioner.htm

[coacha]

Good advice from other '99 owners. I just did a SS1000 on mine, mostly at highway GPS speed of 75+/-. Have 45,000 on my '99, POG has been replaced, now on to cam chain extenders.

[audiogooroo]

As others have stated, just verify the Plastic Oil Gear has been replaced with a steel one. Other than that, you have yourself an awesome bike!

[ells]

Originally Posted by CycleCat

And as for being able to keep up, I've had my Ruby up to 100 mph and backed off the throttle.

Originally Posted by CycleCat

...And as for being able to keep up, I've had my Ruby up to 100 mph and backed off the throttle...

??? ??? ???
If I recall from Custer rides, you didn't EVER go over the Canadian speed limit, something like 56 mph???? :)

Oh yeah, '99s are great bikes as others have said.

[wompus]

I didn't know there was other Nomads then a 99. ;)
The green ones are a lot better then the red ones!

I have well over 90,000 miles on mine, pulling a trailer most of the time, 2 up... and it can stay with any cruiser I've run with.

BUT... you had better check the oil gear and if it is plastic then you need a "Judges" gear.

[ndbigfish]

Ask the previous owner if they replaced the oil pump gear. Or I believe you can run the VIN in the Kawasaki website to see if it was replaced under warranty.

Replacing the plastic oil gear with a Judge's gear was no big deal. You need a clutch cover gasket, the gear and red Loctite. The hardest part is finding Judge to order a gear! ;)

If you find the POG has not been changed, I would plan to add Judge's washer set and a Meanstreak spring while you have the clutch cover opened. Both are a big improvement.

Wompus you should ask CoachA which are best: red or green.

[jasperboy]

I vote for the 1999 G/G color combo as the best.

[cyclecat]

Ells, the Canadian speed limit 100 kph, works out to 62 mph and I didn't say we've never gone faster than that. We have, on occasion, seen weather coming and ran faster to avoid it and everyone sooner or later has to see how fast their ride will go.

We will, however, go 75 mph if we need to but not in group, if we can avoid it, or on unfamiliar roads. We were on holidays in Custer and not on a time schedule, so what was the need to go that fast? We were there to enjoy the scenery, the roads, and the company, and you can't do that at 75 mph.

We know a guy in Calgary that will get on his Nomad and travel 2000 miles, or more, on a long week-end just to say he's done it. When you ask him what he saw, the answer is nothing because he was going to fast he couldn't look around. Every trip we've taken on the Nomads has been for pleasure and we can both tell you where we've been, and what the countryside looked like since we were going a speed that allowed us to enjoy the scenery.

[ells]

Cycle Cat, Good explanation, we all have to choose our speeds wisely. Your admission to 100mph just caught me a little off guard. Enjoy your spring riding season.