1500 vs 1600

doublel · 12-12-2010, 10:36 PM

I am starting to research my options for a new bike. I am looking mostly 2002 to 2008. I was wondering if some of you had owned both the 1500 and the 1600 and what your opinions are on both. Which do you prefer for comfort, handling, gas mileage?
Etc. Thanks!!

cactusjack · 12-12-2010, 11:27 PM

Personally, I'd buy the 1600 with the least mileage I could get my hands on. Not that there's anything wrong with the 1500, I'd just want as close to new as possible.

AlabamaNomadRider · 12-13-2010, 12:30 AM

Larry, I'm with CJ on getting the newest bike with the least mileage possible for your money. There really isn't a lot of difference between the 1500 and 1600. Gas mileage should be pretty close between the two. Might have just a tad more power with the 1600.

Netnorske · 12-13-2010, 01:17 AM

Larry,
One of our members, Jim McFarlane (fakebikerdude59) in Tacoma was selling his 2008 Blue/Silver 1600. I don't know if he still has it, but it had about 15k on it I think. That would be a nice ride...and close to home. I will PM you his cell number and you can give him a call....

**ringadingh** · 12-13-2010, 09:50 AM

The 1500's are easier to work on, especially under the seat and around the battery area. They have aluminium rims, a lot more accessories were available for them, and you can still find them with pretty low miles if you look around. The 1600's have a different tank profile, wider rims, and a few other minor changes.
I like the look of the 1500 better than the 1600's personally but its just a minor detail anyways as they are very similar. If it doesn't matter to you, you should probably get the newest bike you can afford.

**Top Cat** · 12-13-2010, 10:13 AM

Just curious doubled, what is the bike in your signiture picture ???

doublel · 12-13-2010, 10:25 AM

TC-The pic is my former bike. A 2000 1500 fuel ijected

**Top Cat** · 12-13-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doublel

TC-The pic is my former bike. A 2000 1500 fuel ijected

Thanks for the reply.
I would go as new as I could afford up to 2008. That is what I plan on when I trade my 07 in.
I will go to as low a milage 07 or 08 I can find and transfer my acessories to it then sell the one that has high milage.

**ringadingh** · 12-13-2010, 10:51 AM

If I was to trade up to a newer bike I wouldn't be able to transfer all the accessories to a 1600. the fairing wouldn't fit, and neither would the rack and beerbox, as well as some of the fender trim. On the other hand if I put all the old stuff on the bike, its really not all new is it.

waterman · 12-13-2010, 11:10 AM

Having owned a 1500 and a 1600, I would opt for the 1600. Here are my thoughts. The 1600 handles much better than the 1500. Not much difference in regards to gas mileage and feel when going down the road. The biggest difference was with low speed handling. Much improved on the 1600.

**Jared** · 12-13-2010, 01:15 PM

I always thought they were the same bike, but with different gas tank and fenders and a slightly tweaked motor. Is there really all that much difference? I can't imagine why it would perfor differently at slow speeds? Also, why wouldn't the fairing work on the 1600? Aren't the forks the same?

I'd love to see a list of the difference. Is there such a list around?

Like others have said, the 1600 is a great bike. Newer, with low miles would be ideal.

**GIBBY** · 12-13-2010, 01:29 PM

Hey Jared,
Go to the top of the page and click on Nomad Specifications, most of the relevant info. is located there. The fork width is greater on the 1600's. My choice would be to get the newest 1600 possible with the least mileage.

**Top Cat** · 12-13-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

If I was to trade up to a newer bike I wouldn't be able to transfer all the accessories to a 1600. the fairing wouldn't fit, and neither would the rack and beerbox, as well as some of the fender trim. On the other hand if I put all the old stuff on the bike, its really not all new is it.

Not following your logic on that Steve.
The bike would be new to me with less miles and I would save a ton of money by not buying new accessories. ??? Makes sense to me.

waterman · 12-13-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

I always thought they were the same bike, but with different gas tank and fenders and a slightly tweaked motor. Is there really all that much difference? I can't imagine why it would perfor differently at slow speeds? Also, why wouldn't the fairing work on the 1600? Aren't the forks the same?

I'd love to see a list of the difference. Is there such a list around?

Like others have said, the 1600 is a great bike. Newer, with low miles would be ideal.

Jared,

The 1600 has more rake on the front. This leads to better handling. It isn't much but it is enough.

**Jared** · 12-13-2010, 04:05 PM

Interesting. I never knew there were so many differences. Esthetically, the 1600 looks better to me.

12-12-2010, 10:36 PM	#1
doublel Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 102	1500 vs 1600 I am starting to research my options for a new bike. I am looking mostly 2002 to 2008. I was wondering if some of you had owned both the 1500 and the 1600 and what your opinions are on both. Which do you prefer for comfort, handling, gas mileage? Etc. Thanks!! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-12-2010, 11:27 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	1500 vs 1600 Personally, I'd buy the 1600 with the least mileage I could get my hands on. Not that there's anything wrong with the 1500, I'd just want as close to new as possible. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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12-13-2010, 12:30 AM	#3
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	1500 vs 1600 Larry, I'm with CJ on getting the newest bike with the least mileage possible for your money. There really isn't a lot of difference between the 1500 and 1600. Gas mileage should be pretty close between the two. Might have just a tad more power with the 1600. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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12-13-2010, 01:17 AM	#4
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	1500 vs 1600 Larry, One of our members, Jim McFarlane (fakebikerdude59) in Tacoma was selling his 2008 Blue/Silver 1600. I don't know if he still has it, but it had about 15k on it I think. That would be a nice ride...and close to home. I will PM you his cell number and you can give him a call.... __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016
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12-13-2010, 09:50 AM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	1500 vs 1600 The 1500's are easier to work on, especially under the seat and around the battery area. They have aluminium rims, a lot more accessories were available for them, and you can still find them with pretty low miles if you look around. The 1600's have a different tank profile, wider rims, and a few other minor changes. I like the look of the 1500 better than the 1600's personally but its just a minor detail anyways as they are very similar. If it doesn't matter to you, you should probably get the newest bike you can afford. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-13-2010, 10:13 AM	#6
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	1500 vs 1600 Just curious doubled, what is the bike in your signiture picture ??? __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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12-13-2010, 10:25 AM	#7
doublel Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 102	1500 vs 1600 TC-The pic is my former bike. A 2000 1500 fuel ijected
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12-13-2010, 10:51 AM	#9
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	1500 vs 1600 If I was to trade up to a newer bike I wouldn't be able to transfer all the accessories to a 1600. the fairing wouldn't fit, and neither would the rack and beerbox, as well as some of the fender trim. On the other hand if I put all the old stuff on the bike, its really not all new is it. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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12-13-2010, 11:10 AM	#10
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	1500 vs 1600 Having owned a 1500 and a 1600, I would opt for the 1600. Here are my thoughts. The 1600 handles much better than the 1500. Not much difference in regards to gas mileage and feel when going down the road. The biggest difference was with low speed handling. Much improved on the 1600. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
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12-13-2010, 01:15 PM	#11
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	1500 vs 1600 I always thought they were the same bike, but with different gas tank and fenders and a slightly tweaked motor. Is there really all that much difference? I can't imagine why it would perfor differently at slow speeds? Also, why wouldn't the fairing work on the 1600? Aren't the forks the same? I'd love to see a list of the difference. Is there such a list around? Like others have said, the 1600 is a great bike. Newer, with low miles would be ideal. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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12-13-2010, 01:29 PM	#12
GIBBY Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Osceola,WI Posts: 3,083	1500 vs 1600 Hey Jared, Go to the top of the page and click on Nomad Specifications, most of the relevant info. is located there. The fork width is greater on the 1600's. My choice would be to get the newest 1600 possible with the least mileage. __________________ Mike "GIBBY" Gibson Osceola, WI VBA # 1279 2011 National Rally 2012 NCR Rally 2012 Antlers Rally 2013 National Rally 2013 Antlers Rally 2014 NC/SC Rally 2014 Antlers Rally 2015 VRA/VBA Rally 2016 NCR Rally 2016 Antlers Rally 2017 Antlers Rally 2018 NC/SC Rally 2018 Antlers Rally 2019 Antlers Rally 2020 Antlers Rally 2022 Antlers Rally 2023 Antlers Rally 2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited 2022 Indian Roadmaster
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12-13-2010, 04:05 PM	#15
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	1500 vs 1600 Interesting. I never knew there were so many differences. Esthetically, the 1600 looks better to me. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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