Brief Bike Swap

[Netnorske]

Awhile back I posted about a guy who works for me that sold his nice 1700 Road Star for a HD Road King. Well today we went for a couple hour ride after work since it is about 85 here today....and once we got out of town we switched bikes for a short stint.

OMG....all I can say is I know for sure what WON'T be my next bike....sheesh ! It was like riding a bull at a PBR rodeo. I had to lean way far forward and hunch up on the seat, the clutch was stiff, it shifted like a diesel truck and the rear shifter was too far forward on the floorboard. The balance was all wrong for long rides and I wouldn't have wanted to ride that thing a hundred miles, let alone a thousand. We only went about ten and I was dying to get off.

When he got off my Nomad, he said it felt like he was climbing onto a Winnebago... ....and that he could not believe how well and smoothly it cornered. I think he secretly misses his old bike already, but he will never admit it. He did say he misses his old seat, but that's about as far as he would go. I guess why should he care about comfort....he now has a HARLEY-DAVIDSON.... ::). In the immortal words of Billy Crystal...its not how you feel...its how you LOOK...yeah right .

[skeeter]

there's quite a few things I liked about the Harleys I've ridden. Comfort on the long haul wasn't there.

[schoeney]

I have never ridden a Harley but I have ridden other brands and sat on many different bikes. Coming back to my Nomad is like putting on your favorite pair of jeans...it just fits and is comfortable.

[ringadingh]

I have ridden some HD's that I didn't like at all, and some that were pretty good to ride. My biggest beef is the way they shake at idle, although they smooth out as soon as your underway, Im not sure I could get used to them. Other than that I found the Ultras handle pretty good and feel lighter than my Nomad. Its a more upright sitting position thats not uncomfortable to me, just different.

[dantama]

A lot of things are just a matter of what you are used to. Try getting in the car when the seat and steering wheel are set to your wife's setting. The car feels all wrong. Thank God for Lexus' auto reset buttons :)

I had a Harley for a winter (helping a friend out). Other than the turn signals on each bar, I was fine with it.

But what I like about the Nomad is that it does everything pretty good. Stability, not hunting for a straight ahead track, cornering (though a lack of cornering clearance), general comfort, it's just a good all around bike.

I must say, when the dealer took the engine out and put it all back together, the bars were in the wrong spot and it all felt wrong and uncomfortable. Kind of like getting on a Harley :)

I have ridden my brother's 2008 RK and found it to be very smooth and comfortable to ride. I think anytime you get on a bike that is "new to you" there will be an adjustment period before you feel familiar with it and can relax enough to enjoy it.

[taranis]

I'm surprise you would even have a thought about what your next bike would be, after all the customization you've done to your current one. Keep the 'nad!

I've test ridden several bikes after I bought mine, including a Goldwing and a ST1300. Neither compare to the comfort and "planted" feeling I get on the Nomad. Just a great all-around motorcycle.

[unwind2]

I agree with Cas - anytime you swap bikes there is a period of adjustment, getting familiar and comfortable with a different bike.

But also as Dan and Taranis said the Nomad is a great all around motorcycle and a wonderful day long cruiser. I am very happy with my Nomad.