Touchy/Feely

[ells]

Took my ride on a new Nomad yesterday, a slow black one. Even told them I wasn't really in the market but apparently they wanted my impressions. Even thanked me at the end. I had it unescorted for about 25 minutes and got on a four lane at 70 mph and did some time in a parking lot as well as around some neighborhoods.

I'm 5'11" and a little on the lean side and I felt squeezed in. To get the sensation, slide all the way forward on your seat so the tank feels like it is in your lap and that is it. The ride was otherwise great though.





The front end has been completely reconfigured balance-wise so that it feels like an entirely different and much lighter bike. Those that have had problems with the slow speed handling of their 1500/1600s would be pleased. In a parking lot I had no issues with sharp tight against-the-stops turns and I don't do that on my 1600.

On the highway it as smooth as can be, maybe a touch soother then my 1600. Acceleration in 2nd and 3rd is amazing, maybe I didn't push it hard enough to find the torque peak in the higher gears. Shifting is very distinct and the slop in 1st is gone and it feels just like the others gears but with more "clunk" than the 1600 higher gears. What really surprised me was that there was no tendency to lug even at 50 mph in 6th. My 1600 is not real happy about going into 5th until over about 55, probably speaks to the lower end torque of the 1700. A tach on each would be nice.

There was a lot of drive train whining on the down shifts, maybe a belt thing but sounded like was from both the tranny and belt

Never could figure out how to change between the trip meter and odo but there is a set of switches on the right grip that does that as well as the mpg and DTE readings as the sales guy showed me afterwords. Didn't mess with the cruise control but would like that.

Its easy to see where the bag space went, just opened up the space around the shock.





Great dealership there in Longmont (I felt obligated to say that but they are a pretty good group although I have done most my business elsewhere)

[skimo]

Originally Posted by Ells

Its easy to see where the bag space went, just opened up the space around the shock.

Yeap that the view I just don't like. From the rear it's ok and from the side I can live with the looks of the bags, but that big gap just doesn't look right. And have you guys noticed the side covers are actually bigger and cover the shock more. I believe this is their attempt to fill the gap. Just imagine if the side cover was not as plump it would be the grand canyon there. A buddy of mine commented the side covers look to Suzukish.

I did a lengthy review on an earlier thread. That gapping hole next to the shock is awful.

I knew the bike would be nimble - shorter + less rake = nimble.

Low torque is great, but as I have said before, my previous bike had a TON of tourque. You will spend more money on tires.....gauranteed. Even if your gentle with it.

The new Nomad will have certain points that exceed the older ones, but in the end, I have no doubt the 15/16 will go down as a better all around motorcycle.

[dogdoc]

Im sure they will sell plenty of new 1700's to new buyers. if you have owned a 1500-1600 previously, you might not want to bite the bullet. Im not real impressed with wanting to ride it or anything. Im very content with my '05 so way fret.

[ndbigfish]

I have looked but didn't buy; just can't get pass the trim and feel. Wondered about removing the 09' bags and replacing with the earlier style. Thanks for the impressions and comments Ells.

[dbaliko]

Picked up my Nomad 1700 yesterday (red/beige) after selling my '02 Nomad which I had for 6+ years. So far I really like the 1700. I find the seat way more comfortable. The seat on my '02 was always one of my major gripes. My wife loves the rear seat on the new bike. She says it's also way more comfortable.While I did like the bags on my '02, I'm warming up to the new ones. I don't find them flimsy at all like I did at the bike show where I first saw the bike in December. I'm waiting to see what kind of nylon bag inserts Kawasaki comes with for the hard bags. With all that space up high a nice tall bag would give me much more room then the older version. One can only hope.
As you would expect the 1700 has a lot more power then my 1500 FI had. I'm still breaking it in and only rode 150 miles yesterday. Love the 6th gear. But limited for the first 500 miles to 65MPH. So it's sort of useless until I can get up to 75MPH or so. The radial tires are also a big plus. It handles much, much, much better then my '02! Engine heat is going to be an issue. I live in Dallas and it's in the low 90's. Sitting at a stop light with the aux. radiator fan running is like a blast furnace shooting at your legs. Definitely something to watch.
Looks like mid to high 30's on the MPG. Not great, but not terrible. Still going to have pretty good range with the 5.3 gallon tank. I can't wait to get this bike up to Colorado.
I'm a little ticked that there are no accessories at all for the bike yet. I'm ready to do my part to help the economy when they start offering stuff.

Doug

[flatlander]

Just a quick comment on the new bags. I've had my 07 for a month now and I'm still getting used to the top loaders. I had an 01 Nad and never had a problem loading the bags. The straps really helped. Traded for an '01 Wing 'cause I thought the wife would like it better for touring but the wind "envelope" closed in right on her and beat her up so she never really liked it. The side loading bags never were as convenient as the side loading bags on the Nomad though. Traded the Wing for a Yamaha Venture with top loading bags. (Guy wanted my wing and made me an "offer I couldn't refuse") The top loading bags on the Venture were very sturdy and easy closing but they were very narrow and didn't seem to hold as much.
On the new Nomad these bags are not my favorite as they don't seem very sturdy, I've already thought that Kawasaki will probably change them in a couple years. They do hold a lot though and are very wide at the top for easy loading, when I have too much to put in there I do have to make sure it's not covering the latches so they're not all that convenient but they are large. Not as pretty as the old style though.

[cactusjack]

That big gap between the saddlebag and shock is awful. You can't not notice it. It draws your eye right to it.

I'm sure we've all seen the saddlebags (usually aftermarket) on bikes with a 6" space between the bag and the bike. They look more like pontoons than saddlebags from the rear. That was one of the things that attracted me to the Nomad. The Nomad looked like it was designed around them, not the other way around. Not anymore. Maybe the new look will grow on me, who knows.

When the time comes to pull the trigger and trade mine in, I'd like to stay with Kawasaki. Since I want a full dresser, it would be the Voyager. There aren't many options in big twin full dress tourers, Ultra Classic, Victory Vision and Voyager. Suzuki offers nothing in that class. Star's offering is a V4, Honda's is the wing, BMW...no thanks.

[ponch]

Living in the desert as you do, a R1200GSA wouldn't be so bad to have as a second bike.

Originally Posted by cactusjack

That big gap between the saddlebag and shock is awful. You can't not notice it. It draws your eye right to it.

I'm sure we've all seen the saddlebags (usually aftermarket) on bikes with a 6" space between the bag and the bike. They look more like pontoons than saddlebags from the rear. That was one of the things that attracted me to the Nomad. The Nomad looked like it was designed around them, not the other way around. Not anymore. Maybe the new look will grow on me, who knows.

When the time comes to pull the trigger and trade mine in, I'd like to stay with Kawasaki. Since I want a full dresser, it would be the Voyager. There aren't many options in big twin full dress tourers, Ultra Classic, Victory Vision and Voyager. Suzuki offers nothing in that class. Star's offering is a V4, Honda's is the wing, BMW...no thanks.

[ringadingh]

Im sure there will be a lot of chrome available in the future to dress up the bikes, It will probably cost a pile to do, but I think thats what it will take to make them a real headturner.