Touchy/Feely

ells · 04-12-2009, 10:23 AM

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)

04-12-2009, 10:23 AM	#16
ells Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boulder County, Colorado Posts: 2,014	Touchy/Feely 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) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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