Need some NOMAD knowledge!

[RadarContact]

What better place to go than to the experts!

I am thinking about buying a bike, which means I'll be buying a bike. After a few months of looking at everything, I keep coming back to the Nomad! I just really like the look.

I'd like to bounce some questions off the forum members...

1) are any years/models especially better/worse than the rest? Iow "look for..." Or "avoid...", etc.

2) anything in particular I should be wary of when looking at a used Nomad? Any "trouble spots?"

3) I'll be a fall and spring weekend warrior...won't be putting huge mileage on the bike. That said, what would be considered "high mileage" on a Nomad?
Saw a 2007 with 43k yesterday and that made me a little nervous. ??

4) since I'm new at buying bikes in general...what kind of value, if any, should be given to aftermarket parts?

I think that's it. I'm really excited, but always worried I'm gonna screw up.

Thanks for any info, and I'm looking forward to becoming a REAL member of the forum!

V/r
Darrin/RadarContact

[ringadingh]

Welcome aboard! The 99 Nomads are the only ones you should be careful of since they came with a plastic oil gear which was prone to breaking, most of them have been replaced with a steel gear, but check to make sure. They are overall good bikes and you can expect to change a clutch spring eventually unless its already been done. That is a cheap easy repair.

[HwyRider]

They changed the Nomad in 09 to belt drive and shortened it a little bit. Taller riders don't care for the 09 or up Nomads but people that are in the 5'10" range like it. The seat on the pre 09 Nomads sucks and most people change them out. The Russell Day Long seems to be the seat of choice although it is a pricey seat. The pre 09 Nomads don't have cruise control. The 09 and up do. The 09 and 10 Nomads had a recall for the ECU which was probably already taken care of by the current owner. If not it is a free replacement at the dealer. The pre 09 Nomad is a 5 speed. The 09 and up are 6 speed.

[skullbagger]

I had an 01 nomad bought it brand new in june of that year never a problem, blew an air shock one time got cover under warr. clutch was replaced around 25000 mi just sold it in may of this year ( custom painted, modified vance and hines pipes, hurricane air cleaner and a bully dog fuel processor) sold it with 36000 on the clock and wouldnt be scared to take it coast to coast. it was a awsome bike ,I like you , a weekend rider. just bought the orange 1700 vaquero in may, and hope to get the same results from my kawasaki's of previous years this is my 4th one.

GOOD LUCK-----------------SKULLSHAKER

[cactusjack]

I wouldn't consider a '99 due to the plastic oil gear. Everything that has already been said is good advice. I don't buy used bikes, but if I did, I'd buy the most recent model year that falls in my budget. Your biggest decision will be whether to get a 1600 (2005-2008) or a 1700 (2009-current). My personal opinion is that the pre-09 Nomads with the side opening bags look the best. The Nomads are solid, dependable bikes.

[rickyboy]

I agree with everyone else here. so far. I'm sure there will be others with their point of view. I think even those people like C.J. [above] that have gone to alternative bikes will say that the Nomad is a "solid bike".
I have an '06 which I bought new in '07 and have no plans to get rid of it. Another bike? Maybe but I'll always keep the Nomad. I love the look and it has never let me down. Having said that I have to say I only have 43,000 kms on mine. I really do need to get out more. LMAO. ......
There are numerous ways to make the Nomad your own for sure,.....I have changed all the lighting to LED except the headlight, put a Harley D. fairing and tour pak on mine, added some chrome and lights, cruise control, stereo, and a lot more and too much to mention. But with that goes $$$$ LOL.
It might do you well to look at gadget's web site to see the possabilities. A good place to have when wondering on how and what to do when it strikes you to do something. http://www.gadgetjq.com/gadgetsfixitpage.htm
Good luck and enjoy the new bike whatever you choose. Oh...and welcome.

[Top Cat]

You said,
Saw a 2007 with 43k yesterday and that made me a little nervous.

These bikes are capable of 150,000 miles if taken care of properly.
I put 88,000 miles on a 2007 I bought new and liked it so much I bought an 08 with 12,000 miles on it to replace the 07.

[Silent Sam]

...All great advice from experienced owners of Nomad's, and other types..

On my 02 1500fi Nomad.I have had seat comfort problems (including passenger seat discomfort also)..there are lot's of seat-options available...

Every bike has it's weak spot's, But the Nomad is an easy fix on the few glitches designed into it !

I ride long distance and local..I'm old and crippled up...but even I can maintain the Nomad keeping it...in top condition ! (except I have a bad lower back and broke my neck a few years ago, so cant do much stoop and bend...the spit shine on my Big Assed Bike suffers a bit as a result !)

I will never go to a bike with a belt or chain again...just gonna add..engineer..re-build the Nomad..to the bitter end !

...Welcome from The Sun Set Slope Of The High Sierra's

[Gypsy Dragon]

I'm not a Nomad owner, but i am a 1700 owner. The 1700's are a very quirky engine, that has some...issues that need to be addressed. A vast majority of it is warranty work, but is a PIA anyways. I love my 1700, but I have been working on my own bikes as long as I can remember. If you aren't mechanical, or don't want to mess with the possibility of having to do some work to a new bike, I would stick with the 1600's. They are fuel injected, will last forever, and, I know this is going to hurt, IN MY OPINION, the best looking Nomad.

[HwyRider]

Originally Posted by Gypsy Dragon

I'm not a Nomad owner, but i am a 1700 owner. The 1700's are a very quirky engine, that has some...issues that need to be addressed. A vast majority of it is warranty work, but is a PIA anyways. I love my 1700, but I have been working on my own bikes as long as I can remember. If you aren't mechanical, or don't want to mess with the possibility of having to do some work to a new bike, I would stick with the 1600's. They are fuel injected, will last forever, and, I know this is going to hurt, IN MY OPINION, the best looking Nomad.

I own a 2010 Nomad 1700. Would you care to explain the quirky engine and what work the 1700 needs? The only issue that they had was on the 09-10 that was a factory recall for the ECU. That is replaced by Kawasaki at no charge.

[RadarContact]

WOW! If the bikes are as impressive as the owners, I'm gonna love it when I own one.

Thanks so much for such great advice (and so quickly)!

By what you've told me, I think I'd actually prefer the ride height of the 09+, I'm only 5'8" now, but will stick to the '08s and older for the motor and look.
(I actually used to be 5'9-1/2" but I've got degenerative disc disorder so they've all shrunk a bit leaving me even shorter than I was...bummer! Lol)

I've learned that I shouldn't be worried about mileage if the bike was taken care of, and I'll probably want to change out the seat; I notice a lot of Mustang seats out there on customized bikes.

Gonna go check out that sale link...thanks!

(Thanks to all)

[dhuttonkc]

But DDD hasn't effected your seat height capability. It may have effected your reach to the grips which can be easily overcome with replacement risers or bars with more pullback. Or, you may find a low cost drivers backrest to provide the answer for you. I think an awful lot of owners 6ft or less have already replaced risers. Very few post their vital statistics when they talk about which chrome or bars or risers that they have installed. I am shrinking too (effects of gravity), but at 5-11 with a 33 inch inseam and 33 inch sleeve length I can flat foot the 05 nomad and comfortably reach the stock bars with Phat risers. I wish I had the Phat II risers for another 1inch of pullback, but had been concerned it might require new cables and hydraulic lines. Probably would not have needed extended cables after all with the Phat IIs. Comfortably being able to reach the grips on the highway and in parking lots is a MUST on the Nomad. The thing is a heavy bike and a bit cumbersome at low maneuvering speeds.

[Netnorske]

I had a 2008 1600 Nomad and loved that bike. One other thing most have to do at around 30k on the 1500/1600's is a cam-chain tensioner mod (lots of info here about it). Other popular mods are fairings, stereos, trunks, handlebar risers (you will want those), auxilliary lighting, aftermarket seats, etc. Due to emmision laws, these bikes (or any bike for that matter) come somewhat restricted and run very lean in the stock configuration. The fix is what's called the "big three". Open up the intake, add a fuel processor and add aftermarket exhaust. Chances are decent you can find a good used bike with much of this stuff already done to it...saving you time time and money. Ask about them when bike shopping.

You say you won't be doing high mileage rides, but if you don't, you are missing the best part of motorcycling. These bikes were made for the road. I bought mine new and put 54k on it....all over the northern and western US. It never let me down anywhere. Adding the trunk and luggage rack allowed my wife and I to travel anywhere. Nothing better than a 7-10 day ride to places you've never been or seen. Best of luck and there are no dumb questions. You might want to avoid asking about oil or tires...just sayin'.... FYI..."Darkside" refers to bikes equipped with cars tires on the rear wheel instead of MC tires. Tons of discussion about that here too. People do it for the improved mileage they get out of the rear tire...little other reason. Find a good 2007 or 2008 with low miles and enjoy the heck out of it!

[Gypsy Dragon]

Originally Posted by HwyRider

I own a 2010 Nomad 1700. Would you care to explain the quirky engine and what work the 1700 needs? The only issue that they had was on the 09-10 that was a factory recall for the ECU. That is replaced by Kawasaki at no charge.

I was making the assumption that the 1700 in the Nomad is identical to the 1700 in the Vaquero. I was mainly referring to the intake leaks, the hole in the stock ECU programming between 1500 rpm and 2000 rpm, and the sloppy throttle response that begs for a throttle mod.

Don't get me wrong, I love this motor, and the Vulcan in all forms. I have been a Kawasaki rider for many years. One of the things I love most about Kawi motors, is the personality. Honda's and Suzuki's have always seemed boring to me. But every Kawi I have ever had has had quirks and personality...moods, even. They are also absolutely bulletproof. I had an old '78 KZ1000 LTD that I broke an exhaust valve on, took a pie shaped chunk out of it during a missed shift over-rev. Rode it daily for 2 more years before I ever fixed it.

[HwyRider]

Originally Posted by Gypsy Dragon

I was making the assumption that the 1700 in the Nomad is identical to the 1700 in the Vaquero. I was mainly referring to the intake leaks, the hole in the stock ECU programming between 1500 rpm and 2000 rpm, and the sloppy throttle response that begs for a throttle mod.

Don't get me wrong, I love this motor, and the Vulcan in all forms. I have been a Kawasaki rider for many years. One of the things I love most about Kawi motors, is the personality. Honda's and Suzuki's have always seemed boring to me. But every Kawi I have ever had has had quirks and personality...moods, even. They are also absolutely bulletproof. I had an old '78 KZ1000 LTD that I broke an exhaust valve on, took a pie shaped chunk out of it during a missed shift over-rev. Rode it daily for 2 more years before I ever fixed it.

The Nomad doesn't have those issues that I'm aware of. A lot of riders opt to go to the grips sold by Ray to improve the throttle response. I haven't seen issues with it and haven't had a need to upgrade them.