performance of the 1600

[rflnomad]

BD, Mama K has always been known for performance. ( as in POWER)
In retrospect to other Kawasaki models I have owned from KV75 to 900 Z-1, the Nomad is kind of reserved.
I know the weight is a issue. As well the windshield kills the areo lines of the bike. But in your opinion, is this engine very mildly tuned?
Is the 1600 Meanstreak tuned different? FI and ignition maps? Cam profiles?
I ride the Nomad pretty mildly and I DO enjoy it. Just wondering.
I would love to buy another one and customize it into a hellion.
Thanks.

[blowndodge]

considering the HP is around 60 and the tq is 80lb ft this is as mildly tuned an engine as can be. Considering most manufacturers are able to put out 100 hp per liter, for a Kaw this is something out of the ordinary. The Nomads however are known to run easily over 100K miles and much further. 5900 rpms and 4 valve heads with this low output still makes no sense to me. All this could have been done on a 2 valve head with less recipricating parts. 4 valve heads came on the scene years ago to aid in maintaining velocity through the head with revability in the top end. 4 smaller valves accomplish this better than 2 large valves matching the same surface area. But it's unheard of in a very large two cylinder 1600cc with a low rev limit. Maybe someday MaKaw plans to tweak the sh*t out of it and give us 100 honest hp. That would still be conservative at 1600cc, very conservative.

Yes the Mean streak has larger injectors and a different cam profile along with a little higher rev limiter, along with stronger clutch springs. I think about having a little more juice. It's not that I'm looking for a rice rocket like the ZX14 but 1600cc and 800lbs is not a bike for the inexperience rider. Nomads are huge bikes. Have you ever parked next to a Harley and almost laughed at how much bigger your Nomad is! It's a lot bigger. We could have handled the extra 30 HP with no problem.

I'm good for now but they could have got that much HP from a much smaller lighter motor and bike with still substantial size and tuned it to pull hard and probably get a little better gas mileage. Just thinking out loud of course. It's not like I have to downshift to 3rd when passing on the highway. I scratch my head to over the power output but it doesn't detract from my love for the bike.

[ds06nomad]

BD,
What is your opinion of the Thunder Mfg. cam kit for the Nad?

DS

[blowndodge]

With exhaust modifications everyone that has done that comments that it really wakes the bike up. This intake noise is very noticable if thats not an issue with you.

[dogdoc]

For every action there is a reaction

[donoller]

ITS JUST FINE IF I WANTED MORE POWER I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A ZX14

[jlamz]

BD,
What is your opinion of the Thunder Mfg. cam kit for the Nad?

DS

I did the thunder mod and was disappointed in the results. I did the stealth thunder mod, added Cobra true duals and a FI2000r. I had the bike dyno tuned at the local kawa dealer and the bike only produced 55 hp and 72 lbs of torque. I did not get a baseline before the mods, because I did them before the dyno tune. Makes me wonder what the bike really produces stock.

[blowndodge]

I'm sure Todd will be able to provide an answer!!

[Todd]

I'm sure Todd will be able to provide an answer!!

1K resistor!

[blowndodge]

I should have known............:-)

[beezer]

[quote:wcvdtyjj]BD,
What is your opinion of the Thunder Mfg. cam kit for the Nad?

DS

I did the thunder mod and was disappointed in the results. I did the stealth thunder mod, added Cobra true duals and a FI2000r. I had the bike dyno tuned at the local kawa dealer and the bike only produced 55 hp and 72 lbs of torque. I did not get a baseline before the mods, because I did them before the dyno tune. Makes me wonder what the bike really produces stock.[/quote:wcvdtyjj]

Isn't 55 HP less than it started out with?

[oldbiker]

I've often wondered about the power of the 1500 and 1600's. At my age it's no big deal it's just the thought of not having something that should be there. Many years ago I owned a KZ 750 and it flew. On a recent poker run I teamed up with a guy on a 2004 Victory TC, the old 92 inch hard bag tour bike. We pulled out on a four lane and he smoked me. Sad.

[rlfaubion]

On my 1600 Classic I have Kuryakn Air, PCIII, and V&N Long Shots. Had it tuned, and it's fast. Much faster than my Nomad. I call the Classic "My Hotrod", and the Nomad, "Your Dad's Oldsmobile".

I've done the resistor mod on the Nad, and it helped tremendously. However, with the colder weather we have in the winter, I suspect I'm running a little richer than I would like. I know my gas mileage is dropping as it gets colder. I'm thinking of adding a switch to turn the resistor off. Anyone done this?

[dank]

On my 1600 Classic I have Kuryakn Air, PCIII, and V&N Long Shots. Had it tuned, and it's fast. Much faster than my Nomad.

My sons's stock 1500 classic is faster than my 1600 Nomad too. (But I wouldn't trade.)