1600 nomad reliability

[Zrexer]

Hello all! I'm looking to learn about the 1600 Nomad and it's reliability. I have an 01' zrx 1200 and could'nt be happier with it. Knock on wood...NO problems. Ride...change oil. Basic stuff! So I am looking for a used Big cruiser (yammi roadliner, royal star, road star, VTX 1800, and 1600 Nomad). I really wanted the roadliner until I started reading about their 3rd gear failures and Yamaha not doing a recall on that problem. So short story on that bike is I don't want to drop $3,500 on a used one and then sometime down the road possibly have the 3rd gear failure. I hear that repair can be $2,500-$3,000! I understand that all bikes may have some issues but I consider that a major issue. I'm looking for a good size cruiser with good power throughout to cruise the highway AND scrape the boards on the back roads that requires basic maintenance and doesn't have a history of major problems $$$. Hope I'm not expecting too much. Any comments or suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

[redjay]

You could take a look at a Yamaha 1300 V Star Tourer.
With a few mods (intake, slip on muffler and ECU reflash you are looking at around 86bhp. They are 72bhp stock.
Good on gas, only 712lbs and no known issues with regard to engine/transmission failures. Windshield, bags and floorboards all stock.

[Zrexer]

Yes, I almost forgot about the 1300! I will be adding it to the short list.

[BudMan]

Welcome to the Forum.
No bikes are bullet proof but I think the 1600's are reliable machines.
Tires, oil and batteries are all mine has required.

[DragonLady58]

Just about all the bikes here are reliable for coast to coast trips, even with the owners pushing close to 120,000, to 150,000 miles! These Nomads, Vaqueros are every bit as reliable as the the big Wings or BMWs....if they've been serviced regularly.
Any machine can break down, but given some TLC, these bikes are awesome....
Every used bike buy is a total crapshoot, unless you know the owner personally. But the Kawa Vulcans are as rugged as they come. Only 2 things you gotta not do....
1. Don't force your shifter or be heavy footed, you'll bend a shifting fork....
2. Keep oil and filters changed, all electr. conns clean/tight/lubed....

and she'll out last you....

Yea, I looked at the Roadliners too, but the Nomads stylish looks just caught me and wouldn't let go. I sold my ElectraGlide that morning, that afternoon, I had my 01'Nomad....

[Top Cat]

I have had 2 Nomads, 2007 bought new and 2008 bought used.
Put 88,000 on the 07 and now have 52,000 on the 08.
These bike do need cam chain extenders around 35 to 40,000 miles.
Not to hard a job, a buddy and I did mine in about 2 hours but we take a lot of BS breaks
These are big bikes, to big for me now as I get older. I am 72 and my 08 is for sale. I have a Victory Kingpin, much lighter and to me it handles better than my Nomad.
Test ride all the bikes your interested in and go from there.

[Zrexer]

Great info! Thanks!!

[Navigator]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

I have had 2 Nomads, 2007 bought new and 2008 bought used.
Put 88,000 on the 07 and now have 52,000 on the 08.
These bike do need cam chain extenders around 35 to 40,000 miles.
Not to hard a job, a buddy and I did mine in about 2 hours but we take a lot of BS breaks
These are big bikes, to big for me now as I get older. I am 72 and my 08 is for sale. I have a Victory Kingpin, much lighter and to me it handles better than my Nomad.
Test ride all the bikes your interested in and go from there.

I'm with you TopCat. I'm pushing 70 and the older I get the heavier the Nomad seems. It was not that way when I bought it in 2015 but that darn age thing......

And agree with all on the Nomad. I've had Harleys, Beemers, VStroms and Rockets (just bought another) and the Nomad is as good as any of them. They are not bullet proof but a fine machine.

[Tortuga]

Take a hard look at the Yamaha Royal Star and Tour Deluxe. I had a RS and never put a penney into it except maintenance. I sold it with 117,000 miles on the clock. I then had a RS Venture which was their full boat tourer. I sold that with 177,000 miles on it and the buyer is still riding it. The Venture's have garbage for a rear shock, so if it hasn't been changed to an aftermarket Hagen or Works Performance, it will need it. They're as close to bullet proof engines as you can get. It's a powerful 1300cc V-4 which began life in the V-Max in about 1985 and was a romper and a stomper of a hooligan bike. They detuned it and stuck it in the Ventures and Royal Star. It can be hot rodded with addition of V-Max parts, including cams, valves and rear end and turned into a screamer of a touring or cruiser bike. I sold the Venture cuz it was getting too heavy and we didn't do much long distance touring and bout an '06 Nomad. If I had it to do over again I would have hunted down a used Royal Star or Tour DeLuxe. I've had plenty of issues with the Nomad. I'm of the view that you shouldn't have to pour money into a bike to get it to run and ride well with add on fuel processors, air kits, etc, etc. Modify it cuz you want to not cuz you have to. Good luck.

[alwhite00]

Do the yamahas have a fairing on either of them?

Is this the kawasaki forums? Seems like more people on this thread dislike them than not.

[Zrexer]

Tortuga, funny that you mention the RSTD. I am also looking at that bike. I have always been interested in and have loved the look and the engine. I'll use the month of November to compare and look and hopefully pick something up in December. Thanks for the input.

[Zrexer]

Originally Posted by alwhite00

Do the yamahas have a fairing on either of them?

Is this the kawasaki forums? Seems like more people on this thread dislike them than not.

Yes! The royal star venture has a fairing and the RSTD has a quick detachable windshield.

[Navigator]

Looks good. Low center of gravity

[alwhite00]

Originally Posted by Zrexer

Yes! The royal star venture has a fairing and the RSTD has a quick detachable windshield.

Are they all carbed or did some have EFI? How often do the valves need to be adjusted? Good looking bikes.

[Navigator]

[QUOTE=Tortuga;693924 I'm of the view that you shouldn't have to pour money into a bike to get it to run and ride well with add on fuel processors, air kits, etc, etc. Modify it cuz you want to not cuz you have to. Good luck.[/QUOTE]

I'm not quite sure what this means. To me the Nomad has adequate performance, as does a stock Harley that most owners spend considerable money upgrading.

Most riders eventually want to enhance performance of stock machines though since they are generally built for EPA compliance and not optimum performance, with the Nomads being no different.

IMHO the Nomad 1600 requires no performance upgrades. However, while I rode my stock 1600 throughout Washington and British Columbia I, like many, wanted just a bit more. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to purchase a Cobra true dual exhaust system for under $500 that perked it up considerably.

To me the Nomad is a wonderful ride and a bike that I will keep even though I just acquired a Triumph Rocket 3. And oh, I'm already investigating performance upgrades for that incredible torque monster.

Are there many other options? Yes but of course. The Nomad is a very fine, beautifully finished, very affordable and most reliable machine.