1700 Nomad Review

[nomadbehappy]

Just got my rider magazine in the mail today and there is a review on the 1700 Nomad. Pretty positive review on the bike. I have an '08 1600. There are some things I like better about the 1700 like cruise control is standard, seat looks comfortable and it has a 6th gear - I keep trying to find my 6th anyway . Although I didn't think I would like the side opening saddlebags when I got my Nomad, I like them better than the new top opening ones and I look over my windshield - wait now I look over my new fairing!

I checked them out at the bike show over Christmas and they are really still pretty much the same, not enough difference to make me think about changing, but maybe a few years down the road they will have fixed the small issues with the Voyager and I will think about that

Here is a link to a preview of the article in Rider mag http://www.ridermagazine.com/output.cfm?id=2477161

Happy riding

Brian

[cnc]

I wouldn't change my Nomad for the 1700 either, maybe the Voyager but after they have had a few years to work out any bugs that show up.

[ringadingh]

I didn't think Id like the side opening bags much either, but turns out I love tham know. And Im also always reaching for a sixth gear when Im on the highway.

[thedude]

I find myself looking for 6th gear sometimes, but not as much as I did on my Suzuki C50T Boulevard. I was always searching for another gear on that bike. Bottom line, it doesn't matter to me that there is no 6th gear on the '08. The only thing I like about the new bike is the cruise.

[metalman]

I sat on the 1700 and felt very cramped. I don't like the side loading bags, but I guess I ought to get used to them because I have them on the 98 and the 08 Wings. The 86 Wing had excellent top loading bags. I certainly would like more power with the Nomad, but at this point I am satisfied with what I have.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I would like the cruise control and top loading bags are nice. I have gotten used to side opening bags now. I wouldn't have anything except shaft drive. Belts were used years ago when I was a teen. I didn't like them then and still don't like them. I too find myself wanting to upshift to a higher gear when I am already in the highest gear. A sixth gear would be great when you are cruising at 70 MPH or so.

[schoeney]

I could get used to the 1700.

My 1500 wasn't perfect either but with a little tweeking (risers, horn, T-Bag, engine guard chaps, etc) I love my 1500.....and when it is time to get a new bike I will certainly give a serious look at the 1700 as it is still a great value vs. the competition and should be just as reliable.

The few perceived issues with the 1700 can certainly be overcome.

[josh]

I felt cramped on the 1700, and the family jewels were definitely cramped.....seemed to me like that seat going into the tank doesn't leave a whole lot of room

[cactusjack]

Why couldn't they have kept the 1600 frame and just put the 1700 motor in it? One of the things I like most about the 1600 is the roominess. I rode the 1700 over a year ago and it is definitely more "compressed". I guess I'd get used to it, eventually. I was always searching for a 6th gear on my '05 C50T. At 55 MPH +, you'd think it was going to come apart on you, it was working so hard. That's one of the reasons I traded it for my Nomad.

[blowndodge]

I rarely find myself looking for a "6th' gear. I find myself on slower freeways cruising in 4th and when the traffic opens up forget to grab 5th. If 2400 rpms at 60 mph isn't low enough I don't know what would be. The 1600 isnt a strong enough motor to run much lower and still have something left to pull grades or pass.

I have a larger car tire on my Nomad and on the way to Custer I found myself having to downshift quite a few times when the road got steeper or the wind picked up. 5th was only comfortable when it was semi-flat and low wind conditions and I was riding at 75mph. I kept thinking a 6th gear would almost be useless...

[flavor]

Agree about keeping the old frame as I like the feel of the 1600. Absolutely hat the 1700 hard bags. Why would you make them as narrow as they did and have all the room in between the frame and the hard bag. It looks like something is missing there. IMPO.

[heath3n]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Why couldn't they have kept the 1600 frame and just put the 1700 motor in it? One of the things I like most about the 1600 is the roominess. I rode the 1700 over a year ago and it is definitely more "compressed".

That's one of my favorite things about my Nomad....at 5'7" with a 30 inch inseam, the 09+ Nomad fits me like a glove. It has to be the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. 6th gear is nice..but I'm usually not reaching for it unless I'm at substained speeds of over 70mph.

[nomadbehappy]

I should have clarified, I find myself looking for the 6th gear cause I never seem to know if I am in 5th gear so I try and shift to find out

[redjay]

+1.

[Jared]

I love my 1600 and if I was to replace it, I would have to think real hard about getting the 1700. Too many other bikes in it's class that appeal more to me.