2-up on a Nomad

vulcans2 · 04-20-2011, 08:50 AM

My wife hasn't been riding her own bike since February after having surgery on her right hand. Still waiting on it to heal enough so riding isn't so uncomfortable for her. So yesterday we started to go out for what should have been a very fun ride. Unfortunately, she couldn't get her Gerbing jacket to heat up--I think the control unit I just bought is defective) and the backrest hit her in mid back, right where she has a herniated disc, and everytime the bike hit a bump, it really jarred her back, and painfully, too. We gave up after about 20 miles. That was the down side.

On the plus side, though, I found that the Nomad handles 2-up effortlessly and it seemed easier to manage than the Gold Wing with a passenger. And, I got 40. xxx mpg for gas mileage, too.

I just have a couple questions: What can I do to make the bike less abrupt on bumps for my wife when she rides as passenger? She found the Nomad more comfortable, otherwise, than the Wing, believe it or not. Is there a better backrest for the Nomad or can it be modified, or what? And how about the shocks. I think I've got 20# of air in them, and the rebound/damping is set in the middle. She doesn't mind riding in back, but those items now have her declining to be a passenger.

cactusjack · 04-20-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregO

My wife hasn't been riding her own bike since February after having surgery on her right hand. Still waiting on it to heal enough so riding isn't so uncomfortable for her. So yesterday we started to go out for what should have been a very fun ride. Unfortunately, she couldn't get her Gerbing jacket to heat up--I think the control unit I just bought is defective) and the backrest hit her in mid back, right where she has a herniated disc, and everytime the bike hit a bump, it really jarred her back, and painfully, too. We gave up after about 20 miles. That was the down side.

On the plus side, though, I found that the Nomad handles 2-up effortlessly and it seemed easier to manage than the Gold Wing with a passenger. And, I got 40. xxx mpg for gas mileage, too.

I just have a couple questions: What can I do to make the bike less abrupt on bumps for my wife when she rides as passenger? She found the Nomad more comfortable, otherwise, than the Wing, believe it or not. Is there a better backrest for the Nomad or can it be modified, or what? And how about the shocks. I think I've got 20# of air in them, and the rebound/damping is set in the middle. She doesn't mind riding in back, but those items now have her declining to be a passenger.

Maybe get a better seat? The Mustang seat for the 1600's had a great passenger seat, not sure about the 1700, though.

**Jared** · 04-20-2011, 09:12 AM

My friends wife didn't like the Nomads curved backrest, so he purchased the mustang direct replacement. It seems to sit a bit higher and is completely flat.

cactusjack · 04-20-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

My friends wife didn't like the Nomads curved backrest, so he purchased the mustang direct replacement. It seems to sit a bit hirer and is completely flat.

"hirer"? ::)

dank · 04-20-2011, 09:27 AM

I tried various pressure in the rear shocks at first. I liked how the bike felt with 21 lbs, nice and firm in corners. But I almost lost my wife on a freeway joint when she bounced up in the air at that level of firmness. She hated it. I dropped it back down to 14 lbs, and she loved the ride. We went from Michigan to Seattle that way, and she found it comfortable for 600-700 miles days. Never complained about the ride again. So I'd suggest simply reducing the pressure to 14-15 lbs, and seeing if that simple change solves the problem. So you know, I filled mine with the tire on the ground. As I recall, my rebound damping was set on 3.

Surely it also depends on a person's weight. Mary is a slight little thing, 120 lbs. So she doesn't really compress the suspension very much.

waterman · 04-20-2011, 09:30 AM

Like dank said, try lowering the shock pressure and try a lower rebound dampering.

**jlreeves** · 04-20-2011, 10:34 AM

The Mustang seat (front and rear) is indeed wider and the passenger backrest is both taller and wider. My wife says its very comfy.

**cnc** · 04-20-2011, 11:07 AM

You could also try reworking the stock backrest. Scooping out foam where it presses on the painful area of her spine so the outer edges of the rest do most of supporting of her back.

**Cajunrider** · 04-20-2011, 11:47 AM

Mount a car tire.

**Top Cat** · 04-20-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

Mount a car tire.

You darksiders think that is the answer to everything ;)
I would first try Utah Motorcyclist,s suggestion. Even if he did go back and change his spelling so CJ would leave him alone.

rockstar · 04-20-2011, 12:03 PM

I tried different air pressures and different damper setting and the bumps didn't seem to lessen whatever I did. What we do now is when I see a bump coming (if I'm paying attention) I give her a quick tap on the knee so she can get ready for it. It works better for her when she knows it's coming.
Maybe I should just trade her in for someone younger.

waterman · 04-20-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I tried different air pressures and different damper setting and the bumps didn't seem to lessen whatever I did. What we do now is when I see a bump coming (if I'm paying attention) I give her a quick tap on the knee so she can get ready for it. It works better for her when she knows it's coming.
Maybe I should just trade her in for someone younger.

That would probably be more expensive than any other option you could do.

**Jared** · 04-20-2011, 02:07 PM

[quote=Top Cat (TC) ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Cajunrider ":ioz3byid

Mount a car tire.

You darksiders think that is the answer to everything ;)
I would first try Utah Motorcyclist,s suggestion. Even if he did go back and change his spelling so CJ would leave him alone.

[/quote:ioz3byid]

If you are asking me to type and think at the same time, then you are asking for WAY too much! At least it's not as bad as I usually text...

classic1 · 04-20-2011, 02:18 PM

An Airhawk seat cushion might help with bumps but won't do anything for the back rest. You might try to rig a pc of memory foam to the backrest for a couple of rides. That will let you know if a softer pad will work.

mobandy78 · 04-20-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

Mount a car tire.

I agree! My fiance said the ride is WAY more comfortable and WAY smoother than the m/t was. Less vibrations and smoother over the bumps. ;)

04-20-2011, 08:50 AM	#1
vulcans2 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Meridian, ID Posts: 206	2-up on a Nomad My wife hasn't been riding her own bike since February after having surgery on her right hand. Still waiting on it to heal enough so riding isn't so uncomfortable for her. So yesterday we started to go out for what should have been a very fun ride. Unfortunately, she couldn't get her Gerbing jacket to heat up--I think the control unit I just bought is defective) and the backrest hit her in mid back, right where she has a herniated disc, and everytime the bike hit a bump, it really jarred her back, and painfully, too. We gave up after about 20 miles. That was the down side. On the plus side, though, I found that the Nomad handles 2-up effortlessly and it seemed easier to manage than the Gold Wing with a passenger. And, I got 40. xxx mpg for gas mileage, too. I just have a couple questions: What can I do to make the bike less abrupt on bumps for my wife when she rides as passenger? She found the Nomad more comfortable, otherwise, than the Wing, believe it or not. Is there a better backrest for the Nomad or can it be modified, or what? And how about the shocks. I think I've got 20# of air in them, and the rebound/damping is set in the middle. She doesn't mind riding in back, but those items now have her declining to be a passenger. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-20-2011, 09:12 AM	#3
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	2-up on a Nomad My friends wife didn't like the Nomads curved backrest, so he purchased the mustang direct replacement. It seems to sit a bit higher and is completely flat. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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04-20-2011, 09:27 AM	#5
dank Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,595	2-up on a Nomad I tried various pressure in the rear shocks at first. I liked how the bike felt with 21 lbs, nice and firm in corners. But I almost lost my wife on a freeway joint when she bounced up in the air at that level of firmness. She hated it. I dropped it back down to 14 lbs, and she loved the ride. We went from Michigan to Seattle that way, and she found it comfortable for 600-700 miles days. Never complained about the ride again. So I'd suggest simply reducing the pressure to 14-15 lbs, and seeing if that simple change solves the problem. So you know, I filled mine with the tire on the ground. As I recall, my rebound damping was set on 3. Surely it also depends on a person's weight. Mary is a slight little thing, 120 lbs. So she doesn't really compress the suspension very much. __________________ Dan K Member #100 2009 ST1300: Performance exceeding even Victory riders' boasts. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-20-2011, 09:30 AM	#6
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	2-up on a Nomad Like dank said, try lowering the shock pressure and try a lower rebound dampering. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
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04-20-2011, 10:34 AM	#7
jlreeves Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 888	2-up on a Nomad The Mustang seat (front and rear) is indeed wider and the passenger backrest is both taller and wider. My wife says its very comfy. __________________ 2008 Nomad 1600 Black/Red _________________________________________ VulcanBagger #01711, VRA/GA VRA, SCRC, VROC #29671, AMA #1085989, Red Knights MC GA-18 Pres, PGR _________________________________________
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04-20-2011, 11:07 AM	#8
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	2-up on a Nomad You could also try reworking the stock backrest. Scooping out foam where it presses on the painful area of her spine so the outer edges of the rest do most of supporting of her back. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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04-20-2011, 11:47 AM	#9
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	2-up on a Nomad Mount a car tire. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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04-20-2011, 12:03 PM	#11
rockstar Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 42	2-up on a Nomad I tried different air pressures and different damper setting and the bumps didn't seem to lessen whatever I did. What we do now is when I see a bump coming (if I'm paying attention) I give her a quick tap on the knee so she can get ready for it. It works better for her when she knows it's coming. Maybe I should just trade her in for someone younger. __________________ KEEP THE SHINY SIDE UP!!
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04-20-2011, 02:18 PM	#14
classic1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: waynesboro, va Posts: 408	2-up on a Nomad An Airhawk seat cushion might help with bumps but won't do anything for the back rest. You might try to rig a pc of memory foam to the backrest for a couple of rides. That will let you know if a softer pad will work.
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