RacinChef – Official Nomad Owner

[racinchef]

I am now officially a Nomad owner. I rode my sad and dejected Honda Valkyrie about 100 miles to Manchester, NH to trade it in. The day was warm and sunny and it got so hot in the sun that I took off my leather jacket and the collar on my shorty helmet. The ride down was very nice as I took route 114 from Bradford, NH all the way into Manchester. Surprisingly, the trade-in and paperwork went very quickly and before you know it I had the keys in my hand and two black and chrome motorcycles side-by-side so that I could transfer all my stuff from one bike to the other. The hard bags on the Nomad easily swallowed up everything in just one bag, but I divided it up so my breakables (sunglasses etc.) were safe. With that accomplished I put on my helmet, sunglasses and gloves and sat on my new (to me) bike. I reached down and pulled the choke knob (carbureted model) and turned the key. I thumbed the starter button and she began cranking in earnest. She fired up and I was immediately surprised at the rumble that came shaking through the handlebars. (Remember I had just ridden a flat six Valkyrie that is smooth as glass) The Vance & Hines Baggers rumbled out the big v-twin beat. I let her warm up some and then pushed in the choke and put her in gear. First gear seemed just a bit tall as I felt I had to give some gas and slip out the clutch to get her going. I took it easy leaving the dealership getting used to a much different bike than I had just spent the last few hours riding. The pipes are absolutely perfect. They give good bark, but never so much that they bother my ears or are fatiguing on a long ride. The power and torque are phenomenal; just a good twist of the wrist and she’ll take off. So far it seems this bike has all the power I’ll ever need. Riding in the city was good; much better than my Valkyrie. If anyone was driving too slowly ahead of me I just came up behind them and blipped the throttle to let them know to speed up. Shifting is very smooth and clean; never a miss or false neutral. Once I began heading out of town and the speed limit got to 40 it was even more fun. More than once I looked down at the riser-mounted tachometer only to discover that I had another gear left. Once my body became more used to the bike I enjoyed it even more. The ride experience was very pleasant and rewarding; modulating speed is much easier than my Valkyrie. Eventually the speed limit climbed to 55 and it became evident that this bike is a pavement eater; she’ll take you where you want to go and give you a very pleasing ride along the way. Finally, I hopped on the interstate and she really shined; just a little bit of shimmy in the windblast, but when in clean air a very smooth ride. So very much better than my Valkyrie that would torment me with helmet buffeting. Shortcomings? A few minor ones. The rear part of the driver’s seat has an edge that angles up to the front bottom of the passenger seat. It will have to be removed, as my butt needs that space flat. I may end up getting a studded Mustang seat with backrests. The windshield is all scratched with fine swirls and the late afternoon sun made it difficult to see through. Will have to either polish them out or replace it. In the meantime I can lower the shield so that I am not looking through it. I am very happy with my 2000 Kawasaki Nomad. I am sure that I made a good decision trading in my 2000 Honda Valkyrie. The manager at the dealership told me that he already had someone interested in it. He also told me that the previous owner of my new bike was very particular with his bike and took very good care of it. It took him three years to finally decide to trade it in for a Yamaha Venture Midnight. My Nomad is everything I had hoped it would be and more; RacinChef has a very big smile on his face right now.

Valkyrie: The thanks I get for lugging his fat ass all over creation
Nomad: At last, I get to go to my new home; I hate the city.

Nomad: I like it here, I can't wait to wake up the neighbors early in the morning with my pipes

Nomad: Why can't I sleep in that barn over there?

[kawgirl]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaahooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[ells]

Congrats, sounds like the wait was well worthwhile. Ride on.

[ringadingh]

Congratulations on the new ride! Hopefully you will have many enjoyable miles on it.

[VulcanE]

Congrads on the new NAD!!!!!!!!! I've been riding mine for 3 years now, and every time I leave the house on it, I still have a grin on my face.

RIDE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cactusjack]

Congratulations! Ride safe, now.

[misunderstood]

I have the same big smile when I ride my 2000

[beezer]

That's great Bruce. It's Christmas in April.

[Top Cat]

Really Bruce, you should be writing for a motorcycle mag. You missed your calling
Congrats on the bike, now ride the wheels off it ;)
Oh yeah, I think looking over the shield is the way to go anyway. In the rain or when the sun shines on the shield that has been hit by bugs, you can't see very well. Just my opinion. But it is a good one

Originally Posted by racinchef

...The Vance & Hines Baggers rumbled out the big v-twin beat....The pipes are absolutely perfect. They give good bark, but never so much that they bother my ears or are fatiguing on a long ride....

Oh, yeah. Those Baggers DO wake up the real personality of this bike. Congratulations New Official Nomad Owner!

[Idaho]

Very nice bike, fender tips, visors, light bar, luggage rack, Kury grips. Sweet. Makes spring all the better. Way to go.

Racin, congrats on the new ride. I know you are going to enjoy it immensely. It sure looks good.

[BandC]

Congrats on finally getting to pick it up. Have Fun!! :)

[jrd]

Congratulations!! Looks like she was worth the wait. Enjoy your new ride.

John

[tomk]

Good for you Bruce! Have lotsa fun!