1st 600m on a 1700 - impressions

[peterdarby]

:) THis weekend I hit my first 600 with a 3 hour ride out and three back. This is my first Nomad but have been riding for the last 30 years or so. I put the winshield all the way up to reduce the buffeting but still get lots of wind up from under the windshield. (Bigger lowers are the next accessory and chaps for winter.) The seat was comfortable all the way out and back. It is big enough that I could do some shifting around All my bikes have been pegs so I really enjoyed the floorboards although I think for long cruising I will want some highway pegs. I was midly surprised that I enjoyed the cruise control. While I wasn't doing any serious climbing or desending it seemed to compensate for ups and down to keep the speed steady. The only midly annoying thing I found other than the wind and rain coming under the windshield is the tendency to drag the floorboards on slow turns. Curves aren't a problem since I don't push it normally.

Past rides:
73-78 175 Yamaha enduro
78-82 78 750 Honda with vetter fairing
83- 96 83 1100 Kawasaki Spectre
(I'd still be on it, but for a little old lady doing 60 who pulled in front of me at five feet and slammed her brakes on. Reckless driving ticket for her and totaled bike for me.)
99-04 83 Gold wing
04- present BMW 1100 RT-P (Love the bike hate the dearth of dealers and costs of repairs.)

[ringadingh]

Good news that you think the bike was a good choice. Why don't you try to lower the windshield and see if that helps with the wind coming in from underneath. The cruise control is nice, I installed one on my bike a few weeks ago and find that I use it every day going and coming back from work. I have a 26 mile trip on the highway and it is a great addition on the bike.

[schoeney]

Peter-Thanks for the initial review. Please keep us updated as some of us will eventually be getting serious about a new bike and have a love for the Nomad/Voyager.

I have found many mods to make mine even better and I am sure you will too. My engine guard chaps and lowers were the most notable in performance...much nicer ride.

Got any pics of the new bike?

[Yellow Jacket]

When you raised the windshield did the sub-windshield go up with it? If so, maybe lowering the sub-windshield back down will stop some of the air coming under the windshield.

[peterdarby]

I lowered the sub-windshield when I raised the main windshield New lowers next with chap guards coming prior to winter. No pictures yet but it looks just like the black 1700 Nomad since the only accessory is a chrome cup holder I bought at WalMart for seven dollars.

[dogdoc]

peter you could always buy a H-D and have a cruise control factory as well as many other things, ie: city 35, hwy 54 :-)

[jamiep24]

Yeah, and then you could join the Harley forum and be with the rest of the 'posers' with bad attitudes.

[peterdarby]

Actually Jamie and Doc I can and do ride with HD owners, or any other type of bike if I feel like it. I am not jealous and they respect me for being a MC rider. Nor do I feel the need to make myself feel bigger by trying to make someone else feel small. To me that is a poser and the only one they fool is the one in the mirror and I have found them everywhere from whitewater canoeing to Martial arts. I came to this forum to learn and perhaps make friendswith people like Bob and Schoeney. I saw that people here seemed to want to know about the new 09 Nomad so I tried to put a useful post out about what I have found along with some credibility on my riding history. I appologize if I somehow offended you by offering a positive review of what I consider to be a great bike and one I take pride in owning just not at the expense of others who may like what they have.

[moenko]

What the heck is going on here?? Doc was just kidding of course, your review is very welcome, as well as any other post contributing here. Not sure where jamiep is coming from but Harley-bashing is about as "out" as bell-bottom jeans and tie-dyed T-shirts.
Welcome to the forum, Peter!

[tazfl]

Originally Posted by jamiep24

Yeah, and then you could join the Harley forum and be with the rest of the 'posers' with bad attitudes.

man jamie, you have issues with harley riders? Most of the guys that I ride with on a regular basis ride harleys and not one of them has a attitude towards metric bikes. The only harley guys I've ever seen with attitudes are the ones that buy their bike for "butt jewelry" to ride to bike night. In the last 8 years I think I've had one guy say something negative about my metric bike. In all honesty I think it has got to the point where I hear more metric guys bashing harley riders then the other way around.

[unwind2]

Okay you guys.................time for a group hug. :-*

And let me say welcome to the forum..peterdarby and tazfl if I haven't caught one of you post before. :)

[dabull]

Welcome to the group Peter....what kind of mileage you getting out of the 1700??

[glwilson]

Wow!! Okay.... back on center here.

Welcome aboard peterdarby.

Thanks for keeping us updated on the 1700. Many have been looking for info on the bike... me included. I was looking at the Voyager initially; but haven't made a decision yet. Info from those owning them is very helpful to those having an interest.

Regarding the upper windshield; I had the best luck with it lowered rather than raised. I know that goes contrary to some opinions -- but it works for me. For reference; I am 5'6".

Anyway... keep posting. Usually responses to new member posts don't start out with misunderstandings as this one apparently has. I can't imagine that anyone here meant anything personal to you -- so I wouldn't take it in that fashion.

[unwind2]

I'm hoping some of the guys with the new 1700s make the Rally in SD. I would love to sit on one. I'm curious about the difference in the seat height for me.

[ringadingh]

I wonder who pooped in their porridge, regardless, it wasn't called for by any means. Hopefully it was just an innocent misunderstanding.