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07-13-2018, 02:14 PM | #1 |
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1700 Nomad questions
Hi folks,
So, loving my new (to me) 2014 Nomad 1700, can't believe with 200# on my old bike it handles almost as nimbly as my son's old 800 Classic :) As I'm coming from an older (2005) Classic 1500 FI I have a couple of "is this normal?" questions: -Shifting CLACK!: Is it normal to be so much louder than the 1500's? I have no problems shifting and it runs/responds wonderfully, but it's definitely much much louder than I'm used to hearing on any of my other bikes (Classic 1500 & 800, Drifter 800, Honda Spirit 750). -6th Gear: Is it normal to feel like it's sorta too low in the gear, even if you shift over at 70-80mph? I did some reading and despite Kawa's recommended 6th gear shift at 38mph (???), most seem to agree that shifting at 3500-4000 rpm is appropriate, which puts the shifting speed at over 100mph. That would seem to make more sense with what I'm "feeling", but almost makes it seem like 6th gear is pretty useless off the Utah Salt Flats ;). And why does it say "OD"? Why not just 6th, OD means *down* shifting to pass with a surge of upper gear range speed, no? Thanks, Jeff
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Jeff (Tweak) Klein Baltimore, Maryland VBA#3672 VROC#27371 http://www.acousticafeband.com/ 2014 Vulcan 1700 Nomad ABS 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (traded) 1986 Suzuki Savage (sold) 1978 Yamaha XS400 (RIP) "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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07-13-2018, 03:09 PM | #2 |
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My Vaquero is fairly loud when shifting as well, so was the last one I had. I would say in general, the 1700 is a loud bike. Lots of belt whine on decel, fairing creaking and vibrating, and shift clanking etc. My Indian is like butter in comparison. Still, I love the damn thing. :)
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07-13-2018, 03:48 PM | #3 | |
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Quote:
It does handle corners better than the Classic. The classic had a 30 degree rake on the front forks and the 1700s have a 28 degree rake. If your bike has had the Ivan ECU flash it is not to bad in 6th gear. after about 5,000 miles with the ECU flashed the bike (At least the Vaquero) is just getting broke in so I am told and I can see what they mean and feel it. You should be able to get rpms down in the 2000 range in 6th and feel comfortable with the motor. Just do not expect to make a pass with it there.
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Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles |
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07-13-2018, 04:35 PM | #4 | ||
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Quote:
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You know what they say, "Buying a motorcycle is just putting the down payment on all the accessories..." Thanks, Jeff
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Jeff (Tweak) Klein Baltimore, Maryland VBA#3672 VROC#27371 http://www.acousticafeband.com/ 2014 Vulcan 1700 Nomad ABS 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (traded) 1986 Suzuki Savage (sold) 1978 Yamaha XS400 (RIP) "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 |
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07-13-2018, 05:31 PM | #5 |
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Location: West Coast, North Island, New Zealand
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Both 5th and 6th are overdrive gears, but like the others say - 6th isn't really much use until you wake it up with Ivan's flash. Riding in 5th gear will often show better mileage on the digital readouts the Vaq / Voyagers have, even after the flash.
Before the flash, 6th is really only of any use on a downhill run. Edit: And Oh Yeah! they clunk... You think the '14 1700 is bad, come listen to the '09 straight cut gears on mine. They changed the cut slightly after the first year, which helps, and there are other remedies. I've found Mobil Racing 4T fully synthetic quiets it down a little (and when it gets noisy again I know I'm due an oil change - she speaks to me). And the clunk into first gear from neutral with a cold bike can be eliminated if you let it warm up a while with the clutch pulled before selecting first.
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Last edited by Peg; 07-13-2018 at 08:44 PM.
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07-13-2018, 07:32 PM | #6 | ||
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Quote:
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Mine in 6th at 110Kmh it's turning 2500, in 5th, 3000. Still don't like 6th a lot. Amen on the pass unless you have a tail wind and are aimed downhill..............Mike
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07-14-2018, 08:42 AM | #7 | ||
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DBQ Iowa
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Quote:
Yes, clunking is pretty loud during shifting. As Peg stated Quote:
Get IVANized; When the 2015 Vaq was bought, it came home and the ECU went to Ivan the next day. Having experienced the difference in the 2012 Vaq, the reprogramming was THAT important to me. Ride safe, Smokier
Last edited by smokier; 07-14-2018 at 08:44 AM.
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07-14-2018, 09:22 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2016
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'12 Nomad, clunky shift is nature of the beast, but with experience you learn how n when to shift to eliminate some. Warmup is 4 minutes. Mobil 4t quiets it, but makes 4 very thing else suck performance wise. K&N air filter significantly improved mine. Shell premium gas too.6th is overdrive & lugs til doing 75 or 80mph. Shift down, it can run all day in 5th. Shifts mostly between 2000 & 2800. 34000 miles on mine. Love it. Unlocks the beast at 4000 rpm at speed.
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07-14-2018, 04:22 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles |
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07-15-2018, 09:03 AM | #10 |
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Thanks, folks. All great info. I did notice that when you shift makes a little difference with the clacking; I typically shift low around town and higher up in revs on the highway so will experiment a bit.
I will likely do the flash after the hitch, as I need the hitch soonest for my next trailer trip. I had a Chuckster's on my 1500 and although the hitch rattled a little with no trailer, wrapping it with a little electrical tape pretty well fixed that, and I removed it when not in use (personal preference). I usually use Rotella T6 in all my bikes (and truck), but I did read something about them starting to put friction modifiers in it so will have to check that out before my next change. Now time to go ride 'er to church :) Thanks, Jeff
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Jeff (Tweak) Klein Baltimore, Maryland VBA#3672 VROC#27371 http://www.acousticafeband.com/ 2014 Vulcan 1700 Nomad ABS 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (traded) 1986 Suzuki Savage (sold) 1978 Yamaha XS400 (RIP) "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 |
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07-18-2018, 11:48 AM | #11 |
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Been experimenting with lower shifting and ya'll were right, it does make a pretty marked difference in shifting noise when done lower in the gears (which is where Kawa seems to recommend it, but I always thought it was too low).
Thanks for the tip :) Jeff
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Jeff (Tweak) Klein Baltimore, Maryland VBA#3672 VROC#27371 http://www.acousticafeband.com/ 2014 Vulcan 1700 Nomad ABS 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI (traded) 1986 Suzuki Savage (sold) 1978 Yamaha XS400 (RIP) "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 |
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07-18-2018, 06:37 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
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Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles |
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