What do you think of the new 1700 Nomad?

[billz410]

Originally Posted by drno

Bought one in March of 09. I really like the bike. After everytrip it just kept getting better and better. Its a fairly big departure from the 08 for sure, but it is its own bike. Like most bikes, if it fits you and you like it great. If not, youll probably ride something else.

I was about to say that we finally find another bike to grump about other than HD's or the price of HD's or the something-or-other of HD's. I am as guilty as any! I know we have at least a few guys on here with '09's- so I hope they haven't taken any of this too personally!

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by drno

Bought one in March of 09. I really like the bike. After everytrip it just kept getting better and better. Its a fairly big departure from the 08 for sure, but it is its own bike. Like most bikes, if it fits you and you like it great. If not, youll probably ride something else.

To you or any other '09 owner - Please don't take offense to our ranting and raving. There are some here (myself included) who have very strong feelings about our Nomads and are not happy with the changes made when the 1700 platform debuted. In time, perhaps, they will grow on us.

Speaking for myself, one of the reasons I wanted a Nomad was the saddlebag design and the amount of room on the bike. When the 1700's came out, Kawasaki dumped the best factory saddlebags on any bike on the market and compressed the seating position to the point of being uncomfortable for many.

The last thing I would want to have happen is for 1700 owners to avoid KawaNOW because of the strong sentiments of 1500 and 1600 owners.

[phenrichs]

Just think of us as grumpy old men (and women) who are resistant to change (or hope and change).

You know like your grandfather used to say about "those kids and their damn Rock 'N Roll music".

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

To you or any other '09 owner - Please don't take offense to our ranting and raving. There are some here (myself included) who have very strong feelings about our Nomads and are not happy with the changes made when the 1700 platform debuted. In time, perhaps, they will grow on us.

Speaking for myself, one of the reasons I wanted a Nomad was the saddlebag design and the amount of room on the bike. When the 1700's came out, Kawasaki dumped the best factory saddlebags on any bike on the market and compressed the seating position to the point of being uncomfortable for many.

The last thing I would want to have happen is for 1700 owners to avoid KawaNOW because of the strong sentiments of 1500 and 1600 owners.

+1 Scott. Very well stated. ;)

[blowndodge]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

To you or any other '09 owner - Please don't take offense to our ranting and raving. There are some here (myself included) who have very strong feelings about our Nomads and are not happy with the changes made when the 1700 platform debuted. In time, perhaps, they will grow on us.

Speaking for myself, one of the reasons I wanted a Nomad was the saddlebag design and the amount of room on the bike. When the 1700's came out, Kawasaki dumped the best factory saddlebags on any bike on the market and compressed the seating position to the point of being uncomfortable for many.

The last thing I would want to have happen is for 1700 owners to avoid KawaNOW because of the strong sentiments of 1500 and 1600 owners.

WOW Scott! What caused this "reconciliation" side of you to surface?? You've been bashing BD forever!!

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

WOW Scott! What caused this "reconciliation" side of you to surface?? You've been bashing BD forever!!

I just don't want to alienate 1700 owners, that's all.

[blowndodge]

Whew! I thought maybe you got religion!!

[Netnorske]

I would agreed whole-heartedly with what CJ said. We are in no way trying to alienate anyone who purchased and rides a new 1700 Nomad or Voyager. It's just friendly discussion about what we like and don't like about certain features based on our somewhat biased view of the bikes WE own.

Heck, I've never rode one of the new models...and actually might like it if I did. The additional features of 6 gears, CC, and 20% more HP might overcome my initial resistance based on all the cosmetic issues. That said....the saddlebag issue is one that is simply glaring....and a real shame that Kawi f***ed that up.... :-/.

I would suggest that all the members here who have a 1700 tell us what you DO like about them, so we can be fair in our biased and opinionated assessments... .

[taranis]

Originally Posted by kohlrusch

I went in to my local dealer to have some work done. While I had some time to kill, I went in to the showroom and checked out the 2009 Nomad 1700 in Black on the showroom floor. First impressions while sitting on it is they have moved up the seating position which I hate. The top loading hard baggers are not very pleasing to the eye, in fact they're quit ugly in my opinion. Final drive now is a carbon fiber belt, I like shaft drive. I would like to hear from anyone who might have any other observations or comments for or against the new Nomads. As for me, I'm going to the Kawasaki.com comment section and voice my displeasure with what they have done to my Nomad. Thanks, Mark :-[

The new Nomad is a nice bike, I think, if you don't already own an '08 or previous Nomad and would like to. I like the idea of 6 speeds and belt drive. My Ann's VN900 is belt and my former Yamaha 1300T was belt driven and I've had absolutely no problems with them. In fact, I prefer them because once they're adjusted correctly, they're pretty much maintenance free.

I'm biased when it comes to the seating position - they moved it up about an inch, and since I"m 6'6" I'd rather have had it go back an inch (my personal preference). I would've like a slightly taller passenger backrest too.

By far, the worst turn-off are the saddlebags. Compared to other models such as the Yamaha RoyalStar Venture and HD's line-up, these new Nomad bags are anemic in build quality. The hinges flex way too much in my opinion. And there's too much lid, not enough bag! I am not a particular fan of side-loading bags, but the Nomad's work and work very well - you can cram a LOT of gear in them! I really wish they'd have gone with a more "squared" design and made them maybe an inch wider, with 30% thicker fiberglass for better rigidity.

In all honesty, the 1700 Nomad would be a strong contender if I didn't already have my '06. There's a lot to like in the new design, but much that needs to be corrected as well. Sadly, I don't see Kawasaki correcting these problems any time soon.

[blowndodge]

Here's my list of think I don't like about my Nomad:

1) real crappy fuel injection system (pinging)

2) Instrumentation leaves a lot to be desired. Speedometer and not much else unless you call that inaccrate MPH and fuel remaining bars to be accurate!!

3) Although low maintenance the cam chain extenders at 30K means somethings wrong with that design.

4) Weak clutch springs

5) Bottom of the totem pole gas mileage

6) mediocre power for 1600cc's

7) Low availability of aftermarket parts from Kawasaki.

I'm sure I could think of more put you get the picture. We can dis a 1600 just as easily as a 1700 and hopefully nobody gets their feeling hurt. 'cept Greg and his Harley!!

[doublel]

I have complaints about my 2000 Nomad.

1) It can't get me more time off work.

2) It doesn't make me lose weight

3) It doesn't make me prettier

But it does....

1) Help me forget about work

2) haul my big butt around like I weigh 180

3) Make me feel and look real cool

:)

[oledawg]

My Thoughts! ;)

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...del/flhtcu/pnw

[macmac]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Here's my list of think I don't like about my Nomad:

1) real crappy fuel injection system (pinging)

2) Instrumentation leaves a lot to be desired. Speedometer and not much else unless you call that inaccrate MPH and fuel remaining bars to be accurate!!

3) Although low maintenance the cam chain extenders at 30K means somethings wrong with that design.

4) Weak clutch springs

5) Bottom of the totem pole gas mileage

6) mediocre power for 1600cc's

7) Low availability of aftermarket parts from Kawasaki.

I'm sure I could think of more put you get the picture. We can dis a 1600 just as easily as a 1700 and hopefully nobody gets their feeling hurt. 'cept Greg and his Harley!!

This is confusing coming from you...

"1) real crappy fuel injection system (pinging) "

Bad mix map in the ecu, not the injection system. To much EPA crap, and why TFI and Cobra modual are so popular.

"2) Instrumentation leaves a lot to be desired. Speedometer and not much else unless you call that inaccrate MPH and fuel remaining bars to be accurate!! '

Gotta give ya that .. I would trade the gas gauge for another trip meter for two trip meters.

"3) Although low maintenance the cam chain extenders at 30K means somethings wrong with that design."

Yup it's the way hi vo chain is. The good thing is one set of extenders should be all it needs again in respect to this.


"4) Weak clutch springs" err maybe, but the idea was so a missed down shift wouldn't lock the rear wheel, more of a thing for a newbie rider, but with the cc's and torque it wasn't a bad idea, it just didn't work well. The fix is a Barnett spring for both problems, and it's cheap.

"5) Bottom of the totem pole gas mileage"

I could never explain this one as neither my 01 or 06 were as bad modified as they were stock. I don't consider 40/44 MPg's to be real bad, it just isn't real good.


"6) mediocre power for 1600cc's"

This isn't a displacement problem, and there is no real need for more displacement. The 1700, has no need to be 1700 either, nor do the 2000 cc's engines.

The whole problem is breathing and fuel mix. I had cars with this many cc's and they had a lot more horse power. Back in the day Datsun cars were "racing" made that could put out 400 horse power.

The intake set up is pussified and is totally restrictive, and the cams are not nearly bad boy cams.

To bad no one makes bolt on mods.
The meanie 1500 has a better can set and a bigger intake throttle body, and it shows. (I was loaned one once)

"7) Low availability of aftermarket parts from Kawasaki. "
Yeah, and very expensive for what little there is.

The 1700 isn't on my list of must haves. Even if I had the coin it wouldn't be. I don't see a new bike I even want....

I am in to retro, and what ever my next bike is, isn't made, and I will have to build myself.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Here's my list of think I don't like about my Nomad:

1) real crappy fuel injection system (pinging)

2) Instrumentation leaves a lot to be desired. Speedometer and not much else unless you call that inaccurate MPH and fuel remaining bars to be accurate!!

3) Although low maintenance the cam chain extenders at 30K means somethings wrong with that design.

4) Weak clutch springs

5) Bottom of the totem pole gas mileage

6) mediocre power for 1600cc's

7) Low availability of aftermarket parts from Kawasaki.

I'm sure I could think of more put you get the picture. We can dis a 1600 just as easily as a 1700 and hopefully nobody gets their feeling hurt. 'cept Greg and his Harley!!

Alright!!!! A chance to rip on Nomads and get revenge!!!!

I second and third what BD said!!!!!

And more... on pre-2009 Nomads!!!!

Your head gets knocked all around like you're in a tank...
The pipes are putrid sounding...
The bike isn't balanced all that well compared to others...
You'll have to spend countless dollars and hours to buy and install the accessories that should have come with the bike in the first place...

Regarding Kawa dealers...

They don't have any parties...
They don't send you birthday cards...
They don't give you gifts...
They don't send you a 820 page accessories catalog for your bike...


So... in many ways... no one was totally happy with any of the Nomads!!! If they were, and if the bikes were so great off the assembly-line you wouldn't have KawaNOW or other sites like Gadget's!!!

Whew!!! Finally got that off my chest!!!! ;)

[blowndodge]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Alright!!!! A chance to rip on Nomads and get revenge!!!!

I second and third what BD said!!!!!

And more... on pre-2009 Nomads!!!!

Your head gets knocked all around like you're in a tank...
The pipes are putrid sounding...
The bike isn't balanced all that well compared to others...
You'll have to spend countless dollars and hours to buy and install the accessories that should have come with the bike in the first place...

Regarding Kawa dealers...

They don't have any parties...
They don't send you birthday cards...
They don't give you gifts...
They don't send you a 820 page accessories catalog for your bike...


So... in many ways... no one was totally happy with any of the Nomads!!! If they were, and if the bikes were so great off the assembly-line you wouldn't have KawaNOW or other sites like Gadget's!!!

Whew!!! Finally got that off my chest!!!! ;)

This is confusing coming from you