Street Glide VS Nomad

[bandit2k11]

I have a Nomad and love it. Recently, I test drove a Street Glide and like that as well. My bike seems alot bigger and actually handles better. I will say that it was pretty cool to be on a H.O.G.. Part of me wants to get a Harley just so I can enjoy going to the showrooms and rides. Even maybe join a chapter. I tried to go on a few rides with my Nomad with fellow Harley riders. I do feel like the odd ball out. I want the camradrie and fun of being in a group, but there are ZERO Nomad Chapters I know of out here. Harley does toys for hots, poker runs, free give-aways and rides to dealerships, etc. Kawasaki is too busy for that because they have their hand in jet skis, atcs, boats, etc. Any opinions on this? I hope I dont offend anyone. I love my Nomad, but feel I am missing out on the X factor with a Harley. Do I stand alone?

[Jared]

There are a lot of Vulcan groups out there.

Vulcan Riders and Owners Club
Riders Of Kawasaki
Vulcan Riders Association
And even KawaNOW has groups that get together on a regular bases.

[ray2]

I, have been on lots of toy runs and other rides over the years and the majorty of the bikes are Harleys. I, go to harley dealers(to look) and park my bike by the front door. No one ever runs my bike down and I, like all bikes. When I was a member of the GWRRA (Gold Wing Road Riders Asso) there was always a Harley there and the Gold Wing guys gave him a hard time. Ride what you like and be happy.

[ringadingh]

I go on a few rides each season and have never had a problem being on my Nomad. Most groups don't care what you ride. Ive ridden with some guys and have been the only metric bike and they have never mentioned it. There are also many Southern Cruiser chapters out there, and they don't discriminate against your ride also. Perhaps there is one of them in your area.
The only group that I know of for sure that demands you have a Harley is HOG chapters, one of my neighbours is a member and anytime there is a local event he says sorry but you can't come on this one. It doesn't bother me in the least, and I don't really see nothing wrong with a group that wants to keep to themselves. Its there choice, If I really wanted to join them its easy to do.

[billmac]

I like the "ride what you like" philosophy. I have been on some nice rides and met some great folks who ride Vulcans. You might want to check out your Kawanow region and go on some rides with them. My wife and I have enjoyed those.

But if your into being a part of the Harley family and hanging out at one one of their dealers, you might want to own one. Maybe own both.

[coacha]

You can get the "X" factor, just buy the HD gear . I ride with different groups all the time, some have BMW's, Hondas, HD, whatever you ride, your good to go. One of the guys at one time had a 3 BMW's and 3 HD's in his garage. Got a butt load of HD clothes now without a HD in the garage anymore.

Where are you located? I'm sure there are Nomad guys/gals in your area. We have some get togethers down here in FL from time to time.

[yoda]

There are plenty of groups out there if you want to do some group riding. As was mentioned, Southern Cruisers Riding Club is one, but you should be able to do a search for riding groups in your area and find one that fits. HOG is brand specific, so to get the full HOG experience, you need to buy a Harley. Nothing wrong with it, but there are other choices if you don't want to ride a specific bike to ride with other folks.

[cactusjack]

I go on charity rides sponsored by HOG chapters, most of my riding buddies ride Harleys, I belong to the Vulcan Riders Association and go on monthly rides with them, I also attend bike nights with the local VROC gang. My point is, you don't have to own a Harley to ride and there are groups out there to ride with. You don't mention your location, so I don't know if you're in a big city or rural area. Obviously, there are more avenues open to you in a city.

If you feel you have to ride a Harley to be accepted, or to hang out at the dealership for free hot dogs on Saturdays, or join a HOG chapter, then that's up to you. I don't think any of us can change that.

I can say other than a couple of smart comments about riding a Japanese bike, I have never been treated differently because I am not on a Harley. Likewise I don't treat others differently because they are not on a Nomad. Personally, I wouldn't ride with folks who were hung up on the fact I don't ride a Harley. The Nomad can hang with the best of them.

If you want a Harley, then go buy one. I'd still ride with you.

[Netnorske]

I agree with others here. There are lots of local riding groups to which you can become associated that don't care what you ride...many having been mentioned above. I am semi-involved with a couple here in the NW that are not bike specific.

That said....there is probably nothing quite like the uber-connection HD riders have with themselves, their bikes and their dealers. If that is something you feel strongly you are missing as part of your riding experience....you should buy the HD and "revel in the glory". For me personally, riding is less about groupies and more about freedom, comfort and reliability.

For that reason, I am just as happy to ride across four states by myself as I am with a group of other riders. It's not about the destination or the brand name under my ass, but the soulful journey that is "the ride".

I have said on here before that I could own an HD pretty easily if I could get past the price and old technology....and if I did, I'm sure I too would enjoy the crowd that comes along with it. Not for one second though does the lack of that HD camaraderie keep me from enjoying every second that I am on my Nomad. That's not why I ride.

[ndbigfish]

My Kawanow family is enough for me. I, like Kris and others, enjoy riding for riding's sake, I don't need a group so call it lone wolf or whatever. It is usually quality time with the Missus and a chance to see some new country.

I spend a lot time staring at maps and figuring out where the local roads go. The call of the H.O.G is probably hard to resist. It just depends what you personally want to do. I have ridden with fellas that own HD bikes. I won't ride with them if they are Richard craniums. ;)

Some fellas have commented that they have never ridden the way I ride. They often ride from dealer to dealer or tavern to tavern. I ride across country to ride and stop for fuel, rest or food or sometimes to admire a scenic view. Others that are too proud to ask to ride with me will ask me to plan and lay-out routes for them. It is multi faceted hobby; do what you enjoy. Try other groups that Jared has suggested; there are good folks there too.

[cnc]

First of all welcome Bandit. You do not mention were you call home, but if you check out the regional group board closest to your area, you may find you are not that far away from a few other members. We may not have events planned and structured by Kawasaki, but we do alright in this group. Most of the regional groups have a rally and every second year we have a National rally. This year we will be at Maggie Valley with something like 80 Nomads in attendance, not to late to join us. True we do not always get to meet in person on a regular basis, but the camaraderie is great on this forum and as others have stated, locally I ride with mixed groups or luckily for me can meet up with a few of the members here by riding about an hour.

[paul]

You might start by puttiing some info on your sig. about where you are. When I see someone in my area, I try to contact them by pm and let them know if and when I am available for a ride and visa versa.

Also, google meet up clubs and put in motorcycles. In just the northwest part of our town there are at least 5-6 groups, some large that communicate and ride regularly. Take some nice rides that last the day and find some new and interresting places to eat, visit, etc.

I also ride with and for recovery groups. You won't find a better bunch of folks and some of their riding and stories from the years gone by can be both exciting, fascinating, and even sometimes unbelieveable, yet absolutely true. And the rides that show up for these events cover the gambit from rat bikes to custom painted PINK goldwings. Lots of riders out there, don't be afraid to speak up and say Hi. I've even stopped with a large group of riders just to introduce myself and ask them about them selves. People love to talk to you when they are telling you about them.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

No reason you can't ride a Nomad with Harleys. I am sure they wouldn't object to it. I also am pretty much of a lone wolf when it comes to riding. That way I go where I want, stop when I get ready and go home when I feel like it. Don't have to worry about what someone else wants to do. I am proud of my Nomad and never ashamed of it. I would ride with anyone and feel just as good as any of them.

[Loafer]

About twenty years ago, I rode with a family member on the back, for company. They didn't always want to go. I started riding alone after awhile. Solitude is good sometimes.
During a work day, at one of my customers there was a brand new bike parked, with the key in it. I asked whose it was, and they said it belonged to one of the guys in the meat department. I told them to go in and tell him that someone had just driven off with his bike. When he came running out, there I was, riding his brand new bike around the parking lot. He was not very happy! We have been friends ever since. And you never leave the keys in any vehicle, or you will have to go looking for it. We started riding together, and before long there were others that joined us. Seems there is a lot of riders out there, that would like someone to ride with, but just don't know how to go about it.
If you don't have a group in your area. Start one. Try setting up a bike night at a local eatery. Non brand specific. It will might take awhile, but as word spreads, they will come. We used to meet on Tuesday at a local snack shack. The owner ownes a HD, he was all for it. We now have a calling tree. Good luck.

[cactusjack]

I actually prefer riding alone or in smaller groups than in large groups. I used to ride with a large local group and 50-100 bikes on a ride was not uncommon. I have seen the sometimes serious results when a large group of riders of varying skill levels has something "go wrong". There have been deaths and serious injuries in that group,

There are ways to find others who are like minded. You could try meetup.com and search for motorcycle-related riding groups in your area. Some may be brand or style-specific, but many are open to anyone. I find a lot of riders who ride alone simply because they don't know how or where to find others to ride with.