1500 Nomad VS 1400 Intruder

[emu]

Well not really ... In 1996 I bought a brand new 1400 Intruder and put over 80,000 miles on her. Toured all over the States and eastern Canada. Stock seat, no windshield and the only bolt ons were crash bars/highway pegs and sissy bar extension and saddle bags. I loved that bike and rode her for 8 years.

In the spring of 04, my 03 Nomad (came out of the crate) and replaced my beloved 1400. It took a while to get use to that big ole windshield ... that comfy seat ... and the best darn saddle bags (stock or aftermarket) in the motorcycle industry. But I managed. ;) ... It did take time however. The Intruder, like the Nomad is one of those bikes that gets under your skin ... yeah, like that is unusual for any bike we ever own. ::) ... and it was hard to start thinking of any bike that replaced it as "my bike" for quite some time.

From day one, I loved the Nomad ... But it did take a whole season of riding before it really replaced the old 1400 as "my bike". Now the Nomad has over 60,000 miles and the 1400 has taken it's place of honour in my memory with all the other great bikes I have ridden ... except for that 1982 KZ 750 LTD twin I bought as a temporary stop gap bike until I found a bike I really liked ... Rode that little bugger for 14 years ... then sold it to a brother so I could keep it in the family ... then 11 years later reacquired it ... fixed her up and put her back on the road ... This stupid bike just don't know the meaning of temporary ...

Anyway, I will say this when it comes to comparing the 1400 Intruder to the 1500 Nomad ... The Intruder was faster and the Nomad more comfy ... Both are/were a joy and a lot of fun ...

[stretch]

Emu

I have a 03 1400 Intruder in the garage with my 05 Nomad. I agree with you on the 1400. Great bike. I owned a 91 1400 before that. I think I recognize you name from Intruder Alert site. Good site for Intruder owners, I learned alot from those guys.

Stretch

[bosko]

Now why would this thread get my undivided attention.

My lady hadn't climbed aboard since the late 1980's when I owned a 79 XS400 with a Vetter fairing. That XS400 endured a similar fate as your 750 did, I sold it to my Dad for some quick money and then bought it back years later. After burning her leg on that little 400 exhaust while doing a slow speed wobble and then experiencing a rear tire blow out at highway speed she just stopped riding along.

Years later in 2006 I was looking for a replacement for my battle scared 700 Madura and the Intruder was my #1 pick. Great looks, great power, and great price.

This year I took the 1400 on a solo journey thru Washington, down to Yellowstone and back home thru Montana. Every inch of the way wishing Sylvia was with me to share this wonderful experience. Well, I must have spun a great yarn when I got home cause she stared showing interest in getting back on the horse.

Quickly and without much dissicusion we bought the Nomad near the end of this riding season. The Nomad was my #1 pick. Great looks, great ride, and great price.

We managed quite a few short rides, never more than a couple hundred kilometers together. She is feeling more and more comfortable with each ride. I should say less nervous, she was comfortable right from the get-go on that super comfy Nomad.

Originally Posted by Emu

Anyway, I will say this when it comes to comparing the 1400 Intruder to the 1500 Nomad ... The Intruder was faster and the Nomad more comfy ... Both are/were a joy and a lot of fun ...

I concur and hope to someday wander around the Eastern end of this Country as well as touring the US and Mexico.