New member looking at the NOMAD

1017 Views 11 Replies 3 Participants Last post by MariusD, Feb 5, 2015

MariusD

Discussion Starter · Feb 2, 2015

Hi guys,

New member here from New Orleans, LA. I am considering buying a used NOMAD for touring that I plan to do over the next several years. I have already done a lot of reading about the nomad and think i know the pros and cons of the different model years. I am probably going to look for a '12-13 due to less heat and 6th gear with cruise control. MPG does not concern me, as gas is cheap, lol!. I'm 6ft so I don't think I'll be cramped with the seating position, but I can always get highway pegs if needed.

My biggest question/concern is buffeting. I wonder how bad it is on this bike and what are some of the possible remedies. I see some people add the fairing to the bike, but if that is required for comfortable touring, then I might as well get a vaquero or a voyager....

(I couldn't really find any threads about buffeting, so does that mean it's not a problem on this bike?! Wouldn't that be awesome!)

Looking for some guidance. Thanks in advance!

-MD

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Sportfan34

· #2 · Feb 2, 2015

I have a 2012 Nomad 1700. I'm 6'4 225lbs and the bike fits me well with highway pegs. I have my windshield raised to the highest position and while I can feel the wind on the very top of my head (I wear a full face / modular helmet) it is hardly noticeable.

Most of the miles I have put on the bike are riding 2-up with my girlfriend. Between the windshield blocking 95% of the wind, and me blocking another 4%, she is usually passed out sleeping when the ride gets long.

Any other questions feel free to PM me. As I said I'm a decent sized guy and with the highway pegs I can stretch my legs out completely and ride for hours as long as there isn't a terrible Oklahoma cross-wind.

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MariusD

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 2, 2015 (Edited)

Sportfan34 said:
I have a 2012 Nomad 1700. I'm 6'4 225lbs and the bike fits me well with highway pegs. I have my windshield raised to the highest position and while I can feel the wind on the very top of my head (I wear a full face / modular helmet) it is hardly noticeable.

Most of the miles I have put on the bike are riding 2-up with my girlfriend. Between the windshield blocking 95% of the wind, and me blocking another 4%, she is usually passed out sleeping when the ride gets long.

Any other questions feel free to PM me. As I said I'm a decent sized guy and with the highway pegs I can stretch my legs out completely and ride for hours as long as there isn't a terrible Oklahoma cross-wind.

Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it! It is fantastic to hear you guys travel comfortably. That is my main goal. I have found a '13 Nomad 4 hours away that that is nearly new for $9000, which I think is a really great deal considering all the amenities the bike comes with. I'd love it if this bike was closer, so I could test ride it and get a sense for whether or not it was "my thing". If all else fails, I'll make the drive.

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MariusD

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 2, 2015 (Edited)

Couple of questions:

What is your average range on a tank of gas, and how many miles do you personally cover in a day without major fatigue?

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MariusD

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 2, 2015

Oh also, I saw some pictures of a trunk people have put on their NOMAD. I wonder if there is a quick detach option available, if anyone knows?

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ol' school

· #6 · Feb 3, 2015

If wind buffeting is your biggest concern you are looking at the right motorcycle. 1700 Nomads are known to have one of the best no buffeting rides going because the windshield is angled more back toward the rider than a lot of other motorcycles with full windshields. That was one of the first things I noticed when we bought ours. Even my wife noticed the difference from the passenger seat compared to the 900 Classic LT we had prior.

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MariusD

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 3, 2015

ol' school said:
If wind buffeting is your biggest concern you are looking at the right motorcycle. 1700 Nomads are known to have one of the best no buffeting rides going because the windshield is angled more back toward the rider than a lot of other motorcycles with full windshields. That was one of the first things I noticed when we bought ours. Even my wife noticed the difference from the passenger seat compared to the 900 Classic LT we had prior.

This is great to hear, and must be the reason for the lack of "how do i fix this buffeting" Threads with Nomads. Buffeting seems to be a problem on most baggers and typically requires monekying around with the shield and lowers to work out a "tolerable" ride. So you guys with the NOMADS are lucky. Hopefully, I'll be joining the club.

The only other concern I really have is heat from the engine. But that is why I'm thinking the 2012-13 would be the best pick, because I believe kawi addressed that issue to some extent. Down here in Louisiana heat is a terrible thing, so the less of it you get from the bike the better. I'm hoping the nomad will be no worse than a HD road king in that regard. If heat is the only gremlin to deal with, hopefully, I'll find a way to manage. I know every bike has it's quirks. Anything else I should watch for, or consider, please feel free to chime in.

I'm only 32, but I really seem to be smitten by this old school pimpin nomad. I really can't wait to hit the road on one for days on end...

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ol' school

· #8 · Feb 3, 2015

Heat isn't any worse than the Road King. Most Harley riders add heat deflectors. Check out RJS Original V-twin heat deflectors at rjsoriginals.com. They make them for the 1700 Kawis as well as a lot of other motorcycles. They really work. So well I almost took them back off when it started to get chilly out to be able to feel the heat off the motor to help stay warm. The wife even noticed the difference on her legs after I installed them.

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MariusD

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 3, 2015

ol' school said:
Heat isn't any worse than the Road King. Most Harley riders add heat deflectors. Check out RJS Original V-twin heat deflectors at rjsoriginals.com. They make them for the 1700 Kawis as well as a lot of other motorcycles. They really work. So well I almost took them back off when it started to get chilly out to be able to feel the heat off the motor to help stay warm. The wife even noticed the difference on her legs after I installed them.

Thanks much! So that pretty much addresses heat at a very reasonable cost, which in my mind literally leaves me with no other concerns that I can even think of...

I know she's a big girl and can be a bit sluggish, but she's a tourer... so all that makes sense and fine with me. So what are some of the nuisances you guys find with this bike?! I'm hard pressed to find any faults, and from past experience know normally there is always something...

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MariusD

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 4, 2015

There appears to be a 2009 Nomad available at a dealership about an hour away that I can check out and maybe test ride. It should be the same as 2013 in terms of ergonomics, correct?