Nomad

 

There's a surprise.

 

alarmguy.... I'm here to help you.

As many people on this board can verify, I too have lusted over a larger bike. There are some seemingly large advantages.

I have been so close to trading my Vulcan 800 for something else. Even a couple of weeks ago in South Carolina, I found a nice big bike that I liked. I didn't buy it.

You see, our bikes are REALLY GREAT BIKES! They ride around town, they ride 1000 miles, they handle two up, they are just really great. So cool off a bit. Go for a ride. You're not committed to making a purchase. Sit back for a month or two. Trust me. The feeling of rediscovering everything you love about your bike is just great! Our rides can do EVERYTHING that the 1600, 1300, and in my case, the coveted Vulcan 2000 can do. What makes those bikes better? Bigger engines? More weight? Louder pipes? Hrmmmmm. When you really think about it... :shades:

 

Thanks Miataman ...
Yup ... I have been known to get crazy about things like this at times.
Cant help myself ... *L* but ... but ... but ...
Ok,,, sun is out ... I should be out on the bike ... the c-50 does like to rev as some in here have posted and honestly, have no issues at all running on the interstate ... in fact, its kind of fun.
Then the question in my mind is... hmmm .. instead of rev'ing ... I wonder what its like to hum ... hum ... along ...

 

Personally I would get a Nomad class bike as my only bike.
Not a local trip/errand kinda bike IMHO.
As some 'Nad owners said in shopping lots, parking and slow speed the weight will be a factor.
I test rode a ....2009.(?) at a past bike week. Great on the highway and slab but not easy slow.

 

Have you tried the DJ mod yet? $600 is a lot less than a new bike. You might find it's enough for you. Start putting money away instead, and you'll be ready when the C50 pukes it's cam chain.

 

Sometimes, there's no replacement for displacement. I say that going from a 2005 C50T to a 2007 Nomad and now to a 2011 Ultra Limited.

 

There is something to be said for ease of use - 200lbs is a lot. I've never ridden a bigger bike so for me, ignorance is bliss. My dad rode Harleys in the 50's and his bikes were 45ci and that was baddass - in my early days the Honda CB750 was HUGE, so why an 800cc bike is considered small remains a mystery to me. I'd be lying if I said I never wished for a 100cc monster driving at 55 in 2nd gear but in the immortal words of Mr Spock "Having a thing is not so fulfilling after all as wanting a thing - it's not logical, but almost always true". I'm sure the guy on his 1500 looks at the Honda VTX1800 and says - oh, if only....

 

Believe it or not, the 1600 handles pretty similar to the C50 on back road type rides. Yes, it's harder to push around in a parking space, and you have to get used to the slow speed handling, but that will only take some practice, just like any new bike would. On the open road, there is NO comparision to the ride quality the 1600 gives over the C50. None.

I don't see why a 1600 is any less a "local trip" bike than any other. You still have to put your gear on, it's not like there is anything more involved in that aspect. I take my 1600 to the grocery store and the beer store all the time. Of course the 3 mile trip often turns into 60 miles or so!

Obviously it's a tough choice- I went back and forth before I finally made the move, and I couldn't be happier.

 

Believe it or not, the 1600 handles pretty similar to the C50 on back road type rides. Yes, it's harder to push around in a parking space, and you have to get used to the slow speed handling, but that will only take some practice, just like any new bike would. On the open road, there is NO comparision to the ride quality the 1600 gives over the C50. None.

I don't see why a 1600 is any less a "local trip" bike than any other. You still have to put your gear on, it's not like there is anything more involved in that aspect. I take my 1600 to the grocery store and the beer store all the time. Of course the 3 mile trip often turns into 60 miles or so!

Obviously it's a tough choice- I went back and forth before I finally made the move, and I couldn't be happier.

Exactly. My bike is almost 900 lbs dry. You just get used to the weight, and end up throwing it around like any other cruiser. I love my bike for any kind of trip. Whether the 1 mile ride for a haircut or a trip on the slab.

 

I went from a C50 to a 1600 Nomad and I can tell you that, yes, it is heavier (although not quite as heavy as you fear) and something of a chore to handle now and again, but even at my age (67) I find I can deal with it. You "get used to it" after a few weeks. And the Nomad is GREAT on the highway. This spring I ran from New York state down to Louisiana and back for the BCR and the Nomad made light of the trip. It isn't quite as handy as the Boulevard was on the mountain back roads I ride every day, but it deals with them well enough to still be fun. You can PM me if you have particular questions.

 

I went from a C50 to a Nomad and haven't regretted it for a minute. Yes, it's heavier, but it handles similarly and is a LOT more comfortable on the open road. My wife also finds it way more comfortable than the C50.

One of my fears was that it would be so powerful that it would get away from me, but it actually handles very nicely.

Without hesitation, I recommend the Nomad.

 

nomad - or maybe.... Road King ..... just sayin

 

nomad - or maybe.... Road King ..... just sayin

Sure, if you don't mind spending several thousand more for a hot, air-cooled bike.

 

Well, hmmm, let's see. . . how about both I love having my VOL and the Nomad. I use them for different reasons and depending on the mood I'm in. Actually I can throw the Nomad around as easily as the VOL, you get used to the weight. I did do one day 645 mile ride on the Nomad, all slab riding, with the VOL that kind of ride would be more tiring but possible. I wanted more weight for wind/turbulence on the highway, the Nomad fits the bill. But around town I really like the VOL, and I like the gas mileage waaay better. Another option is two get two C50's and have your wife ride her own

 

Once again I ask.....does it hafta be a V-twin?

 

not worth spending thousands more - true

 

Very nice CJ

 

Gracias, Beez.

 

Hands down buy Nomad. In fact, buy mine.


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Hands down buy Nomad. In fact, buy mine.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Yes, Yes! buy his bike. . . . . and then reduce the price, or (out of the goodness of your heart. . . .) I can come down and trade you my '07 C50T. 'Cause by then you'll want to go back.

it's a win-win :biglaugh:

 

I have a C50 and a 2007 1600 Classic decked out like a Nomad, shield and hardbags and alot of Nomad parts.

I love the bike when I'm on it solo, but two up at slow speeds I'm all over the place on it. Wife refused to go on poker run last weekend 'cause she says the bike it's too heavy for us (me) in slow traffic, and yes at slow speed it's a handful, but I love it out on the open road.

 

How come I hear the Honda VTX range mentioned so little on this board. One poster mentioned it above, but it sure seems like it would be a great option for a lot of riders on here.

For folks who want the BIG bike experience, the VTX 1800 seems to tick all the right boxes. And if that seems like too much bike, the 1300's seem like a nice compromise between having a relatively small, economical bike, and a huge interstate tourer.

For what it's worth, I think the Sabre is a great looking bike and with shaft drive, liquid cooling, and a 1300cc motor, I could see how it would be a very competent, capable do-it-all bike. For the touring crowd, the Interstate is the same bike, but it has a windshield, floorboards, and bags. The only drawback I can see is that it's a little spendy at about $13k.

 

The new Honda's had great potential but they killed it by putting a small gas tank on it, and the gas millage sucks. They can't seem to get out of the 30's. My brother loves his VTX but he would also run it off a cliff for a Harley Davidson.

 

Things against VTX

No FI

No fuel gage

Out of production

 

I misspoke; I was referring to the VT line of Honda cruisers, not the VTX. Those bikes do have FI, though I'm unable to tell whether they have the gauge.

The new Honda's had great potential but they killed it by putting a small gas tank on it, and the gas millage sucks. They can't seem to get out of the 30's. My brother loves his VTX but he would also run it off a cliff for a Harley Davidson.

Hmm. The Total Motorcycle site suggests 46 MPG for the Vt1300 Sabre. Check it out here. Also, the tank is 4.4 gallons. That makes it a little bigger than a C50's, doesn't it?

 

Nomad.....
I'm 6' and 250+ I don't have any issues throwing it around like it was my Volusia, even on the Dragon in the rain

 

4.4 gallons seems small for a 1300cc bike to me too.
My 1100cc BMW has 6.1 gallons.

 

Wow! Thanks to everyone for your input. This is a great forum and a great help listening to all your experiences more so when people can directly compare.

 

The FI 800's are 4.3 due to the fuel pump.

My 1600 has a 5.3 gallon tank. Range is about the same as my C50 was, about 200 miles is pushing it.

 

You mean 4.1 unless Zuki boosted it on 2009+ models

 

I faced this decision about three months ago. I debated the Nomad, the VTX 1300 and the V Star 1300. For the years I was looking at, I found that the V Star had a bad handlebar set up, with no easy way to change that. I rode the VTX and Nomad, and liked the Nomad better. My wife likes the seat on the Nomad much better than the C50 (we had a mustang seat on the C50). One thing to watch out for with the Nomad, if it has aftermarket pipes, the passenger backrest vibrates a lot, because the pipes are hooked into the same bracket as the passenger backrest.

Before making the purchase, I read about the weight issues with the Nomad, and it was a big concern for me. Now that I own it, I can honestly say it's not that bad (but stay away from guardrails). Sure, you have to be more conscious of the weight at slow speeds, but it is not that much of a problem. Once you start moving, I find it is as easy to handle as the C50.

The greatest difference is the ride out on the slab. (The extra power ain't bad either). To me, the Nomad is far superior to the C50 for long slab rides.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Been checking out bikes got a thread on my new bike chase. Got a 06 VTX spotted with 1200 miles. All the good options. Rode it and it is nice. Looked at a brand new VTX Interstate, that is a nice bike. It has a slightly custom look and is slightly stretched. And yes they still are in production and the newest bikes are FI.
Avg tank runs from 120 to 150 miles (per VTX forum). They do have THE thump, something to do with a single crank pin??

 

Been checking out bikes got a thread on my new bike chase. Got a 06 VTX spotted with 1200 miles. All the good options. Rode it and it is nice. Looked at a brand new VTX Interstate, that is a nice bike. It has a slightly custom look and is slightly stretched. And yes they still are in production and the newest bikes are FI.
Avg tank runs from 120 to 150 miles (per VTX forum). They do have THE thump, something to do with a single crank pin??

It's a long story, so I won't tell it, but I went to look at the new Honda cruisers. I sat on one, and after 5 seconds new I would maybe be able to handle 60 miles or so on that bike. I walked out of the store and found my Nomad sitting there in the parking lot. A guy had dropped it off to sell on consignment. Well, he sold it to me before it even got in the showroom. The Nomad is a great bike. As far as I'm concerned, don't be shy because of the size of the Nomad unless you are really old or have some kiind of disability that keeps you from moving heavy objects. If the average healthy person can't handle the Nomad they have no business riding any bike regarless of size.