Hi everyone. I'm one of those middle aged old farts (48 years young) who is looking to get back into biking after 22 years. I used to ride Harleys back then and loved them. It was different then, now everyone and their brother has one, "Weekend Warriors". I've been really getting the itch after returning from a car trip around the Great Lakes. When I was back in my home town of Thunder Bay and my wife and I were driving the backroads I kept telling her I remembered riding these same roads on my old bikes. I saw so many people cruising and touring every day on our trip, I was certainly envious and after all these years I've got the bug real bad. I've made up my mind that I want a Tourer/Cruiser and I am debating between the Kawi 1600 Nomad and the Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe. Most of the time the bike would be used for day cruises, the odd weekend or three day jaunt and once, maybe twice a year for a nice 5 day to 2 week tour. For the longer tours I would probably look at getting a trailer. Got to have room for the wife's stuff.
I am sure the Nomad is more than cabable for the weekend and short tours. I am wondering how it would be on the longer hauls? I'm 5' 11", 215 lbs and my wife is 5' 3" and 115 lbs.
Does anyone know how the Nomad is for pulling a bike trailer with a full load? Is it a good distance runner? I haven't seen anything for a luggage rack option for this bike.
I really love the looks of the Nomad and I saw a few on the road trip. I like the Yamaha as well but I keep hearing of this "chirping" sound that apparently is quite common on this bike and the Venture when running at highway speed. I have heard of dealers replacing the clutch basket and retourqing the rear end but, it is either a temporary fix or it does not work at all. I am a bit picky and it would drive me stark raving crazy if I kept having to hear this chirping while cruising down the road.
Anyways, I'm hoping one of you Nomad riders does some distance touring and might even pull a trailer now and again. Thanks for any help.
Cheers,
Bones