Test ride on Nomad today!

x-wing · 04-28-2004

We had a great weather day here in Wisconsin, so we left work early to go see the Kaw dealer. We talked to a rep for a while and eventually took a 2004 Nomad out for test.....

1) Seats seem O.K. , but Peg said the passenger seat is too hard. Maybe a gel pad would help?

2) Floor board placement fit us both really well, foot controls O.K., but I don't do well with heel/toe shifters.

3) Handling was very nice. At low speeds it was quite easy to maneuver the bike around and between things. No surprises while cornering and it delivers a solid comfortable ride.

4) It needs a high gear indicator light. Any aftermarket ones around? I know someone makes a gear indicator for Wings with an LED readout of what gear you're in.

5) Being slightly short in the leg, I was happy to find seat height was low enough to feel comfortable when stopped. The bike doesn't feel 'top heavy' at all.

6) After reading a couple of writings by Nomad owners about lack of power for that engine size, I was wondering how it would feel under throttle. Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I let it breathe a bit in the lower gears.

Also acceleration at highway speed was more than adequate.

7) Anyone know someone looking for a 2002 yellow GL1800 Wing?????
Trade seems out of the question as I feel like I would be giving it away in the deal layed out in a trade for Nomad.

8 ) I am sold on the Nomad. Some Kaw add-on parts seem a little pricey (pass. backrest, saddle bag side and top rub rails, etc) but, hey, what isn't these days? I hope to soon be able to report that there is a new Nomad parked in my garage......

**Spok** · 04-28-2004

Great review x-wing. I thought I was bad with the heal/toe setup, all of my previous riding just had the toe bar. After less than 400 miles on my new ride it was like I had never shifted any other way.

x-wing · 04-28-2004

Yeah, I suppose you're right. This set-up did not seem amenable to getting your toe under the front lever. Some bikes you can shift all from the front even though there is a heal/toe lever set-up. Perhaps the Nomad lever can be adjusted to give more room under it-- I didn't look that close. But if having to adjust to that shifter is my biggest problem, I guess I'm lucky

bjones · 04-29-2004

I have about 560 on my new drifter. This is my first experiance with the heel toe but found it very easy to get use to. I like it now.

*bikeaholic* · 04-29-2004

i've heard that complaint about the passenger seat before

a guy i ride with just put a power commander on his nomad and then put it on the dyno
and got it up to 134mph wide open but i don't know what the hp was.
he says it feels like it has more torque than before and feels it was a worthwhile investment

x-wing · 04-29-2004

So what is a 'power commander'? I also have seen reference on this board to remapping. How and by whom is this done? I am assuming the reference was to the ECM but I have no clue about this area.

*bikeaholic* · 04-29-2004

check your remap post

Don1500 · 01-02-2007

Sounds like another Nomad freak is born. As for the seat, can you say MUSTANG? Not only rides good but looks great.

vulcan500rider · 01-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don1500

Sounds like another Nomad freak is born. As for the seat, can you say MUSTANG? Not only rides good but looks great.

The original post is almost 3 years old.

*Tod* · 01-02-2007

*jukief* · 01-02-2007

Oh no! Not the miner again!

msa1956 · 01-02-2007

Don1500, Two Nomads WOW!! Nice bikes

E-J · 01-03-2007

I just saw an ad for a digital gear indicator. The ad was by http://gear-indicator.com/ A quick search on line turned up a couple of brands including one that is a "heads up display" and mounts to your helmet, http://www.webbikeworld.com/heads-up-display/ Holy shades of Apache Helicopter Batman!

Chuckster · 01-03-2007

Rich is not going to be a happy camper when he sees this "revived thread"!

Don1500 · 01-03-2007

Then he should kill it.

Chuckster · 01-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don1500

Then he should kill it.

Easy there Don. I was simply making light of a recent post by another member about reviving old threads. I personally don't care. By the way, you have a couple of really nice looking bikes.

Don1500 · 01-03-2007

Thanks.

Now that I'm back home after 6 mts, and I'm not sick, the rain is coming!!! I haven't been on either one of those bikes since Thanksgiving! And I'm leaving on the 15th for NYC! I got a right to be cranky!

*Tod* · 01-03-2007

I'll say you've got a right to be just a tad cranky.

Well, this is one thread that's been revived successfully, and stayed on topic.

**Spok** · 01-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tod

I'll say you've got a right.

Well, this is one thread that's been revived successfully, and stayed on topic.

*Tod* · 01-03-2007

"I am always beneath you...but there is NOTHING beneath ME!!"

04-28-2004	#1 (permalink)
x-wing Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 137	Test ride on Nomad today! We had a great weather day here in Wisconsin, so we left work early to go see the Kaw dealer. We talked to a rep for a while and eventually took a 2004 Nomad out for test..... 1) Seats seem O.K. , but Peg said the passenger seat is too hard. Maybe a gel pad would help? 2) Floor board placement fit us both really well, foot controls O.K., but I don't do well with heel/toe shifters. 3) Handling was very nice. At low speeds it was quite easy to maneuver the bike around and between things. No surprises while cornering and it delivers a solid comfortable ride. 4) It needs a high gear indicator light. Any aftermarket ones around? I know someone makes a gear indicator for Wings with an LED readout of what gear you're in. 5) Being slightly short in the leg, I was happy to find seat height was low enough to feel comfortable when stopped. The bike doesn't feel 'top heavy' at all. 6) After reading a couple of writings by Nomad owners about lack of power for that engine size, I was wondering how it would feel under throttle. Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I let it breathe a bit in the lower gears. Also acceleration at highway speed was more than adequate. 7) Anyone know someone looking for a 2002 yellow GL1800 Wing????? Trade seems out of the question as I feel like I would be giving it away in the deal layed out in a trade for Nomad. 8 ) I am sold on the Nomad. Some Kaw add-on parts seem a little pricey (pass. backrest, saddle bag side and top rub rails, etc) but, hey, what isn't these days? I hope to soon be able to report that there is a new Nomad parked in my garage...... __________________ I gotta go, Carlo 2003 Nomad 2001 1100 V-Star custom (wife) 1986 450 Rebel (daughter)

04-28-2004	#2 (permalink)
Spok RIP Deron - 1400Pilot Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Washington Posts: 34,585	Great review x-wing. I thought I was bad with the heal/toe setup, all of my previous riding just had the toe bar. After less than 400 miles on my new ride it was like I had never shifted any other way. __________________ In Memory of Deron Harden - 1400 Pilot. You are missed.

04-28-2004	#3 (permalink)
x-wing Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 137	Yeah, I suppose you're right. This set-up did not seem amenable to getting your toe under the front lever. Some bikes you can shift all from the front even though there is a heal/toe lever set-up. Perhaps the Nomad lever can be adjusted to give more room under it-- I didn't look that close. But if having to adjust to that shifter is my biggest problem, I guess I'm lucky __________________ I gotta go, Carlo 2003 Nomad 2001 1100 V-Star custom (wife) 1986 450 Rebel (daughter)

04-29-2004	#4 (permalink)
bjones Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lone Rock Wisconsin Posts: 151	I have about 560 on my new drifter. This is my first experiance with the heel toe but found it very easy to get use to. I like it now. __________________ 02 Drifter Thunder Air Kit PCM III 78 KZ 650 79 KZ 650

04-29-2004	#5 (permalink)
bikeaholic Sick & Twisted Moderator Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: edenton north carolina Posts: 4,352	re i've heard that complaint about the passenger seat before a guy i ride with just put a power commander on his nomad and then put it on the dyno and got it up to 134mph wide open but i don't know what the hp was. he says it feels like it has more torque than before and feels it was a worthwhile investment __________________ 2004 - 1600 classic 1997 - 1200C harley sporty 1985 - 750 Honda Shadow VROC# 20171 Chromaholic #512

04-29-2004	#6 (permalink)
x-wing Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 137	So what is a 'power commander'? I also have seen reference on this board to remapping. How and by whom is this done? I am assuming the reference was to the ECM but I have no clue about this area. __________________ I gotta go, Carlo 2003 Nomad 2001 1100 V-Star custom (wife) 1986 450 Rebel (daughter)

04-29-2004	#7 (permalink)
bikeaholic Sick & Twisted Moderator Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: edenton north carolina Posts: 4,352	re check your remap post __________________ 2004 - 1600 classic 1997 - 1200C harley sporty 1985 - 750 Honda Shadow VROC# 20171 Chromaholic #512

01-02-2007	#8 (permalink)
Don1500 Pleased to meet ya BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 111	Sounds like another Nomad freak is born. As for the seat, can you say MUSTANG? Not only rides good but looks great. __________________ If you can't ride, get off my sidewalk! VROC #499

01-02-2007	#10 (permalink)
Tod The Pondering MOD Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 19,867	__________________ “Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else's can shorten it.” - Cullen Hightower

01-02-2007	#11 (permalink)
jukief I miss you, Deron Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 18,170	Oh no! Not the miner again! __________________ In memory of my friend Deron Harden. Life isn't going to be the same without him.

01-02-2007	#12 (permalink)
msa1956 Beast Master BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hubert, NC Posts: 928	Don1500, Two Nomads WOW!! Nice bikes __________________ 09 Concours Black ABS Accessories, Risers, Grip Puppies & Peg Lowering Kit.

01-03-2007	#13 (permalink)
E-J Formerly Snwflk303 Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Palm Coast, Fla Posts: 1,227	I just saw an ad for a digital gear indicator. The ad was by http://gear-indicator.com/ A quick search on line turned up a couple of brands including one that is a "heads up display" and mounts to your helmet, http://www.webbikeworld.com/heads-up-display/ Holy shades of Apache Helicopter Batman!

01-03-2007	#14 (permalink)
Chuckster Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 939	Rich is not going to be a happy camper when he sees this "revived thread"! __________________ 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic - *"Black Betty"*

01-03-2007	#15 (permalink)
Don1500 Pleased to meet ya BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 111	Then he should kill it. __________________ If you can't ride, get off my sidewalk! VROC #499

01-03-2007	#17 (permalink)
Don1500 Pleased to meet ya BTK Beginner Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 111	Thanks. Now that I'm back home after 6 mts, and I'm not sick, the rain is coming!!! I haven't been on either one of those bikes since Thanksgiving! And I'm leaving on the 15th for NYC! I got a right to be cranky! __________________ If you can't ride, get off my sidewalk! VROC #499

01-03-2007	#18 (permalink)
Tod The Pondering MOD Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 19,867	I'll say you've got a right to be just a tad cranky. Well, this is one thread that's been revived successfully, and stayed on topic. __________________ “Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else's can shorten it.” - Cullen Hightower

01-03-2007	#20 (permalink)
Tod The Pondering MOD Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 19,867	"I am always beneath you...but there is NOTHING beneath ME!!" __________________ “Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else's can shorten it.” - Cullen Hightower

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