1600 Classic -VS- 1600 Nomad

[Plato]

I went on a short ride with a guy on a Vulcan 1600 Classic (I ride a 1600 Nomad). And on the way back we stopped for lunch and decided to switch bikes for the last 20 miles.

My first impression was that I hate riding without a windshield ! Which is funny because when we finished his first comment was how he loved my big ole' Nomad windshield

But the stange thing I noticed was that my Nomad seemed more nimble, especially on the slow speed parking lot stuff. I sorta expected them to feel the same or perhaps that the Classic would be the easier handling ride. But I really felt my Nomad was better. Obviously, this could all just be a function of my being more familiar with my own bike. But I just wondered if anyone else had notice this ?

[BigJohn]

I haven't had the opportunity to ride a Classic, yet. But I have noticed that the Nomad does handle very well. It does maneuver better than my '86 Venture. But, unfortunately, it doesn't handle the twisties quite as well as my old Z1. But then, I haven't pushed it to those limits either.


If I remember, the Z had a frame constructed of wet spaghetti. Made twisties really challenging....My wife gets real tense when I heal over too much for her comfort level. Probably a good thing for this old man.

[Desoto]

Angle and offset of the Nomad front fork is not the same as the Classic.

[rabbit]

Never had the chance to ride a Nomad yet........but i love the way my 1600 classic handles except when i scrape the boards in a tight turn!

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by Plato

But the stange thing I noticed was that my Nomad seemed more nimble, especially on the slow speed parking lot stuff. I sorta expected them to feel the same or perhaps that the Classic would be the easier handling ride.

My first cruiser (just 14 months ago) was a 1600 Classic. I now have a Nomad. I thought I'd lost my mind (or improved my skills some) when I first piloted the Nomad. Slow speed stuff came naturally and felt right. I know things weren't that simple on my 1600. After scouring the web for a couple of Nomad reviews and rider reports, I read what Desoto pointed out above. It turns out minor changes up front make a big difference for us between the ears.

I LOVE my Nomad. Frakkin' LOVE HER!

[pitchinguy]

Haven't experienced the pleasure of a nomie yet! I'm really wanting to try a 2K but that could be really dangerous!

I'm really liking my 1600 anyway!





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...p=ZNxdm801YYUS

[E-J]

My 06' Nomad seems to ride almost on it's own. Iv'e been riding smaller bikes for over 35 years, the last was an 800 vulcan. On winding roads and in town, it sems as though all I have to do is look ad the bike chooses it's lean.
I was concerned it would be harder to ride in town than a bike 30 percent shorter.

[jimkelley21]

"Haven't experienced the pleasure of a nomie yet! I'm really wanting to try a 2K but that could be really dangerous!"

Go ahead and try the V2K. My wife picked ours out and we love it. I guess I'm just spoiled.

[cruznut6]

I know my 1600 Classic handles great since I added the Aeromach 4" risers. Having the handlebar closer mades lower speeds better now. One of the complaints I've read about the 1600 Classic is that it appears and feels "top-heavy" at low speeds. Even the V2k riders that have owned 1600's claim the bigger, heavier V2K handles better.