Thinking about a Nomad

[sheulett]

I'm incredibly happy with my 900, and now that I've got some miles under my belt, I'm thinking about the next bike that I want to add to the stable.

My GF and I have started to talk about taking some serious motorcycling trips to places like California or Alaska (which is a LONG way from NC). I'm thinking that a bike made for touring will make the trips more enjoyable. The bikes that look like they might do what I want are the Honda Goldwing, the HD Electra Glide and the Nad. I know there's a big price difference between these bikes, but I'm really just looking to get exactly what I want regardless of price.

Functionally, the Wing is probably the best (passenger comfort, lots of luggage space, liquid cooled, ABS, plus tons of other goodies like sound system and GPS that I don't really care about). That having been said, I'm partial to the character of a V twin. I mean, the Wing is very functional for long trips, but so is my car.

The HD is functionally very similar to the wing and it has the V twin character. BUT, it's air cooled. I've heard that air cooled bikes don't really over-heat often, so it's not that big a deal. BUT, if I'm drving across Arizona, it only has to over-heat once for me to really regret getting an air-cooled bike.

The Nad will probably do everything that I want a touring bike to do, but it doesn't have a lockable rear luggage compartment like the HD and the Wing. The passenger accomodations also look somewhat less comfy.

How hard would it be to modify the Nad to add a lockabe rear luggage compartment and passenger arm rests like the Wing and Electra Glide? Can anyone speak to the relative passenger comfort and luggage capacity of these bikes? Is there a bike that I've missed and should also be considering?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!
Steve

[Confused]

I have seen aftermarket rear luggage for the Nomad, complete with side arm rests for the pass.

[EdAZ]

I'm always looking at other bikes and I really like the older GoldWings...
I think they are too much for around town, but would be a nice interstate cruiser........Attachment 7494

[EdAZ]

sheulett, If money is no object take a look at the BMW touring bikes....
R1200 RT, R1200 CL, and the K1200 LT......

[NomadNorm]

I have a Nomad and for the riding I do, (200-350 miles per day) it fits what I need. I was just up in Maine and rented a Harley Road King for the day and really enjoyed it. The harley handles better than the Nomad, but the windscreen was not opticial perfect like the Nomad and the top was in my field of vision (Very annoying). The power was down on the Harley and the Nomad does perform better. The new 96 engine from Harley may be better. If you are really going to do the ''''''Really Long Trips"""" with a female companion then I think you would have to look at a new Gold Wing or a BMW. I would take the Nomad anywhere but for those long hauls with a lot of interstate you do need to be comfortable.

Nomad Norm.

[Slow Ride]

You can get a lockable trunk for the Nomad, with comfortable seat for the girlfreind. It just isn't offered by the K-company yet. It will have to be aftermarket at this point. It's been a while since I put mine on, but I think it took me about two hours to add the trunk to mine. An electraglide may offer better protection right now because of the fairing, but again you can add a faring to a Nomad if you want to, for considerably less than the $7,000 and eletraglide is going to run you. Take out each bike for a test ride, then start your comparison as to likes and dislikes of each bike. I suspect you will find there is no perfect fit, but that is part of the fun in customizing the bike to fit your needs. Some of the views your going to get here are going to be slanted in favor of the Nomad, just as it would be on a HD related web site. That said My Nomad has been a very dependable bike, I love the V-twin styling, I just wish I could find more time to ride. Take a look at Gadget's home page, that will give you a good idea on how much you can customize a Nomad.

[sheulett]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I think the GF and I will spend some time going around to the different dealers and trying the bikes out. How do you arrange test rides? The Kawasaki dealer said they're "not set up" for them. I don't know if that's standard for motorcycle dealerships, or maybe the dealership here is just reluctant.

Thanks!
Steve

[omega5]

[Teamlopez1]

Here what I suggest. Go to this forum look under the nomad 1600 section click on some threads. Allot of guys over there really have set up there nomads with rear locking luggage racks and they look even better than the HD elecitric glides. http://forums.delphiforums.com/kawvulcan/start They looks darn goo. Hope this helps. I had out there alot and so thats how i knew about this.

[Slow Ride]

As to a test ride, simply stop by a dealer tell them you are seriously interested in a new bike, and that you want to compare rides. If they won't let you take one out just tell them you will be happy to spend your money elsewhere. Then find a dealer that has what your looking for a get set up for a ride.

[Cabo]

Here is a site that shows a ton of options for a trunk on a nomad. I have a nomad and will be building a trailer from plans from the same site. I will suggest that if you are really wanting to do long trips and be very compfortable then take a serius look at the BMW K1200 or the GW. I love my Nomad but will have one of these one day.

[Cabo]

Sorry here is the sute.

http://www.gadgetjq.com/trunks.htm

[vulnad]

Steve, Take a look at my Nomad. I added a HD Tour pak and I now have plenty of space and a comfortable ride for my Wife. Nomad all the way.

Bob

[Aquaman95]

Originally Posted by vulnad

Steve, Take a look at my Nomad. I added a HD Tour pak and I now have plenty of space and a comfortable ride for my Wife. Nomad all the way.

Bob

Is that the Scootworks trunk Bob?

[sheulett]

Originally Posted by vulnad

Steve, Take a look at my Nomad. I added a HD Tour pak and I now have plenty of space and a comfortable ride for my Wife. Nomad all the way.

Bob

Bob,
I think that's exactly what I'm looking for. I don't need the huge fairing on the front of the Electra Glide and I don't need a sound system. But that trunk with passenger arm rests adds the one bit to the Nomad that I think was lacking in my vision of what I wanted in a touring bike.
Adding the tourer is still a year or so off, but I figure it's never too early to start my research.

Thanks!
Steve

[Slow Ride]

take a close up look of my trunk, actually a pretty easy install, those are also the stock HD colors, from an ultraclassic. It matches so close i have decided not to repaint it at this point.

[vulnad]

Aquaman,
The trunk is a HD Tour Pak that I found on ebay for a decent price but it is sitting on a scootworks support.

[BOURBON BOY]

I have a Nomad and if you're planning on going cross country, you may want to consider a trailer to pull behind the bike, Gadgets website has info on trunks and they run around $1500 , you can make a trailer or even buy one cheeper than a trunk, my dad and bro-in-law both use trailers behind there bikes, I like the "tour pack " type trunks also but-it's harder for me to get on the bike, after trying a bike with one I changed my mind--Chet