05 VTX VS 01 Nomad

[Ryguy]

A friend that I ride with wanted to ride my nomad today, He is looking for a larger bike for himself and he wants a bagger. He loved the look of my nomad, So we swapped bikes today for about 15 miles of riding.

This was my first time on the Honda 1300 VTX. I know I'm not comparing apples to apples, but I did consider a VTX very hard before buying my first nomad.

My impressions

VTX,

No floor boards, I missed my boards!!

No Crash Bar = no highway pegs, SUCKED!!!

The VTX had a bad vibration at 60-65. It was an engine vibration, the whole bike just vibrates at that speed. My nomad is very very smooth at 65-70 and smooth even at 80-85. It wasn't tires either, he has brand new ME 880's on it. That was a plus. I do like the metz tires. I will be getting Metzy tires when I need to replace!!!

I did like the mustang seat on his VTX, I think I will be purchasing one.

I did like his lowers he made on his VTX, There really big and long and make a big difference.

Did not like The feel of a carbed bike again. The fuel injection has a crisper throttle response.

More power from the Nomad, hence the bigger engine of course. But power was smoother on the Nomad than the VTX, The VTX almost seemed choppy when you twist the throttle, the Nomad just seems to have a steady torque range.

So I can say I am VERY happy I bought the Kawasaki Nomad over the Honda VTX.

My friend was very impressed with my Nomad as well. He will be looking at them when he trades

I AM NOT bashing the VTX. Over all it handled well on the highway, but the nomad is by far a better bike for MYSELF. So I am just stating an opinion. Don't beat me up too bad

I rode the bike on the right in this picture

[Targetbuster]

You won't hear me arguing. I rode my Nomad 220 miles yesterday and the way that bike rides with the wind, against the wind, over torn up asphalt.....whatever, makes me feel like it (for a bagger) is the best bang for the buck out there. It is one fine motorcycle.

[dickwol]

Originally Posted by Ryguy

My impressions

VTX,

No floor boards, I missed my boards!!

Hmm, my friend's vtx1300 has floorboards. His is the retro version and I can see from your photo that this 1300 is not. The virbration on the retro occurs at 45-50 mph and is a wobble in the front end. Otherwise it's not a bad bike.

[Big-T]

I have a 02' VTX 1300R and just bought an 07' Nomad. The VTX is my hot rod and the Nomad is my cruiser. They are two different bikes. I love both of my bikes and agree with everything you said. The VTX has a lower center of gravity which makes it easier to manuver at low speeds. The Nomad has more power and a much better gear spread. The vibration in the VTX is the reason I bought the Nomad. It has a solid mounted engine that some people love but I am not one of them. On the VTX forum I haven't found anybody that has anything bad to say about my Nomad. It is an awesome bike. I only have 800 miles on it and I am still getting used to the hydraulic clutch and slow speed manuvering but I am getting better. Today I took my wife for the first time. It wasn't that bad with her on the back and she loved the ride. If you can afford two bikes buy the VTX you won't go wrong. Although after looking at the 900 Kawis they may be better bikes but without riding one I don't know. T.

[Ryguy]

Originally Posted by ****wol

Hmm, my friend's vtx1300 has floorboards. His is the retro version and I can see from your photo that this 1300 is not. The virbration on the retro occurs at 45-50 mph and is a wobble in the front end. Otherwise it's not a bad bike.

The VTX on the left in that picture also has boards. I believe different models had boards VS pegs.

[Ryguy]

Originally Posted by Big-T

I have a 02' VTX 1300R and just bought an 07' Nomad. The VTX is my hot rod and the Nomad is my cruiser. They are two different bikes. I love both of my bikes and agree with everything you said. The VTX has a lower center of gravity which makes it easier to manuver at low speeds. The Nomad has more power and a much better gear spread. The vibration in the VTX is the reason I bought the Nomad. It has a solid mounted engine that some people love but I am not one of them. On the VTX forum I haven't found anybody that has anything bad to say about my Nomad. It is an awesome bike. I only have 800 miles on it and I am still getting used to the hydraulic clutch and slow speed manuvering but I am getting better. Today I took my wife for the first time. It wasn't that bad with her on the back and she loved the ride. If you can afford two bikes buy the VTX you won't go wrong. Although after looking at the 900 Kawis they may be better bikes but without riding one I don't know. T.

Now I think my Nomad handled better at low speeds VS the VTX, but then again I only rode it for 15 miles and 95% of that was highway speeds. But I feel my Nomad is very nimble at lower speeds. I drag floor boards on my Nomad constantly!! But I am also a pretty big guy, so that may make a difference. I did feel cramped on the 1300, but with no highway pegs on the VTX I was all cramped with the stock pegs, at 6'7" I need to stretch out

[skater69]

Rode with my neighbor the last weekend. He has an '04 VTX 1300 (no screen, no bags). I've never ridden it though. Don't have much of an interest.....I'll take my 1600 FI over the carbed 1300....plus I'm so completely satisfied with my Nomad....and everything about it.

[sebastian1000]

try the VTX 1800.

[Ryguy]

Originally Posted by Sebastian600

try the VTX 1800.

I would like to ride that one!! Maybe someday I'll get a chance to try it out, but I would rather ride the V2K

[G]

thanks for the review , i personally prefer the Vulcans . Honda's aint no crap cruiser , Honda are very well built . but i also say the same for Kawasaki's , Vulcans just have a coolness about them ..

[bikeaholic]

imo....1300 is a pig

1800 much better bike but a little heavy

[fretbuzz]

It sounds like you gave an honest assessment based on your experience, making it a good comparison.

I've never ridden a VTX or a Nomad earlier than '05, but based on your thoughts, I think your friend would be very happy with a new Nomad.

[craig atkins]

My brother has a vtx 1800 and we did a ride this weekend and we swapped for a bit as well. His bike definately has more power but it shook pretty good such that the view through the windshield was distorted by the vibration. I figure my Nomad is like a big caddy and his is like a ground pounder hot rod. I will keep my bike and be happy.

[sebastian1000]

....the V2K is a heck of a bike no doubt but I have never ridden one. I have taken this VTX 1800 out for a bit however and I was grinning ear to ear.....especially coming off of my 600R. Now I know what you cruiser guys like so much...TORQUE!

[airski]

Originally Posted by bikeaholic

imo....1300 is a pig

1800 much better bike but a little heavy

^^^ I absolutely agree. I've ridden them both and I'd take my Nomad any day.

[SwingSet]

GREAT info, guys!!! Jason is thinking of trading in his VTX 1300c for a Nomad, and these posts really helped for the comparisons. I think he's going to be tickled if he does trade. Any of you change out the exhaust on the Nomad? My guess is that he's only going to miss the "rumble" going from his hot rod to the sweet ride...

Denise

[Ryguy]

Originally Posted by SwingSet

GREAT info, guys!!! Jason is thinking of trading in his VTX 1300c for a Nomad, and these posts really helped for the comparisons. I think he's going to be tickled if he does trade. Any of you change out the exhaust on the Nomad? My guess is that he's only going to miss the "rumble" going from his hot rod to the sweet ride...

Denise

Go with the V&H baggers for pipes. Great sound and great looking pipes!!! I had them on the 01 in this picture.