My new Ultra Classic compared to my Nomad

[Big-T]

I got an 07' Nomad a couple of months ago. I had to put it in the shop for a vibration. They can't figure out what is wrong with it. So I bought an 07' Ultra Classic. I just went on a 1700 mile road trip on the Harley. I had 1800 miles on the Nomad when it developed the problem. After taking the trip I will give you my comparison.

1. Smoothness: my Nomad was smoother until it developed the vibration that they can't figure out in the engine. But the vibes from the Harley are pleasant, I can't explain it.
2. Handling: the HD wins that one. I believe it is because of the heavy weight down low as opposed to the top heavy Nomad. Low speed handling is a breeze on the HD. The Nomad can't turn as tight as the Harley. Nomad is too top heavy. At speed it is a close call but I believe the edge goes to the Harley.
3. Comfort: Hands down this one goes to the Harley. I was hesitant to get the Harley because it is shorter and not as much leg room as the Nomad. I put on some pegs and now I completely comfortable. The seat is by far much more comfortable than the stock Nomad seat. I just got the Mustang touring seat for the Nomad just before I put it in the shop so I don't have any miles on it to compare.
4. Power: the Harley has much more low end torque than the Nomad. I think top end is about the same.
5. Storage: when I got the Nomad I thought I would like the side opening hard bags. They are kind of a pain. The Nomad needs a trunk!
6. Looks: to each his own.
7. Gas mileage: about the same.
8. Value: this one goes to the Nomad. The harley is not worth $10,000 more.

For me I am learning to love the Electra Glide Ultra Classic. It does run a little hotter but is not much hotter than the Nomad in my opinion.
The problem with motorcycles is that you have to ride one for a while to figure it out. How do you do that without owning one? it is tough. So you have to go with all the info you can and just buy the one that you think is right and be happy with it. I don't think there are any BAD motorcycles out there. Just a bunch of different ones. T.

[BamaBob]

Thanks for the report.





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb097&pp=ZN

[mrider]

Thanks and enjoy the UC.

[BOURBON BOY]

Good luck with the UC, hate to hear that about the Nomie, mine works great, sorry but the H-D's are not made for my long-legged frame, way to small.--BB

[Spok]

i wonder if your vibration was in your driveshaft?

[skater69]

Originally Posted by Big-T

I got an 07' Nomad a couple of months ago. I had to put it in the shop for a vibration. They can't figure out what is wrong with it. So I bought an 07' Ultra Classic. I just went on a 1700 mile road trip on the Harley. I had 1800 miles on the Nomad when it developed the problem. After taking the trip I will give you my comparison.

1. Smoothness: my Nomad was smoother until it developed the vibration that they can't figure out in the engine. But the vibes from the Harley are pleasant, I can't explain it.
2. Handling: the HD wins that one. I believe it is because of the heavy weight down low as opposed to the top heavy Nomad. Low speed handling is a breeze on the HD. The Nomad can't turn as tight as the Harley. Nomad is too top heavy. At speed it is a close call but I believe the edge goes to the Harley.
3. Comfort: Hands down this one goes to the Harley. I was hesitant to get the Harley because it is shorter and not as much leg room as the Nomad. I put on some pegs and now I completely comfortable. The seat is by far much more comfortable than the stock Nomad seat. I just got the Mustang touring seat for the Nomad just before I put it in the shop so I don't have any miles on it to compare.
4. Power: the Harley has much more low end torque than the Nomad. I think top end is about the same.
5. Storage: when I got the Nomad I thought I would like the side opening hard bags. They are kind of a pain. The Nomad needs a trunk!
6. Looks: to each his own.
7. Gas mileage: about the same.
8. Value: this one goes to the Nomad. The harley is not worth $10,000 more.

For me I am learning to love the Electra Glide Ultra Classic. It does run a little hotter but is not much hotter than the Nomad in my opinion.
The problem with motorcycles is that you have to ride one for a while to figure it out. How do you do that without owning one? it is tough. So you have to go with all the info you can and just buy the one that you think is right and be happy with it. I don't think there are any BAD motorcycles out there. Just a bunch of different ones. T.

I've rented a few Electra Glide classics......the last one was an '07....before I settled on the Nomad. I had a lot different impressions.

I'm 5'10" 200lbs. I found the handling on the Nomad much superior to the ElectraGlide Classic. The Nomad just feels planted. The HD felt a bit unstable to me in the corners. I don't find the Nomad top heavy at all. The HD on the other hand felt like it sat taller and was the top heavy bike.

I find the Nomad to be as or more comfortable. The damn air filter on the HD that sticks out on the right side (I think it's the air filter cover anyway)....sticks out too far and was always hitting my leg. The floorboards seem to be to inwardly placed too. The HD was comfy but I like the Nomad even more.

Low end torque......I don't know how you you can say the HD had much more than the Nomad. They're both 1600s......I don't remember the HD having any more pull than the Nomad. The pre-07s felt slower all over the powerband compared to the Nomad. The '07 felt a little quicker than the 1450cc models but didn't feel any more torquey than the Nomad.

The '07 I rode also had a 5th gear whistle/whine and squealing brakes. In city riding in near 90 degree temps, the HD was a furnace. It stalled twice on me and I had to rev it sometimes at lights to keep the thing idling.

Thought the HD hard bags SUCKED compared to the Nomad. The HD bags hold nothing compared to the 'Nad and are a pain to close securely.

Sorry your Nomad had the vibration problem....my '05 runs great. I'm glad I rode the ElectraGlide classics first. They were ok to me but I thought the Nomad beat in every. And there's the price difference which is the icing on the cake. But I could live with the HD as well.

[G]

each to their own , IMO either bike does its job . but i'd rather buy a new Nomad & a new Ninja 650 sports bike for the same $$ of one HD ..

[Big-T]

If they ever get my Nomad fixed I will give it another comparison. I will keep whatever bike is the best. The other one will have a new owner. To each his own. Just think how boring life would be if we didn't have the choices we have. T.

[stevebtx12]

Glad you're enjoying your new ride T, thx for the report...

[rbentnail]

Thanks, T, for the comparison. I've been looking at RoadKings & StreetGlides lately. At 5'10", 165 lbs. the fit for me is fine. But you are right, it's hard to make a good choice without some time in the saddle. I'd like to own an HD, I just don't want the payments! It's hard to justify that big a difference in cost.

[petegtsv10]

We rented an UltraGlide to tour Louisiana a few months ago. I took it back to the dealer to have them figure out why it was so terribly lacking in power. It was an 07 and they said it was 100% fine!!! Absolutely gutless compared to my V2K and was downshifting constantly to get any performance at all out of it. Passing , with a passenger, on 2 lane roads was scary. It did get good mpg, however....

[2WheelFun]

Nice comparison and review there T and thank you for posting that. I've always loved the looks of the Harley's myself. Just couldn't afford them.

Any more pics of your new bike?

[drifty]

Thanks Big-T. I'd rather read reviews like yours of a person who actually has a bike than from someone who rents one. Can you imagine Car Reviews based solely on rentals?

That said, yours is one of the first major problems I've heard of on a Nomad.
I'm not much into baggers myself, but both the Nomad and Ultra are nice looking bikes.

[petegtsv10]

After renting for a week and going 1000 miles, I really felt I got to know the Ultra pretty well. My own bike felt odd to me upon my return, actually. I honestly tried to spend the week open-minded, but couldn't keep looking for more power. Steady cruising in 6th was fine, but not if you needed to accelerate. The storage sure was great compared to my LeatherLykes.

[ndpat]

I rode a friends new '07 UC a few weeks ago, but only for 45 miles. I also found the UC to be tall and "tippy" feeling compared to my classic. The bars on the UC were also a bit narrow to me but after riding a while I felt more comfortable. I ran a drag race with him and kept at his rear wheel until he dropped into 6th and left me behind. The UC is a great bike but I can't justify the extra $.

[meangreen]

Originally Posted by Big-T

If they ever get my Nomad fixed I will give it another comparison. I will keep whatever bike is the best. The other one will have a new owner. To each his own. Just think how boring life would be if we didn't have the choices we have. T.

Big T, how about a comparison of the bells and whistles on the two? Cruise, stereo, intercom, etc. How are you liking the setup of the Harley?

I think that Harley sets up their high end touring bikes very nicely. THere are some positives and some negatives to the UG versus the Nomad. However, Harley has NOTHING that can compare to the V2K. To Kawasaki Marketing: To repeat what has been said millions of times, how a bout a V2K Nomad?
(No, the classic LT doesn't quite cut it).

Perhaps the Kawi designers could contact Lobocop for some tips?