"09" 1700 Nomad, Nothing should sound this bad!

[Fonz27]

they say the clunk is from shifting in to high of an rpm, my vulcan 1500 does the same thing, you have to shift at about 20-25 kmh into second, thats what they been telling me

[deathwalker]

Originally Posted by Fonz27

they say the clunk is from shifting in to high of an rpm, my vulcan 1500 does the same thing, you have to shift at about 20-25 kmh into second, thats what they been telling me

Its everywhere on the new 1700. Well at least thru 4th gear..5th and 6 are very quiet. Its much worse than my 1600 classic ever was.

[coachrgraves]

Also, the positive neutral finder between 1st and 2nd is a big factor in the loud shift. After that they're all better. I still have more trouble finding neutral on the 1700 than the 900.

[Fonz27]

Originally Posted by coachrgraves

Also, the positive neutral finder between 1st and 2nd is a big factor in the loud shift. After that they're all better. I still have more trouble finding neutral on the 1700 than the 900.

Also a very good point, i have heard the same thing

[deathwalker]

I just took mine in for its 600 mile break-in service. I was very surprised while reviewing the Maintenance schedule that Kawasaki only requires oil and filer change every 7500 miles. Personally I would not think of letting my bike go that long, 4000 miles tops for me and occasionally more frequent than that.

[powershotent]

I bought service contract on my 900 and the dealer told me no way bring it in every 4k after 1st service..they say they cover whatever is recommended by the service schedule but overide this service issue.

[brandonfrombama]

I bought a 2009 1700 Nomad less than 2 monthes ago. Yes, the loud whine is the factory specs for the belt are way to tight. I had mine loosened when the bike had only 100 miles on it. When you go to the dealer let them know that you did research and found out the factory setting is too tight, and tell the mechanic to set the tension where a good belt should be.

As far as the gears, don't worry, once you get over 1000 miles the whole bike will smooth out. I have 1400 miles on mine and the shifting is much better.

[deathwalker]

Originally Posted by brandonfrombama

I bought a 2009 1700 Nomad less than 2 monthes ago. Yes, the loud whine is the factory specs for the belt are way to tight. I had mine loosened when the bike had only 100 miles on it. When you go to the dealer let them know that you did research and found out the factory setting is too tight, and tell the mechanic to set the tension where a good belt should be.

As far as the gears, don't worry, once you get over 1000 miles the whole bike will smooth out. I have 1400 miles on mine and the shifting is much better.

I am at just over 900 now and it is starting to show some slight improvement. It's going to be a bit yet I suspect before this Model T gear box starts sounding better. Belt vastly improved after is was loosened and also pulley properly aligned. All thing aside though, even the little annoyances don't diminish the joy of owning my Nomad. Not even the free Heater they supply you with for the upcoming winter rides.

[motley]

Originally Posted by deathwalker

. All thing aside though, even the little annoyances don't diminish the joy of owning my Nomad. Not even the free Heater they supply you with for the upcoming winter rides.

Yeah, that was a thoughtful' gesture on their part. 'Course in my case, living in Florida I don't have much use for it so I'm probably gonna' sell mine on ebay. Any idea how much I should ask for it? $100, $200?

[Centex Nomad]

Originally Posted by motley

Yeah, that was a thoughtful' gesture on their part. 'Course in my case, living in Florida I don't have much use for it so I'm probably gonna' sell mine on ebay. Any idea how much I should ask for it? $100, $200?

Unless I can get out of it, I am being transferred to Ft.Drum, near Watertown,NY in Oct, and get this.... from Texas. And after living in Texas for 33 years I might as well be going to the North Pole. In a word, COLD.

Post a photo of that heater - Hell, if I can use it on an '08 Nomad I might just take it off your hands if you work me a sweet deal.

[silverbackpete]

boy do i need one(1700 nomad) I have been shopping for one(1700 nomad)
"impressive, most impressive Kawasaki ,Obiwan has tought you well"

[motley]

Originally Posted by Centex Nomad

Post a photo of that heater - Hell, if I can use it on an '08 Nomad I might just take it off your hands if you work me a sweet deal.

OK, who is putting on who here.
Its all deathwalker's fault!

[Centex Nomad]

Originally Posted by motley

OK, who is putting on who here.
Its all deathwalker's fault!

Damn - ok I admit I was a dumb *** on that one - that's what I get for reading and posting when I should be sleeping.

[motley]

Yeah, sleeping, I'm in Switzerland and I haven't adjusted to the time difference yet, so I'm getting up at 3-4 in the morning here, get coffee, check this forum and
because of doin' that gotta' confess, when I first saw deathwalkers post, I had a 10 second brain thingy where my reaction was "what the hell, I didn't get one."
Sigh! I miss my bike.

[Heath3n]

Originally Posted by silverspurs

"another question for the nomad... has anyone found a drivers backrest that can work with the stock seat?? or is it not needed?? thanks rick

Kawasaki

I'm just about positive these work with the '09s. You may want to shoot them an email to be sure.

[jagugator]

Originally Posted by motley

Yeah, sleeping, I'm in Switzerland and I haven't adjusted to the time difference yet, so I'm getting up at 3-4 in the morning here, get coffee, check this forum and
because of doin' that gotta' confess, when I first saw deathwalkers post, I had a 10 second brain thingy where my reaction was "what the hell, I didn't get one."
Sigh! I miss my bike.

Uh! Switzerland, FL is only a few hours north of you! Why would you have to get used to the time difference?

[motley]

Originally Posted by jagugator

Uh! Switzerland, FL is only a few hours north of you! Why would you have to get used to the time difference?

because I'm in the other Switzerland. Parlez vous Francais?

[windman]

Originally Posted by coachrgraves

There's lots of reasons I want an upgrade to a 1700: power, smoothness at higher speed, more stability, cruise control, overall better for longer rides. But is all that worth putting up with clunkiness every time I shift? Probably, but not all that sure. The test-ride at this year's Houston moto show will be the final validation for me.
__________________________________________________ ______________Tejasdevil,

you should not think that the 1700 isn't smooth. It's just that compared to the 900 classic I had 1st and 2nd gear engage with a "thud" sound. I have no problem shifting through gears and the power is unreal. I seldom use 6th gear, unless your driving over 60 mph you don't need it. The thing cruises (Put/Put) at 75 mph. I don't know how many times with the 900 I found my self looking for a higher gear.

The tech which looked at my bike today test rode it, when he got off he came in the dealership and looked me up, he explained about the belt and told me he had rode many bikes (he owns a harley) and in his opinion, the 1700 was the nicest he'd been on. I remember thinking the same thing when I got off my test ride!

I have the 1500 Classic and anything under 65 mph in 5th will lug the engine. I would expect the 1700 would need to be going 75 mph in 6th to not lug the engine.
windman

[chekako]

windman,
in the 6th gear my Nomad can accelerate if the speed is 45mph, below that it lugs.

[windman]

Originally Posted by chekako

windman,
in the 6th gear my Nomad can accelerate if the speed is 45mph, below that it lugs.

What are you doing in 6th gear at 45 mph??? You shouldn't even be in 5th gear at 45 mph.

Unless you're coasting your RPMs shouldn't drop much below 2,300. You're probably running down around 1,200 RPMs. You should install a tach before you ruin that engine.

windman