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

[jevans43]

Originally Posted by Heath3n

Kawasaki

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

I sent them an email yesterday asking if the backrest would work with the 2009 Nomad and they said it would.

John

[chekako]

Windman,

Thanks for your concern, my engine is running just fine
Actually, I believe the engine speed in 6th at 45mph is about 1640rpm (calculated).

Engine is lugging if it can't produce enough power to accelerate. You probably define lugging as not being near the top of the power line.

And think about this: if what you said was true, and the 6th gear could be used only if you ride faster than 75mph, then you would not be able to legally use the 6th gear on any public road anywhere in USA.

[motley]

Originally Posted by chekako

Windman,


And think about this: if what you said was true, and the 6th gear could be used only if you ride faster than 75mph, then you would not be able to legally use the 6th gear on any public road anywhere in USA.

LOL. Oh good, finally an answer that may put an end to the "its lugging, its lugging" comments. Say, could you come up with a one liner about Global Warming causing the sky to fall?

[windman]

my engine is running just fine

That's because you haven't had it long enough to ruin it.

[pastorrich]

I agree, 6th gear at 45????? That would definitely be bogged down. If you can down shift and don't notice a significant increase in RPM you are riding in too high of a gear.

For example. If I am running at 65mph in 5th, I can downshift to 4th and see almost no change in rpm. I don't hit 5th until 70 and don't use 6th unless I am above 80.

Also if you have read any of the professional reviews on the 09 1700 line, nearly all of them have commented about how 6th gear is seldom used because the gears are so tall.

I have nearly 5k miles on my 09 Nomad and love it.

[windman]

And what's he running it in 5th, 4th 3rd??? This guy is the perfect example of why I'd never buy a used bike. So many beautiful machines out there in the hands of those who don't have a clue...

windman

[vmuth]

i went from a 900 to a 1500 this year. I agree, running 5th gear below about 60 is stress on the engine. I do not think a 6th gear would be needed unless you plan to cruise at 90 for an extended time. I do not want to do that so a 5th gear is good for me.

[windman]

Van,
Kawi should have kept the 1500 in production. There's nothing now between the 900 and the 1700, and it's just an excellent machine. I've logged 34,000 on my '06 without a single problem. I've thought about the 1700; I'm sure it's more comfortable than the 1500, but mine will cruise comfortably all day at 80 so at this point I'm in no hurry trade. And when I think of the $3k+ that I've put into her the last 3 summers I may never trade. LOL.

windman

BTW, that's a great color scheme.

[motley]

yeah well, my 1700 will cruise all day at 90. Of course I don't want cruise all day at 90 but its the only way I get to use 6th, so whatta' ya' gonna' do. And of course, if I want to pass someone, I immediately shift down to second. THis is great, I'm learnin so much stuff about engines today.

[pastorrich]

Yes, I seldom use my 6th gear but am glad that it is there.

On another topic... I pulled my mufflers today and took them down to my local custom exhaust shop to have them gutted. I have been looking all over the web but can't find any aftermarket pipes for my bike. I like a sharp pop (straight pipe) sound but not so loud that it rattles my neighbors windows. I expect they will definitely hear me coming but I don't want to shake them out of bed or anything.

Has anyone done any mods on their 09 Nomad exhaust.

BTW... it sounds really mean with the mufflers removed, but way too loud of course.

[RubynMS]

Originally Posted by motley

yeah well, my 1700 will cruise all day at 90. Of course I don't want cruise all day at 90 but its the only way I get to use 6th, so whatta' ya' gonna' do. And of course, if I want to pass someone, I immediately shift down to second. THis is great, I'm learnin so much stuff about engines today.

and it hasn't cost you a thing!

[chekako]

Lets get it straight: to lug (of an engine) means "to jerk, hesitate, or strain" (go ahead, look it up in a dictionary). At 45mph in 6th the 1700 engine is not only not lugging, but has enough power to speed up to 55 in seconds. Or is it only my "ruined" engine that is strong enough to do that?

I suspect you guys ride your cruisers like they were sport bikes, and this may be the reason why so many here complain about poor gas mileage of your Nomads and Voyagers (like low 30ies mpg), while I get an average of over 40 mpg

I downshift if I want to accelerate hard, to pass, to climb uphill, or to show off. For cruising, I use the highest gear (lowest rpm) that will maintain my speed. Less stress for the engine, better gas mileage.

Windman, since I "don't have a clue" as you put it, could you (or anyone else) explain to me why is low, but sufficient, rpm bad for an engine? Instead of guesses and insults try using facts and logic, I'm easily persuaded by those

[DrNo]

With all this yak you'd think each bike had a different final drive ratio. Drive it at what ever speed and gear fits the situation. If it lugs, shift down, it it dont, it dont. If you like the thing at 90mph in 5th go ahead who cares.

[rbentnail]

Now children, play pretty or some admin boogie man is coming to get ya!!

[DrNo]

Originally Posted by rbentnail

Now children, play pretty or some admin boogie man is coming to get ya!!

[pastorrich]

Here... this from motorcycle-usa.com

Here

Rolling through the gears of the six-speed transmission, shifts are smooth and gears engage reliably. It is a lot less clunky than American V-Twins. I tap out first gear until it redlines at 42 mph, push second to its limit until it bogs at 68 mph. Third and fourth gears are the best, set wide with ample power through the rev range. Fifth and sixth are overdrive gears, and unless you’re revving high, it’s not going to give you much roll-on acceleration, so it’s good to wind fourth out before shifting up. When it’s time for logging long miles on cruise control though, you’ll be grateful for the efficiency of the overdrives and the wear and tear they’ll save in the long run.

The guy who wrote the review above definitely rides cruisers like they are sport bikes. I don't come anywhere near that.

Chekako... this isn't personal... at least not for me. My personal experience on the 09 Nomad has just left me with a different opinion of where the sweet spots in the gears are.

[Sin City Stan]

I have run 3rd gear to 100 quite easily. Actually before I knew it. I was heading downhill on an on-ramp to the freeway. 6th gear is fine at 50 on a long downhill. Otherwise never below 70. But that me.

Mobil 1 20W-50 V-Twin quiets down the clunk during shifting to hardly anything.

[windman]

Motley,
Don't get me wrong. I'd much rather be cruising at 80 on a 1700 / 6-speed than on a 1500 5-speed. My next bike will more than likely be the 1700 Nomad. It's allot of bike for the money. I'm figuring by this time next year the bugs will be out of the 1700 engine and after-market stuff (exhaust, Mustang seat, etc.) will be available. And I'm hoping gas mileage shows some improvement. 'Til then I'll be enjoying my 1500.

windman

[motley]

Originally Posted by windman

Motley,
Don't get me wrong. I'd much rather be cruising at 80 on a 1700 / 6-speed than on a 1500 5-speed. My next bike will more than likely be the 1700 Nomad. It's allot of bike for the money. I'm figuring by this time next year the bugs will be out of the 1700 engine and after-market stuff (exhaust, Mustang seat, etc.) will be available. And I'm hoping gas mileage shows some improvement. 'Til then I'll be enjoying my 1500.
windman

I'm just havin' fun Windman and I'm (im)patiently waiting for the aftermarket "stuff" myself although I haven't encountered engine bugs.
But anyway, I made a point of checking the range in 6th when I first got the bike. The fact is, if you are on a nice flat road (hmmmm, sounds like Florida) with a steady traffic flow you can run the 1700 in 6th all day long at 50, set the cruise control and relax. However, reality is that in an urban setting you are not going to be able to run at a steady 50. You have to pass someone for example and the acceleration is just not there in 6th and thats when it may lug but lug or not, you just don't get past fast enough and so you DOWNSHIFT. I haven't seen anything mentioned in here that would RUIN an engine, but I do think that the descriptions didn't go far enough, in that while cruising at a "low" speed in 6th, you just can't accelerate fast enough, forget about the lugging issue. So reality is that in an urban setting you are NOT going to be cruising at 50 in 6th. But regardless, while apparently some don't like to downshift, the fact is thats why the good Lord gave bikers a left foot.(This is true, I can't count the number of folks on other 6 speed bike sites who said 6th is useless because you have to downshift to accelerate. Duhhhh!) Though there was some confusion when I first started to ride because the heathen engineers put the gear shift under the right foot. Fortunately they finally got religion and put it on the left where God intended. But I digress,'cause I should mention using 6th at 60 or 70 or 80 but I think the folks who said that this will ruin your engine were kidding so I'll shut up.

[motley]

Not that anyone is breathlessly waiting for more exposition on lugging or not lugging but, I've always got a little time on my hands and so.....
there are a half dozen bridges along east central Florida that run from the mainland over what is called the Indian River (it ain't a river) to the various towns on the outer barrier beach. For example, the Space Center is on this outer barrier beach. Got a bridge in my town and it is the only "hill" for miles, I'd guess about a 20-22 degree slope at least. When I cross it I join the street its on about 300 yards before it starts uphill. Once I turn right on that street in about 100 yards I pass a little ramp that goes off into a tiny park and then shortly beyond that I start uphill. Now the uphill part is about the only place you can't hide a radar trap and so as soon as I pass that exit I firewall it, (telling me its dangerous or illegal won't make me feel guilty )Anyway, I could get my Goldwing going 105 before cresting the hill and becoming a radar target again. My Victory at least 95, my Nomad about 85 . So this morning, just for the hades of it, I got the Nomad going at 49 indicated (45 on my GPS) in 6th gear as I passed that little off ramp and firewalled it. No lugging, no driveline ******,no downshifting just a steady pull uphill and at the top I was doing about 75, again GPS corrected. Been riding a long time, doesn't make me an expert at anything, but I know what lugging sounds and feels like. Don't have to look down at the gear indicator to see what gear I'm in. Did it accelerate fast enough for me? Nope! I like to feel the pull on my arms when I do that, after all I'm engaging in juvenile behavior and cheap thrills is what its all about.
So.....if you've run your bike at 45 in 6th deliberately or otherwise, don't go replacing your engine, its just fine. But....like me and the magazine testers etc, you won't do it often nor recommend it because it will accelerate but just not FAST enough.
You wanna' see what lugging feels like? Take a typical 90 degree city intersection right turn at a typical city speed (pretend a cop is on the corner watching you) and only downshift to 3rd instead of properly going into 2nd and then accelerate out of the turn.