Don't let the Glitz over rule good judgement!

deathwalker · 06-21-2009

Yesterday I traded my 2008 Vulcan Classic for a 2009 Vulcan Nomad. I was overwhelmed with how nice this bike looked on the showroom floor. Today 100 miles later I am very concerned over some very annoying characteristics of this bike. I almost wish I had my Classic back.

sdbrit68 · 06-21-2009

have many friends with the nomad, if you havent ridden a bagger before, I mean with the hard bags, floorboards and such,

it will feel different, but they are incredible bikes

Hot Cruiser · 06-21-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathwalker

Yesterday I traded my 2008 Vulcan Classic for a 2009 Vulcan Nomad. I was overwhelmed with how nice this bike looked on the showroom floor. Today 100 miles later I am very concerned over some very annoying characteristics of this bike. I almost wish I had my Classic back.

Maybe it would help others if specific areas of concern were identified and explained.

Badrocks · 06-22-2009

I'll swap with you!

ALStensby · 06-22-2009

Crysti'll swap you here custom painted Classic for it.

CTRider · 06-22-2009

I have an 83 Honda Nighthawk that you'd have a ball with in exchange for that Nomad...

Guitar7272 · 06-25-2009

Could you be any more specific?

deathwalker · 06-25-2009

I picked up my new 09 1700 last Saturday and my heart was filled with joy. Now 150 miles later I am almost embarrassed to even be seen on it, or should I say heard on it. I has an ungodly screaming whine to it, mostly when decelerating. It's worse decelerating when down shifting(even at low and moderately low speeds). Not quite as bad if you decelerate with the clutch disengaged just free wheeling but still very noticeable. To go along with this is a positive hard clunk when change gears regardless of if you quick shift or do a slow shift. I am going back to the dealer on Saturday to have them take a look at it, but I fear that I am on going to the the casual "it ain't broken in good yet" story. This is disappointing, I traded a perfectly good 2008 Vulcan 1600 classic.

Guitar7272 · 06-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathwalker

I picked up my new 09 1700 last Saturday and my heart was filled with joy. Now 150 miles later I am almost embarrassed to even be seen on it, or should I say heard on it. I has an ungodly screaming whine to it, mostly when decelerating. It's worse decelerating when down shifting(even at low and moderately low speeds). Not quite as bad if you decelerate with the clutch disengaged just free wheeling but still very noticeable. To go along with this is a positive hard clunk when change gears regardless of if you quick shift or do a slow shift. I am going back to the dealer on Saturday to have them take a look at it, but I fear that I am on going to the the casual "it ain't broken in good yet" story. This is disappointing, I traded a perfectly good 2008 Vulcan 1600 classic.

Im not an expert, but no bike should have an ungodly screaming whine to it - I wouldn't let the dealer tell you otherwise, either.

RichLockyer · 06-26-2009

Like the V2K and 900... the belt is probably too tight.

CTRider · 06-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Like the V2K and 900... the belt is probably too tight.

Or a bad tranny. It shouldn't "clunk" when shifting, either.

RichLockyer · 06-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTRider

Or a bad tranny. It shouldn't "clunk" when shifting, either.

The big Vulcans do tend to be clunky between 1st and 2nd due to the positive neutral finder, but from 2nd on up they tend to be pretty smooth.

Someone complained to their dealer about clunkiness in their V2K and he was told that Kawi engineered it intentionally because Harley owners are used to it.

Ruger · 06-28-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTRider

Or a bad tranny. It shouldn't "clunk" when shifting, either.

You've never been on a Harley, have you.

Tendofreak · 06-30-2009

yeap..that clunk is the nature of the beast...Like Rick said..specially tween 1st and 2nd. It's gets a lil better with some miles under it...seems to smooth it out some. As for the scream...well good luck on that one.

deathwalker · 07-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathwalker

Yesterday I traded my 2008 Vulcan Classic for a 2009 Vulcan Nomad. I was overwhelmed with how nice this bike looked on the showroom floor. Today 100 miles later I am very concerned over some very annoying characteristics of this bike. I almost wish I had my Classic back.

Well, I am now a happy camper. Took my Nomad to the shop this morning and had it checked. The mechanic said the tension was too tight and it was out of alignment also. It now purrs like a kitten, almost no detectable noise. Not uncommon either, he said he had to adjust another just 2 days ago with the same problem.

Ruger · 07-02-2009

Glad to hear things are better now. Be sure to switch to 100% synth at first oil change. You will notice the difference.

Greg in ND · 07-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathwalker

Well, I am now a happy camper. Took my Nomad to the shop this morning and had it checked. The mechanic said the tension was too tight and it was out of alignment also. It now purrs like a kitten, almost no detectable noise. Not uncommon either, he said he had to adjust another just 2 days ago with the same problem.

As usual, Rich L. was right on the money with the belt being too tight!!

pagemastr · 07-05-2009

How in the heck can a dealer let something like that get out the door??? Glad your problem is that easy and you WILL love the Nomad.

06-21-2009	#1 (permalink)
deathwalker Old timer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 23	Don't let the Glitz over rule good judgement! Yesterday I traded my 2008 Vulcan Classic for a 2009 Vulcan Nomad. I was overwhelmed with how nice this bike looked on the showroom floor. Today 100 miles later I am very concerned over some very annoying characteristics of this bike. I almost wish I had my Classic back.

06-21-2009	#2 (permalink)
sdbrit68 Time to Ride Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: orange county california Posts: 7,470	have many friends with the nomad, if you havent ridden a bagger before, I mean with the hard bags, floorboards and such, it will feel different, but they are incredible bikes __________________ It wasnt me, I wasnt even there

06-22-2009	#4 (permalink)
Badrocks Clutch Cadet BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Near Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 373	I'll swap with you! __________________ Bozo's Love Child '08 Vulcan 900 Classic LT Dialysis Catheter Covers

06-22-2009	#5 (permalink)
ALStensby SKOL VIKINGS!!! Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brooklyn Park, MN Posts: 12,267	Crysti'll swap you here custom painted Classic for it. __________________ Adam L Stensby Doubt is the seed of all knowing Adam's Mean Streak Crysti's 900 Classic

06-22-2009	#6 (permalink)
CTRider TV Guru Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 10,599	I have an 83 Honda Nighthawk that you'd have a ball with in exchange for that Nomad... __________________ 1983 Honda CB550 About Me Answers to your Gadget Questions Gadget Forum

06-25-2009	#7 (permalink)
Guitar7272 The Widows Son Extreme Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 9,125	Could you be any more specific? __________________ 2007 mean streak It's a magical world, Hobbes ol' buddy. Let's go exploring... October 2008 Member of the Month

06-25-2009	#8 (permalink)
deathwalker Old timer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 23	I picked up my new 09 1700 last Saturday and my heart was filled with joy. Now 150 miles later I am almost embarrassed to even be seen on it, or should I say heard on it. I has an ungodly screaming whine to it, mostly when decelerating. It's worse decelerating when down shifting(even at low and moderately low speeds). Not quite as bad if you decelerate with the clutch disengaged just free wheeling but still very noticeable. To go along with this is a positive hard clunk when change gears regardless of if you quick shift or do a slow shift. I am going back to the dealer on Saturday to have them take a look at it, but I fear that I am on going to the the casual "it ain't broken in good yet" story. This is disappointing, I traded a perfectly good 2008 Vulcan 1600 classic.

06-26-2009	#10 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 28,016	Like the V2K and 900... the belt is probably too tight. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Ultra-Classic Patriot Guard Rider *Please put your bike year/model in your sig line or fill in your profile before asking for help.*

06-30-2009	#14 (permalink)
Tendofreak I'm NOT the boss BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl Posts: 740	yeap..that clunk is the nature of the beast...Like Rick said..specially tween 1st and 2nd. It's gets a lil better with some miles under it...seems to smooth it out some. As for the scream...well good luck on that one. __________________ The number one rule of motorcycling ????? ARRIVE ALIVE !!!

07-02-2009	#16 (permalink)
Ruger Poser Proud® Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,740	Glad to hear things are better now. Be sure to switch to 100% synth at first oil change. You will notice the difference. __________________ 2006 VN900 Classic - Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one. - A. J. Liebling

07-05-2009	#18 (permalink)
pagemastr pagemastr BTK Beginner Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 60	How in the heck can a dealer let something like that get out the door??? Glad your problem is that easy and you WILL love the Nomad. __________________ Jack... Columbus, Ohio '08 Nomad...growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Donkey Overload Reservior	THE Donkey	Off Topic	67123	08-25-2009 09:33 PM
Donkey Love - it's driving me crazy	rocknskot	Off Topic	9953	04-24-2009 05:19 PM
good bike, good deal, which color? 2006 zx6r	JHawk21	Kawasaki Streetbikes/Sportbikes	0	12-04-2008 10:55 PM
good write up for wheelies	Army_of_Ninja	Kawasaki Streetbikes/Sportbikes	11	05-06-2008 12:37 PM
Is this a good price?	latinimagexx	Kawasaki Streetbikes/Sportbikes	5	09-06-2006 02:38 AM