I have a friend that rides one and we have tried each others bikes, my bike is a 2001 1500 Classic I have rode his bike with 2 up and bags on a trip and I felt it was under powered with 2 up riding, no midrange power as for ride and comfort it seemed to be better that the Kaw!
If I was you I woud try out a Nomad 1700 and see how that feels to you plus that cost would be about the same as the Yamaha!!

 

If I recall, and that is questionable at best, the Yammy has heated carbs. Should have no problem with them in the cold weather. I have a friend who had one for years but finally traded it in on a H-D. But, he had no problems with it, other than seeming to be a bit top-heavy.


If I recall, the Nomad has a standard 2-year warranty, but you can purchase an additional four (total of six) years if interested. And, there are still a few 1600 Nomads out there. I bought mine NEW in Feb 2010 (yes, a 2008 NEW 2 years later). Tell your dealer to find you one - you'd be surprised.



(I am 6'2", and I prefer the 1600 with the extra legroom over the 1700, whose frame was shortened by Kawa.)

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I have found a few left over 2008 1600 Nomads new in the $11500 range in Ohio. My local kawi dealer (who I would rather do business with) does not have any left over stock but they have the Vaquero in stock, plus the owner will let me demo his personal vaquero) and they do have a 1700 Nomad for $13500 in stock. I may take your advise and see if the dealer can find a left over 1600 Nomad.
I'm 6' pushing close to 300 and the TD seems to fit me very well but so does the 1600 Nomad. The 1700 seems cramped but the riding position feels fine.

 

THe Venture is also in the running for me as a replacement for the 900 I currently ride.Wife saw the bark-o-lounger seat avilable for one of them things and was interested. Most of them I see for sale seem to keep thier value, and most guys dont seem to mind putting miles on them. Anybody I have talked to at a bike run or wherever I cant remember anything that sticks out as a constant problem. Power and maybe lack of high fuel milage might be the only down side I can thing of. It is about the smallest engine of a touring bike @ 1300cc but knowone has said it was weak enough they felt in danger of getting run over. And with the carbs I just dont think your going to get FI type milage, most guys I have talked with say mid 30's. It sticks me that the going price for a new one is right up there with the Kawai and Vic touring bikes though they have not really changed the bike since its redesign in about 99. Still its a good mchine I think.

 

The Venture seat is probably the most comfortable factory seat available from any manufacturer. Owners seem to love them. I sat on a 2008 Venture Saturday as well and it is stupid comfortable. Beautiful bike but just a bit bigger than I want for my needs. It is funny that the machine has a tape deck.....yes a tape deck! The Venture seat will not fit on the Tour Deluxe without modifying the mounts. Yeah, the mpg is not the greatest. My research has shown about mid 30's on average. Big, wide heavy bikes with not a lot of aerodynamics and carbs are not condusive to good fuel mileage. While they are not hot rods, and mods are few and far between, they are great engines that operate the best at higher rpms than most vtwins so the "seat of the pants feel" is different for those used to vtwins. They no longer offer the Tour Deluxe, 2009 was the last year and the Venture is in need of an update but I agree, it is a nice ride. Rumors and Venture fans hope the a detuned version of the new Vmax engine makes it's way into an all new Venture.

 

I have a Royal Star Venture and ride with two people that have the Tour Deluxe. The Venture and the TD are almost the same bike. TD is missing the fairing, trunk and the sound system. These are great bikes. The V-Four produces HP to the rear wheel so they have amply power to ride two up with luggage. The heated carbs help in cold weather and are very easy to synchronize. There is more room for the passenger than all of the HD models. They are also a very comfortable bike for the driver. I'd say if you're getting a good deal you should jump on it. Oh and as far as the warranty in concerned. I had an issue with my outer fairing ($1000) and Yamaha replaced it without creating a stink about it. From the people I know that have had warranty issues, Yamaha has been very good about honoring their warranty. I get 41-45 MPG all the time. I've never had gas mileage in the 30s, ever.
What's the price on the TD?

 

They want $12,400 otd and I'm working on a little better price for the bike or a deep discount on slip on pipes and driving lights. Exhaust and lights are the only immediate accessories I want....oh and iso grips. It has everything else I need. The bike has a lot of room. I'm big, 6' 300 and the wife is not big but she is not petite. We both have a lot of room when on the bike. Some claim not that powerful but it's rated at 97hp....about 30 more hp that Kawi's 1700 and more torque as well. Just different characteristics I think. I've looked online and there are a number of new 09's still available and prices are all over the place....some still close to original retail. I'm not sure if $12,400 is a great deal but it certainly seems like a lot of bike for the money. Bullet proof engine and a stellar warranty. The best I can find a new 1700 nomad is a bit over $14k otd and over $16k for the Vaquero. Even the new 08 Nomads I've found are priced higher. I like the Vaquero and 1600 Nomad but the 1700's do absolutely nothing for me in the look and feel department.

 

If that TD were used with average miles on it (10250) the retail price would be $9395 according to Kelly Blue Book. If you can get them to throw in the pipes or the light bar you'll have a great deal. Remember, they've had this bike for quite some time. Good luck and keep us posted.
Oh yeah, the stated 97hp is at the crank, it's about 78hp to the rear wheel. That's a lot more than most 800lb bikes.