Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1600

[JohnT]

I'm considering adding one of these 95" touring bikes to the stable (I've already got an '05 1200 Sportster; the wife has a Buell Blast). We're both just retired and want to do some long distance touring (the Sportster is too cramped for us on a long haul). At $14k OTD, the Nomad is a lot easier to handle than a $20k Road King. I've ridden both and they seem very similar in ride, comfort, etc., to me. Any body have any experience with them?

[nessus]

Originally Posted by JohnT

I'm considering adding one of these 95" touring bikes to the stable (I've already got an '05 1200 Sportster; the wife has a Buell Blast). We're both just retired and want to do some long distance touring (the Sportster is too cramped for us on a long haul). At $14k OTD, the Nomad is a lot easier to handle than a $20k Road King. I've ridden both and they seem very similar in ride, comfort, etc., to me. Any body have any experience with them?

I had a 99 1500 nomad and i dont know why but it gave me a sore but faster than my heritage does even after I put a mustang seat on it

[DR_DEUCE]

I have 2 pals with these bikes and they love them. Besides, the $20k Road King will end up costing around $25k when you put a few goodies on it, the Nomad does not have enough goodies made for it to worry about. If you don't NEED a HD, you'll be happy with the Nomad. (It's a better bike for 1/2 the cost, but some of us need the HD.) My buddy picked his up for $10k, was 1 year old with 20(twenty) miles.

[Bowtie18]

Those Nomad are great rides, a guy I ride with all the time has one, and just loves it.

I think you can get a better deal than that, however! He got his for 10.5 OTD. I'd be looking around. The metric dealers are more likey to come off the set up and freight than HD dealers, and are usually more eager to deal.

Good luck.

[nessus]

yea what do i know i only owned one for 5 years

[VIP]

There is a Delphi Vulcan forum that has a lot of info.

I watched it for a long time when I was considering one.

My friend had one and for some reason he dropped it a slow speed 3-4 times so I ask on the forum if that was common and several people mentioned dropping thiers for some reason, usually while moving it around in the garage etc.

Then they started mentioning another issue which probably happens with taller people.
That is when you are taking off and you let your feet drag a little your heel hits the front of the saddlebag or guard, don't remember which and your foot gets kind of bent, toes bent back toward your leg, before you can get out from under it.

Can be very painful....

Probably only happens to you ONCE.!! A guy short as me would probably never do that..

These are not things that would keep me from buying on, just things to be aware of..
My friend really like his Nomad.

[Mattman22033]

The 1500 Vulcan engines (now 1600) have been around a long time and are pretty much bullet proof. The Nomad is nice bike and yes way cheaper then a Road King. I have 2001 Drifter 1500 in my stable with my 2 HDs.

You can still do the usual upgrades to the Nomad such as:
pipes
air kits
PCIII USB
after market seat
lightbar (yes you have to add it, it is not a stock item and it very easy to install)
Remove AIS & other EPA crap (I removed all of mine)

The Dephi Vulcan forum is great info place but Gadgets website has tons of info as well. http://www.gadgetjq.com/