Motorcycle.com

great machine

I purchased mine three weeks ago and so far i love it. the engine is very smooth and powerful and the stock exhaust has a nice deep rumble. i traded in my v-star and i really believe i traded up. this bike is so much better in ride quality and comfort and power than the star line. so say the drive b...elt is noisy or the tranny clunks into gear, i fail to see what they mean maybe mine is good from the start. the tranny clunks a little but no where as loud as my v-star did and the belt drive is very quiet. the watercooled 1700 cc engine is very quiet i have none of the valve train noise that i was used to with the v-star line.

all in all i am very satisfied with my new nomad the fenders are made of steel where the v-star custom they were plastic. the fuel injection is great and the cruise control is very nice. i have been on a few medium length rides so far and i am very happy great bike for the buck mine was 14000 out the door tax tag and all. Read Full Review

It has problems.

First ride from the dealer I took it back and told them to fix then damn whine! Belt, transmission, I don't care. It's an embarassment to ride it so LOUD! Of course I got the crap that it's "normal" and no the transmission will not fall on the ground when you shift; the unbelieveable CLU...Ck is normal! Showed them internet reports that the belt is too tight but no luck. Took it to a HD mechanic friend and had him adjust the belt. No more noise. He also said he has NEVER heard a gear shift noise like this bike makes and he's a HD MECHANIC! If I could had ridden the 1700 before buying, it would still be on the showroom floor. By the way, I've written Kawasaki twice about my concerns and they do not care! Oh, took it in for the 3750 mile service and now I have to take it back to my HD buddy and get the belt adjusted so it doesn't wake the neighbors when I come home at night. Read Full Review

TEST DRIVE ANOTHER BIKE!!!!

THIS BIKE IS NOTHING LIKE THE OLD ONE. I AM ONLY 5FT.10 INCHES TALL. THIS BIKE FEELS LIKE YOU ARE CRAMPED THE WHOLE TIME YOU ARE RIDING....DROVE A YAMAHA STRAT. MUCH BETTER BIKE, AND NOT THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE IN PRICE. KAWASAKI SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS ONE OUT A LITTLE MORE BEFORE SHRING IT 4 INC...HES....BIKE IS JUST BULKY!! TRANS IS NOISY ALSO. GEARS ARE HARD TO CHANGE....BUY A YAMAHA ...YOU WILL NOT REGRET! Read Full Review

Australian Owner

I have had my new 1700 Nomad for 6 weeks and have just had it's first service (1000klm). I asked about the whining noise and was told that it is normal. No explaination of the cause was given though. In reading other reviews I have been educated and found out it is the belt drive. So I hope that aft...er a few more 1000 klm is will fade out leaving me with a beutiful bike to ride.
Being 6'2" tall and 58 years of age,I feel really comfortable after coming off of a much smaller Boulevarde. My wife loves the comfy pillion seat and we plan to do a few big rides around Australia in the future spending the kids inheritance.
I am impressed by the power of the motor yet it is not agressive. Power comes in nice and smooth and has plenty of legs when required. Well done Kawasaki.
Its a shame that we in Australia only get to choose any colour we want as long as it's black. "Good On Ya Henry Ford". Read Full Review

2009 nomad

i owned mine now for a month got 1,300 miles on it love the bike.only thing is seams like it lug's in 6th at highway speed is that normal.thank's if someone could tell me Read Full Review