Reviews Gas Mileage 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1600

abril 18, 2022 Postar um comentário

Jul/Aug '06

Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad - Long-Term Evaluation

Oddly enough, it'south on a four-lane highway somewhere outside of Danville, Virginia, that it dawns on me. This bike's moniker really fits. A nomad is one who doesn't stay in the same place very long, a wanderer if y'all will. And while the bike wears that peripatetic badge, whoever obtains the keys to one of these machines may want to adopt the nomadic lifestyle equally well.

I'grand sure virtually of you lot volition hold that traveling by motorcycle ranks in a superlative-five listing of the about rewarding activities one can appoint in. This is especially truthful if the chosen mount is well designed, nicely laid out, comfortable, and user friendly. When information technology comes to Kawasaki's Vulcan 1600 Nomad, you can go ahead and opt for the easy answer that never seemed to work on the SATs, and check "all of the above." For years, the Vulcan lineup has been known for solid, reliable cruisers that are comfortable to ride. In the case of the Nomad, Team Light-green has decided to throw a little road-trip worthiness into the mix. Is this 1600 simply a boulevard bomber with some bags hung off the side, or is this "the real thing" for the style-conscious road tripper? Subsequently several thousand miles, we have some answers.

All Torque, No Action?

Inappreciably. The large cans on this Nomad are all about the F give-and-take: function. Once fired off, the V-twin settles into a nice steady cadency, rumbling with a calm urgency that is grin inducing fifty-fifty before the tranny is engaged. A couple blips of the throttle and y'all know you're astride the real deal. Kick it into get-go, get that customary even so smooth clunk associated with dropping a big V into go, and y'all know information technology's fourth dimension to hit the highway. Once nether way, the machine becomes a torque-monster, claiming 94ft-lbs to back it upward. Despite tipping the scales at nearly 800 pounds, a scissure of the throttle in low gear is all you lot demand to straighten out those arms. You gotta similar that.

Out on the road, things get even better. There seems to be no limit to the pull this bike has. In no time the tank-top speedo is indicating that you are in danger of condign "a person of special involvement" to the well-dressed man in mirrored shades driving the Crown Vic. You lot tin't go by engine experience on this one; it's as well smoothen. Sure, that can exist a problem in speed zones, but when the destination lies beyond the horizon, the tame vibes guarantee plenty more than miles to come before calling a halt. Thanks go to a gear-driven engine counter balancer for keeping those pesky shakes through the handlebars and floorboards to a minimum. And, not to worry, at that place's all the same enough of that soulful thump that unmarried-pin crank Five-twins are known for. Every bit for reliability, the single overhead cams and iv valves per side are married with hydraulic valve lash adjusters and an automatic cam chain tensioner to guarantee that the burly manufactory will require very lilliputian maintenance. Having your cake and eating it too is a nice feeling.

Downstairs in the gearbox, things are gear up in a customary style for a large cruiser with five cogs to keep things turning. Shifting is smoothen and precise whether going up or down through the gears. The clutch is very predictable and showed no signs of fade even under fairly heavy abuse in finish-and-become traffic and when rambling along some back-back roads that an 800-pound bike has no business concern traversing. (Sometimes nomads don't use their best judgment when selecting routes.) Another about maintenance-free feature gracing the Vulcan is a shaft drive. Keep this convenient feature in mind, especially considering the fact that wanderers don't e'er end up in places offering the convenience of a can of chain lube.

Grind Control

You will probably become used to the sound of floorboards smooching pavement when riding this bike. And yous shouldn't be too overly concerned either; this bike can take it if you lot tin can. I'll attest to bits of Kawasaki metal shavings gracing several curves in Virginia'south Shenandoah Valley as well as in eastern Tennessee, compliments of the Nomad's surprisingly stable chassis and its depression-slung floorboards. The company literature states that the steering geometry is designed with depression-speed stability in mind. That said, the same math adds upwardly to impressive figures at speed as well. The big ol' Nomad doesn't exactly beg to be thrown into the corners, but certainly it has the means to make a commendable showing when its handling mitt is called to account.

Suspension duties are taken care of by 43mm forks up front and twin air-adaptable shocks in the rear. The stock settings worked only fine for my 180-pound frame, then I never played with them. Whether I was on the freeway or some fairly rough back roads, merely the nastiest of jolts sent a daze from the lesser up. The availability of said air adjustability and four-style rebound damping should make for a smooth, comfortable ride on any road with any load.

In the stopping department, two twin-piston calipers grabbing 300mm discs up front handle the Nomad's forward braking duties and a single 300mm disc at work with another twin-piston caliper takes care of the rear. Even with the bike packed for a long bout, the binders practice a darned good job of hauling this heavyweight down from speed. Both front and rear brakes have a prissy, progressive feel, and they respond accordingly to easy boring downs or panic grabs. Both the suspension and braking components are topnotch on this automobile. When riding it, but keep the actress size and weight in mind, and you lot'll have a nail ride later ride.

Long-Haul Truckin'

When you're merely looking at this ride, there's no doubt it has the cruising end of the spectrum well in hand. The Nomad also has bags and a windshield, so the concept of multi-day excursions is i the designers certainly had in heed. On this front, the Nomad has the i's dotted and the t'due south crossed as well. But remember, this is a cruiser frame. You can't await the bells and whistles you'll get from a full-bore touring rig, because they're not there. And the price reflects that. Checking in at around $ 6000 less than the luxuro-long-haul mounts, the Nomad is a stylish, tour-ready option. What you do go is a very road-worthy ride capable of comfortably toting ii-up while carrying several days' worth of duds. Fifty-fifty if that favorite B&B happens to be a couple of states away, don't hesitate to pack upwards and get. The well-integrated, streamlined saddlebags aren't the roomiest on the market, but they exercise get the task done quite nicely. Bag liners aren't standard, but they are available from Kawasaki equally an option. Weathering several decent rain events, the bags proved waterproof, always a good thing. The adaptable windshield does an admirable job of keeping the better part of the cakewalk off the upper trunk, although easily and knees are left hanging out a scrap; only that'due south not even noticeable until common cold air or rain rolls in. Again, keep in mind, full protection would add substantially to the bottom line as well every bit diminish the visual pleasure of this ride'due south classic styling.

Should your favorite co-pilot be inclined to come along for the ride, the Nomad is well prepared. A large, cushy pillion and aplenty floorboards are there, and if you need i more than selling point when pitching the Nomad to your significant other, toss out the fact that a backrest comes standard. No more than fidgety passengers struggling to stay upright - at present they can kick dorsum, relax and enjoy the ride, all at no extra cost. Another nice, long-distance goody is the large five.iii-gallon fuel tank. With the Nomad consumption charge per unit averaging 40 mpg, that 200-mile range guarantees that nearly any stretch of route is within this bicycle's capabilities.

Shall We Ride?

On the whole, the Vulcan 1600 Nomad is a fine option for the rider wanting a solid all-around machine. As long as sport riding isn't in your repertoire, the bicycle is an first-class multi-tool to take in the garage. The powerful yet easy-going V-twin performs remarkably well around town with an especially friendly nod going to the buttery shine clutch and transmission. Nimble steering guarantees that end-and-become traffic is an easy proposition, as is maneuvering in low-speed driveway or parking lot situations. The 28-inch seat acme and corresponding low eye of gravity make the Vulcan an attractive selection for anyone, especially those who aren't cut out for the NBA. The standard hard bags wait nifty and come up in existent handy for weekend jaunts and for stowing a briefcase or those few items missed during the weekly grocery trip.

As for looks, rest assured the guys at Kawasaki got this one right. I've never ridden a bike that garnered as many compliments, especially from not-riders, equally this one has. From fiddling old ladies, to middle-anile guys, to higher girls, the Nomad scored loftier marks. Maybe it's the boatload of chrome catching the sun or the perfect finish of the paint; either way information technology works. "Nice bike" comments never get quondam. So, whether you desire to be cruising the strip, or having a dainty, long wander down country roads, the Vulcan 1600 Nomad ought to be a frontrunner among the candidates vying for that vacant spot in the garage. Then once more, as its name implies, this bike isn't going to be sitting there with the mower for long.

Technical Specs

Kawasaki Vulcan© 1600 Nomad™

Retail Price $ 12,999
Warranty 24 months, unlimited miles
Maintenance Schedule 600, 7,500, every 7,500 miles
Importer/Distributor Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA

Engine
Blazon 1522cc, V-twin
Cooling liquid
Valve Organization SOHC, 8 valve
Diameter & Stroke 102x95mm
Compression Ratio9:ane
Carburetion digital fuel injection, (2) 36mm throttle bodies

Transmission
Gearbox five speed
Clutch wet, multiplate
Final Bulldoze shaft bulldoze

Chassis
Frame high tensile steel, double cradle
Wheelbase 66.5in (1,689mm)
Rake / Trail 32° / 7.2in (183mm)
Front end Suspension 43mm hydraulic fork, 5.9in travel
Rear Pause Dual hydraulic shocks, air adjustable, 4-fashion adjustable damping, 3.9in travel

Wheels & Tires
Blazon alloy mag
Front end Tire 150/80-sixteen
Rear Tire 170/lxx-16

Brakes
Front Restriction dual, twin-piston calipers
Diameter 300mm
Rear Brake single 2-piston caliper
Diameter 300mm
Combining no

Dimensions & Capacities
Seat Top 28.4in (721mm)
Dry-Weight 772lb (350kg)
Fuel chapters v.3gal (20l)

Performance
Claimed Horsepower (measured at crank) 67hp
Torque 94ft/lb
Top speed due north/a
Dispatch north/a
Fuel Consumption 42mpg
Fuel Range 223mls

Equipment
saddlebags, adjustable windshield, passenger backrest, rider and passenger floorboards

RoadRUNNER Test DIAGRAM
Engine 4/5
Chassis 5/5
Brakes iv/5
Comfort 4/5
Luggage w/accessories 4/v
Equipment 5/5
Blueprint five/5
Bike for the buck 5/5