2015–2017 · Tourer · Buyer's Guide
Steady Miles, Big Torque
The Nomad is a big American-style touring cruiser, and Kawasaki builds it with no pretense at all. It uses a liquid-cooled 1700 cc 52° V-twin that makes 73 hp, but the number to look at is 100 lb-ft of torque at just 2,750 rpm. That low-rpm pull is the whole idea of this bike. A six-speed gearbox and belt final drive keep the drivetrain clean and low on upkeep. A steel double-cradle frame holds everything together. Hard saddlebags, a large windshield and electronic cruise control come from the factory. ABS is the only rider aid, and that fits a bike built to cover distance calmly rather than to show off a feature list.
At 847 lb (384 kg) wet, this is a heavy motorcycle. Still, the 28.9 in (735 mm) seat lets most riders plant their feet, and once it's rolling the weight turns into composure. It is most settled at highway speed, and it rarely feels out of its depth there. It's built for the rider who wants relaxed miles and a proper V-twin beat, not gadgets. On any used example, ask about the starter and gearbox history. The front fork has no adjustment at all. Only the rear shock takes preload.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) @ 5,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 100 lb-ft (136 Nm) @ 2,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 1700 cc |
| Engine | 52° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front tire | 130/90-16 |
| Rear tire | 170/70-16 |
| Seat height | 28.9 in (735 mm) |
| Wet weight | 847 lb (384 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 gal (20 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
Over the years I've heard plenty about the Nomad 1700: in paddock conversations, over coffee with owners, on club nights, and in the emails and messages riders send me directly. Put side by side, the stories line up. Owners praise how it covers distance and how easily the engine pulls, and their complaints center on slow-speed manners, fuel range and a couple of awkwardly placed controls.
Riders praise comfort over real distance more than anything else. Owners describe a plush seat and a relaxed riding position, and many say a full day of highway riding leaves them feeling fresh. In top gear at speed, they report an engine that turns over quietly while the chassis takes the sting out of rough pavement. Riders also rate the cruise control. Once it's set, they say it holds speed accurately uphill and on the flat, which eases hand fatigue on long stretches.
The engine gets almost as much praise. Riders talk about a huge amount of pull right off idle. They say it lets them short-shift, stay lazy with the gearbox and pass slower traffic without dropping a gear. Several owners describe their ownership as uneventful, with only small, occasional issues, and some count it among the easiest big cruisers to maintain. A few say the look sold them: classic muscle-cruiser lines, chrome and deep paint.
The most common complaint is low-speed throttle response. Riders say the first fifth of the twist feels abrupt and touchy, so slow traffic calls for a gentle wrist. Another recurring point is how top-heavy the bike feels at parking speeds, where it takes careful balance to maneuver. Owners who tour hard mention the 5.3-gallon (20 L) tank. At 35 to 40 mpg, they get roughly 150 to 180 miles (240 to 290 km) between fill-ups. Two smaller gripes come up. The helmet locks sit low on the rear crash bars, so you have to crouch to reach them. The cruise control slide button is also hard to reach without rolling off the throttle, and that can cost you some speed.
Transmission output shaft failures
Some 1700 engines have experienced transmission output shaft failures, requiring full engine disassembly to repair. Kawasaki has not issued a recall or upgrade for this issue.
Starter motor wear leading to hard starts
Some owners report that the starter motor can wear prematurely, causing slow or hard cranking, particularly as mileage accumulates.
Where this Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Nomad pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Vulcan 1700 Nomad is actually built for.
If the trip to Sturgis or Daytona is part of who you are, the Nomad has the V-twin sound, the look and the bags for it. It also rides there calmly and doesn't make a fuss about it.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
For long highway runs between the parks, its stability, cruise control and hard bags do the job well. Two-up and fully loaded, remember that only the rear shock adjusts.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
It's happy on Highway 1 or the Blue Ridge at an easy pace, and the scenery will get your attention first. If you want to push hard through the curves, this big bagger isn't that bike.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
