ST1300 or Vulcan Nomad 1600?

ski_rush

ski_rush

Joined
Mar 21, 2020
Messages
42
Location
Nebraska
Dilemma. I found a great ‘04 ST1300 at a dealership. It has 44k miles and the previous owner kept impeccable records. The dealership also has an ‘06 Kawasaki Nomad 1600, full dress with bags and front fairing. It also has about 44k miles. Both are gorgeous bikes and fair prices.

I was originally interested in the ST1300 because I wanted to try this style of bike. I’ve owned a VTX 1300 and I like the rumble of a V twin, which is why the Nomad caught my eye.

What are your thoughts on these 2 bikes? I know they are very different.

Which would be easier to sell if I had to?
 
First the Nomad. I looked at one but did not like it once I got to the dealership. I have heard like the ST1300's some owners complain about heat from the motor. Other than that you can't compare the two. One is a sport tourer and one is a touring cruiser. Apples to oranges. Oh and I don't buy a motorcycle based on which one is easier to resell. I use more important parameters.
 
Listen to your heart. Does your heart go thump thump or woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow?
 
I had the thump thump thump. Love the sound. But, I’m ready for a “woooow”

I’m leaning towards the ST because it’s a more modern looking bike and I’ve never had this type of bike before.
 
ski_rush said:
Dilemma. I found a great ‘04 ST1300 at a dealership. It has 44k miles and the previous owner kept impeccable records. The dealership also has an ‘06 Kawasaki Nomad 1600, full dress with bags and front fairing. It also has about 44k miles. Both are gorgeous bikes and fair prices.

I was originally interested in the ST1300 because I wanted to try this style of bike. I’ve owned a VTX 1300 and I like the rumble of a V twin, which is why the Nomad caught my eye.

What are your thoughts on these 2 bikes? I know they are very different.

Which would be easier to sell if I had to?
Click to expand...

The 1300 is prone to ECM failures before 2008 models. (Expensive)
The ST also has a “needy” braking system that requires annual or semi annual brake fluid flushes. There is also a fair amount of heat on most ST 1300’s that is a large nuisance in the warm months.
I know very little about the Nomad, check their site.
That being said, we all still really like our ST’s. This site is an extremely large wealth of knowledge and support for every and any issue you may have.
Good luck choosing.
 
Well, I’ve had both. One big difference is miles per tank. The Nomad stretches to get 150 miles, where the ST rolls on toward 300. A lot depends if you’re wanting to go bar to bar, or state to state. With the vibration and feet forward seating, the Nomad got uncomfortable after a couple of hours. I did a couple of 700 miles days on the ST1300 with no problem. Definitely, the ST handles better.

John
 
I had a fuel injected 1999 Vulcan Nomad Drifter (Indian styling).

The suspension, gearbox, braking and handling were unsophisticated and it was nowhere near the bike that the ST1300 is. I have no idea whether later year versions upped their game, but I would never go back.
 
Everyone else provided all the reasons I'd give to go with the ST. To me, the ST is more of an "all arounder" ... cruisers are too lopsided.

If you need the "thump thump thump", get the ST ... and find a sound file of a thumper for your mobile device ... set the player to "repeat" and tap Play ... then ride off :)
 
I had a guy quite interested in my 09 VStar 1100 Silverado, we chat quite a bit on what he's seeing and what they're going for. He ended up buying a Vulcan a few weeks back, 1700 I think 07 and a Corbin Seat, maybe a couple of goodies, low miles, kind of a two tone black, really nice looking bike, paid 9,300 Canadian. Will likely call him up and see how that worked out for him.
Not all V Twin Cruisers are the same; after riding a Victory I'd have said no thanks et all; was not at all comfortable with the handling but the VStar is an entirely different experience; can't keep up with anyone in the curves but to the point where the running boards start to touch it handles with ease, very smooth quiet, no vibration at all, the last thing I said before I bought my ST was I could be content to ride this bike for rest of my days.
 
Share your questions with the dealer, and ask for test rides.
You may offer a down payment, to go toward the one you choose, after the rides if you're serious between the two.
They truly are quite different machines, and as mentioned it will factor into what kind of riding you plan to do.
Tripping or touring, or long rides?
ST all day, every day.
There's also a chance that a newer one will come up from a private seller, likely at a lower price point.
 
Forget most impressions prior to test rides.
Which one are you more comfortable on. Some people can never get comfortable on a sport tourer. The body position on a cruiser works best for some people.
And vice versa.
I’ve ridden a VTX1300 and a V Star 1100 Silverado several times over the last couple months.
First impression is this is great.
I feel the cruiser is more comfortable for about a half an hour. After an hour I don’t want to imagine 6 more hours of discomfort.
8 hours on the ST no problem.
So take each for a long enough test ride to really settle into the bike and get a feel where each is going. If it’s close, and riding several hours at a time, esp. a mix of twisties and highway, the ST1300 would be the better tool.
 
TPadden said:
Kevcules said:
The ST also has a “needy” braking system that requires annual or semi annual brake fluid flushes.
Click to expand...
What say you, Raymond? :rofl1:

Tom
Click to expand...

I dropped out at right at the ECM comment.

It's amazing how bad a forum for said bike can make a bike seem to be. But he's right, everyone should do the annual brake flush at least once as I too complied (in 2010).

:cool:

I hope he buys the ST. obviously he likes to ride if he put up with a shakin VTX1300. He might be hard to stop with an ST1300.

On another note.

Hey Tom we should ride up to Anamosa before it closes up this year to check out the worn out ST1300 in the Museum.

nationalmcmuseum.org

Momma D. Diamond's 2010 Honda ST1300 - National Motorcycle Museum

nationalmcmuseum.org nationalmcmuseum.org

Edit" Tom you can get $1 off admission for being a senior so lets go.
 
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I ended up buying the ST1300! See the pic of the bike below.

I sat on both at the dealership. The Nomad 1600 was super clean, and it had comfort features like floorboards, back rest, Corbin seat, and the full front fairing and windshield that would deflect wind well. My issues with that bike were that it just felt (and looked) much older; even though it was 2 years newer than the ST I bought. Don't get me wrong, it was a great bike - super clean and loaded with options. Plus, it had V&H pipes that sounded awesome with the big V twin. That said, there's just something about it that felt "old". Plus, I've had a VTX 1300 and it felt like just another version of that (been there and done that).

The PO of the ST I bought kept impeccable and detailed records since he bought it in 2011. That's the type of thing you look for. And, he didn't cheap out with parts. He bought name brand parts, which makes you think he just took care of it.

I am psyched about the ST!

New bike.jpg
 
Good choice, very nice looking bike! Hopefully we'll see you out and about soon.

I used to live in Wichita so I know the area a bit. Where are you at up there in Nebraska?
 
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