2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Nomad Fi

Pros: Good looks, smooth on highway, easy maintenance, very comfortable. (Update 4-18-05) - reliable
Cons: Engine could use a few more horses. Vibrates a little at lower speeds around town.

I've owned this 2001, Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad FI now for about 1 week. That's not a long time, but long enough to get a general idea about the good and the bad. What I've learned is that the bike has more good points than bad. The worst thing about the ...

Pros: Easy start-ups, comfortable ride, good handling
Cons: Fuel injection requires super unleaded gas

My wife and I both ride 2000 Vulcan Nomad FIs. My wife traded her Yamaha V-Star 1100 and I traded a 1999 Nomad. We have logged over 2000 miles on the bikes and have not had any problems. The new FI has a better road feel in the curves than my 99 did. The...

Pros: Easy Start-Up(fuel injection), Low center of gravity, Great handling.
Cons: Haven't found any yet.

2001 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD 1500 FI

I've been riding on the street for 14 years now. I've owned many bikes, including a few GoldWings and a Harley Road King. The Nomad FI is (by far) the nicest bike I have ever ridden.
Let me first...

Pros: fuel injected motor for long life
Cons: no tach, pipes could be a little higher

I am a 6'4" 220# 29 year old biker from Ohio. I was in the market for a new bike this spring. After months of looking and sitting on several bikes I chose a VN1500 Nomad. There are alot of bikes out there that don't fit a man my size. My girlfriend...

Pros: Smooth ride,Plenty of power
Cons: Air hits top of helmet behind windshield a little. Not a big deal.

The bike is very smooth and responsive. It does have a little sag when you roll back on the throttle, but thats one of the reasons i bought the bike. I didnt want a "crotch rocket" response anyway.This is a great cruiser. A little heavy when trying to...

Pros: Ease of control in handling, style
Cons: Passenger seat cushion needs re-styled

I have looked for the last couple of years for a touring bike and was leaning towards a Goldwing. I like what they offer and was impressed with their performance when riding with several friends who own them. However, the price was a little more than I...

Pros: Great value, runs for all day fun!
Cons: Just a few more ponies, PLEASE?

I've now logged 10k on this bike, including a 5500 mile trip last fall. The temperatures varied from 120 plus to upper 30's, and the performance was flawless. I added "Vance-Hines" pipes ,just prior to leaving Portland. They were easy to...

Pros: Loves the road and can carry almost everything. Beautiful.
Cons: Handling in slow manuvers can be a challenge.

I've had this bike a little over a year now, and have never enjoyed riding as much as I do now. I ride to work (65 mi. each way) more than I drive my cage,(It handles good in the rain with good protection from the windshield )and I'm the guy who shows ...

Pros: Comfortable, good handling, good mileage, greats style, good power for highway cruising, fair price.
Cons: many leaks,squeaks & other problems. Kawasaki customer service bad. Authorized mechanics have trouble fixing it.

((UPDATED 12-22-04)) Kawasaki motors has demonstrated a lack of concern for it's customers, in my opinion as well as others I have spoken or written to, and reviews I have read. My experience with Honda is far better. That being said, my last review ...

Pros: quick start, comfort, real head turner
Cons: gas mileage

The Nomad 1500 FI is my 4th bike in 4 years and after owning this bike, I am not planning to ever own anything else. I have been riding the Nomad for a year and put on 7500 miles.

I am 5' 2" with a 27 inch inseam. I was able to ride this...

Pros: Its all there! Good performance, value!
Cons: A few little things, it would be perfect!

This is a very short story, but perhaps you'll find it interesting. I traded my Valkyrie for this bike on "impulse", and have now logged over 3500 miles on it. ( I couldn't afford a Harley!) The value, and included accessories, lower seat...

Pros: Price, quality, appearance, ride, and insurance cost.
Cons: suspension, final drive problems.

I've had the bike for a little over a year now and put over 8,000 miles on it. For the most part ...

Pros: Great looks, handling, dependability
Cons: small gas tank, low low beam headlight

I have been riding off and on for 23 years and Feb 23rd, 2000 picked up my new (6 miles) on the clock, Nomad. I now have 14,503 miles as of July, 2000, so as you can tell, I ride my scoot. Low beam headlight is not bright as it should be. The fuel...

Pros: More time in the saddle
Cons: All my Buddies Don't Talk to Me Anymore LOL

After owning a 1979 Harley-Davidson FLH for nearly 14years,I can truly say, "WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO REALLY START TO RIDE? During the years of owning the H-D, I spent most of my good riding time in the shop having the bike fixed.No matter what I...

Pros: nice looks, it's a v-twin bagger
Cons: weak engine, small gas tank, fit and finish

I've owned three v-twin cruisers over the past twenty years and this one was a real disappointment. Mind you, I'm comparing it directly to a 1986 Shadow 1100 which comes from a time when bikes were built better. Things modern cruisers lack are centre ...

Pros: Great Looks, handling and control. Even better price
Cons: Windshield a little low for someone with long torso

I bought a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad this summer ('02) and I could not be more pleased. I spent alot of time during the preceeding winter and spring looking at all the heavyweight cruisers, including the Harley's. The Harley road king was almost double...

Pros: Comfort, Powerful and no Vibrations at cruzing speeds
Cons: Black hands from all day riding (cheap factory grips).

I purchased my Nomad in the fall of 2002 and have piled on the miles. I have been riding for 30 yea ...

Pros: Comfortable,Smooth running, Affordable
Cons: Could have better sound

Since I haven't been riding for about 20 years I was a little skeptical about buying such a big bike, but couldn't resist its features and style and bought it anyway. Glad I did. Riding is better now than then I remember (probably because bikes have...

Pros: good motor
Cons: poor brakes and clearance

I'm writing this to get a response. Ever since I wrote to you I get junk mail so I'm hoping for a response so I can block you and the junk I get.I will never do something so stupid again.
The drifter is a porky bike with little chrome. It has a...

Pros: All-day comfort, torque, smooth V-twin, large locking saddlebags
Cons: Will not go over 110 mph (indicated) ;-)

My Nomad Fi has comfortably carried me through most of the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast and on several Iron Butt runs without a spot of trouble for over 71,000 miles so far.

Pros: Great ride, exceptional at high speeds (140-170km/hr), smooth handling and very good looking!
Cons: Can't really think of any except that it's a bit too quiet from the factory.

I purchased my 2004 Nomad in August of this year and have already ridden 4500 kilometers and it's only October. I am thoroughly impressed with the bike. It handles very well, has plenty of power and is very comfortable. I removed the entire exhaust system and replaced it with a set of Vans & Heinz pipes and a Power Commander. It sounds as good as any Harley.
There are no squeaks, leaks or engine vibrations. I would recommend the Kawasaki Nomad to anyone wanting a Classic Touring bike for a great price. I'm just under 5' 9'' and I have no problem with handling at low or high speeds. I'm having a tough time coming up with any negative points about the bike. Can't wait to take it to Sturgis in 2005.

Pros: Extra smooth ride and reliability
Cons: Oil sight glass

From reading the other reviews I gather that the vast majority of Nomad owners love their bikes. I bought mine used last spring and just love it. I also have a Honda Shadow ( my city bike) but for long trips wanted a bigger bike. I am getting older (63) and require a little more comfort on the longer rides. When I first saw the bike in the showroom I fell in love with it's good looks and as soon as I sat on it I knew that I had to have it. Since I wanted to surprise my wife, and she was surprised, I had a friend give me a ride to the shop the next day and wrote a check for it. It is a little heavy in town but once I hit the open road I'm in heaven. If I had to find something the dislike it would be the oil sight glass. But Kawasaki is not going to change that so I might as well not even mention it.

Pros: Quiet, good throttle response for the weight/displacement and inexpensive to service. Big bang/buck
Cons: Lack of tach, could use a redesign of the seat.

For the money, you can't beat this heavy cruiser. I've owned 11 motorcycles and I've enjoyed my 2000 Vulcan 1500 Nomad the most. Kawasaki, PLEASE pay attention!!! Put a tail trunk, stereo and that new 2000 cc engine on this bike and you will attract a whole new buyer segment. I'll order one right now!!