Introduction
Ship of the Desert... Mountains,
Forests and Boulevards.
With its large windshield, hard saddlebags, passenger floorboards,
sturdy backrest and standard cruise control, the Vulcan®
1700 Nomad™ is designed to reel in many comfortable miles
of adventure at a time, with or without a passenger, using thoroughly
modern hardware belied by its classic American appearance. Get
that powerful, fuel-injected overhead-cam V-twin loping, set
the cruise, and be prepared to be impressed.
Color-matched, lockable hard saddlebags set the Nomad apart from
its Vulcan 1700 brethren; these top-opening side cases offer
a bountiful 10 gallons each (38L) of sealed storage space for
overnight trips, as well as front and rear guards to help protect
the bike's engine and saddlebags in case of a tip-over. (Helmet
locks are conveniently located on the left- and right-side saddlebag
guards.)
Keeping the rider and passenger comfortable on long rides is
a top priority, and the Vulcan 1700 Nomad delivers with deluxe
seats sculpted to provide additional support for all-day rides.
A special backrest with integrated grab bars and floorboards
for both the rider and passenger further contribute to the Nomad's
long-distance capabilities.
The Nomad V-twin uses a single overhead cam in each cylinder
head, rather than a push-rod overhead-valve arrangement, to boost
efficiency and provide quick acceleration and superior passing
performance. The engine's long-stroke design, high compression
and big displacement produce massive amounts of quick-revving
horsepower, all of it delivered with a distinct V-twin character.
More cutting edge technology is found in Kawasaki's fully electronic
throttle valve system. Working with the rest of the Nomad's fuel
injection system, the electronic throttle valve enhances the
engine's response without detracting from its distinctive V-twin
feel. The system utilizes an Accelerator Position Sensor (APS)
and a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). Both units feed data to
the ECU, which adjusts the throttle plates to tailor intake airflow
accordingly. The system offers a natural throttle feel, because
the APS is activated by a throttle body pulley that's connected
by cables to the throttle grip. Besides the obvious FI advantages
like improved fuel economy and automatic adjustment for altitude
changes, the system also permits easy hands-off warm-up and idle
speed control.
The Vulcan 1700 Nomad also features a water-cooled alternator
with rare-earth magnets that produces a staggering 46.8 amps
of electrical output; plenty to power a selection of electronic
accessories to enrich motorcycle travel.
The Nomad's electronic cruise control system is conveniently
operated from the right handlebar, and can be engaged at any
speed between 30 and 85 mph in any of the top four gears. The
cruise control can be disengaged by any of the following methods:
brake lever, clutch lever, rear brake pedal, or manually turning
the throttle grip past the "closed" position.
A six-speed transmission with overdriven 5th and 6th gears mates
to the Nomad's rumbling V-twin engine, contributing greatly to
a relaxed ride and excellent fuel economy at highway speeds.
Torque is transferred from the transmission to the rear wheel
through a carbon fiber final drive belt which, at only 28mm wide,
has a 40-percent higher tensile strength than current Kevlar
belts.
The Vulcan's designers were able to infuse abundant technology
into the 1700 Nomad without sacrificing any of the charm and
visual appeal that's expected from a Kawasaki touring cruiser.
Meticulous attention to detail and exquisite craftsmanship of
the engine covers, bodywork design and side cases result in a
motorcycle that turns heads whether parked in front of a café
or cruising down the highway.
Designed to be as light and slim as possible, the Nomad's single
backbone double cradle frame offers a short seat-to-steering
head distance, with a correspondingly short wheelbase. That easy-to-reach
handlebar facilitates slow-speed maneuvering and helps maximize
rider confidence. Adding to the light and easy handling are suspension
components that match the Vulcan 1700 Nomad's intended usage.
An elegantly simple rear swingarm with twin air-assisted shocks
provides 3.1 inches of rear suspension travel, and features air
spring preload and four-way rebound adjustment. Up front, a large
43mm fork offers precise steering feedback and 5.5 inches of
travel.
The Nomad rolls on nine-spoke cast wheels, which use tubeless
tires and complement its open-road character. A 130/90 front
radial and a 170/70 rear are mounted on those attractive wheels.
Dual 300mm front disc brakes with twin-piston calipers and a
300mm rear disc brake with a two-piston caliper help bring this
stylish machine to sure, powerful stops.
With its stylish combination of traditional styling, sophisticated
technology and touring refinement, there's really nothing else
out there quite like the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Nomad.
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Features
New for 2010
· Improved exhaust pipe heat shielding reduces radiant
heat felt by the rider
· Improved radiator ducting helps keep heat away from
the rider's right leg
· A 5mm shorter coolant pipe makes it possible to remove
the pipe without removing the alternator cover, simplifying oil-screen
maintenance
Adjustable Windscreen
· Adjustable handlebar-mounted optically correct windscreen
is shaped for optimum airflow management without compromising
the Nomad's cruiser styling
· Strong chrome plated steel supports
· Two-position height
· Sub-windshield and deflectors further increase wind
protection performance
· The sub-windshield covers the area between the windshield
and headlight when the windshield is in the raised position and
the fork-mounted deflectors help direct air away from the rider's
legs
Touring Seats and Passenger Backrest
· Rider and passenger seats are sculpted for greater all-day
support
· Sturdy backrest with integrated passenger grab bars
contributes to passenger confidence
· As a final contribution to passenger comfort, the Nomad
features passenger floorboards
Hard, Lockable Side Cases
· The Nomad features hard, lockable, top-opening side
cases that each provide 10 gallons (38L) of sealed storage space
for overnight touring
· Front and rear guards on the Nomad help protect the
bike's engine and hard side cases in the event of a tip-over
· Helmet locks are conveniently located on the left
· and right-side saddlebag guards
Powerful 1700cc V-Twin engine
· Liquid cooled, 4-valve per cylinder, fuel-injected 1700cc
52° V-twin engine
· Long-stroke 102 x 104mm bore and stroke helps deliver
high levels of torque with a distinct V-twin feel
· Valve system is based on the Vulcan 2000, but uses a
single overhead cam arrangement instead of pushrods, for quicker
revving and enhanced mid-high rpm power
· Semi-dry sump allows a lower crankshaft placement and
a longer piston stroke without increasing engine height
· Single-pin crank accentuates the engine's V-twin character
by providing stronger power-pulses
· Large capacity airbox is located on both sides of the
engine
· Small-diameter iridium sparkplugs reach deep into the
combustion chamber for high combustion efficiency, especially
during low-load operation
· Features dual mufflers, one on each side of the bike,
to allow maximum clearance for luggage
· Engine tuning offers superior acceleration in the 50-70
mph range
· Even in overdrive, the engine pulls strongly in this
speed range, facilitating overtaking at highway speeds
Next Generation FI
· Based on the systems used by the Ninja® 650R and
Vulcan 900 motorcycles
· Utilizes one sensor in place of the usual three, for
reduced complexity and weight
· The touring-oriented Nomad utilizes FI and exhaust systems
which are tuned to reach peak torque and horsepower at a higher
rpm than the engines used in standard Vulcan 1700 cruisers
On Board Diagnostics
· Diagnostic system allows self testing of the electronic
systems on the Vulcan 1700
· Displays codes on the instrumentation, which can be
read by owner; using accessory manual
Electronic Throttle Valve System
· Fully electronic throttle actuation system enables the
ECU to control the volume of intake air (via throttle valve angle)
and fuel (via fuel injector timing) delivered to the engine
· Optimized fuel injector timing and throttle valve position
results in accurate, powerful engine response
· Control of both fuel injection and airflow provides
easy starting and precise cold-engine idle speed control
· From the rider's perspective, the ETV works like a standard
cable-operated throttle
· the throttle grip is still connected to cables, so the
feel at the grip is the same
· Twisting the throttle turns a pulley on the throttle
body which triggers the Accelerator Position Sensor (APS) to
send a signal to the ECU, which then modulates the throttle valves
via a DC motor
· Accurate throttle position is relayed to the ECU by
a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
· APS and TPS send two sets of signals to the ECU for
system redundancy in the unlikely event of a sensor failure
Cruise Control
· The cruise control can be engaged and adjusted entirely
from the right handlebar
· Cruise control can be activated in 3rd gear or above
at any speed between 30mph and 85mph
· Pressure on the brake lever, clutch lever or rear brake
pedal will automatically disengage the cruise control, as will
manually rolling-off the throttle
Six-Speed Transmission / Final Drive
· Six-speed transmission with positive neutral finder
· 5th and 6th are overdrive gears for excellent fuel economy
when cruising at highway speeds
· 28mm carbon fiber final drive belt offers a 40 percent
increase in tensile strength compared to current Kevlar belts,
allowing the Vulcan 1700 to use a slim belt only 2mm wider than
the Kevlar unit on the Vulcan 900
· Belt drive system is quiet, efficient and offers reduced
maintenance compared to a chain
Light Handling Chassis
· The frame features a short wheelbase, for great rider
ergonomics and easy maneuverability
· As light and slim as possible, the frame minimizes the
number of forged parts and trims any unnecessary metal. The only
forged parts are areas that require additional strength
· the down-tube joint, engine brackets, side-stand bracket,
and rear fender/shock absorber bracket
· The compact design contributes to light handling and
facilitates handling at low speeds, especially when executing
precise slow speed maneuvers like parking or making U-turns
43mm Telescopic Fork
· Provides superb steering feedback
· 5.5 inches of travel for excellent ride quality
Dual Adjustable Rear Air-Shocks
· Air adjustable shocks can be tuned to match varying
rider and passenger loads
· 4-way rebound damping adjustments help the shocks compensate
for changes in spring pressure
· Feature chromed shock covers, contributing the luxurious
finish of the rear of the bike
9-Spoke Cast Wheels
· Allow the use of tubeless tires and complement the Nomad's
styling
· 130/90 front and 170/70 rear radial tires
· Tire choice and suspension settings selected to augment
the chassis' light handling characteristics
Classic V-twin Styling
· Basic architecture has a significant impact on a V-Twin
engine's appearance
· The line created by the top of the airbox and the cylinder
heads forms a curved shape that continues to flow through the
bike
· Deeply chromed engine covers have curved upper surfaces.
Their three-dimensional form adds volume and gives a high quality
appearance
· The edges of the cooling fins receive a special NC treatment
that makes them gleam in sunlight
· All the non-chromed parts of the engine have a matt
black finish that to accentuate the gleaming chrome
Bodywork
· The fuel tank's hand-sculpted contours employ constantly
varying radii, giving the bike a dynamic flowing style which
is pleasing both to the eye and to the touch
· Its lines flowing through the rest of the bike, the
elegantly shaped fuel tank contributes to the Nomad's curvaceous
figure
· Design Motif from the front fender continues through
the rear fender, which features an elegant LED taillight
Instrumentation
· Ignition switch allows on-position key removal; preventing
key bunches from scratching the instrument cluster or tank while
the bike is in operation
· Turning the ignition switch to the "OFF" position
turns the engine off and necessitates re-insertion of the key
to restart
· Multi-function LCD displays on the tank-mounted instrument
cluster are controlled by switches on the right handle. Features
include a gear position indicator, fuel gauge, clock, odometer,
dual trip meters, remaining range and average fuel consumption
· Liberal use of chrome on the engine, fender brackets,
light stays, saddlebag accents and front and rear guards, contrasts
nicely with the bodywork's deep, lustrous paint
· Simple design of the seat cover balances rich visual
tone of the bodywork
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Technical Specifications
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled,
SOHC, four valve per cylinder, 52° V-twin
Displacement: 1,700cc / 103.7ci
Bore x Stroke: 102 x 104mm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Maximum Torque: 108 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm
Cooling: Liquid, plus cooling fins
Induction: Digital fuel injection, dual 42mm throttle bodies
Ignition: TCBI with Digital Advance
Transmission: Six-speed with overdrive and positive neutral finder
Final drive: Belt
Frame: Steel, double-cradle with box-section single-tube backbone
Rake / Trail: 30° / 7.0 in.
Suspension, Front / Wheel Travel: 43mm hydraulic fork / 5.5 in.
Suspension, Rear / Wheel Travel: Swingarm with twin air-assisted
shocks, with 4-way rebound damping / 3.1 in.
Front Tire: 130/90x16
Rear Tire: 170/70x16
Brakes, Front - Dual 300 mm discs, dual twin-piston calipers
Brakes, Rear: Single 300 mm disc, twin-piston caliper
Overall Length: 98.4 in.
Overall Width: 40.4 in.
Overall Height: 57.7 in.
Ground Clearance: 5.5 in.
Seat Height: 28.7 in.
Wheelbase: 65.6 in.
Curb Weight: 834 lbs.**
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gal.
Colors: 2-tone Metallic Diablo Black/Metallic Titanium
MSRP: $15,199
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