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2012 Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Nomad™
Embodying classic American style, the Vulcan® 1700 Nomad™ can be the perfect companion for touring or just cruising down the boulevard. This flexibility means it can be many things to different riders. For some it’s a full-blown touring bike, its windshield, hard saddlebags, floorboards, backrest and standard cruise control taking the sting out of long days in the saddle. Strap a sleeping bag to the pillion, jump aboard and let the Nomad’s V-twin eat up the miles effortlessly while you soak in the sights and decompress. And with its mix of the latest technology and luxurious two-tone paint adding to its classic style, it’s a one-two punch of thrill.
Pricing/Color Information
Features
All
Key Features: • Powerful 1,700cc liquid-cooled V-twin • Six-speed transmission for relaxed cruising • Electronic cruise control maintains speed for more comfort on long trips and works with the electronic throttle valve system for precision • Optically correct windshield is height adjustable • Deluxe passenger backrest is standard equipment • Chrome backrest support features ergonomic passenger grab handles for comfort • Lockable, color matched, top-opening hard saddlebags are capacious and easy to pack • Low 28.7-inch seat height enhances the comfortable riding position
Adjustable Windscreen: • Adjustable handlebar-mounted and 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 • The sub-windshield covers the area between the windshield and headlight when the windshield is in the raised position, while fork-mounted deflectors help direct air away from the rider’s legs
Powerful 1700CC V-Twin Engine: • Liquid-cooled, four valves per cylinder, fuel-injected 1,700cc 52-degree 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 uses a single overhead cam arrangement instead of pushrods for quicker revving and enhanced mid-high rpm power • Semi-dry sump design 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 • Dual mufflers, one on each side of the bike, allow maximum clearance for luggage • Engine tuning offers superior acceleration in the 50 to 70 mph range • Even in overdrive, the engine pulls strongly in this speed range, facilitating overtaking at highway speeds
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 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
Next-Generation Fuel Injection: • Utilizes one sensor in place of the usual three for reduced complexity and weight • The touring-oriented Nomad utilizes FI and exhaust systems 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 • System displays codes on the instrumentation, which can be read by owner using accessory manual
On Board Diagnostics: • Diagnostic system allows self-testing of the electronic systems on the Vulcan 1700 • Display codes on the instrumentation can be read by owner using accessory manual
Touring Seats and Passenger Backrest: • Sculpted rider and passenger seats offer all-day comfort and support • Sturdy backrest with integrated passenger grab bars contributes to passenger confidence • Passenger floorboards add extra comfort to the 2-up equation
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: • 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 30 mph and 85 mph • 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 has a tensile strength that’s 40 percent greater 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 Chasis: • The frame features a short wheelbase for optimal ergonomics and easy maneuverability • Lightweight and slim, 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 • This compact design contributes to light handling and facilitates low-speed handling, especially maneuvers such as parking or U-turns
43MM Telescopic Fork: • Provides superb steering feedback • 5.5 inches of travel for excellent ride quality • Optimized damping and spring settings for a plush but controlled ride
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 • Chrome shock covers contribute to the bike’s overall luxurious finish
9-Spoke Cast Aluminium Wheels: • Allow the use of tubeless tires, and nicely complement the Nomad’s styling • 130/90 front and 170/70 rear tires • Tire choice and suspension settings selected augment the chassis’ light handling characteristics Classic V-twin Styling • Basic engine architecture positively impacts the V-twin’s overall 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 • Cooling fin edges have a special NC treatment that makes them gleam in sunlight • All the engine’s non-chromed parts have a matte black finish to accentuate the chrome
Classic V-Twin Styling: • Basic engine architecture positively impacts the V-twin’s overall 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 • Cooling fin edges have a special NC treatment that makes them gleam in sunlight • All the engine’s non-chromed parts have a matte black finish to accentuate the 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 • Elegantly shaped fuel tank contributes to the Nomad’s curvaceous figure • Front fender design continues through the rear fender, which features an elegant LED taillight
Instrumentation: • Ignition switch allows on-position key removal, which prevents keys 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
2012 Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Nomad™
Specifications
Engine
- 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
- System: Liquid, plus cooling fins
- Ignition
- TCBI with Digital Advance
- Final Drive
- Belt
- Fuel Capacity
- 5.3 gal.
Transmission
- Induction
- Digital fuel injection, dual 42mm throttle bodies
Chassis
- Suspension Front
- 45mm hydraulic fork
- Wheel Travel, Front
- 5.5 in.
- Suspension Rear
- Swingarm with twin air-assisted shocks, with 4-way rebound damping
- Wheel Travel, Rear
- 3.1 in.
- Tires Front
- 130/90x16
- Tires Rear
- 170/70x16
- Brake Front
- Dual 300 mm discs, dual twin-piston calipers
- Brake Rear
- Single 300 mm disc, twin-piston caliper
- Frame
- Steel, double-cradle with box-section single-tube backbone
Dimensions
- Trail
- 7.0 in.
- Overall Length
- 98.4 in.
- Overall Width
- 40.4 in.
- Overall Height
- 57.7 in.
- Seat Height
- 28.7 in.
- Curb Weight
- 834 lbs. (ncludes all necessary materials and fluids to operate correctly, full tank of fuel (more than 90-percent capacity) and tool kit (if supplied))
- Wheelbase
- 65.6
General Information
- Rake
- 30°
- Warranty
- 36 months; Good Times™ Protection Plan: 12, 24 or 36 months


