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Click here for more pictures of "Ruby Earl"
Last taken July 20, 2008 and December 4, 2008

In June of 2005, I purchased a 2005 Kawasaki Nomad. Since then I have taken a number of trips and day rides and I have found the 1600 to be everything that Kawasaki says it is and more...

Kawasaki standard write-up for 2005: One of Kawasaki’s most popular motorcycles has returned to the lineup for 2005 with a new name and several enhancements that make this leading-edge cruiser even better. The new Vulcan® 1600 Nomad™ retains the elegant style of the Vulcan 1500 Nomad, but features more chrome, enhanced passenger comfort, and the big V-twin engine’s displacement has been boosted to 1,552cc to give it an even keener powerband.

Beginning with the Nomad’s V-twin engine, displacement has been increased from 1,470cc to 1,552cc. Combined with new settings for the electronic fuel injection settings, the 1600 Nomad produces extra torque that cruiser riders will appreciate.

Other design features carried over from the previous engine include single overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. Hydraulic valve lash adjusters automatically maintain valve clearance for smooth engine performance, reduced noise and reduced maintenance, while automatic cam chain tensioners keep cam timing accurate with virtually no maintenance.

The revised Mitsubishi digital fuel injection system feeds each cylinder the appropriate fuel mixture through dual 36mm throttle bodies. A separate intake tract for each throttle body provides smooth engine operation, and the top is each injector contain four small nozzles, with two aimed at each intake valve.

A 16-bit electronic control unit (ECU) features programming tailored specifically for the Nomad’s fuel injection system. Using readings from various sensors, it monitors engine coolant temperature, intake air temperature, atmospheric pressure, intake air pressure and throttle position to adjust the amount of fuel injected.

Attention to these engineering details provide the 1600 Nomad with the best balance of power and performance, so the rider has an abundance of torque for any riding condition.

Other refinements include larger engine mounts and a gear-driven engine counterbalancer to reduce handlebar and floorboard vibration, yet these features do not interfere with the engine’s distinctive V-twin rumble.

Also, the 1600 Nomad’s steering has been lightened by reducing the offset of the front fork from 20 to 15mm. The result is that the motorcycle feels more neutral at low speeds, as when maneuvering in parking lots.

In addition to its elegant, low-slung chassis, the new 1600 Nomad is endowed with more chrome and comfort features: New chrome engine guards are standard and a new, thicker passenger seat includes a backrest and aluminum grab bars. Plus, new redesigned pillion floorboards for the passenger replace the floorboards of the previous model. Combined, these features make long-distance rides more comfortable and pleasurable.

2005 Kawasaki Nomad Specs:

Engine: Four-stroke V-twin, SOHC, 8-valve
Displacement: 1,552cc
Bore x stroke: 102.0 x 95.0mm
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Cooling: Liquid
Carburetion: Digital fuel injection with (2) 36mm throttle bodies
Ignition: Digital
Transmission: Five-speed
Frame: High-tensile steel, double cradle
Rake / trail: 32° / 7.4 in.
Suspension type, front: 43mm hydraulic fork
Suspension type, rear: Dual hydraulic shocks
Tire, front: 150/80 x 16
Tire, rear: 170/70 x 16
Brakes, front / rear: Dual hydraulic 300mm discs / single 300mm disc
Overall length: 8'4"
Ground clearance: 5.3 in.
Seat height: 27.8 in.
Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal.
Wheelbase: 66.3 in.
Oil capacity: 3.3 US Qts. w/oil filter.

...And you shall henceforth be known as
"Dances With Deer"

On Thursday, April 24, 2008, a group of us were riding South on Hwy 674 between Rock Springs, TX and Bracketville, TX. We were about 30 miles North of Bracketville and riding as a group about 55 MPH. It was about 2:30PM and I was located in the middle of the group.

Out of the tree line to my right sprang a deer that ran into the road and started running parallel with my bike. Startled, I ducked my head and quickly accelerated hoping to make the deer pass to the other side of the road behind me instead of in front.

According to Chuck "txcwdancer" Burt (riding directly behind me) and John "coon" Cunningham (riding behind Burt), the deer then JUMPED over me. I couldn't see, due to being ducked down. As the deer jumped in the air over me, it twisted its' body with its' rear legs going one way and its' front legs going the opposite direction. While the deer twisted one of its' hoofs scratched the top of my helmet.

The deer tracked over me and landed on the other side of the road where it landed on the pavement and slid off into the gravel and dirt. I was told that it didn't get up and flee. It must have broken it's back during the jump. I was looking in my rear view mirror hoping that txcwdancer wasn't going to get hit, not knowing that it flew over me. All I could see was a cloud of dirt when the deer hit the other side.

Being versed in EMS procedures, txcwdancer and coon thought that they were going to have to help me. They thought I'd been hit, but once they saw that I was still upright and riding along OK, they were relieved.

Needless to say, when we stopped on the side of the road about a mile or two down, everyone let me know what happened. I feel lucky to go through that without a scrape (well, except for my helmet). That deer could have landed on top of me and broken every bone in my body.

As far as I know, there are no photographs or video of the incident. Txcwdancer was busy photographing the whole trip, but didn't have any of his gear running at the time.

I'm thankful to be alive and breathing.

John "Coon" Cunningham's account of the incident:

I was the second bike in line behind Trip when the deer decided to use him for a vaulting standard. From where I was, it looked as if the deer made solid contact with Trip. Txcwdancer was right in front of me and right behind Trip and we were readying ourselves to help Trip. Both of us having EMS training and knowing for a fact that Trip was going down. For some unknown reason Trip blew on through what looked like full contact and the deer twisted on to the left side of the roadway. I do believe the deer broke his back because when he hit the pavement his rear half was pointed skyward and his chest and front half was on the ground.

All of this happened in a split second and nothing could have been done to prevent it. It's a site I will never forget. I'm glad it turned out like it did. It could have been worse, a lot worse.

We resumed with no delay looking closely for more deer. And at the next stop found what we think may be the scuff mark that closely resembles the hoof of the deer precisely on the top of Trips helmet. Txcwdancer has pictures of his helmet to confirm.

Feel free to email Trip at any of the following email addresses:

robert@hilliard.ws
danceswithnomads@kawanow.org
trip@blueknightstx34.org

Articles

My List Of Top Ten Texas Roads by Trip

My List Of Top Five East Texas Roads by Trip

Bike Camping Lists

Trip's Camping List - If you're not trailering

Trip's Camping List - If you are trailering

Trip Reports (Honda Magna)

Texas Hill Country Trip, "The 3 Amigos Tour" - October, 2001

Arkansas Trip, "You're in ARK - IN - SAW" - June, 2002

Texas Hill Country Trip, "We Ride Again" - September, 2002

Texas Big Bend Trip, "Riding the Texas Top Ten" - May, 2003

Colorado Trip, "Roadway To Heaven" - August, 2003

Talimena Highway, "Scenic Highway 1" - October, 2003

Riding the "Pig Trail" - Highway 23 - May, 2004

The "Pig Trail" REVISITED - Highway 23 & 123 - June, 2004

Colorado/Wyoming Trip, "Yellowstone Experience" - September, 2004

OK/AR Trip, "The Run For Eureka Springs" - April, 2005

Trip Reports (Kawasaki Nomad)

Mustang Island Trip "Plan B" - September, 2005

Deal's Gap/Natchez Trace "Slaying The Dragon" - October, 2005

Texas Big Bend "Quest for the River Road" - May, 2006

Arkansas Tour "The Hog Days of Summer" - July, 2006

Ozarks Tour "Running The Ozarks" - October, 2006

Texas Hill Country Tour "Just Get's Better & Better!" - April, 2007

Dyass Air Force Base "Up Close With A B-1 Bomber" - August, 2007

Utah 2007 - "Grand Array Of Unique Beauty" - October, 2007

Texas Hill Country Nirvana "Two trips to HC!" - Sep/Oct, 2008

The KawaNOW National Rally - Custer, SD. - June, 2009

Day Trips

Run To Queen Wilhelmina - Saturday, February 4, 2006

Run To Jefferson/Lunch at Auntie Skinner's - Saturday, March 4, 2006

Photos used by Robert "Trip" Hilliard

On September 18, 2006, a meeting was conducted at the Texas Department of Agriculture in Austin, Texas. The theme for the meeting was "Strengthening Our Partnership for Texas Children, Roadmap to the Future of Child Nutrition". As part of that theme, a picture I took of Highway 170 between Study Butte and Presidio was used.

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