I have a 01 vulcan 800 classic. i have to manipulate the choke for the bike to run at high speed, or it will start cutting out. at 40 mpg. it will run fne with the choke 1/4 of the way pulled out.

It won't run unless the choke out, but after a few attempts, I can get it to run with the choke in. 2 Official Website of CalendarOfficial Website of Calendar The front pipe for the exhaust gets super hot within minutes and the back pipe stays a lot cooler

If idle speed control won't bring idle down check intake hoses for leaks. With bike running, spray WD40 onto intake surface near carb and head. If bike slows the problem is there. If smoke comes out of one exhaust, that is the intake that is leaking. re-install carb.
If that dosen't resolve the issue. rebuild carb checking for tears in rubber diaphrams and gaskets.

could be you spark plugs need replacing

Rotella T6 synthetic 10/40
or Valvoline semi synthetic 10/40
Don't buy any oil additives like STP or Slick-50.

nomads are heavy bikes mate and i feel all is as should be with yours, top gear is usually for on the straight and cruising, at a constant speed. my vtx 1800 does similar albeit only 5 speed i still have to pull down a cog and work the gears on hills. the mpg doesnt sound a miss for the nomad either. my vtx does similar.

the pilot(idle) jet is clogged,need to do a good carb clean/rebuild(carb kit).that should take care of your problem.hope that helps.

try uping your idle and leave choke open longer.

best of luck, safe riding

The machine is doing the right thing by dying. The role of the choke is to block the air intake and allow more gas to go into the carb. It is meant for starting a cold engine. If you apply choke to a running engine, it will flood the carb and cylinder and not allow it to ignite. The spark is enough to ignite a mixture os gas and air and not gas alone. Hence the engine dies. So give choke only when starting under cold/freezing conditions.
There is nothing wrong with your bike.

todays bikes run perfect on Regular, which can be from 87 to 90 in some cases. you would not damage the bike by using pump gas like super or premium but anything higher may cause problems. but there is no advantage to using premium

Have the carburators cleaned. this is the first step to ensure there isnt any dirt in the carb.
2nd. Jets should be standar.
3rd. The Fuel/Air screw or knob should be properly set. This is usually 2.5 turns outward from full close. Check for the manual for the proper opening.
4th. Idle knob maybe set too low.