Overview

Yamaha's entry into the full-dress luxury touring market was the first motorcycle to be conceived from the beginning for the touring crowd.
Rather than just adding a fairing to an existing machine, Yamaha engineers designed a total package. They succeeded very well.
The Venture was extremely smooth and quiet, and was very comfortable. Yamaha claimed the seat was orthopedically designed for maximum comfort. The machine was also adjustable... the bars could be moved, the passenger pegs had three positions etc. This was a supreme attempt by Yamaha to oust the Goldwings from their perch as the most popular touring machine.
This was the beginning of this great bike that so many of us have come to love and respect. Many Venture riders still maintain that the original 1200 Venture was the best handling of the line.

There were only minor changes from 1983-1985