SilvrT Posted February 25, 2009 #26 Posted February 25, 2009 If this is your biggest worry the Venture might not be the best fit for you. These bikes can be a handful especially at low speeds. Two things you have to get used to though 1) slow spead handling but there is a fix that someone your size can do to improve the slow speed handling. (I'm not tall enough to do it so I just have to be careful) A lot of folks comment about this ... I really don't understand what they mean as I don't notice any problems with slow speed handling...maybe it's an individual thing with who the person is riding the bike???
Cerviperus Posted February 25, 2009 #27 Posted February 25, 2009 A lot of folks comment about this ... I really don't understand what they mean as I don't notice any problems with slow speed handling...maybe it's an individual thing with who the person is riding the bike???Mine was definitely a personal issue. I'm a small guy, and just wasn't comfortable with it. That could also be because I have not had a experienced rider course (yet, I'm enrolled for May), nor have I ever watched any of the RLAP videos or anything similar. However, I think most of the replies to the original post were in regards to him having a wing, yet being tired of the weight. Like the others, I'm not quite sure there's much to gain (or lose as the case may be) by switching to a Venture.
BoomerCPO Posted February 25, 2009 #28 Posted February 25, 2009 IMHO handling any MC at slow speeds is based upon a riders knowledge/skills and corrective action is easily obtained by PRACTICE. The weight of the Venture comes into play basically at low speeds and stopping. Folks with short inseams may find this bike more challenging due to its high center of gravity and their inability to get both feet firmly planted on the ground after coming to a stop. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones because I have a 36" inseam,keep myself physically fit, and have the riding skills/experience to easily handle this great riding machine. If one's passion for this bike is great enough all obstacles can be overcome through effort,mods, PRACTICE and honing of riding skills. Boomer.........who despite all has still managed to drop his Venture 2x's............
SilvrT Posted February 25, 2009 #29 Posted February 25, 2009 Mine was definitely a personal issue. I'm a small guy, and just wasn't comfortable with it. That could also be because I have not had a experienced rider course (yet, I'm enrolled for May), nor have I ever watched any of the RLAP videos or anything similar. However, I think most of the replies to the original post were in regards to him having a wing, yet being tired of the weight. Like the others, I'm not quite sure there's much to gain (or lose as the case may be) by switching to a Venture. just how small are you? I'm 5' 11" , weigh 155lbs soakin wet, small boned, "wiry" kinda, 32" inseam. I've never taken any rider courses either but I have the RLAP CD (or at least had it ... made the mistake of lending it to my son who lent it to another guy who lent it to another guy...one would think they figgure MY STUFF is public property! LOL ... nobody seems to know where it is now.). As for the Wing versus the RSV ... I can't make an accurate comment; however, I do recall my 83 Wing seeming a lot lighter than my '85 VR yet once I got used to that '85, it was a much better handling bike except at slow speeds. Now that I have the '06 RSV, I find it considerably easier to handle at slow speeds than either my '85 VR or my '87 VR. I think one of the factors in that is "perception" which comes from the handlebar mount fairing versus the frame mount. The '06 just "appears" to be smaller thus giving the perception of being lighter. I do feel though that the '06 is better "weight balanced" than the 1st gens. I've never ridden a recent model Wing ... wouldn't mind trying one but I'd never buy one...just don't like the style.
Snarley Bill Posted February 25, 2009 #31 Posted February 25, 2009 in my experience, riding both the goldwing and the venture. the venture is a taller bike. i can flat foot my wing and bend my knees. on my rstd i could flat foot it but my legs were straight. low speed handling they both suck equally. they are flat ass heavy bikes. handling wise no comparison. the wing has a rock solid frame using the engine as a stressed member, zero frame flex or wallowing in the curves. my rstd wallowed bad when pushed hard almost to the point of getting scary (lots of frame flex). i'm not a newby when it comes to rating motorcycle handling and suspension. i have alot of years experience racing and street riding. no doubt about it the wing has a lower center of gravity and a lower seating position. the only thing that keeps the wing from running off from the venture in the curves is things start dragging. i followed wing man on my rstd at vogel through some heavy duty curves. he was dragging from what i could see. if he would have went any faster i would'nt have been able to stay with him on my rstd.i had my bike to the limit and it was fighting back. like driving a semi. i am not trying to cut the venture down cuz i like them. but they just aren't on a par with the wing for high tech engineering. just like a wing won't hold a candle to an r1. for handling. if your comfortable with the foot peg location, (which i had to readjust to) than i don't see how anyone can flaw a wing. this is the big decision factor between the two. as far as gas mileage i get 44 to 45 mpg all the time on my wing, about the same as i got on my rstd. normal riding i am very consertative and have no problem getting good mileage on anything i drive. i don't play favorites just because i own something. if it sucks i will say so. like i said the only thing i don't like about my wing is some times i think it is a little futuristic and out of place when i'm with the real biker crowd, and i miss the floorboards. other than that honda did it good. again just my honest impartial opinion. when i first got my wing i thought the foot pegs sucked. than after a long ride i thought i must have a problem. all my bikes i ever owned had this seating position. now i am comfeotable with it and i have highway boards. which i use very little.
KiteSquid Posted February 25, 2009 #32 Posted February 25, 2009 I just remembered the ONLY maintenance issue with the 2nd Gen RSV. One of the rear brake pads wears faster than the other... so you need to swap them from time to time to even out the wear. There is one design issue. Some bikes develope a gear noise either in the engine or the rear-end, but most of the time it is blamed on the engine, but I would bet it all rear end noise, Just hard to pinpoint as everything is bolted together and noise can transmit down the drive shaft......
PBJ Posted February 26, 2009 #33 Posted February 26, 2009 okay, i'm going to get slammed for this. not knocking the venture, cuz they are nice bikes. i had an rstd that was basically converted to a venture accept for the fairing. i had a travelcade road sofa seat upgrade. i now have an 08 wing. the wing will out handle the venture, has way more power, you will miss the lowend torque and have to shift more often. the leg position is more comfortable on the venture. with the floor boards. they both weigh about the same but the wing has a much lower center of gravity. i just asked my wife on how she would rate the wing and venture on a scale of ten for ride and seating comfort she gave the wing a ten and the venture a seven. you will miss the injection, maybe the reverse if you use it, the turbine smoothness, if thats what you like, the lack of accessories. i personally like the frame mount fairing better. i like the looks of the venture a little better, more motorcyle like. there is no doubt about it the wing sets the standard for touring bikes as you should already know. the venture sits a little higher and is more top heavy there is no doubt about it. as far as a 600 mile ride on both of them on the highway. i would rate them real close for the rider comfort. the floorboards win out over the wing foot pegs. i truly think the venture is one of the best looking bikes on the road. bar none. i would try to get some miles on a venture before you make the move. you may like it or you may be sorry. this is my honest opinion of both bikes, but it is just my opinion. ride a venture and then decide. you ain't going to be an out cast on this site cuz you ride a wing. they put up with me, and i like the hell out of them. bill What my good friend Bill is trying to say is that you can save yourself a lot of money and have a bike as fast as the Wing with the same low center of gravity by buying a 1st gen. You can pick up a good 90 to 93 model for less than 5000 dollars. It handles as good as the newer wings and weights about the same or a little less. In fact it might be a little faster than the wing not that you're looking for that. But you'll have all the torque . The enegine is basically the same as the newer Ventures but the frame mounted fairing is more like the wings. The bikes style is even still fairly up to date looking more like an St1300, FJR 1300 or a kawi Concours 14. So buy a first gen and save yourself some money!
Hotrod Posted February 26, 2009 #34 Posted February 26, 2009 My best friend has a 2006 Wing and I have a 2007 Venture. I've rode his Wing about 40 miles.I didn't like it.Very smooth,but I felt every crack in the pavement.Tried to adjust the suspension,but still too rough.Maybe it's just his,but was't comfortable too me.I was always told he Wing was the Cadillac of motorcycles,but I had a 2000 Honda Shadow 1100 that was smoother and rode better.The Venture has better suspension as far as ride quality,and I like the feet forward riding position.Mine had the whine,but had the clutch basket changed out under warranty and it's gone.I do like the availability of accessories available for the Wing,but would not trade my Venture for one.I do think the Wing handles a little better and steers a litle quicker,but the ride quality of the Venture is much better,in my opinion.The only thing the Wing has that I wish the Venture did is reverse.900 lbs of motorcycle is hard to push backwards.Just have to be careful where you park.
Snarley Bill Posted February 26, 2009 #35 Posted February 26, 2009 My best friend has a 2006 Wing and I have a 2007 Venture. I've rode his Wing about 40 miles.I didn't like it.Very smooth,but I felt every crack in the pavement.Tried to adjust the suspension,but still too rough.Maybe it's just his,but was't comfortable too me.I was always told he Wing was the Cadillac of motorcycles,but I had a 2000 Honda Shadow 1100 that was smoother and rode better.The Venture has better suspension as far as ride quality,and I like the feet forward riding position.Mine had the whine,but had the clutch basket changed out under warranty and it's gone.I do like the availability of accessories available for the Wing,but would not trade my Venture for one.I do think the Wing handles a little better and steers a litle quicker,but the ride quality of the Venture is much better,in my opinion.The only thing the Wing has that I wish the Venture did is reverse.900 lbs of motorcycle is hard to push backwards.Just have to be careful where you park. you are right, the wing does have stiffer suspension. that is part of what gives a wing the sport type handling. honda went a long way to make a 900 lb. bike have a nimble feel. once under way in the twisties, it's hard to believe that you have all that bike under you. it has a rock solid feel. i have upgraded my front forks to the full racetech springs, gold valve and emulator. it deactivates the antidive gives an even firmer ride with improved rebound on rough roads, with improved ground clearance. it really feels good and the handling is even more improved. the stock wing definately does'nt have mushy suspension. it wasn't designed to. honda has tried to include the best of both worlds. luxury and sport type handling.
davecb Posted February 26, 2009 #36 Posted February 26, 2009 The Main Difference between a Goldwing and a Venture.... The Venture looks like a motorcycle, and the Goldwing does not. That is why I would never buy a Goldwing....
Snarley Bill Posted February 26, 2009 #37 Posted February 26, 2009 The Main Difference between a Goldwing and a Venture.... The Venture looks like a motorcycle, and the Goldwing does not. That is why I would never buy a Goldwing.... really, what denotes what a motorcycle is supposed to look like? i don't think there is a set standard for motorcycle looks. if i want the vtwin look which i do once in awhile i ride my vstar 1300 if thats what a motorcycle is supposed to look like. when i ride to work i ride my majesty scooter. i don't care what people think of it's looks, it's cheap transportation. i like the looks of anything with two wheels and a motor. and i'll ride anything with two wheels and a motor.
PBJ Posted February 26, 2009 #38 Posted February 26, 2009 really, what denotes what a motorcycle is supposed to look like? i don't think there is a set standard for motorcycle looks. if i want the vtwin look which i do once in awhile i ride my vstar 1300 if thats what a motorcycle is supposed to look like. when i ride to work i ride my majesty scooter. i don't care what people think of it's looks, it's cheap transportation. i like the looks of anything with two wheels and a motor. and i'll ride anything with two wheels and a motor. Bill your a man after my own heart.. two wheels and a motor, whats not to love. And there have been so many great designed out there over the years all interesting. In fact for me sometimes the more truly unique the better.
SilvrT Posted February 26, 2009 #39 Posted February 26, 2009 really, what denotes what a motorcycle is supposed to look like? i don't think there is a set standard for motorcycle looks. if i want the vtwin look which i do once in awhile i ride my vstar 1300 if thats what a motorcycle is supposed to look like. when i ride to work i ride my majesty scooter. i don't care what people think of it's looks, it's cheap transportation. i like the looks of anything with two wheels and a motor. and i'll ride anything with two wheels and a motor. ohhhhhhh I so want to make a snarky comment..... but I won't.
Snarley Bill Posted February 26, 2009 #40 Posted February 26, 2009 ohhhhhhh I so want to make a snarky comment..... but I won't. ya got me. i owe you one. :clap2: , and i'm at a loss for words. can you imagine that.
Chiro Posted February 28, 2009 #41 Posted February 28, 2009 I have had both. I had a 2003 1800 Goldwing, I now have a 2009 Venture. In the past I have had 22 new metric bikes, two were Voyagers, two were Nomads, and two were concourses... E-nuff said ! The Goldwing to me was over rated by far, unless you like riding a sopha down the highway. It's not a motorcycle, it's a convertable minus two wheels. Get the Venture, I can tell you, you will love the best of both worlds!
Bartley Posted February 28, 2009 #42 Posted February 28, 2009 The main thing with the wing is that I just dont seem to connect with it, if that makes any sense. I know exactly what you mean. Same reason I sold my gl1800 after 1 year. Added benefits to me were... 1.- wayyyy more comfortable. The 1800 made me feel cramped. 2.- satisfaction factor. I just didn't get it with the Wing, no matter how hard I tried. I actually found it, dare I say, boring.... 3.- the Venture is much more "Do It Yourself" friendly. Ever tried changing the air filter on the Wing? Now having said all that, the wife enjoyed the passenger accomodations much more on the Wing. And since she likes riding with me.........
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