First 600 miles... My thoughts...

[similost]

What a great weekend.. Got a little over 400 miles this weekend on my 2008.. I've got about 580 miles on the bike now in the first week and will be doing the 600 mile maint, and lots of other things...

 

Here's my thoughts after spending all weekend riding out in the Shenandoah's..

 

First thing.. the ergonomics are a mess!.. who the designed this thing? I can understand a bike is meant to be modified to fit you, but man.. this thing needs a lot of work...

 

As we all know the seat on these are tailbone KILLERS.. I can't believe they don't have a relief in the foam for your tailbone.. I'll be redoing my seat for sure VERY soon.. I'm still having a hard time sitting today.. Also, I can't believe how wide the seat is at the front. Must have been a bowlegged Japanese guy that designed the seat.

 

The bars.. like everyone else.. they are too far forward.. You have to wonder what the hell the build of the guy was that said "Yep, this feels good.. ship it" He must had arms about a foot longer than me.. and I'm 6'

 

I'll be doing the Flanders bar kit..

 

As far as handling and the ride... LOVE the ride.. nice and smooth.. as far as lots of curves.. show me more.. Handles really great in the mountains. My wife even said she likes it much better than the roadstar. Said it feels like it was meant to take curves with, and that was just sitting on the back. She said it felt more secure.. and I have to agree. It went where you pointed it.. not where it wanted to go..

 

The one thing I really don't like though is it needs another gear for the highway.. just way too many RPMs for me when cruising on the interstate... Even my roadie don't wrap out as hard as this bike... interesting...

 

Have yet to really work on it , but I'm sure I'll be finding things I like, and things I don't... I just hope it's not as complicated as it looks.. Guess it could be worse and be a Goldwing and take half a day to get to anything on it...

 

I've got very mixed emotions about this bike.. Some things I really like, especially the handling. (however, the low speed handling is a drag too, and I'll be adding the leveling links to see if that helps like others say) Other things I don't like, like the high RPM's on the interstate, and bad ergos from the factory.

 

My wife is super happy on the back, buy I'm not camping real well on the front. Hopefully a lot of money and time will fix that. Just seems like after all the years of this bike being on the market virtually unchanged, they would address some of these issues. Seems I can't be the only one to make mention of these issues.

 

I'm sure once I spend a lot of money, times, and make lots of changes and can call it my own I'll be happy.. but Come On Yamaha!... just like with my Roadstar, you just aren't hitting the mark as good as you could.

Edited April 27, 2009 by similost

[gibvel]

Seat: Butt Butler Mod. Have Mr. Butler do his seat mod. on your seat and you should be sitting pretty.

 

Seriously, high RPMs on the highway? Did you actually shift into 5th? Most people think it turns too slow on the highway and add the V-Max rear end mod. to INCREASE the RPMs by about 500. That puts it in the powerband at about 70 to 75 in 5th. Remember, this isn't a V-Twin and loves to be reved.

 

Bars, well, I can't comment cause I have ape arms that hang about 2" lower than most people I know. My son-in-law thinks my backrest is back too far cause he has to stretch to get the bars.

[Vance]

Well, you sure started off negative. I was wondering if you bought the bike sight unseen.

Butler makes a mod to the seats that have gotten very good reviews. You might check his ad in the classified section on this web site.

The leveling link I can recommend. It dramatically improves low speed handling.

High RPMs at highway speed - these 4 cylinder engines like to rev, compared to a twin. But in overdrive (5th) at 70 mph mine seems quite comfortable.

Hope you get to fix it up to suit you. Here's hoping for many happy miles.

[similost]

I'm going to do the seat myself. I was using a couple of rolled up towels on either side of the seat yesterday, and have a good idea of how I need to cut the foam. I'm also going to look for some really dense foam to do an insert with I believe. I love the corbin I have, so hopefully I can firm it up like that.

 

I guess I'm just so used to the Roadstar... I do really like getting the engine wrapped out when shifting through the gears, but once at cruising speed, the PRM's are just a lot higher than I would of expected. I can understand they are trying to keep it in the power band at speed I guess, but it seems like it would be a more enjoyable ride with less RPMs, and and shifting down if you need to suddenly accelerate.. Guess again, I'm used to my Roadie.. It could almost use another gear too, but it doesn't seem to need it as bad as the Venture in my eyes..

 

I really didn't buy this sight unseen.. No way I could have had a test ride. Dealers just don't do that. I've ridden with many friends that had Ventures, but they also weren't people that were normally A/C twin riders.. I've been weighing this bike, a BMW 1000, and the Wing, and this was about the best of all worlds I could find. It also felt the best sitting on it compared to the others...

 

I'm not trying to be negative, but it just seems like as long as Yamaha has had this design out, they could do a little better. I know I'm not the only one that sees these things I'm talking about, because you read all over the net of the same complaints..

 

I am liking the bike, just not as much as I thought I would.. I was expecting something more comfortable I guess..

[YamaDuck]

Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news but wait until you have to figure out how to use the Radio/CB/Tapedeck/and or CD changer. Oh my head hurts. Hey I actual saw someone using the tapedeck the other day. I don't know why but maybe he was trying to get back to his routes or something. I just use my MP3 so all I have to do is put it on AUX and adjust the volume.

[similost]

Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news but wait until you have to figure out how to use the Radio/CB/Tapedeck/and or CD changer. Oh my head hurts. Hey I actual saw someone using the tapedeck the other day. I don't know why but maybe he was trying to get back to his routes or something. I just use my MP3 so all I have to do is put it on AUX and adjust the volume.

 

LOL.. so far I've pretty much figured out the radio. The only thing I need to really look at is adjusting the FM manually, and not with seek. I've got a few local stations programmed in already, and can find something to listen too while riding.

 

I don't have headsets yet, but will soon. I''ve got the CB figured out, and did a little listening over the weekend... Pretty cool.. Now I can't wait to ride with someone that has one too..

 

I've never had music on a bike before, and didn't think I would ever want it. Others tried to talk us into a fairing on the R*, but my wife said NO WAY.. music is the sound of the pipes...

 

After this weekend, we're sold on bike tunes.. My wife said she was shocked she likes it, and now things we might need some on the other bike.. LOL..

[Guest tx2sturgis]

DUDE! You havent gotten used to the bike yet....I went from a comfy V-twin to the Venture, and went thru the same thoughts, mostly. The seat is now very comfy for me, the bars are perfect, and the RPMS are just about right. I bought this bike because it IS so comfy. I'm 6 foot and about 220, and its a perfect fit. You may have to ride a few thousand miles on it before you really get used to it.

[similost]

I've been riding for years, and I know getting to a bike is a given, but no way can I get used to this.. IT's for sure about making changes to make the bike fit you... I can understand the bars... sort of.. but DAMN.. the designers should take the seats they design, put them on a post, and use them in their office for a bit to see if they are going to be comfortable befor shipping them out the door... The Roadstar has the same seat issue... I don't think I've seen one that anyone has left the original seat on...

[jrcain32]

Hey SIMILOST, just give it some time. When I first got mine I thought, "boy have I screwed up." I moved from a v-star to this monster. It was big, heavy and hard to negotiate at slow speeds. I was scared to get on it the first few days I had it. But after a few miles in the seat all the fear and doubts went away. Now I would not trade it for anything. The only thing that bothers me now is gravel driveways and parking lots. It don't like gravel. I'm sure when you get a few more miles under your belt you will feel much better. Don't give up on it yet...

[Squeeze]

I'm sorry to hear you being Kind of unsatisfied.

 

 

But, isn't the Seat and the Location of the Handle Bars a very personal Thing ?

 

 

The Yamaha Engineers did very stupid Things in the Past, like using very thin and weak Springs in the Suspension and what not else, but Seat and Handle Bars are a personal Thing, the biometrics of each and every Folk is different and so is their Feeling of "being comfortable with".

 

Economics will get get better after Break In, i go through exactly the same Thing on my Max right now, but you probably should get ahold of a Tach. The Lack of a Tach IS an Error of the Engineers of the 2Gen.

Coming from V-Twins, most Riders tend to lug the Engine and with the long gear Ratio the 2Gen have, it's even more tempting to let them run way under the suggested RpM. That's because the V4 feels powerful even down low, were a V-Twin normally would bog down and die. You would ride your 2Gen at and above 3.2 kRpM. I venture to say, you never hit more than 5k, even when you say "i wind it out". There's a Rev Limiter on teh 2Gens and until you didn't hit it, you never did wind it out actually.

[similost]

I'm sorry to hear you being Kind of unsatisfied.

 

 

But, isn't the Seat and the Location of the Handle Bars a very personal Thing ?

 

 

The Yamaha Engineers did very stupid Things in the Past, like using very thin and weak Springs in the Suspension and what not else, but Seat and Handle Bars are a personal Thing, the biometrics of each and every Folk is different and so is their Feeling of "being comfortable with".

 

Economics will get get better after Break In, i go through exactly the same Thing on my Max right now, but you probably should get ahold of a Tach. The Lack of a Tach IS an Error of the Engineers of the 2Gen.

Coming from V-Twins, most Riders tend to lug the Engine and with the long gear Ratio the 2Gen have, it's even more tempting to let them run way under the suggested RpM. That's because the V4 feels powerful even down low, were a V-Twin normally would bog down and die. You would ride your 2Gen at and above 3.2 kRpM. I venture to say, you never hit more than 5k, even when you say "i wind it out". There's a Rev Limiter on teh 2Gens and until you didn't hit it, you never did wind it out actually.

 

Nope.. I've hit the rev limiter 5 or 6 times now.. I do ride it like I stole it.. I used to ride a Madura GV-1200. It's was also a V4, and LOVED that bike.. It was very comfortable right off the floor.. I am somewhat used to keeping the revs high while riding the mountain twists and turns. It's just on the highway I wish it wasn't wound so tight at 65 or so...

 

To the person mentioning gravel, I did end up riding about 5 miles of dirt and gravel roads over the weekend. It wasn't too bad so long as it was compacted good, but if you hit some deeper uncompacted rock.. HOLD ON.. but it still did pretty good, which did surprise me. I felt pretty stable on it in the dirt.

[Dave77459]

First off, I have a RSTD, not a RSV, and I gather things are different. But my bike was near perfect in ergos for me from the start. I guess they looked at me when they designed it. I put on multiple 500+ mile days without an issue. I only Rick Butler'd it when I contemplated an ironbutt. I mean, "for my wife's comfort". Of course.

 

The one change I can definitely recommend is changing the tires. The stock Brickstones were complete crap. Luckily, they had very little tread life. I went to the Avon Venoms and my bike became suddenly nimble. As nimble as an 800 pound touring bike can be. You might consider that before the lowering links, just to see if that gets you where you want.

[similost]

Yeah.. I'm not a bridgestone fan, but I was surprised even with them on it how well the bike handled at speed..

 

I can handle it pretty well at really low speed so long as I am riding the rear brake at the same time.. Let off the brake, and the thing is a little squirrley... I think it's more of a trail issue than being top heavy or tires..

[RossKean]

I also went from a Roadstar to a Venture (last year). In my opinion, the Venture seat is miles ahead of the Roadstar - I bought a used (2002) Midnight Venture late last year and it doesn't have the pillow-top seat. I find it pretty comfortable for long rides but sometimes I think a backrest would help. If you don't have them, I would strongly recommend highway pegs. I got the Kuryakyn ones Dually Offset iso-pegs and they are great (Kury product 7976, I think) I can put my foot on the peg or heel on the floorboard and toe on the peg and really stretch out for a change in riding position (I'm 6'3").

 

Can't comment on the bars other than say I have no problems with comfort. I am putting the Kury grips on them as soon as I get around to it - liked them on the R*.

 

As it has been mentioned, the Venture has a very different power band than the Roadstar (or other V-twins). In variable terrain, I shift to 5th above 60 mph; sometimes 65. I might run down to 50 on very flat roads if I have no expectation of having to accelerate. The only time I might wish for a 6th gear is over 80 mph.

 

Still getting used to the Venture. In terms of handling (especially low speed), the Roadstar was superior but overall the power, comfort, storage space and ergonomics of the Venture make it a better bike for me. I also plan to add the levelling links to see if slow speed handling is improved. You will enjoy the day you replace the stock tires.

 

Enjoy

 

Ross

[KiteSquid]

What a great weekend.. Got a little over 400 miles this weekend on my 2008.. I've got about 580 miles on the bike now in the first week and will be doing the 600 mile maint, and lots of other things...

 

Here's my thoughts after spending all weekend riding out in the Shenandoah's..

 

First thing.. the ergonomics ****!.. who the **** designed this thing? I can understand a bike is meant to be modified to fit you, but man.. this thing needs a lot of work...

 

As we all know the seat on these are *** KILLERS.. I can't believe they don't have a relief in the foam for your tailbone.. I'll be redoing my seat for sure VERY soon.. I'm still having a hard time sitting today.. Also, I can't believe how wide the seat is at the front. Must have been a bowlegged Japanese guy that designed the seat.

 

The bars.. like everyone else.. they are too far forward.. You have to wonder what the **** the build of the guy was that said "Yep, this feels good.. ship it" He must had arms about a foot longer than me.. and I'm 6'

 

I'll be doing the Flanders bar kit..

 

As far as handling and the ride... LOVE the ride.. nice and smooth.. as far as lots of curves.. show me more.. Handles really great in the mountains. My wife even said she likes it much better than the roadstar. Said it feels like it was meant to take curves with, and that was just sitting on the back. She said it felt more secure.. and I have to agree. It went where you pointed it.. not where it wanted to go..

 

The one thing I really don't like though is it needs another gear for the highway.. just way too many RPMs for me when cruising on the interstate... Even my roadie don't wrap out as hard as this bike... interesting...

 

Have yet to really work on it , but I'm sure I'll be finding things I like, and things I don't... I just hope it's not as complicated as it looks.. Guess it could be worse and be a Goldwing and take half a day to get to anything on it...

 

I've got very mixed emotions about this bike.. Some things I really like, especially the handling. (however, the low speed handling ***** too, and I'll be adding the leveling links to see if that helps like others say) Other things I don't like, like the high RPM's on the interstate, and bad ergos from the factory.

 

My wife is super happy on the back, buy I'm not camping real well on the front. Hopefully a lot of money and time will fix that. Just seems like after all the years of this bike being on the market virtually unchanged, they would address some of these issues. Seems I can't be the only one to make mention of these issues.

 

I'm sure once I spend a lot of money, times, and make lots of changes and can call it my own I'll be happy.. but Come On Yamaha!... just like with my Roadstar, you just aren't hitting the mark as good as you could.

 

I am sorry you dont like the ergonomics of your new bike but could you please clean up your language in your first post. This is a public forum.

 

Note the highlight asterisks in the text above.

[similost]

um.. yeah.. I can do that.. didn't know that language you can say on the radio wasn't good here...

[FJR Rider]

"As we all know the seat on these are *** KILLERS.." You appear to one of the few who don't like the pillow-top seats...I'd prefer to have back the non-pillow top off my 99! It was 10 times more comfortable than the pillow-top, but I think you and I are in the minority!

 

 

"The bars.. like everyone else.. they are too far forward.." Opposite here, I moved mine up and forward...OEM position was too far back...unless you like sliding down in the seat low-rider style.

 

"The one thing I really don't like though is it needs another gear for the highway.. just way too many RPMs for me when cruising on the interstate... Even my roadie don't wrap out as hard as this bike... interesting... " Too many RPMs? What? Did you ever shift into 5th? Might need to get used to the V4, because it's barely working at 70 mph!

 

 

Time to get out George Carlin's thesarus

 

"***k" .... maybe you could have used "it's terrible" , or "it's non-compliant", etc, etc Maybe you could have said you're "not up with that", but would it have been the 70s version where "up" was good, or the 90/00 version where "up" is bad? Or you could have said you're "down with that", but same problem, from which generation do hail? I got it..."I don't care for it"....simple, sweet, and to the point.

 

"**s"...hmmm, "behind" or "posterior"...probably can't use "butt" either as it's considered slang and/or cuss word in some domains (probably should get rid of this smiley too!). Have to be carefull with "wide-glide" too

 

"**ll"...."HE double toothpicks" works Or that "firey place down below", but saying that you might be back up to "behind" or "posterior", and then you've moved to "opinions."

Edited April 27, 2009 by FJR Rider

[SilvrT]

What does one say to such an opening?

 

Frankly, of all the bikes I've owned, NONE have been a "perfect fit" but for me, my '06 is BY FAR the BEST. I experience none of the "issues" you seem to have with one exception, and that, as someone mentioned, is a "personal thing" .... that being the position of the handlebars. Well, I guess that's why they make and sell risers and different bars. No one bike will be a perfect fit for everyone. I realize your comments were designed to be "observations"; however, it sure seemed to me to be a lot of "slamming" and "whining" after only 600 miles. .... and, speaking of whine, you didn't even mention the infamous "clutch whine" ... hopefully you're one of the lucky ones that don't have it.

 

I do hope you eventually iron things out to your liking.

[BARKEEP1956]

I would hate to hear it if you were being negative !!

[royalstarjac]

I love the pillow top seat! I wouldn't give 2 cents for a Corbin. JMO.

[similost]

I would hate to hear it if you were being negative !!

 

LOL.. then I would have said it was a POS...

 

I really do like the bike, but I guess being too critical... I just feel when you are paying pretty much a new car price for two wheels, they could do a little better job of engineering and R&D... If I was the only one that had these complaints, then OK.. but I see a LOT of people on this forum with the same issue I have..

 

This bike seems to be a little better engineered than the R*, that bike had lots of issues.. not enough electric overhead, eak springs, weak clutches... it's a long list..

 

I wouldn't have anything but what I have now.. just saying.. Yamaha could do better...

[V7Goose]

First thing.. the ergonomics are a mess!.. who the designed this thing? I can understand a bike is meant to be modified to fit you, but man.. this thing needs a lot of work...

 

As we all know the seat on these are tailbone KILLERS.. I can't believe they don't have a relief in the foam for your tailbone.. I'll be redoing my seat for sure VERY soon.. I'm still having a hard time sitting today.. Also, I can't believe how wide the seat is at the front. Must have been a bowlegged Japanese guy that designed the seat.

 

The bars.. like everyone else.. they are too far forward.. You have to wonder what the hell the build of the guy was that said "Yep, this feels good.. ship it" He must had arms about a foot longer than me.. and I'm 6'

 

 

The one thing I really don't like though is it needs another gear for the highway.. just way too many RPMs for me when cruising on the interstate... Even my roadie don't wrap out as hard as this bike... interesting...

 

 

I've got very mixed emotions about this bike.. Some things I really like, especially the handling. (however, the low speed handling is a drag too, and I'll be adding the leveling links to see if that helps like others say) Other things I don't like, like the high RPM's on the interstate, and bad ergos from the factory.

 

First off, don't get me wrong - I believe you actually think these things about the bike, and I respect your right to have any opinion; it's just so far off what I and a lot of others think that it came as a huge surprise! It just goes to show you can't believe what anybody else says about a particular bike - gotta come to your own conclusions.

 

The ergonomics on my RSV are absolutely perfect, with one common exception - the seat is just too danged low - designed for midgets. Even after raising the rear by an inch, I still think the seat needs another 1/2 - 1".

 

And no, we don't ALL know these are tailbone killers. I find the stock pillow top RSV seat to be one of the best factory seats I have ever tried, and I've been riding since the 60s. I don't even get uncomfortable on it until I hit about 500 miles, and by adding a beaded pad on top, I have done many 1,000+ days in complete comfort.

 

And I have no idea what you mean by "The bars.. like everyone else.." (other than you obviously don't like them). I think the bars are fantastic.

 

The impression of too high or too low RPM at highway speed is very subjective, but the fact is this bike in 5th gear at an indicated 70 MPH is just coming into the power band. If you could put another overdrive in the bike above the existing 5th gear, you would find it completely unusable. Below 75 you wouldn't be able to accelerate, and you would not be able to hold any speed above 80 due to the wind drag.

 

If you have the stock Brickstone tires, your impression of the low speed handling is actually spot on - those tires are TERRIBLE! Any other brand of tires will make a huge improvement in the low speed handling, as will raising the rear of the bike.

 

Sure hope you find a way to sort it all out to your liking, but if you don't, better sell it and get something you like. No reason to make your life miserable by continuing to ride something you dislike so much!

Goose

[ToRide1]

When I first got my Venture I did the lowering of the back and front also put a handle bar riser on it and I did not need to replace to cables, now I can sit back in the seat its great. I would suggest doing the risers & new handle bar first then see how the seat fits your butt, also it a new seat so give it time.

Edit Add: When it comes to handling the OEM Tires are not the best and they will ware out in about 8,000. miles

Edited April 28, 2009 by ToRide1

[YamaDuck]

LOL.. then I would have said it was a POS...

 

I really do like the bike, but I guess being too critical... I just feel when you are paying pretty much a new car price for two wheels, they could do a little better job of engineering and R&D... If I was the only one that had these complaints, then OK.. but I see a LOT of people on this forum with the same issue I have..

 

This bike seems to be a little better engineered than the R*, that bike had lots of issues.. not enough electric overhead, eak springs, weak clutches... it's a long list..

 

I wouldn't have anything but what I have now.. just saying.. Yamaha could do better...

Just keep in mind. Yamaha did the R & D for the Venture probably between 1995 and 1998. So Yamaha probably thought they were doing a pretty good job considering the times. So basically if you buy a 2009 model you are really buying a new 1999 Venture. Nothing has changed on the Venture. Where all the other manufacturers have been updating their models at least every few years Yamaha has been snoozing in their big easy chair with their IPOD's turned up and their eyes shut.

Now I love my Venture but I am still hunting a comfortable seat. I have the original and a Butt Butler replacement (which is ton's better than the original) but the nose is still too wide and I still get uncomfortable on long trips. I don't have a pillow top and maybe that or a Corbin is the next step. I have risers and that solved the handlebar issue with me. I have two replacement windshields and adjustable foot pegs.

It would be nice if Yamaha would listen to it's customers. Does anyone speak Japanese?

[similost]

Interesting Goose you find the seat the right height.. Guess you must be taller than me. I've got a 34" inseam, and at times it seems like an inch or so lower would be nice. Most times the height is ok, but if I stop on a little bit of an incline, my downhill side legg is too short and I'm tip-toeing it. Same if the front or rear tire is sitting on a higher spot, like coming out of my garage.. I can deal with that though...

 

I'll be cutting my seat down a little too, so that should help some...

 

Over all, I do like the bike.. I guess I came off a little wrong over all. Just some things about it I would have thought Yamaha would have worked out by now is all.. I don't see people with other bikes (Suzuki, kawasaki, honda) having to change out seats as much as you see them change them on Yamahas. I know some want a seat others don't have, but I've just know way too many people complain about the seats Yamaha builds. I really don't hear people with other brands having as much distaste for their seats.

 

I do love the power.. the ride is fantastic, and even with Slickstone tires, it handles really well.. I couldn't be happier with those aspects.. I just wished Yamaha would consider ergo a little more.. I know a bike can't fit everyone, but I've seen too many others make the same complaints... I guess people that do like things don't rave as much as those with problems moan about them.