Temperature / Air Flow - Venture vs RSTD

[bamico]

Good Morning.

Was looking for some advice/experience on this. I'm in the process of trading up from an RSTD to a Venture. Test rode the Venture on Sat. What an amazing ride! Wife is Very happy with this bike.

 

Seemed like there was much less wind on me while riding the Venture vs RSTD (clearly due to the full fairing). My concern is that in hot/humid weather it may be too hot/not enough breeze to ride. Any thoughts/experiences from the fellow Venture riders out there? One of the things I love about the RSTD is that is stays cool even in humid August 90+ degrees days. I do have a tendency towards heatstroke (not good on a bike, nor a good quality for a biker...) so I have to keep an eye on this stuff.

 

Also, I noticed in Yamaha's accessories book, a Tinted Lower Wind Vent that is supposed to direct air into the engine/leg area. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

Any thoughts/advice is greatly appreciated !

 

Thanks!

Bob

[Mike G in SC]

Yeah, I'm curious too.

I have a 2006 RSTD, bought in 9/07.

The summer before I got it, I had test rode a Venture from the Yamaha truck in Chattanooga (Star Days 07). It was about 1 PM, 92F and very humid after a rainy morning. In city traffic and on the "back" roads they took us,,, I was cooking. (I owned a R* then.)

Seemed like all the heat and humidity hung in the rider area. I expected it at slow speeds but getting up to hwy speed did not disperse it. As I didn't know the bike, I couldn't find the A/C button (or at least air vents on the stock bike).

That was a 20 minute ride.

I jumped off that to ride a Strat on the next group (same temp & such), and it was way more tolerable.

I don't suffer the same on my RSTD. I might want to get a Venture later. So,,, me too?

Oh, on my RSTD, I do have the lower vents (they do fit the Venture too).

They are great in the cooler seasons to keep your foot/leg area warm (and dry in minor rain).

For hot days, you can pivot them open. Problem there is if you turn them in-board towards the engine, that heat will be pushed out to your lower legs, increasing the heat effect. I usually turn mine mostly parallel with the bike (but very slight in-board). This will direct more fresh road air past your legs. They are a "worth buying" addition. But, they do not have much affect on upper torso air.

Edited May 25, 2009 by Mike G in SC

[Guest Saddletramp]

I run both the lower vents as well as a vent in my windshield. Both work for me.

[bamico]

Saddletramp,

 

Vent in the windshield?

 

Is that something you added or did I miss a feature on the Venture ?

 

Sounds like it could be the solution...

 

Bob

[Monsta]

The tech section outlines a couple of different windshield vents (IIRC). I use two circular ones.

 

To be honest they don't do a whole lot when cracked open so I removed them and put them in my trunk. The two holes vent more than enough air on those hots trips through the desert here and they pop right back in on the wet side of the island.

[BOO]

Well I have a venture and it is hot. When it gets up in the middle 90's it is really hot.

I also have an oversize windshield which probably makes things worse. I also have a standard windshield but I prefer the oversize in all weather conditions.

A lot of the guys say they don't get a lot of air through the vents, it would seem that you would but I have never had them.

One thing that helps me is I have pegs on the lower crash bars and I can get my feet and legs out in the air in such a way that I can get quite a bit of air up the front of me and to my head area.

It's tough when the temps are in the 90's and you are sitting on a motorcycle that is running about 200 degs riding down a highway that is about 130 degs.

[davecb]

Get the lower wind vents. They make a huge difference. Also highway pegs, get your feet out. And a Clearview windshield with the vent. You will be very happy.

[Guest Saddletramp]

Bamico, that is the Clearview winshield with a vent. There has also been owners who have installed this vent on other windshields. The vent is a Honda part as per John at Clearview. It can be purchased seperately and is off the Goldwing. One other thing that I have noticed is that with the vent cracked open on the first notch it will help lessen any turbulance that may be coming over your windsheild on a windy day.

[frogmaster]

Get the lower wind vents. They make a huge difference. Also highway pegs, get your feet out. And a Clearview windshield with the vent. You will be very happy.

 

Lower Wind Vents?

 

Sounds intriguing...

 

Do you have any Pics or Links ???

[V7Goose]

There is no doubt about it - the stock RSV can be very hot in the summer. The fairing provides such excellent coverage that there is a vacuum between the windshield and the rider. When you ride in cold weather you will feel the cold on your back first from the dead air in front being warmer. In addition, riding in light rain you will notice droplets being sucked forward by this vacuum.

 

Venting the windshield is very effective in changing this, breaking the vacuum and allowing air to flow through. I use the round pop-vents because they are so cheap and easy to install (and they don't slice up big bugs and spray you with goo like a goldwing style vent can). The pop-vents do allow a lot of air to enter, but the design causes the air stream to be deflected down at an angle so you do not feel it blowing directly on your face or chest.

Goose

[bamico]

Thanks again to all for the suggestions.

Looks like I've got some options to consider.

Have a great pm.

Bob