Bike advise

[dadsafrantic]

Hey all,

 

I am new to this forum. I am a 20k mile per year commuter through hell. I am on a little bike right now but my wife may be joining me for the commute. Riding a motorcycle saves me $3500 per year in bridge tolls and parking fees so double that with the wife onboard. That is not including savings in gas. The question is whether or not the Venture is the right tool. I would probably look for a newer used model. I keep my bike inside at home and at work.

 

I ride when it's wet or dry. I split lanes when the traffic is cooperating. I haven't driven a car for 3 years unless it is taking the family somewhere. I even ride the wife's MP3 when I get home from work. What kind of mileage do you all get? What maintenance issues are there? Does it eat tires? Is it a bad choice in the rain? Is it too big to split lanes, I see Goldwings do it?

 

So, what are your thoughts? Feel free to answer the questions I didn't think of as well.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Dadsafrantic

[BuddyRich]

Hi Robert, Welcome to the best site on the web. Spent 23 years in Ca. Half in Stockton and the rest between Bakersfield,Garden Grove and Pacomia. My commute was all over doing PC installs and troubleshooting. When I was in Stockton (till 07) IT was all over the Bay Area. Home Office is in Rohnert Park though. The bike handles well lane splitting. Its no wider than any other cruiser. Heavier though. At almost 900 lbs wet you'll want a little help. WWW.ridelikeapro.com is just what you need if you have never had a big bike. You and your wife will love the room on it. Good luck and have fun.

[BuddyRich]

Oh yea, I get about 33 mpg but some here get around 40 on the Second Gens.

In the rain it behaves like any other bike I expect.

[Jethroish]

The bike is a little heavy. A new set of leveling link from DiamondR does help the handling.

Wet handling will depend on the tires. I have run in rain on the original Dunlop 404s and Dunlop Elite 3s.

Tire life has MANY factors. The original 404s or Bridgestones will not lat you more than 12000 miles of 2up riding.

These bikes are virtually bullet proof. At almost 25,000 miles on my 2007, I have done nothing more than new tires and oil changes. I regularly get 40-45 mpg, but know that the speedo is off by 5% to 10%. But the mpg will also vary with riding style.

Any maint. that you might need to do is pretty easy and everyone here will gladly help in whatever way they can.

Good luck and welcome to the site.