would you buy a RSV again?

[2WHEELSFORME]

No I will not buy another RSV untill they solve that stupid whine it produces. I'm sick of it and it is even heard by other bikes I ride with. A bike this expensive should not sound this way. Love the looks and the ride but hate the sound.

[Al Bates]

If you are looking for a perfect bike I don't think you will fine one, After years of riding this bike I'm still amaze each time I get on. The engineering in this machine is incredible. I would look around just to see whats out there and most likely purchase another:sun:

[ediddy]

If I had to make a decision today I would say no. I bought my 05 September 3, 2005 and have 25,000 miles on it. The bike would be perfect if it wasn't for the whine and problems with the rear end. I am on my 4th rear end since 16,000 miles and have had the clutch basket replaced. The whine has come back and is as loud as ever. It would be the perfect bike if it wasn't for these issues.

[WilCruise]

Yup, and again, and again if necessary. For me it's all about the V4. I love it.

 

The problem with your question is that it's rarely necessary to replace one of these bad boys. A little caring and general maint will keep 'em hummin' for YEARS (as evidenced by all of us who have 1st gens still going). As with any vehicle, there are the odd issues - and occasionally a lemon pops out of the assembly line. In general this bike has needed less maint than most of the other (19) bikes I've owned in the past. And my wife will tell you that NO other bike is more comfortable for a passenger!

[halfwitt]

I bought my '07 about 6 weeks ago. I love this bike. The whine is annoying but I hope to have that taken care of at the 4k service. My wife and I have been out on a couple of 200 mile runs and she has been very comfortable on the back. My only gripes are the whine and the antiquated cassette deck. I have an iPod mounted now so that takes care of one of my issues. I don't plan on racing it. Highway speeds are very comfortable. I have not been in any situation where acceleration was not adequate (except when I try to start out in second gear!).

 

 

Today, I would buy another in a heartbeat! I hope I say the same in 50,000 miles.

[Guest cyote61]

Take it from a dyed in the wool Goldwing rider, I'm on my second and there is nothing better and more reliable than the RSV, and Yamaha thinks so too, offering the only 5 year warranty.

[yamahamer]

This is my 2nd v-4 first was tour deluxe now have 2006 midnight venture bought in march 2007 have 12000 miles and I will NEVER own any thing else. All you have to do is ride it one time and your in love even before you smoke your first Harley!

[stvmaier]

Thanks again to everyone who responded,suprised to only hear a couple negative words.....says alot about the bike. I'm still reading & watching this post so feel free to keep responding. I'm really excited about getting an RSV:cool10:....all I gotta do now is sell my fishing boat & VTX....

 

Thanks again

[Bubbajbi]

YES!!! This is only the second bike I have owned. I have ridden a great number of bikes including the Harley equivilent of the RSV and I don't think that there is another bike out there that compares to the RSV especially for the price. I do hope that they make some changes in the next few years to the RSV (ie. fuel injection, in-dash CD ect.) but I would still buy one just because of the comfort and value and the fact that this bike comes with features that are STANDARD vs other bikes that you have to pay an arm-and-a-leg for. The RSV comes with a driver-passenger intercom standard. A friend of mine that has a harley bought an intercom system for his bike and had it installed by harley and it cost him $3k. That is proof enough to buy an RSV.

[Guest JGorom]

The bike would be perfect if it wasn't for the whine and problems with the rear end. I am on my 4th rear end since 16,000 miles and have had the clutch basket replaced. The whine has come back and is as loud as ever. It would be the perfect bike if it wasn't for these issues.

 

Eddiy...I had an 2005 RSTD and had the clutch basket changed twice...the second time eliminated the chirp I had on mine.

 

With the 2004 Venture I had one clutch basket changed and it still had the chirp...however not as bad as the 1st clutch basket. When I had the rear end changed out for a VMax rear end it eliminated the whine I had...have no idea why, maybe some harmonics were eliminated.

 

Sounds like you've got a whine and a rear end problem...did they check the shaft drive to make sure the problem isn't there?

[Skid]

Absolutely!

[Squidley]

In a word....Yep!

[1sttenor]

From a former GW rider I agree.......my 06 is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden. It's even better when you replace the front rubber with the MT90-16!

[boominup]

YOU BETCHA!! My first experience was with a 1st generation Venture Royale and that one got me hooked! I now have an 03 RSV and even if Yamaha wouldn't change a thing, I'd still stay with them just for the value and the bulletproof drivetrain. The Mrs really loves the comfort over the rest of the competition. Something that is tattooed to the back of my brain:" If Momma's not happy, ain't nobody happy!" Brian

[Spud]

 

 

No... !

[Acadieman]

A Big No from Spud but U don`t say why ? Come on now let us have it.Most of us are Grown up .What would U Buy instead ? Come on I need some humor in my life .

[Paulw]

i just bought 99 Rsv two months ago it only had 7900 miles on it ,just love this bike. Was on 2001 Honda Shadow ACE

[stvmaier]

Come on SPUD. If you're that insistant in not buying another one......PLAESE tell me why. I can't base an opinion on "NO....".

[YamaGeezer]

I certainly can't speak for Spud, but I'd bet he's saying no because of the chirping and whining. Those of you who do not have it should count your lucky stars because it can be difficult to live with - especially if you're making payments on a brand new bike.

 

My '07 Midnight chirps and whines every time I ride it. I'd probably buy another because I now know that the noise doesn't indicate a problem - it's just a characteristic of the bike.

 

It is unfortunate that Yamaha can't fix this problem, though. The noise is embarrassing and there are many drivetrains out there that don't make the noises.

 

But, like I said, some people just can't live with it. I'm learning to.

[BEER30]

I wouldn't hesitate one bit to buy another RSV . Yes I got a little whine , and a few loose bolts . But I don't let them annoy me and I just get on with the ride . There are numerous pros versus cons that sold me . Price , warranty , dependability , style , and comfort to name a few . Had a few issues with our dealer/service guys , but you just have to know how to talk to them to get them motivated . I've more issues with my wife's $40,000.00 car than I have had my scoot .

With mechanical issues , you will not find a better group of people here on the forum that will go out of their way to help out and put any Yamaha dealer , service dept. to shame . Find that with a HD , GW , or any other riding group . Finding a loose bolt or just tinkering to see how this fine piece of machinery works everyone is going to encounter . One should aways go over their scoot routinely just for safety . Knowing the dependability of the machine , turning a wrench the majority is more for adding accessories than replacing broken pieces . You are going to find a lemon now and then in just about any make and model of automobile or MC , it's just the luck of the draw . And as for one whom has had back surgery , need of having both hips replaced , nor wants his beer shaken upped either , this is the scoot for me for life as it is so smooth on the road .

 

Take everyone recommendation here in deep thought , and if ya do get a RSV , I seriously think you will not regret it .

 

Gene

[Eck]

If the answer to the below question is yes...

Then you do have the right bike made for you.

 

If you turn your bike on.......

does it turn you on...?

[Eugene]

Okay -we've had many definite yes's and a few definite no's. I am a definite MAYBE!!

 

I know no bike is perfect but - when one buys a top of the line product and gets a defect (primarily the whine) which is known and somewhat fixable but totally ignored, it is difficult to be loyal to that company. I agree with all the discussions about all the other advantages - and they are many, I still feel ripped off that a company refuses to acknowledge a problem and we must fight like heck to get it fixed - hello??

 

I did go through the same type of thing with SONY - camera primarily and TV - I have not purchased any SONY products since - have been very happy with NIKON.

 

So - its a big maybe - I am fortunate that I can afford any bike I want and I do go through days when I say - the heck with Yamaha - let's try Honda, HD or whatever. Then, there are days when I think - man - I love this bike.......

 

In conclusion - MAYBE!!

 

Eugene

[SaltyDawg]

Not only would I buy one again. I did. Same year different color. I feel so strongly about the RSV that I bought a 99 this past December without hesitation, even though it was way out of warranty and had 42,000 miles on it.

 

Sure there are a few problems with the RSV, but all in all it's a great motorcycle for the money.

 

Let me clear something up. I sold my first 99 because I had neck surgery and my doctor told me to never ride again. There was nothing mechanical wrong with the bike. I couldnt' stand not having a motorcycle and looked into GW's and RK's only to come running back to the RSV. My new to me 99 has the whine that others complain about but to tell the truth I never noticed it until someone actually posted something that sounds a lot like it. Then riding home I listened for it and heard it. No big deal for me, others can't hear it and even if they could I could care less. If it were to bother me I would just turn the music up louder.

[FreezyRider]

Not only would I buy one again. I did. Same year different color. I feel so strongly about the RSV that I bought a 99 this past December without hesitation, even though it was way out of warranty and had 42,000 miles on it.

 

Sure there are a few problems with the RSV, but all in all it's a great motorcycle for the money.

 

Let me clear something up. I sold my first 99 because I had neck surgery and my doctor told me to never ride again. There was nothing mechanical wrong with the bike. I couldnt' stand not having a motorcycle and looked into GW's and RK's only to come running back to the RSV. My new to me 99 has the whine that others complain about but to tell the truth I never noticed it until someone actually posted something that sounds a lot like it. Then riding home I listened for it and heard it. No big deal for me, others can't hear it and even if they could I could care less. If it were to bother me I would just turn the music up louder.

 

 

If you would have had the 99 that I had, you wouldn't be able to turn the music up loud enough. You could have installed an amp and cranked it up loud enough to blow the speakers, and you would have STILL heard that INFERNAL whine.

Loud music, totally opened-up RK mufflers, and earplugs on top of it all, and the whine was still there. I got headaches from grinding my teeth from the irritation.

 

Some RSV's have a slight whine, but if you have one of the ones with a severe CHIRP, there is no covering it up. That's why I no longer have an RSV, and the only way I'd buy another one is if I got an absolute, in-writing money back guarantee. If it EVER develops a chirp, I get my money back.

So I think that means I'll never be able to buy another one. And that's too bad. I love the style, and loved the ride.

[eagleeye]

Hope you don't mind me asking this question here, but would a 2005 RSTD have the same whine as an RSV?

 

Steve