My first RSV and the ride home

[distancerider]

Before I start: I'm also a Goldwing rider. I've had two, the most recent a GL1500 with 88,000 miles. Like everyone I ride as much as possible; my longest trips have been Key West 5 times and Maine once. The GoldWing is an incredible bike, period. Why change then? I want to try something different now because If I'm blessed enough to keep riding for years to come I'll want another wing. Now is the time to try something else. Additionally, this web site was a major factor in my decison to puirchase a RSV.

 

I Just purchased a 2006 Midnight Venture with 3200 miles on it. I found, what I thought, was a great deal on it just outside Cleveland Ohio ($9,500). After talking to the owner three or four times and looking at the pictures closely I decided to fly up Labor Day Weekend and purchase it. My wife smiled lovingly and mumbled something about a mid-life crisis but gave me her blessings; We live in Atlanta.

 

The Seller was kind enough to pick me up at the airport and I think it shocked him I actually made the flight; helmet and raingear in hand. The bike was better than he promised. Actually, when I saw his garage I knew I was OK. You could eat off the painted floor and it looked like something from "Bikers Garage of the Month Magazine." It is a beautiful bike and was very well maintained. He had installed a drivers backrest and highway pegs; ideal for my ride. He went over everything and gave me the shop manual. A short test ride, some chit chat, a little paperwork, a handshake and I was off.

 

Day One Cleveland, Ohio to Lexington, Ky 319 Miles:

The weather was nice sunny and Upper 70's. The bike seemed smaller than the wing and I had no issues with it being top heavy, of course I’m 6’5” and 290 lbs. It is very manageable. He had a gravel driveway and even in the gravel I felt in control. Low speed turns were also no problem, Yamaha knew how to balance the bike. 35 minutes of two lane road to get to the interstate. It cruises like a dream but I don’t understand the lack of a tachometer? What gives? The bike never seems to strain though even wound out and I had to break myself of shifting to early, the bike actually seemed to like the high rpm’s. I Hit I-71 South and felt comfortable enough to put it in the wind. 75mph and very solid feel this it what this bike lives for, as a matter of fact I think I can say if you want something to cruise around town and your never going to get it out on the road for some mileage then buy something else. This bike needs to stretch out to be at home.

 

The sound system is the best. It beats even the upgraded system I put on my GoldWing. The controls are easy once you read the directions and I never had a problem. I used the FM and plugged in my MP3… Great Sound. Never used the CB and this one doesn’t have a CD player, I prefer MP3”s anyway. And WOO HOO I have a tape deck. GEAR NOISE, Oh yes it is there. At first I thought a 747 was taking off in the lane next to me, ok it was not that bad but I was a little shocked at first. I’m not sure why but 30 miles later I just got use to it and that is that. As bad as I make it sound, don’t let it stop you from getting one - it blends in with everything else and soon you don’t notice it.

 

Cruise control works well, I nursed 80mph out of it and it did its job. As for speed, later in the day I touched 95mph a couple of times and the bike seemed willing to keep going. It is very stable and feels solid even at short bursts to 100mph. The power is there. I know there are faster bikes, I’ve ridden a Valkyrie, but to me it had everything I needed and rolling on the throttle at the right rpm’s did everything I would need it to do. Day one ended pulling into a hotel in Lexington, Ky just in time to eat and watch the Mighty Crimson Tide Roll over Virginia Tech…… I slept sound feeling good about my purchase.

 

Day Two Lexington, Ky to Atlanta, Ga 381 miles.

WHO checked the weather?? I woke up to a somewhat cool overcast morning. Nice time to ride, about 7:00AM I like to ride early sometimes. The Venture started easily with a little choke. Some gas, then breakfast, and then I-75 South. My thoughts on fueling are have a rag handy. I’m certain some of you are much better at this than I am but the way the tank is made it splashes when near full. I even saw some type of insert online for the Venture tank to prevent this. I’ll definitely order one.

 

This venture does not have factory pipes; the owner replaced them with stock Harley Road King Pipes and made the necessary adjustments. That worried me at first, but it is not loud at all and actually has a nice sound. It is difficult for me to get comfortable in this seat. I feel it is to short for me from front to rear, actually at the end of the first day Willie and the boys were a little numb. Today I’ll try some different positions with my feet to see how it feels. But I can already tell me and the seat do not agree. As for storage capacity, to me, it’s small. Will it hold some stuff, sure? I was just surprised for the bike it is, it didn’t have more storage capacity.

 

The bottom fell out about an hour down the road. Pulled over to put on rain gear and met a nice guy from Nashville. He was headed to meet some friends and ride to Alaska. They had been planning it for ten years. He was now 60 and said it was now or never…. good for him. I would like to go and would be thrilled to take the Venture right now if I could (after a seat change)

 

Let’s touch on the Harley issue for a minute. A beautiful Classic, several of my buddies ride one, I’ve ridden them. As we set under the overpass my friend from Nashville is on a 2007 H-D Heritage. Nice looking bike. He looks over my Venture sees the cruise control, am/fm, CB, MP3 input, speakers, headset plug in, air adjustable suspension, the big V-4, and I tell him about my unlimited mileage warranty until 2012. He ponders a moment and asks what I paid. I told him $9,500. He ponders again and said he could have bought two Ventures with what he paid for his Heritage. Like I said H-D’s are classics but I like my Venture.

 

On through the rain. I’m tall and the windshield provided good coverage as did the upper and lower fairing. I thought I would take in more rain but the Venture is designed well. It’s heavy with big tires and plows through the rain at safe speeds very well. I would not hesitate to ride in the rain again if I had to. The brakes are ok with me. You can’t stand it on its nose but you can stop it fairly quickly. I didn’t experience any fade, but they could be a little stronger. Nothing that concerns me though. I don’t know about this heel / toe shifter. The floor boards are ok but one thing I miss from the Wing is easily flipping through the gears with just an up or down nudge of my toe and no need to move my foot.

 

It stopped raining in Chattanooga and I rode to Atlanta in the sunshine. To me, It is not as smooth as the wing or as overall comfortable as the wing but you know what, it’s not a Goldwing and wasn’t designed to be. It is a bike of its own - well designed, powerful and comfortable. I would have hated to have not bought this bike and missed out on the experience it offers.

Edited September 22, 2009 by distancerider

[Hummingbird]

I also am a GoldWing transplant. However I don't ride as much as many here but I do get 4 or 5 thousand miles a year.

 

I can't see myself buying another GoldWing because I'm so satisfied with everything about my 2007 Venture.

[Yammer Dan]

Sounds like you are starting out OK. Rick Butler can help you with the seat. He is on here somewhere sure someone will chime in with that info. They do like RPM"s and youv'e already figured out the Hardley thing. There are a few things that can be done to the brakes. Steel Braided lines being the most common I think. Supposed to be a great improvement. I hold off on this one because of a fear of being able to lock them up Tooo quick. That big V-4 has been around for a while and will keep you smiling.

 

Anyway WELCOME!!

Of course you know the 1st Gens are faster:innocent:

 

We have a lot of fun here and all the info you will ever need for that Scoot.

 

We like pics.

[distancerider]

Thanks, I have asked around and will definately go with the Butler seat modification.

[Kregerdoodle]

Great right up!! Welcome to Family!! You will enjoy that bike, it sounds as though you allready do.. Ask questions, give answers, pick on those guy`s that ride the antiques... Just have fun and enjoy!! Hope to meet up you some day!!

 

Ride safe!

 

K

[SilvrT]

One of the things I like about the RSV is that it is not only a long distance tourer but a person can still do some "bar-hopping" on it .... rip around the city some ... short runs back and forth to work or whatever .... I don't think a GW lends itself well to that and that is why it's probably a better bike for LD touring only.

 

RSV = great all-around bike

 

 

oops... almost forgot ... welcome aboard!

[BuddyRich]

I think the stock pillow top seats stink on these bikes. I had modified my seat way back. Then tried a RoadSofa. Went back to the modified stock seat. These bikes are actually a little longer that the wings.

[LilBeaver]

Welcome welcome!

 

Sounds like you had a good ride home.

 

I am a little surprised about your comments on the controls. I would have expected someone of your height to be more comfortable with the forward controls opposed to the GW with them right under you not to mention your feet planted under the motor.

 

I'm not a big guy (5'8 with a 32" inseam), by any stretch of the imagination; however I've been 'blessed' with clown feet. I have an 82 wing, and have been on a few GL1500s as well as the GL1800s, and a Valkyrie. My complaint with every one of them is my legs cramping up and the difficulty of getting my size 14 between the shifter and the peg without roasting my toes under the motor. Don't get me wrong, GWs are fine machines and I wouldn't hesitate to get on one and ride it cross-country again. (Crash bars make fine foot rests and highway pegs would certainly make it easier/safer to throw my feet up there).

 

Point being, I suspect with some more time you'll get used to the floor boards and probably won't even think about [having to move your feet a little to shift]; but you have my curiosity peaked with your legs not being cramped or whatever.

 

Regardless, it sounds like you are real happy with your new-to-you bike and I hope that you get many many enjoyable miles out of it!

 

By the way, there is a rule around here about posting pictures when you talk about a 'new' anything... So when you get a chance you best post some pictures of your bike!!

 

Again, welcome! I know there are some members scattered around your area, you may want to take some time and poke around the meet and eat section to see about making it out to one of those to meet some folks!

 

Keep it shiny side up!

 

- Rick M.

[Sailor]

I have highway pegs on mine. I like them because it lets me change leg positions and on hot days gets my feet away from the engine and out in the breeze. Rev it up and go!

[distancerider]

Thanks for the comments Rick.

 

Funny thing is that I miss being able to put my feet back under me. I would ride with my toes on the peg and heels in the air. Then throw my size 15's out on the hwy pegs for awile. I have to be careful now because I find myself sliding my toes to the very back of the floorboards and keep running inito the shifter on the left side.

 

Just habit I guess but that position is comfortable for me. I have even thought about taking off the floorboards and going with pegs just to see how it feels. Wonder if anyone else has done that, my feet are mighty big for those floorboards.

[LilBeaver]

Thanks for the comments Rick.

 

Funny thing is that I miss being able to put my feet back under me. I would ride with my toes on the peg and heels in the air. Then throw my size 15's out on the hwy pegs for awile. I have to be careful now because I find myself sliding my toes to the very back of the floorboards and keep running inito the shifter on the left side.

 

Just habit I guess but that position is comfortable for me. I have even thought about taking off the floorboards and going with pegs just to see how it feels. Wonder if anyone else has done that, my feet are mighty big for those floorboards.

 

A little searching and you may find that someone has replaced their floorboards with the pegs (I have not searched for that)... If you don't see it, start a new thread and ask the question and someone on here will know if someone has done it or not...

 

On an aside I do know that I have problems with my knees to begin with (which I believe contributes to my discomfort in that riding position) but I don't know that I have tried putting my toes on the pegs instead of the other way... I've got something to try next time I take my wing out

 

I do feel that the Heel/toe shifter is in the way of my feet and have contemplated shaving off the heel part. I know that some other members have done this, and some say they just got used to it after a while.

 

I feel more comfortable with my feet under me while riding (mostly because I like to be able to stand up if necessary for readjustment, extreme low speed maneuvering, or whatever) but again with the leg/joint cramping I have been putting up with my feet out in front.

 

Anyhoot I'll be keeping an eye out for that floorboard to peg question because I too am curious about that...

[BigBoyinMS]

95% of the time I'm happy where my feet are on mine but on longer rides I feel like I need one more position to rest my legs... under me, like a sport bike.

 

As for the pillow seat... I'm 300 lbs and about 6' and this is the first bike that I've been able to ride fill-up to fill-up in almost total comfort. I can't imagine how good it will be when I get the Butler mod done.

[LilBeaver]

Oh yea,

 

The front brake squeal/grind/whatever it is - I have found that replacing the OEM yamaha metallic (I think) pads with EBC organic (not the HH sintered ones) and applying the syl-gel (anti-squeal brake grease) to the backside of the pads (where they make contact with the calipers) as well as cleaning the brake disc eliminates this gd awful noise.

[RandyR]

A couple members have cut the heel half off the shifter, and just used the toe.

 

The shifter does have an adjustment on it you may also want to play with.

[loehring]

Thanks for the post and welcome. I live in Buford so we'll have to get together and ride some time. I had a Wing also years ago and I personally like the RSMV better. Both are great bikes though. I'm 5'10", 205 and this bike fits me perfectly. You'll get used to the boards and a little adjustment of the shifter and you can do the 'toe' thing with the Venture as well.

[distancerider]

Thanks for the post and welcome. I live in Buford so we'll have to get together and ride some time. I had a Wing also years ago and I personally like the RSMV better. Both are great bikes though. I'm 5'10", 205 and this bike fits me perfectly. You'll get used to the boards and a little adjustment of the shifter and you can do the 'toe' thing with the Venture as well.

 

 

Thanks We'd like to find someone local to ride with and of course eat from time to time.

[SilvrT]

Thanks We'd like to find someone local to ride with and of course eat from time to time.

 

HEY!! watch out for this guy... he's a cannibal !!

 

:rotf:

 

 

we do a lotta ribbin 'round here

[distancerider]

I am responsible for the demise of a few Cows over my lifetime!!

[Sailor]

It took a while to get used to the heel/toe shifter but now I prefer it. I had to keep repeating to myself "hoe down/high heels" toe down/heel up.

[distancerider]

I like the "Hoe Down" analogy. But I could not figure what a fallen prostitute had to do with this.. can I say that?

 

Seriously, thanks for the reply.

[SilvrT]

It took a while to get used to the heel/toe shifter but now I prefer it. I had to keep repeating to myself "hoe down/high heels" toe down/heel up.

 

Same for me but when I first got my '06, I only did toe shifts...had no problems but trained myself to do the heel also... now it's "natural". I also found that when I mounted my highway pegs, they interfered with up shifting using toe only so, was sorta forced to learn to use the heel.

[SilvrT]

I like the "Hoe Down" analogy. But I could not figure what a fallen prostitute had to do with this.. can I say that?

 

Seriously, thanks for the reply.

 

You have a twisted mind.... mine went to "shindig" aka "hoe down" :rotf:

 

and if you believe that...

hey, I got some oceanfront property in Saskatchewan for sale if yer interested.... LOL

[wizard]

I drop-ed my bike when my Levi's got stuck on the heal part of the shifter, couldn't put my foot down. I ended up with just the toe shifter. It leaves a lot more room for my foot now.