Venture Review

[midnightventure]

Somebody said that you can't really judge a bike until you have ridden it quite a bit and that is true of the Venture. I didn't really feel comfortable on mine until I did 3500 miles in 5 days the first summer I had it. Now with 76000 miles on it it feels like a much smaller bike. I have used several different tires and like the Avons and Elite 3s the best.

[aharbi]

If I could, I would own one of each. But understanding that is not possible or practical I had to do my homework to identify the model that suited my needs best.It took me close to two years to identify the bike I wanted. During this time I test road every make. As in most things in life I had to compromise and never did find a bike that matched my exact specifications. I want fuel injection, water cooled due to the Texas heat, shaft drive for reliability, and low and inexpensive maintenance. I always found myself returning to the Yamaha Venture although I found it difficult to get over the cassette tape deck.

The only bike that met all my specifications was the Honda Goldwing but I just didn't like the looks. I like the looks of a bagger. And so compromises begin. The fit and finished of the Harley Davidson Ultra Classic® Electra Glide was excellent they had fixed a brake problem by now using the ABS Brembo brakes. I didn't care for the way they fixed the heat problem of the rear cylinder with their parade mode by rotating the throttle forward hence shutting off fuel to the rear cylinder nor by them adding the crotch heat deflecter plates. I was not particularly fond of the belt drive either. I just expected more for the price. The Triumph rocket touring bike had incredible torque, once the bike was rolling you never had to downshift just roll on the throttle. However it was not a touring bike, it was a large cruiser, had no electronics, no cruise control, no trunk, and no protection in the form of either a large windscreen or cowling. The bike was extremely heavy taking it off the kickstand although once rolling the weight seemed to disappear. The BMW LT1200 was more along the lines of sport touring but had a fantastic ride and acceleration and electronics like no other. It was a little tight for two up riding with my well nourished wife. I found it a difficult to service and the scheduled maintenance was extremely expensive. I came very close to purchasing a Victory Vision. It had good weather protection incredible handling, very easy to ride it just floated down the highway with plenty of power and a liked the looks. To me, the short Comings of the Vision were for its size a rather small trunk and the side compartments were disappointing lack of usable storage space. Also the rear grab rails were high enough (or the foot rests low enough) that they cut into the back of my wife's legs. The rear foot rest need to be raised to prevent soreness from their rear grab rails on the back of the passangers legs. I waited two years for the Kawasaki Voyager. I like the frame mounted fairing and everything I read. I even took a day off to drive 180 miles to see the demo model at last years motorcycle show. They delayed delivery by a year and by then I gave up waiting and wanted to get "on the road" with my wife. As luck would have it a low milage used Venture (still under warranty, oh ya, no other bike has a 5 year warranty) went on sale by a private owner at less than half the price of the bikes I was looking at. My wife drove me the 300 miles to get it, I rode it home. The longest single trip I have taken to date was a little over 4,000 miles. When it rains hard, my knees get wet. I do my own maintenance. Never have had a problem. Have put over 20k on it in less than the year I've had it. I would buy a new one in a heart beat. I have two other bikes but the Venture is "our" bike and she loves it. (if Momma ain't happy...)

It may still have carbs but it has more HP than all the others (excluding Goldwing)

Yamaha Venture = 97hp @ 6000 rpm, 89 ft.-lb. @ 4750 rpm

Victory Vision = 92hp & 109 ft.-lbs unknown rpm

Kawasaki Voyager = 82 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 108 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm

Harley Davidson = 63 Hp @ 3500 RPM, 73.11 lb-ft @ 3,500

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Motorcycle/VRS2up.jpg

[Chaharly]

I wouldn't say it took sides, it just showed the specs for everyone.

[CrazyHorse]

I just got through reading the reviews in Motorcycle Cruiser magazine and wondered what some of the actual "Venture Riders" say about some of the criticisms in the article.

 

This is not necessarily one of my favorite mags...I feel they always give the Harleys and Hondas a "bye" on their models, but it seems they are particularly harsh on the Venture this time.

 

I am still interested in getting the Venture, my decision will be in the next 30 days, however I would be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little disheartened by the article.

 

Here is a link to the reviews:

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/0912_crup_harley_davidson_electra_glide_kawasaki_vulcan_star_royal_star_victory_vision/index.html

 

Thanks,

 

Wally

 

 

Reading the whole article it to me basically says the Current Venture design is old and needs to be updated compared to the other bikes. The whole carbs, cassette player, old type brakes thing etc. The same thing memebers here complain about. I doubt Yamaha will listen though.

[Kirby]

One last comment I didn't mention earlier..., IMHO, The Victory Vision is just BUTT UGLY!!!