My first ride on a 2007 Midnight Venture

[Monty]

I have seen a lot of posts about low speed handling, and the bike being top heavy on here. To be honest, it had me a little apprehensive when I first sat on the bike. I was a bit worried that I might have bit off more than I can chew.

 

But.... the first time I took off, I knew it was gonna be ok. The bike feels "different" than my first gen, but not really much heavier. I have made several 180 degree tight turns, two up, and a few were on gravel. It actually doesn't feel bad at all.

 

Now, I don't know what(if anything) Roadkill or Buddy might have done to make turning easier. I do know it has the narrower front tire, according to b2dad.

 

I think it is a great handling bike, although I think the Venoms make it kinda squirrelly. That could be from the narrower tire though. The front seems to wander around, and just feels loose. Prob just the tire.

 

Take the rider course, and then you may feel that it handles better, or that you will find new habits to learn, that make things easier on you. I still plan on taking a course someday, just to see what else I can learn to make our experience that much better...and safer.

[Skid]

Hey Skid, I'm about 6 miles north of Ripley WV, stop on by. Perhaps we could ride to one of these M&E's.....

 

......Have you or the guys ever taken a trip to the New River Gorge bridge? You can drive below it and watch the white water rafters.

 

Captainjoe,

Fine business. After a while you'll get use to it and it will become easier to learn what you can and cannot do with these big machines. I've hosted a few Meet & Eats here in Gassaway and others locations including the New River Bridge. keep your eye on the forum and I'm sure we'll get a Meet & Eat to travel to. If you ever get to Gassaway, I'm right beside the Dairy Queen....

[CMIKE]

Welcome to the site...and I think you are really gonna enjoy the bike. And you got a great deal on it.

 

I think you need ride it a while before you do anything to the bike. You will see as you get used to the big baby, it gets better and easier everyday.

I am 5'7" with a 30 inch inseam.

At first the bike was a hand full for me. I was real concerned about the heavy feeling. I was really concerned I was gonna drop it at any moment especially when at slow speeds turning around. The Butler seat mod helped me get both feet on the ground flat footed so I felt more secure with both of them firmly planted. Also helped the already comfy seats get even better.

As I rode the bike and watched the Ride Like A Pro video I found it to got easier. I think it built my confidence.

I did drop it once when I touched the front brake while I was turning around. I did not know it but learned very quickly not to do that.

I swapped out my Dunlop 404's at 5425 miles for a set of Dunlop E3's of stock size and that made a world of difference for me. The bike seemed like it was pivoting on bearings from that point on. Avons would probably do the same thing. Just get them dang 404's off that bike. E3's/Avons last longer and handle a bunch better.

Best money I have ever spent on the bike. Remove the Dunlop 404's

:TEAL:

[Gamecock]

thats $13,000.00 as in thousand................. sorry for any confusion ........$1300.00 wouldn't even buy the trailer...

 

I read and re-read, that "0" makes a world of difference. I was about to ask you to buy me a lotto ticket cause you are one lucky dude.

 

I also went from a V-Star 1100 to the RSV. Absolutley no comparison. I'll be riding my RSV for years to come! Welcome to the site....pictures picture pictures!!!

 

If you're ever gonna ride over to the Shenandoah Valley, just let me know and I'll meet up with you. I'm about 80 miles from Luray, but don't mind traveling further.

 

 

Ben

Edited February 23, 2010 by Gamecock

[CaptainJoe]

Definately going to change the tires to somethig that will get more mileage. I know what to expect from dunlop 404's as they are on my 650 Vstar. They are ok as far as handeling but wear out very quickly.

Won't make any "handeling" mods to the bike for at least a month or so. Good advice.

Will order that "ride like a pro V". Hey, I've been riding motorcycles for 36 years but if I can pick up a few tips here and there, I'll be happy.

 

Mods that I am going to make are:

"Lighted trunk spoiler" (on ride to calif. last year, bikers killed when they were rearended, car driver didn't see them stopped?)

Luggage rack(for "lite" things that just wont fit in the trunk)

Drink holders (hot tea drinker)

Saddel bag Rails (might help if I do lay it over?)

Drivers Backrest (to bad the Mustang seat from my 650 wont fit)

Knee wind deflectors/lower fairing (Will these help in the rain also?)

 

Oh, by the way, does anyone know if the cb and audio work simutaneously?

[wes0778]

Oh, by the way, does anyone know if the cb and audio work simultaneously?

 

 

Yes

[N3FOL]

Congrats on the ride, captainjoe. As others had mentioned, get used to the bike and treat it with respect. I am 5'5" which make me 7 inches shorter than you, but our Ventures are fun to ride and I find it easier to maneuver compared to my last Kawasaki bike. Once you learn the characteristics and behavior or the bike at slow speeds, you should not have any problems. Regards.

[Bummer]

First, congratulations on a good choice in touring bikes, and welcome.

 

I'd like to offer a suggestion about your adVenture with your new toy: One thing at a time. Bear in mind, I learned this the hard way. Not on this bike, but... Please bear with me, since I obviously don't know what you already know.

 

Get the leveling links and install 'em. Ride for a while.

If that isn't enough, lower the front end. Ride for a while.

Raise the front end back. Ride for a while.

Try the narrower tire. Ride for a while.

Go back to the stock size tire. Ride for a while.

 

Well, ok, you may not want to put some of it back. But you may. What ever the case, do it one thing at a time so you can compare the changes. It may turn out that the links alone will do the job, and you won't want to lower the front or go to the skinny tire.

 

As for rear lighting: I have the wing with light. It uses older style LEDs and isn't as bright as the newer style LEDs. I put a BackOff module on mine set up to flash the entire time I'm on the brake. My tail light is an older 128 LED board. Can't get 'em anymore, but they do have a 100 LED model that's very nice and actually fits the tail light lens design better. Look at turn signal LEDs. I'm a true believer. There are several threads with discussions of which ones and whether or not to add load equalizers. Bear in mind colored LEDs are brighter through clear lenses, white LEDs are brighter through colored lenses.

 

Look for discussions of air horns. No more weep-weep. Blast those suckers back into their own lanes.

 

Check out the tech area. There are step by step procedures for a lot of this stuff.

 

Oh, and in reference to the bag rails and going over: maybe. The important part is actually already there. The rider's foot boards are mounted to a couple of cast pieces. On light lay downs the bike stops there and doesn't touch down.

[GlennTuc]

No typo , $1300.00 included bike 492 miles (still had breakin oil), intercom system and helmets,and trailer one axle with electric brakes... Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet, HuH?

I'd get rid of the gun you used to hold that guy up with. It could be used as evidence, you know.

 

Glenn

[CaptainJoe]

Thanks for all the tips, guys.

 

I got the ride like a pro v dvd and book set. I did in fact learn something.

 

1. Never in all my life used the back brake to make slow speed tight turns... But Hey, if it works... I'm game for it. Before I just used the dip method, the friction zone and leaning. Also found out min turn distance on a harley is 18'. Wonder what it is on a RSMV?

 

2. Although I've done this naturally all my life being a snow skier, never have I heard

to turn your Head and look where you want to go in tight slow speed turns. The guy even breaks it down to exactly where you should be looking in a turn. In skiing turning your head and trunk torques your upper bodyso that your leggs and skis follow wether your on snow or in the air.

 

I'm VERY IMPRESSED with this video/book and suggest it for 'everyone' that rides a bike.

 

Now if it would quit snowing, I could go out and practice! Want to be able to drag floorboards doing Uturns.

 

I've even got my wife into this now after watching video. She has a 250 Yamaha v-star.

Before the video, she said my 650 v-star was way to big for her, but now????

 

I might have to buy another RSMV... LOL.