Newbie (again) rider seeking ride setting advice

[VentureBob]

I need some advice from all you folks who have had some seat time with 1985 Venture Royale. (Not sure if year really matters).

Let me fill you in on some details. I have about 400 miles in the seat of this machine. I have not ridden in the last 16 years. I am 6’2” tall and weigh in at 300lbs (I know not a small guy). Using the repair manual as the only reference, I am running fairly new Dunlop Elite series tires 32 PSI in front tire and 40 PSI in rear. Class system set to auto and running on medium setting which is around 16 PSI in front forks and 41 PSI in rear. I have the rear shock dial setting, set to 3 (don’t remember the name of this setting buts it’s the dial on the left of bike just behind foot peg).

Now with all the facts here is what I am experiencing.

-At speeds of 50+ going down highway or freeway I get the sensation that the front is floating, almost feels as if the front wheel has a mind of its own (kind of like on a bicycle with loose handle bars but not that extreme). At first I thought I was just feeling the wind on the front fairing, and then I thought it was side wind hitting the large chrome covers on the front brake rotors. I have completely checked the front wheel and steering head and all is tight and smooth. This is a very uneasy feeling for me and it is keeping from fully enjoying this fine machine. I friend of mine tells me I am just feeling the ruts in the road and not to worry about it, but he rides a Triumph sport bike that weighs in at more the half the weight of my bike and me.

-Second issue is at about 45+ MPH the wind buffering behind the windshield starts to bounce my head around and gets worse at speed. A friend told me to try to stand up a little to see if I can get above buffer or slink down a bit to see if I can find buffer zone but I am not having much luck with either of those while riding.

I realize this may have to do with my lack of experience not only in riding this machine but in riding in general, so any suggestions or re-assurances would be very helpful in my riding enjoyment. We are getting ready to take a 200+ mile ride tomorrow on a lot of highway and freeway and I am not looking forward to it.

[friesman]

Welcome to the group!

I am a big guy also, about 6 ft 300lbs

I had a couple of those issues with my 85 when I got it too. I had a slipstreamer windsheild on it and i felt i was fighting wind all the time. I ordered a new xxl clearview windshield with a vent for mine and it made a huge difference, but i did find out that opening the vent helps cut down even more on wind buffetting. That may be something you can try with your windshield that is quick and cheap, I am sure some dealers would have some vents around, and yo may be able to install yourself.

when my forks felt a bit light i had progressive springs put in mine, as the old springs were bottoming out from time to time and just seemed to be weak. Also installed a superbrace to firm up the forks and get rid of any flex and twist and its now rock solid for as fast as I dare to ride it.

 

Brian

[BuckShot]

I have an 86 VR . I like a stiff ride but ride 2 up alot. Front forks set at 10 lbs and back at 40. Together we weigh around 350. Even pulling a 350 lb trailer the front is set around 12 lbs and back about 45-50.

[Squidley]

Bob,

As mentioned you more than likely need a new set of fork springs. If they are the original ones they are worn out. The Superbrace is a big improvement also. The tires that are on the bike IMO suck, I dont like many of the Dunlops as for me they track road imperfections badly. I have a set of the E3's on the '89 I ride now, but they still do things that I dont like.

Another thing too is check the rear swing arm, there is an adjustment for the bearings at the arm pivot. I have tightened a few of them in my day and the difference is immediate. It will take a bit of getting used to, but the 1st gen is a fine machine. Some taller guys dont like that it cramps their legs, but others love the foot position. Let us know what you come up with and we'll steer you through it....welcome to the site

[Snaggletooth]

I'm 6'2" at 285 lbs. I've got Progressives in the front with no pressure unless I'm going to be pushing the twisties, then I stiffen it up a bit.

 

Now I guess I'm the odd one as I run my rear shock at 60-65 most the time solo. Feels good there for me.

 

But...the shock pressure is more about the bike load.....not the ride. The point is to have the bike avoid bottoming out.

 

The "Knob" on the the left side...that is the damper control. Shock response. That pretty much tunes in the ride. You need to find a good air pressure on both ends, I'd drop the front to as low as possible, and then ride the bike in each of the settings on the damper without changing the shock pressures. You will feel the difference in each one. I keep mine on "2" most the time . Just kind of floats there for me.

 

I'm not familar with the Dunlops performance. I run Avion Venoms. But...I'll say this...if I lose a few pounds of tire pressure, even 4 or five lbs., the whole ride changes. The bike feels loose and wanders. It follows the cracks and tar lines. I bring it back to the correct pressure and it tracks great again.

 

I'd set the tire pressure for the makers recommended pressure and go for a ride. See if you can feel a difference. Adjust from there. I usually run my rear about 2 or 3 lbs lower than tire spec. The front maybe 6 or 7 lbs lower than tire spec.

 

And yes it may take a while to get comfortable with the weight of the Venture. They can be a pig in a parking lot. But I think once the bike is rolling it handles like a sport bike. I have to remind myself once in while that I'm pushing almost 1,200 lbs through a curve dragging a peg.

 

I'm kind of surprised at the buffeting problem. I'm running a stock height screen and I have no buffeting at all. Has your screen been cut down?

 

Try those things and see if you can find your sweet spot.

 

Enjoy the bike.

 

Mike

[Cruser]

I ride an 85 brownie, I keep the front set to 10 and the rear to 40,dampner on 2 or 3.I agree completely with keeping your tire pressure up on the upper end of recommended. I'm not small but not big either, 6 foot 185, The bike handles pretty good at speed I have a stock windshield , I just came down out of the mountians here and did about 20 miles in the rain, I have to duck just a little or what comes over the top hits me in the eyes.

 

I wear a soft cover to ride in and it stays on my head where it belongs, no buffeting to speak of.

 

Post pics of your bike if you get the chance.

[VentureBob]

This is all great info, thanks everyone!

 

As far as the front spings, I have a reciept from the previous owner that in 2008 or less then 3k mile ago the fork springs where serviced. Now I can see that they did sleeves and seals and oil but I don't know if they added new springs. seems kind odd to do all that other work and leave bad springs. I don't ever feel the front end bottom out, nor do I feel like the front end hops in corners. I do have the fork brace comming from Condor, but I don't think I will get that in time for tomorrows ride. Sounds like the Dunlop tires are the main issue as it was said earlier that they tend to follow the grooves and cracks of the road which would explain what I am feeling. That I will just have to live with until the need for new tires comes.

 

I am going to be adjusting front pressure down to 10-12 and lowereing dampener down to 2. I am not sure how to find tire mfg recomended pressure as I believe it's just a range on side of tire, but I will look again to be sure. I have heard that just a few pounds +/- will make a world of difference and that is why I check tire pressure before every ride.

 

I saw the windshield with the vents in the front and thought it might help. I will look at that in the future as well.

 

Hopfully the adjustments to front pressure and dampener will help tomorrows ride a bit as we are leaving the North Seattle WA area and heading up to a beach that is near the Canadian boarder.

[friesman]

If youre going to be up around the Vancouver area, maybe drop SilvrT a note and see if he has time to meet up for a coffee. I think Rick and Nina are almost always ready for a ride. He owns a black G2 now, but used to own an 85 so he may be able to have a look and a chat and help you out.

 

Brian

[SilvrT]

Welcome to the group!

I am a big guy also, about 6 ft 300lbs

I had a couple of those issues with my 85 when I got it too. I had a slipstreamer windsheild on it and i felt i was fighting wind all the time. I ordered a new xxl clearview windshield with a vent for mine and it made a huge difference, but i did find out that opening the vent helps cut down even more on wind buffetting. That may be something you can try with your windshield that is quick and cheap, I am sure some dealers would have some vents around, and yo may be able to install yourself.

when my forks felt a bit light i had progressive springs put in mine, as the old springs were bottoming out from time to time and just seemed to be weak. Also installed a superbrace to firm up the forks and get rid of any flex and twist and its now rock solid for as fast as I dare to ride it.

 

Brian

 

Ditto on the superbrace and progressive springs... had both in my '85 and I took that baby up to (almost) 230 km/h and it was extremely stable.

 

I say "almost" coz at that speed, I was more intent on the road ahead and only glanced at the speedo.

[Condor]

1983 VR. 6'6"/350#. max pressure on the fronts (14) and the back (71), damper set at 4. Progressives with half preload. fork brace. Stock windshield. Avon Venoms. No buffeting and tracks like it's on rails....

[Mariner Fan]

Bob,

 

A good idea would be to look on the Community page and see who rides first gen bikes in the Seattle area. They would be experienced on how the bike should handle and behave. Sometimes a guy who has had a bike for a long time can take one ride on one and instantly know what is wrong vs. trying to figure it out from afar.

[Thom]

I have a 86 with E-3s Lov them , tried 35 psi in the front tire and was all over the road , felt like something was lose , razed the air up to 39 made a world of dif. i run mid. setting on auto and 4 on the damper . for the buffing , i have a over sized windshield and installed a vent , that stopped the buffing .

Thom

[Sheradan]

First, pressure should be adjusted on centerstand. I run 12 in the front and 70 in the rear of my 86. Tires are 32 front and 45 rear. I ride two up a lot and I am 6'2 and 290. I also use the increased pressure for cornering clearance. This is a setup I have used for years and I get great handling, even tire wear. My dampener setting is at 3 with two up or 2 when solo.