I'm curious about something

[shikano53]

Lately I have read a number of posts about individuals regretting switching from the 1st Gen Venture to the 2nd Gen Venture.

 

I owned 4 1st Gen Ventures. An 84, an 87, an 84 straight Venture then another 84 Venture Royale. I loved the bike. My wife and I road from Windsor, Ontario to BC on it and other long distance trips as well.

 

Now I am on my second, 2nd generation bike. I came back to it because I enjoy/ed the ride so much. Yes it is a bit top heavy but other than that I can't think of any reason why I would go back to a 1st Gen Venture.

 

I am curious to ask how many people here have come from a 1st Gen and have no regrets?

 

Quite simply, I love my RSV.

 

Chris in Red Deer, AB

[Freebird]

No argument from me. My first Venture as an '88. I really wanted and tried to like it but just never could get comfortable on it. I ended up selling it and buying a Harley. Then when the RSV came out in '99, that I knew it was the bike for me. The bullet proof engine of the first gen Venture in a stretched out cruiser frame that fit me perfectly.

 

So, no regrets here.

[SilvrT]

I've had an '85 and an '87, now an '06

 

I can't say I have regrets. These are 2 different bikes (1st & 2nd gen). I liked both for different reason's. Would I buy another 1st gen?? .... not if it was going to be my only scoot. Would I buy another 2nd gen ... NO. I would probably go to a Wing or a Victory or maybe even an Ultra.

 

Having said that and if I was bikeless and didn't have much money to spend, I'd buy nothing other than another 1st gen.

 

 

hmmmm... I think I contradicted myself... LOL

[rumboogy]

Hey, I didn't own a 1st generation bike, and I have only had mine for exactly ONE YEAR. The first month I HATED THE BIKE, by spring I liked it well enough to want to trade it in. Now after almost a year with the bike...I am really starting to DIG this bike. It took a long time getting used to...but I can't imagine anyone preferring a a first gen bike over it.

 

Now...before the first genners start to rip me apart...I'll admit I have never rode a 1st gen, so I am NOT an expert. I just have an unsubstantiated opinion.

[Marcarl]

Well I have a well adjusted opinion. I ride a first gen, because that was what was for sale, and it fit perfectly. I have seen a lot of 2nd gens, and even rode them a time or two,,, and yep, I take mine over every other one,,,,, 'course I have an 85, and says a lot.

[Mariner Fan]

No argument from me. My first Venture as an '88. I really wanted and tried to like it but just never could get comfortable on it. I ended up selling it and buying a Harley. Then when the RSV came out in '99, that I knew it was the bike for me. The bullet proof engine of the first gen Venture in a stretched out cruiser frame that fit me perfectly.

 

So, no regrets here.

 

.

[Squidley]

I have had 8 Ventures 4 1st gens (84, 2 86's and an 89) and I have had 4 2nd gens (3 99's and an 08) I wouldn't trade back if I had a choice, the G2 is much more comfortable for me and the wife. I'm not worried about carving up a road. If I wanted that I would have bought an ST 1300 or an FJR. 1st gens are great bikes, and way ahead of their time back in the day, but the foot position now is uncomfortable to me, 2nd gen all the way for me.

[Guest]

Had an 83 Venture and over time the leg position made it harder to ride. Bought my 99 back in 2003 and haven't looked back. Best choice for me!

[abnormalwon]

I had an 85 but it needed a lot of work and though I didn't move all the way up to a 2nd I did have a 98 RSTD and it was a great bike. It and the 2nd Gens are certainly more roomy and though I have not ridden a 2nd gen it appears to have a very similar layout to the RSTD and when it comes to actual performance I can't beat the 1st gen. handles like a dream and smoother as well as more amenities. Sure wish Yamaha would wise up and get back in the game competing with the Wing and the Beemer. They can keep the 2nd as well as a 1st gen styled model however if they couldn't figure it out in the good times I doubt they can manage it today. So we just have to keep tending to and keeping up our experienced ones.

 

Just me

 

Norm

[BradT]

Went from an 86 to 99 and not looking back. I like the comfort, features and it is just not as old.

 

Brad

[Beau-Kat]

I like them both.

 

The 1988 for its easier steering and a bit better throttle responsiveness (I'm avoiding saying it's quicker). And it does have a "Cool Factor" to me.

 

The Millenium because it's really great on the highway and I've already got my trailer hitch on it and use it to haul stuff. Rode it 1140 interstate miles in under 21 hours one day. Yes, I felt a bit tired the next day, but not too bad at all. It's a great ride!

 

I would like to see a suspension compressor on the Millenium.

[BOO]

Me too!!!! Love the 2001 RSV I'm currently riding. Have put many miles on 84, 86 and 89 Ventures and they are great bikes but I'm in love with the 01 and always pat her on the seat when I walk past. Oh sorry forgot this is a G site. Sorry Don.

BOO

[bongobobny]

I own both, and each has it's good points and bad points. The 1st gen is quicker and handles more like a sports bike, whereas the 2nd gen is much more comfortable. Both are BIG especially if you are vertically challenged.

 

Sooo, bottom line, it depends on what you want out of a bike, performance or comfort. Each has both but lean more towards one or the other...

[elmicko]

My first big bike ever was the 86 1st Gen I bought in the summer of '09. It was a great handling bike and good on the interstate, but I'm vertically challenged and it seemed so tall and top-heavy that I never could feel really comfortable. But I really liked and believed in the 1300 V4 engine so I bought a 2nd Gen. For me it's night and day. Everybody says the 2nd Gen is more top heavy, but it sits lower and I have no problem with it at all. The 1st Gen felt like it was going to topple over every time I came to a stop, the 2nd Gen feels like I could leave my feet on the boards at a complete stop (and NO I'm not going to try). It's probably because I'm pretty short, but the 2nd Gen is a much better bike for me.

[MAINEAC]

I never owned a 1st gen..... BUT..... I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night..

 

Seriously tho it's the old Standard VS Cruiser thing... I always preferred a cruiser... My cruiser goes plenty fast enough to kill myself... why would I wanna speed up the process??

[N3FOL]

I've never owned a first Gen and simply can not comment about its riding characteristics. I love my 2nd Gen and will probably never look back, but definitely looking forward to what the next Gen of Venture Yamaha has to offer.

[Condor]

I still own five 1stGens. 1 runner, a '91, and 4 'kits'. Plus a '99 2ndGen. After 5 years of riding an '83, which is now gone, I still try to find the pegs when on the '99. Long distance 600 mile+ days on the '83 were comfortable and, but I'll probably ride the '99 to Cody.... Unless that I find after taking a few shorter trips that it isn't my cup of tea. Then I'd have no problem climbing aboard the '91 and hitting the slab, although I'd rather take it into the Sierras and carve corners....

[Yammer Dan]

I've never ridden a 2nd gen. I keep hearing how fast they are but I have to look in the rear view to find them.