Possible New Venture Owner

[rcbimmer]

I have been wanting to buy myself a full dress cruiser. I rode a 99 Venture yesterday and have decided that is the bike for me. Is there anything I should check out or be aware of on that year model. Everything seems to work and the bike has 36k miles. I am a little concerned that it is carburated instead if FI, any issues I need to be aware of. Thanks in advance.

 

Robert

Spring Hill, Fl

[V7Goose]

I have been wanting to buy myself a full dress cruiser. I rode a 99 Venture yesterday and have decided that is the bike for me. Is there anything I should check out or be aware of on that year model. Everything seems to work and the bike has 36k miles. I am a little concerned that it is carburated instead if FI, any issues I need to be aware of. Thanks in advance.

 

Robert

Spring Hill, Fl

There is a ton of information on your concerns on this site. Here are some high points -

 

All 1999-2011 Ventures are virtually identical. Only two major things for you to watch out for:

 

1. Make certain the bottom of the rear shock is bone dry. Any oil or oily dirt on the bottom shock mount says the shock is bad - $600+ part and a known weak point.
   
2. Do a good test ride and listen for engine whine. These 4 cylinder engines tend to make a bit of whine or chirp at certain RPM bands. Not all of them whine, and the vast majority are fairly quiet and totally acceptable. BUT, a few of them virtually scream, and the surprised buyers hate the bike for it. Just be sure to do a good test ride so you can see if there is any sound that you do not like.
   

You should be happy these bikes are carbureted instead of EFI. Carbs were perfected many many years ago, are easy to tune and relatively cheap to maintain. None of that is true about EFI.

 

This bike has been made unchanged for 12 years - an absolute guarantee that all parts will remain available for at least another 10 years (by law in the USA). You will absolutely enjoy this bike. Welcome to the site!

Goose

Edited August 7, 2011 by V7Goose

[FuzzyRSTD]

Well Goose is spot on. I love my bike.

 

Fuzzy

[Freebird]

Two other things come to mind that you can look for.

 

Some of the trunk bottoms cracked on the '99 models. Open the trunk and lift up the rubber pad in the bottom and make sure it's not cracked. Yamaha came out with a fix that included large washers inside the trunk. It also included a rubber block between the bottom of the trunk and the chrome mount at the very rear of the trunk. If it has not been added then it is something that you will want to do but make sure it's not already broken.

 

CB antennas were not very good on the '99 models. Yamaha changed them in 2000. The '99 was the only year that the antennas didn't fold. That is how you can tell if they are the original '99 antennas. The problem with them is that they got loose and didn't make good connection on the base. They have a black base that is a press fit onto a stud on the mounting arm. Mine got where I could twist them slightly and just pull them right off. Minor issue that is easily and fairly cheaply remedied with aftermarket antennas.

[Eck]

inside rear brake pad wears out very fast compared to the outer rear brake pad..

 

You might want to check your rear inner pad is not super thin or wore out.

 

Easy to fix ..if rear rotor is not scored..

 

Also the dead center at bottom of the lower front farings, the attach tab breaks off easily.

Again, easy fix..but could be broke off yours.

[rcbimmer]

Wow! Thanks for the quick answers. I will be heading back over to the dealer on Monday to see if we can make a deal. I'll have a few more things to check out.

 

Nice to know I'm not the only Guzzi fan here. I sold my 07 Norge last year to pay for my daughters wedding. Things we do for our kids!

 

Again thanks for the help. I'll post back if I buy the bike along with some pics.

 

Robert

[Grisolm1]

You will be in good company. I've had 4 Guzzi's. Eldo, 2 LemansI's and still have my Griso. Have to tell you the Ventures get 90% of my riding time now. Actually thinking about selling the Griso since it's giving me dirty looks.

 

As long as you don't mind the weight at low speed you will love the venture. Any variety of Harley FLH mufflers can give you the sound you want. Just as reliable and long lasting as a Guzzi and much more comfortable. You should be happy.

[rcbimmer]

One more question. I noticed that this Venture does not have the power cord on the top left side of the tank. Is this for the intercom or a power plug and should it be there?Thanks.

 

Robert

[wes0778]

One more question. I noticed that this Venture does not have the power cord on the top left side of the tank. Is this for the intercom or a power plug and should it be there?Thanks.

 

Robert

 

That is the plug for a (5-pin) headset. May be relocated. There also should be one on the left side under the passenger seat. Mine is "glued" to the fender. The RSV uses the same headset as a Goldwing.

 

There is a power port with a cigarette lighter style plug on the left rear of the front fairing.

[V7Goose]

One more question. I noticed that this Venture does not have the power cord on the top left side of the tank. Is this for the intercom or a power plug and should it be there?Thanks.

 

Robert

Yes, it absolutely should be there. If it is not, make a big deal out of it for price negotiations - no way to use the intercom or CB without it.

 

(After you buy the bike, you will probably find it coiled up under the plastic cover around the key ring or under the tank.)

Goose

[rcbimmer]

Well I bought it. 99 model with 36k looks brand new. Of course it's been raining for two days now. Here is a pic.

 

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/rcbimmer/Venture/2011-08-08181827.jpg

[steamer]

I have the same color. Love mine. Good luck with it.

[steamer]

Well I bought it. 99 model with 36k looks brand new. Of course it's been raining for two days now. Here is a pic.

 

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/rcbimmer/Venture/2011-08-08181827.jpg

Looks like the antenna's are reversed. Also they look like the orginal 99 antenna's, be carful the can come lose and fall off. Did you check the trunk mounts to see if the up grade as been done? Just some things to make life better.

[wes0778]

Well I bought it. 99 model with 36k looks brand new. Of course it's been raining for two days now. Here is a pic.

 

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/rcbimmer/Venture/2011-08-08181827.jpg

 

I got the same '99 and love it!!! Now let the chromin' begin, 'cause remember EVERY motorcycle is ALWAYS at least $1000.00 from being finished!!!

Didja find the driver's headset connection? I see the passenger's is there. (The little black thingy stuck to the rear fender just above the left saddlebag.)

 

AND also to the asylum!!!

[rcbimmer]

Thanks guys. Things I found. Looks like the trunk upgrade was done with big flat washers instead of the square supports. Do I need to change this?

The connector was right where you said it was under the ignition cover. The key can be a pain sometimes. I lubed it a little did not really seem to help. Anything I need to be aware of?

[Yammer Dan]

Good looking bike!! I think they do have some switch problems but as a Faster 1st Gen rider I wouldn't know....... WELCOME!!! Glad to see you here. Good luck with the "New" Ride!!

[steamer]

The up grade to the trunk should be rectangle steel plates with a hole in each one. Don't know what the hole is for. If you have round washers only, the upgrade was not done. The parts can be gotten at a yamaha dealer for about $10.00. Also check your antenna's the CB antenna should be on the left side of bike, sitting on it.Looks like yours is on the right side.Make sure thier not hooked up wrong. Trace the cord to the CB under the trunk. the Cb cord is only about 12" long. The CB antenna has a black peload in the middle of the antenna.

[Grisolm1]

Congrats on the new scoot. Now the obsession has officialy begun. Welcome to the madness.