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Soliciting Observatrions: 1st Gen vs. 2nd Gen

csherer

By csherer
in Watering Hole

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csherer

csherer

Posted
Posted

I have an 83 Royale & a 2000 RSV MM. I owned an 81 Venture for about 16 years and then sold it at the instance of my wife. (wish I still had it). I"ve had my 83 for about 7 yrs and my RSV MM for 2yrs. Ride them both but have ridden my 83 on most of my long distance trips. I decided to change up my routine this year and rode the RSV to Sturgis for the first time. After completing my trip, I made several observations. I'm curious what others have noticed in their own experiences.

 

First: 83 is nimble, agile, corners easilty with great balance; has quite a bit of zip and is extremely comfortable for the long ride. In contrast the RSV is awkward, difficult to corner, seems not just top heavy but front end heavy, in fact, the front end shimmies at times particularly at lower speeds on the way to HWy speeds. I took my left hand off the bar for a second & the front end began to shake so bad it spilled coffee all over the bike that was secured in my mounded beverage holder. Overall ride on the 83 is much smoother and the bikes handles way better then the 2000 RSV.

 

Other differences: 83 has voltmeter, tach, full set of guages, on-board compressor for automatic ride leveling system; 2000 doesn't have any of these.

 

Only difference I saw where the RSV out performed the 83 was in the sound system. Much better in the 2000 with the addition of the rear speakers; when listening to the speakers and not the headset, it has a quadraphonic sound quality.

 

Earlier this spring I mentioned to the shop foreman, that I enjoyed riding the 83 Royale over the 2000 RSV. They didn't have a lot of background on Ventures & didn't believe me until they had worked on both and taken both for test rides. After that, they agreed that the 83 was a much smoother & better handling bike & couldn't believe all the amenities that the 83 came stock with over the present RSVs. The 83 really was ahead of it's time.

 

IMO, the only way to improve on the existing RSV is to make it more commensurate with the 1st Gens!

 

Just curious what others may think.

bongobobny

bongobobny

Posted
Posted

I agree with your observations, but also agree with all the comments that your front end needs fixing!!! If anything, my 2nd gen was more stable for shimmy than my stock 1st gen was. New tires and wheel bearings along with a super brace fixed up my 1st gen.

 

Check the air pressure in both front shocks. Check the front tire for cupping. Check the neck bearings for proper tightness...

BoomerCPO

BoomerCPO

Posted
Posted

Years ago I used to make fun of the 1st Genners here on the Forum....After trying to keep up with Kbran while doing the "Bogalusa Twisties" I learned to respect them!

Boomer....who sez even de pygmies can't catch a 1st Gen....unless dey are stopped at a Dairy Queen.:whistling:

GeorgeS

GeorgeS

Posted
Posted

Get it fixed !! Pronto, this condition is Extremely Dangerous!!!!!!!!!!

 

Torque on the Steering head Nut, needs to be adjusted !!! I personally know folks who have gone down on various bikes because of this situation. ( My father in law, for one, )

Squidley

Squidley

Posted
Posted

FWIW...

 

I have had 5 1st gens and 3 2nd gens, if you have a shimmy in the 2nd gen something is wrong and it needs to be fixed. There is a learning curve when going from a 1st gen to a 2nd. I have put better than 50K on both gens, hands down for me the G2 is a much more comfortable ride for myself and my wife.

 

As far as nimble, yes the 1st gen is a bit better in the twisties, but I can guarantee you that a 1st gen will not walk away from a G2 with someone that knows how to ride it. Personally my knees dont like the petal position with my feet under me on the 1st gens anymore. I am hurting more on longer rides on the 1st gen than I ever have been on the G2.

 

They are 2 TOTALLY different machines with the only thing in common is the V4 powerplant. They are both great machines, but the next one I will own is going to be another G2 when I get my funds in order....:2cents:

dingy

dingy

Posted
Posted
  BoomerCPO said:
Years ago I used to make fun of the 1st Genners here on the Forum....After trying to keep up with Kbran while doing the "Bogalusa Twisties" I learned to respect them!

 

Boomer....who sez even de pygmies can't catch a 1st Gen....unless dey are stopped at a Dairy Queen.:whistling:

 

It certainly is a cold day in Hell right now.

 

:rotfl:

 

Gary

csherer

csherer

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for everyone's comments. I'll check the tires, fork pressure & steering head. I actually picked the bike up from the shop on a Sunday and left for Sturgis the next day. I had the rear mono shock replaced so assumed all was well with the bike. The shop did notice issues with the front end earlier with the spring tune up but couldn't find an issue. I'll bring your observations to the table to for trouble shooting.

 

I actually run more PSI in the shocks because I pull a trailer, so on th 83, yes, I change the air pressure in he leveling system more often than not to adjust for the ride/load.

 

Thanks again for all the comments.

Stanman

Stanman

Posted
Posted

Well, since this subject has been brought up, I will throw in my personal opinion/experience. Let me add at this point I am not simply bashing or taking a cheap shot at the 2nd Gen or those who own them. I own a 1st Gen and had the chance to sit on a Gen 2 recently. Now its no secret that I don't like the "Harley" looks of a Gen 2, but thought the seat looked very comfy. I can honestly say that those looks are deceiving, I found the seat back pushes me forward while the front that turns up to conform to the fuel tank does a fantastic job of trying to push the family jewels back inside the body. I sat on it for less than a minute and decided that will be the last time I sit on a 2nd Gen. I could not see riding that machine for 10 minutes let alone all day. The only thing this bike has going for it is the V4 engine. I realize that there is a lot of members that prefer the 2nd Gen over the earlier model and that is a personal choice. Good for you, I'm glad you have a machine you love as much as I love my '86, but if and when I wish to get a newer bike than a 1st Gen, I must say I will take a much closer look at a Goldwing.

BoomerCPO

BoomerCPO

Posted
Posted
  dingy said:
It certainly is a cold day in Hell right now.

 

:rotfl:

 

Gary

 

It prolly is now dat you mention it....:rotf:

Boomer....who sez he could use a bit of dat "cooler" weather here in Loozeeanner right now...:whistling: :rotf:

 

Note: I have never ridden a 1st Gen because I KNOW that I would push the envelope while on it...and that would prolly cost me my life. I am extremely confident and happy with my 2nd Gen thanks to my years of riding experience and the 65K I have put on my 06.

Bottom line for me is simple: Ride WHATEVER BIKE you want because it really is all about being on 2 wheels regardless of what you ride.:cool10:

dacheedah

dacheedah

Posted
Posted

Bongo, I would differ on the cassette decks, on the first gen it's far easier to use and in a better location. On the second gen they put it where only gauges should go. . .

GeorgeS

GeorgeS

Posted
Posted

Well, bought the new 08 RSTD. Took off for Los Angeles, the seat was Wonderfull!! untill about 3 PM on the Second day of the trip. ( about 750 miles )

 

At that point I realized that the seat will have to be replaced. And in most case's the stock seat on ANY, new bike for the Average Rider, is going to be a piece of junk !!

 

After 10 days, " On the Road ", and about 2 weeks later, my rear was still hurting !!

 

So Much, for the seat that felt wonderfull for the First 750 Miles !!!

 

ie: Go see, the " Russell Day Long " folks, or the " Corbin " folks . And even after all that you might still be doing modifications to your seat, --------- :stirthepot::stirthepot::stirthepot:

jaymacdoo

jaymacdoo

Posted
Posted

i have 5000kms on my 2012 RSV and as soon as the wife got on i can feel a slight shake at slow speed. My dealer has a beat up 1st gen someone left there 2 years ago and he cant find the guy . Do i need to buy that one too haha?:whistling:

playboy

playboy

Posted
Posted
  jaymacdoo said:
i have 5000kms on my 2012 RSV and as soon as the wife got on i can feel a slight shake at slow speed. My dealer has a beat up 1st gen someone left there 2 years ago and he cant find the guy . Do i need to buy that one too haha?:whistling:

 

What are you doing to make her nervous :stickpoke: better check your tire pressures max them out ( per mfg rating ) for two up riding.

jaymacdoo

jaymacdoo

Posted
Posted
  playboy said:

 

What are you doing to make her nervous :stickpoke: better check your tire pressures max them out ( per mfg rating ) for two up riding.

 

she not nervous she is rocking out to the cassette player . :rotf:

What should my tire pressures be ?

playboy

playboy

Posted
Posted
  jaymacdoo said:
she not nervous she is rocking out to the cassette player . :rotf:

What should my tire pressures be ?

 

Not sure with OEM tires check owners manual or sidewall when you change tires go with what that brand recommends. Hmmm thinking maybe you got me with the cassette joke.:no-no-no: You could go with some classical music that might calm her down.

Stanman

Stanman

Posted
Posted
  XV1100SE said:
Sorry... sitting on a bike for "less than a minute" isn't a good way to come to a conclusive decision. Take it for a test ride for a couple hours, feet on the floor boards, spouse on the back.... then make a decision.

 

When you met your spouse... did you decide in the first minute that you would marry her? Do you buy your cars that quickly ... sales people must have an easy time with you !

 

Not trying to give you grief. Just saying sitting on the bike stationary is not way to form an opinion.

 

The machine I sat on was a trike, I cant see staying on it for longer changing the feeling of trying to push my privates back inside me. I sat back against the back rest, but it did not help any. Sorry but that turned me off the possibility of owning a 2nd Gen.

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