looking at a 2008 venture 28000

[1kevin662]

I am looking at a 2008 venture 28,000 for $9000. My 95 magna is not big enough for me and my wife. I was wondering what to look for on the bike and what maintenance to expect for a bike with 28000 miles? ....valves, plugs, breaks...ect. Are there any major problems or expenses that i should consider? Like the air filter for a magna is about $50. Just setting on the bike it feels very top heavy and it seams like it will worse with a passenger. I will take it for a ride this weekend. I am hoping it will feel lighter and more balanced on the road but worried about slow speeds, starting and stopping.

[djh3]

Barrycuda just had a thread like this a little over a month ago. But @ 28k valves should have been checked. Look under bike and ck rear shock for leakage. Check tires ove and look for date code. Brake fluid should not be a brownish color like Jack Daniels. If so it should prob be replaced. Check out simular threads but these bikes are pretty well developed. Basicly the same since 99. They are heavy, but ther is was to help that out. Check lowering front forks.

[MikeWa]

Welcome. These are a fantastic two up bike. They are also a joy to ride cross country. I really really really like mine. That said they are a little top heavy. But it is very manageable once you get used to it. A valve adjustment is due at 24k miles. Otherwise maintenance is not too bad on these bikes. Most people run through tires each 10 to 20k miles depending on the rider. Grease the drive shaft splines on occasion. Keep your fluids changed and everything should go just fine. Some transmission / clutches get noisy. They seem to be fluid type sensitive. But there is no consensus on which oil is best. If I use synthetic oil mine gets very noisy. So I stick with Yamalube. Others like the synthetics. Go figure. If yours gets noisy change the oil right away and run it for a couple of thousand miles and see if it quiets back down. Again a very sound and reliable motorcycle. Best of luck to you.

 

Mike

[Phoneman1981]

Hello Kevin: Glad you found this wonderful site. I too went from a 84 model Magna to the Tour Deluxe. The RSTD fit my 30 inch inseam a bit better than the RSV. The bikes are definetly somewhat top heavy, but you can learn to handle them with practice. I was hooked on the electronic cruise control. I feel the bikes are a good value for what you get. Definetly great touring machines. This site makes owning a Yamaha so much more fun than if you were going it alone. So much helpful knowledge. Keep us posted.

[XV1100SE]

Welcome to the site. Several members in your State so you'll have a few people to ride with or help with maintenance. Lots of tips on the site and helpful members.

 

As for things to check on the bike.... this thread is pretty comprehensive of the few issues you should look for :

http://venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1067

 

As has been mentioned, see if you can get service records to see how well kept the bike has been. Check to see if the rear shock is or has been leaking. If you give the bike a good run, listen for the clutch whine.

 

Keep in mind that being a 2008, you are probably still covered under the 5 year warranty so if anything does come up it would be looked after by the dealer. 5 year warranty is based on date the bike was first purchased.

 

As for top heavy, you might feel it during slow speeds but when you start moving you won't think it is heavy. I worry more about trying to back up a hill than I do the balance of the bike. You get used to it. Remember, it isn't a crotch rocket.

[Barrycuda]

Barrycuda just had a thread like this a little over a month ago. But @ 28k valves should have been checked. Look under bike and ck rear shock for leakage. Check tires ove and look for date code. Brake fluid should not be a brownish color like Jack Daniels. If so it should prob be replaced. Check out simular threads but these bikes are pretty well developed. Basicly the same since 99. They are heavy, but ther is was to help that out. Check lowering front forks.

 

As Dion mentioned, there are specific things to look into. I am not as knowledgable as some of these savvy chaps but here is what helped ME handle the bike with more confidence as well as precision:

MILES suggested 40 psi air on front and rear, since doing that handling has improved. The bike was also lowered with a barons lowering kit from previous owner, which helped me again with having feet on the floor. Some members do and some do not do that. Others recommend the front triple tree be adjusted. I have been handling mine without front adjusted. I am not tall, and was concerned with the wife on back. So far no issues. Next idea that made me feel better was to take a course on the venture to help me. Ride like a Pro instructor Jerry Palladino lives in my state and was fortunate enough to take the class. Was it easy? He'll no...read my post, but it did make me a better rider, no doubt. Next best idea is watch his you tube videos firs, but definitely get his DVD Ride like a Pro V...

My suggestion is flush all fluids, check tire wear, check rear shock for signs of leaking, and all the necessary cleaning, flushing replacing of fluids. And brakes. At first I was leery and did not know if I wanted to keep the bike. However, you get pretty attached to it once you get over the initial concerns... Good luck. PM me if you wanna chat

Barry

[1kevin662]

Here is a pic

 

[ATTACH]75344[/ATTACH]

[dacheedah]

2008 might have some warranty left, check the vin with a dealor

[1kevin662]

2008 might have some warranty left' date=' check the vin with a dealor[/quote']

 

That would be good...

[1kevin662]

Do some, most or all bikes have trouble with the rear shock? And at how many miles? And how much would expect to pay a shop to replace it?

[MikeWa]

Nice looking bike.

All shocks will eventually wear out and require service. Some are repairable.The stock Venture shock is not. Replacement is not too difficult when required. There have been some reports of premature failure. Some of these have been repaired under the 5 year warranty. I have a 2008 Venture similar to the one you have pictured. It also has 20K + miles on it. So far the shocks have been just fine. I see little difference between the Venture shock repairs and those of other bike manufactures.

 

Mike

 

 

P.S. Charcoal silver is the fastest color.

[dacheedah]

Be careful adding air to the shocks, you can go to Yamaha's website and open the manual.

 

http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/myyamaha/prompt/L3N0YXIvc2VydmljZS92aWV3bWFudWFscy9zdGFyX21hbnVhbHMuYXNweA==/Owners%20Manual/starthere.aspx

 

just proceed to the manual. I suggest reading this it actually can explain a lot. This is a great bunch of people, even if you bought a different bike it's worthy the $12.00 a year for the wisdom.

 

See you on the road. . .

[Barrycuda]

 

Mike

 

 

P.S. Charcoal silver is the fastest color.

 

 

Mike you do realize you are going to confuse this new member. Everyone one knows the 2 tone raspberry/ tan color is by far the fastest . C'mon now...

[MikeWa]

Mike you do realize you are going to confuse this new member. Everyone one knows the 2 tone raspberry/ tan color is by far the fastest . C'mon now...

 

Barry

That was true for a long time. Then in 2008 they came out with the charcoal silver. Now it is the fastest.

 

Mike

[Barrycuda]

Barry

That was true for a long time. Then in 2008 they came out with the charcoal silver. Now it is the fastest.

 

Mike

 

I think you are missing one important factor Mike. And that it the 2008 charcoal silver is the fastest of all the 2008 SILVERS, not the fastest overall. that's the raspberry delight

[Miles]

I think you are missing one important factor Mike. And that it the 2008 charcoal silver is the fastest of all the 2008 SILVERS, not the fastest overall. that's the raspberry delight

 

You both got it wrong. Black is the fastest color, and...as they say...once you go black, you never go slow.

 

 

[1kevin662]

I went and looked at the bike again..it was serviced before the winter. All the fluids look clear and can't see any thing leaking from the shock... It's raining so I can't ride it today... I think I like it... Good tires and no scratches or anything broken... The sitting position feels a little strange and floor boards a little close but I will know more when I ride it...

[XV1100SE]

I think you are missing one important factor Mike. And that it the 2008 charcoal silver is the fastest of all the 2008 SILVERS, not the fastest overall. that's the raspberry delight

 

What you are both missing is that when Yamaha upgraded to the 2009.... they made the Candy Red/Raven faster ! Has the speed of both the red and black combined, making it twice as fast as just black by itself !

 

Now that that has been settled once and for all...Kevin... let me be the first to say congratulations. Don't think you'll let the '08 pass you by. Good condition, fair price.

[1kevin662]

I took the RSV out yesterday for an hour or so with my wife and its great. Going to get it Monday for about $8500. I will have to have the back tire swapped with the brand new one from the magna (commander II). There is the well described clunk when changing gears and the whine when driving. I did notice the fearing make a radle when I hit a bump just right but it did not sound to bad. I did notice a fuel smell when I stoped. Looked under the bike and could see fumes coming from one of the hoses??? Front breaks seam a little weak I am sure it needs pads and any suggestions on what and where it buy them are welcome. It has great power (not like the magnan) for its size but I do miss the tack. It handles way better than I expected. Much easier to start and stop too. The radio and cruise are two things I hope I don't have to do without again.

Edited April 7, 2013 by 1kevin662