Any people from buffalo NY? or close enough?

[Ama]

Hey there, just wanted to say hey. I currently ride a yamaha roadstar warrior 1700 that I constantly switch back and forth with touring items and then back to the regular sleek look. I'm very interested in buying a venture next spring as a second bike and get rid of all the touring items I have for my warrior. Just doesn't look right with a windshield and a big bulky seat etc. Is there a year to look out for? From what ive read it seems like the 99-present models havent changed a ton. Ive ridden the gen1 vmax quite a few times and ive always been a fan of the v4 engine. Are there any members from the buffalo ny area? Id love to meet up maybe for a last ride of the season or something. I tried uploading some pictures of my bike but im on my phone so I didnt have much luck.. anyways I hope to buy one next spring, there's some pretty good deals out here on Craigslist, from 7-9k which seems like a good deal for a bike like this. Alright well talk to you guys later and hope to meet up with some members sometime

[bongobobny]

Yup! Lots of us in the area! The WNY gang is very active!! Pioneer Motorsports on Rt 16 in Chaffee offers a discount and is a wonderful dealer. The only year that the RSV's had any issues at all was the '99, other than that they are all the same bike.

 

I have an '09 trike that hasn't been put up yet but will in the next week or two. I'm retired so am available every day.

 

The Ontario crowd sometimes come across the border for a ride, so there is pretty much something going on all the time. There are also many social events up there so if you don't have your passport yet plan on getting it!

[PGunn]

I am originally from the Buffalo area (Tonawanda) and now live in the Boston area and try to "ride in" to Buffalo a few times a year. Like Bob said WNY has a very active Yamaha group.

[saddlebum]

If you are looking for a good touring bike you cannot go wrong with the venture. From the 1983 up to the currant model. They are all a pleasure to ride and easy to spend long hours in the saddle. The gen ones are a little sporter but all in all you can't go wrong with either. If looking at an 83 0r 84 just check to see if it has had the second gear upgrade done. Oh Bonus point here they are one of the few bikes that still provide a cassette player for those of us that like real music.

[stickhandle2]

Hi

 

We are in Hamilton and head into Buffalo and Niagara Falls NY all the time, there are lots of great spots to ride on both sides of the border.

 

Always looking for a reason to ride.

 

Mike

[Ama]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Maybe I I shouldn't shy away from the older models as I intended to originally. Ive been riding for several years but I might be a bit younger than you guys expected (21) I just enjoy touring and ive had back problems for some time already so the more comfortable I am the better. With the older models besides the 2nd gear issue mentioned is there anything else to look out for? Any recalls?

[bongobobny]

The '83 had an issue with the frame where the rear shock mounts. With the 1st gen Ventures keep in mind they are older and ANY old bike is going to have problems now and then. There is a lot of info and help here on the site...

[lsutley]

Not to scare you away from a 1st Gen but there a few recurring problems that are common to a lot of these bikes. It can be a rewarding experience to put one on the road in reliable condition. They were one of the first generation of pure touring bikes produced. They are definitely a classic in many ways and I really enjoy mine. Here are a few more items to be aware of when looking for a 1st Gen:

 

Second gear in the 83 and 84 models.

 

The charging systems, stators and regulator rectifiers, and connecting plugs.

 

Starter, two pole to four pole conversions, clutch sprage failures.

 

Fuse box failures, upgrades available.

 

Carburetor diaphragms, holes and cracking.

 

Weak front fork springs, upgrades available.

 

TCI failures, upgrades available

 

The engines are solid as are the drive-line components. There are a lot of new and used parts available and the help on this site covers all of the common problems and usually solves the unique.

 

Welcome to the forum, stick around and enjoy.

[steamer]

Yup! Lots of us in the area! The WNY gang is very active!! Pioneer Motorsports on Rt 16 in Chaffee offers a discount and is a wonderful dealer. The only year that the RSV's had any issues at all was the '99, other than that they are all the same bike.

 

I have an '09 trike that hasn't been put up yet but will in the next week or two. I'm retired so am available every day.

 

The Ontario crowd sometimes come across the border for a ride, so there is pretty much something going on all the time. There are also many social events up there so if you don't have your passport yet plan on getting it!

 

 

And what issues did the 99 have?

[steamer]

All bike have minor issues. I'm sure some folks here will start listing all the know problems of both the 1st and 2nd gen. Just remember, Every 1st gen and RSV does not have every one of these issues. Most of us have had very few if any problems with our bikes. And then there are a few of us that have had more then our share of problems, but would not trade our bike for anything.

[bongobobny]

And what issues did the 99 have?

 

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

[steamer]

So the only issues the 99's have, is the cracked trunk mounts and the antenna's. everything else applies to the 99 through the 2013. Except some 07's had a head bolt torque problem. All in all it is one of the best bikes on the road. Some of our members have well over 100000 trouble free miles on there bikes.

[Ama]

Okay thats good to know. Thanks.. I think the second gen might be the better choice afterall, it's a bit nicer looking to me as well. I like the midnights a lot, but ill take what I can get next year. How are the speakers? It seems nice with the ones in the back too. Id definitely want to look into a gps mount and a gps as well. Also I've seen backrests for the driver that I'd have to invest in for sure. Are all the factory seats the same? Ive seen some seats that actually dont look as comfortable maybe some sort of aftermarket seat? Or is there a difference from year to year?

[bongobobny]

The audio system leaves a bit to be desired, but nothing that better speakers and a power amp can't fix...

[ragtop69gs]

Also, the 2007 early production had a short run where the heads were not torqued properly and the head gaskets would leak, most were repaired under warranty. If the dealer did the TSB, THERE SHOULD be a punch mark on the engine case by the vin

[IronMike]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/MS1700/3ac90c8f.jpg

Above is my Midnight Silverado, Great bike as we know, just not as much as a touring bike Yamaha said it was. Maybe one up. And once you turn it into a Starglide, ity bity problems creep up, The weak shock, and the Stock windshield brackets crack under the weight of a fairing. And after cracking three sets at $200 a pop. I did JUST what your thinking. Below.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture3377954_zps1f470b60.jpg

I kept the Roadstar, I am turning into a Winter grocery getter. But I added a 2008 Venture and I could not possibly be more happy! Gobs of throttle, LOVE the smoothness of the 4 Cyl, The shaft, The aerodynamics of the fairing and the way it cuts through the wind, It can also go Darkside so 30K miles on one tire swap. Yes one said the stereo is a little weak, only in sound quality but trust me, wear ear plugs and it sounds better, and if you really want to turn it up a Notch you get the EDSETS Communication system and use the RCA jack and the Mini Stereo plug and use whatever ear buds you love and the music is all you could ever want with a CB that chimes in with alerts about Police and accidents and whatever. You will not regret getting a Venture. I NEARLY got a Goldwing and am super glad I did not, Not that its not a great bike too, But a Venture looks like a BIKE not a spaceship. I logged over 6K miles on my Venture in less than two months. But that's about normal for me, you may know me from the clinic, I'm MS1700 over there, the first one to go Darkside there on a Roadstar, and caused Holly He'll They all said I would crash and burn, and 60K miles later all Darkside I'm still here. Waiting on my Darkside tire for my Venture, Had to wear out the new Rear the bike came with, It was the most dangerous riding I ever did!

 

About the seat For $1100 I upgraded the Seat on the Roadstar to the Ultimate, Full set, but for free I can ride just as far on the STOCK 2nd Gen Pillow top seats with the Utopia Backrest made right here in Ohio!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/IMG_0464_zpsc8c9c4ef.jpg

And this is a pic of my Dash this Summer, One side is a Galaxy Note two in a Ram Mount and the other side is the GPS in a Mike mount. I just got a Ram mount today for the GPS, or the Go pro, whatever I use it for not decided that will be winter upgrades.

 

Your on the right track! I live in Akron area, If I was close I'd trade ya for a ride for a while. Still possible. But I would have to wait for a day off, we only 2.5 hours apart if we meet in the middle.

Edited October 15, 2013 by IronMike

[Ama]

Thanks for the post mike, I got a roadstar warrior, not the regular roadstar , but yamaha is a yamaha, reliable and priced well. I'd love to meet up. Where would you want to meet? My warrior is sleek and fast with no wind protection so the direct opposite (the venture im sure isnt a slug either) im sure you wont mind the hour and a half ride haha on something as comfy as the venture. Maybe next sunday?

[Condor]

I'm from Buffalo. Left. Started kindergarden in South Pasadena, Ca., and finished it in a one room school house in East Amhearst, N.Y.. Started 1st grade in EA and finished it in L.A. Ca. 65 years ago. Still have shirt tails in the area.

[BIG TOM]

If you go into the community section at the top of the page and then click on New York, you will be able to view all the members in the area.....You dont need to go to Canada to meet VR members , there are a ton of us here in western NY...and on any weekend you will find us at a nearby Dairy Queen..........ps. those Canucks are troublemakers:stirthepot:

[PGunn]

I'm from Buffalo. Left. Started kindergarden in South Pasadena, Ca., and finished it in a one room school house in East Amhearst, N.Y.. Started 1st grade in EA and finished it in L.A. Ca. 65 years ago. Still have shirt tails in the area.

 

Condor did you go to the original Sweet Home School back in the late 50's? Really guys that is the school systems name in the Amherst area

[Huggy]

If you go into the community section at the top of the page and then click on New York, you will be able to view all the members in the area.....You dont need to go to Canada to meet VR members , there are a ton of us here in western NY...and on any weekend you will find us at a nearby Dairy Queen..........ps. those Canucks are troublemakers:stirthepot:

 

ARE NOT!!!!!!!! We just know how to have fun!!! Besides our ICE CREAM is BETTER then YOURS and YOU are JEALOUS!!!!!!

[bongobobny]

Condor did you go to the original Sweet Home School back in the late 50's? Really guys that is the school systems name in the Amherst area

Not to be confused with Sweet Home Alabama, but then again we have the Alabama Swamps due east of Amherst...

[Huggy]

Bob how did they get there? Did someone drain the Alabama Swamps and move the water up to Amherst or did the dig them up and haul the whole lot up by truck? And didn't the people from Alabama know they where missing or where they a gift form Alabama? Or is that a spelling error and you meant the "Obama Swamp"? So many questions and so few answers!!! I'm getting a headache!!!!! I'm going to lay down for a while!!!!!!

[Ama]

If you go into the community section at the top of the page and then click on New York, you will be able to view all the members in the area.....You dont need to go to Canada to meet VR members , there are a ton of us here in western NY...and on any weekend you will find us at a nearby Dairy Queen..........ps. those Canucks are troublemakers:stirthepot:

 

Which dairy queen? The one on transit in williamsville?

[bongobobny]

Which dairy queen? The one on transit in williamsville?

Actually, he lies!! We very seldom go to DQ, there are lots more better Ice Cream places around like the one in Batavia, the one in Boston, the one in Ellicottville, the one in East Aurora, etc...