opinions on adding chrome goodies?

[baylensman]

So thinking of adding hiway lamp. So i need a new bar. have seen the straight ones (aftermarket?) and the ones that curve upwards at the end so they hug the headlight (Yamaha?) big price difference aftermarket $49.99 Yamaha $149.99 and up.

 

Trunk rack if I add my own support again almost $100.00 difference between Yamaha and aftermarket.

 

If i put rails on the bags sides and bag tops will they support extra luggage ( sleeping bags or rolled goods in a tube bag)

 

If i put on a front fender rail does the current emblem hooky thing have to go?

[Eck]

No offense here, but in my honest opinion only you as the owner really knows what you truly want your bike to look like.

 

Every bike one sees is either "bare bones/ as was when purchased new", or it has the added accessories that the present owner wants on it.

 

As for myself, I have my bike set up for ME...no one else.. as does everyone else.

 

The only honest advice I can give you is to buy or add the accessory that your heart leads you to and I strongly suggest you stay within reason to your wallet..

The only other thought I have is...OME accessories you know will fit and come with all the correct attach hardware... aftermarket stuff may or may not fit and may or may not come with the attach hardware.

[2WHEELSFORME]

NO NO! Only a bike cutomed out like mine is the correct way. Of course that means you will have to let it get down and scratched up, sand all the bad spots out and use 20 bucks worth of truck bed liner to repaint. Never have to worry about "SHINNEY" paint again. It will also need a lot of the ugly chrome removed or at least blacked out, power coat is best. "Remember chrome won't get you home". Most other additions are for makeing the bike work better as looks don't matter much, except fot those front fender rails they are butt ugly and useless.

[baylensman]

thanks for the input but missed the spirit of the question

 

is mother yamaha's "Factory" stuff worth the sometime double price of say EMGO, Barons or Kurikan.

 

As fas as hardware goes Lowe's nut and bolt center is less than a mile away. Again having to buy $5.00 worth of screws and washers versus $100 extra for a luggage rack?

 

Is OEM chrome and fit that much better? I mean my old 96' never saw the inside of a garage. its been thru 6 hurricane/tropical storm direct hits summer sun where the UV index has been 10+ for 30 days straight, and I washed it once a year whether it needed it or not. the factory bag rails and lower windheild deflecter brackets are as shinny as the Super Trapp exhaust and Kurikan mug holder but all of them are starting to show wear in the nooks and crannys.

 

I have the cash today to make my bike my way, a luxury i've never had before, with kids and house and ex wife wanting to bleed me dry. I've always wanted a long distance traveler, which means IMHO more lights, plugs in for phone, gps and compressor, carrying tools, and enough luggage that I can be comfortable holing up a few days if repairs require a shop.

Edited October 17, 2013 by baylensman

[Ky. Rider]

I found my Yamaha light bar and trunk rack on e-bay for a much reduced price. I do like the quality but Yamaha price is a bundle to swallow. As for as adding things that, as has been said, is a personal choice. I am more the vanilla rider although I will add stuff for comfort (back rest) or safety (light bar front & rear plus rear lighted spoiler) and I do fly the flag but that is also an attention getter coming up from the rear. It has been six years since I found those things on e-bay so I am not sure how available they are today.

[2WHEELSFORME]

Well you took it well. Sorry just joshing you. My thoughts are Yamaha parts are way overpriced. Even OEM stuff can be found much less on line than at the shop.

But Ive had poor luck with Kury chrome which I have a lot of on my VTX, just pits too easy. I was serious about the front fender rail, I mean you already have a fender do dad thing and a fender trim. After market trunk luggage rack would be the way to go I think.

[Hazenson]

The front fender chrome piecewill fit without removing the emblem, I never put the top racks on the bags because it seems I wouldnt actually use it, stuff there may be in the way of the passenger. I may add it one day tho anyway just for looks. Trunk rack may be hard to custimize your self to meet those curves in the trunk. Just my 2 cents

[Rolltide]

:bighug:Sky's the limit when it comes to adding chrome. I myself bought all OEM chrome on my 09 RSV except for a phone holder. Looked at others and feel that Yamaha chrome is thicker than aftermarket. Looking back I do have one regret, there were OEM items available then that are discontinued now, oh well. Just my 2¢ worth........ have fun dressin her up.

[XV1100SE]

I've put mostly OEM chrome on my '09 RSV and parts made by members out of stainless steel (see slowrollwv and carboneone member classifieds).

 

For chrome, I've found the chroming to be good quality with no flaking or fading after 3 years of daily use. I've seen 3rd party chrome that has flaked or discoloured. Yes, OEM parts are expensive, but worth it to me.

 

One issue with OEM parts is that as Yamaha neared the end of production of the Venture, they also discontinued some parts. Some things will take a bit of searching to find.

[baylensman]

that's what i needed to know. will looks for either stainless or factory oem type goodies.

want a hiway light bar, trunk rack, bag topper and side rails and front fender rail.

 

anyone have any let me kow want to start soonest on upgrades

[jilldwr]

My bike came used with the front fender rail and rear trunk rail. The chrome is very robust on this, I can't see Kuryakin being any better than this, maybe cheaper, not better. The rear trunk rail is something I've never used, even when travelling. It looks smart enough, the chrome is nice but I'm sure Star or Kuryakin, they would both probably look the same quality. I guess I'm saying your gonna have to compare items and decide for yourself.

 

I'll tell you one piece of OEM kit you should invest in:

http://www.starriderz.com/Tinted-Lower-Wind-Vents/

 

These are really usefull, keep your legs cool on hot days, dryer on wet and warmer on cold days. Very functional and the OEM units are a custom fit right into your existing lower fairings. I've had mine installed all this season with no issues at all. The price on the other hand...!

[Condor]

thanks for the input but missed the spirit of the question

 

is mother yamaha's "Factory" stuff worth the sometime double price of say EMGO, Barons or Kurikan.

 

As fas as hardware goes Lowe's nut and bolt center is less than a mile away. Again having to buy $5.00 worth of screws and washers versus $100 extra for a luggage rack?

 

Is OEM chrome and fit that much better? I mean my old 96' never saw the inside of a garage. its been thru 6 hurricane/tropical storm direct hits summer sun where the UV index has been 10+ for 30 days straight, and I washed it once a year whether it needed it or not. the factory bag rails and lower windheild deflecter brackets are as shinny as the Super Trapp exhaust and Kurikan mug holder but all of them are starting to show wear in the nooks and crannys.

 

I have the cash today to make my bike my way, a luxury i've never had before, with kids and house and ex wife wanting to bleed me dry. I've always wanted a long distance traveler, which means IMHO more lights, plugs in for phone, gps and compressor, carrying tools, and enough luggage that I can be comfortable holing up a few days if repairs require a shop.

 

 

Venture Line vs Aftermarket?? Most of the stuff available on the net is 'Hecho en China' and the chrome is toast after only a few years. Plus the material they use is not as stout as the stuff made in the USA. I know someone's going to chime in here with a 'yes but', but... remember all the Venture bling sold here by Y-USA was made in the USA. Was?...because most of it is not being made any longer. If $ are a big issue, shop eBay and this sight. If you run into any left overs at a Y dealer, try to dicker with them. They know the market is not going to last and just might?? let it go for 25-30% off. And they'll still make a few bucks on it. My

[Sylvester]

I have used J.C. Whitney, Yamaha, Kuryakin, Diamond R, and many others for my chrome addiction. After 180,000 miles they all look good.

 

[MikeWa]

More chrome, often referred to as safety chrome, is always good. More expensive chrome is even gooder. So there you have it. You just can't spend too much on bike chrome.

 

Mike

[friesman]

I like chrome on a bike, it makes it look better and some things like a luggage rack and the driving lights actually have a purpose beside looking all shiny,.....BUT I wouldn't be putting any chrome on with thought that it will increase the resale value of your bike, because it probably wont. I think its because chrome and addons is such a personal thing it just doesn't add value from one person to the next.

 

Brian

Edited October 20, 2013 by friesman

[StarFan]

"Remember chrome won't get you home". Most other additions are for makeing the bike work better as looks don't matter much, except fot those front fender rails they are butt ugly and useless.

 

Gotta think outside the box here:

 

 

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a501/jonaslill/Warren%201998%20Tour%20Classic%20II/FenderTrimLights2_zps1a32b9a2.jpg

 

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a501/jonaslill/Warren%201998%20Tour%20Classic%20II/FenderTrimLights_zps1b1b73d7.jpg

[XV1100SE]

Gotta think outside the box here:

 

That looks very nice. Yamaha or from somewhere else?

[EasyRider]

The Har Dav rear light bracket (from ebay) and the diamond R under bag lights (Lone Eagle blessed me with) really light up the back as well as look good IMO. Pack my sons football gear on the yammie trunk rack (takes two cargo nets) couldn't do without. Have fun and Remember when its parked and the light reflects off the bling people will not be marveling at your loud pipes!!! Could be in trouble with this one. As I am thinking of adding the monster O's to mine:whistling:

[star4772]

thanks for the input but missed the spirit of the question

 

is mother yamaha's "Factory" stuff worth the sometime double price of say EMGO, Barons or Kurikan.

 

As fas as hardware goes Lowe's nut and bolt center is less than a mile away. Again having to buy $5.00 worth of screws and washers versus $100 extra for a luggage rack?

 

Is OEM chrome and fit that much better? I mean my old 96' never saw the inside of a garage. its been thru 6 hurricane/tropical storm direct hits summer sun where the UV index has been 10+ for 30 days straight, and I washed it once a year whether it needed it or not. the factory bag rails and lower windheild deflecter brackets are as shinny as the Super Trapp exhaust and Kurikan mug holder but all of them are starting to show wear in the nooks and crannys.

 

I have the cash today to make my bike my way, a luxury i've never had before, with kids and house and ex wife wanting to bleed me dry. I've always wanted a long distance traveler, which means IMHO more lights, plugs in for phone, gps and compressor, carrying tools, and enough luggage that I can be comfortable holing up a few days if repairs require a shop.

 

I have bought after market stuff and its just as good or even sometimes better. If your looking for other then chrome there is a lot of members on this board that have extra's the we sometimes always need like hitches, wire harness, cooler carrier, loud horns, brackets and many more stuff. Just ask what your looking for and you will be surprised.

 

Joe

[StarFan]

That looks very nice. Yamaha or from somewhere else?

 

It is the original Yamaha Fender Rail, just a little modified. Cut the lower tubing off and put these lights in and wired up with the headlight. Lights bought on eBay from a seller called fortech - www.fortech-online.com/ Clean and easy install.

See thread on the forum http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21161