About to get a venture need some advice!

[Broncoboy36081]

Hello all. I am considering purchasing a 1999 rsv. It has 30000 miles and seems to be in good condition. The only problem that the current owner states is that it will wobble a bit when hitting a good size bump in the road. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

 

He also states that his hands are not on the handle bars when it wobbles. Lol

[Bodaggit23]

First off, a 1999 is not a First Gen Venture, it's a Royal Star Venture.

Could be considered a First Gen RSV I guess but there's no section for

that, just a Royal Star section.

 

Anyway, mine will wobble at about 35mph if I go no hands also. Only

reason I know this is because while riding, taking one hand away, I

noticed it slightly, so I let go for a second and sure enough, it will wobble.

 

Basically riding no hands on a motorcycle is unsafe and pretty dumb IMO.

 

If it only wobbles when you let go of the bars, then...don't let go of the bars.

[MikeWa]

99 is a second gen. Yes it can wobble a bit under those conditions. Put your hands back on the handlebars.

 

Mike

[Yammer Dan]

Check steering head bearings. And keep control. 900 lb machines not made to ride without hands!!

[IronMike]

Alignment, Tires, Tire or shock Air pressures, Wheel bearings. Steering head bearings, Worn Bushings anywhere . Mis loaded, all come to mind. But mine does nothing at any speed hands free!

 

Buy it, its not unsafe, just needs tuned.

BTW my steering head retainer nut was loose from the factory. I got a shake at 15K miles and could not figure it out When I went to tighten the Steering Head nut, the retainer nut was about to come off, good thing the handlebar was in the way and kept it on. Once I snugged that down problem is solved.

[Broncoboy36081]

Thanks all

 

 

Like I said the owner said he can feel it wobble after bump with hands off. I think he means he loosens his grip according to the way he describes it.

 

How many miles are these machines good for if properly maintained?

 

Sorry for posting in wrong section also.

[Freebird]

200,000 miles PLUS is not uncommon at all.

[djh3]

Could be just the steering head nut needs a bit of a tweak. Also something expensive that may be shot is the rear shock. Look under the bike at the shock in the rear. If it is moist it needs a rear shock. going price for a hagon replacement is something like $480 plus labor to install. Its a pretty simple install most can do it if familiar with tools.

[Bodaggit23]

99 is a second gen.

 

I wish it stated on the History page which years were which generation...

I thought I had it figured out, by what you're saying, I guess not.

[MikeWa]

I wish it stated on the History page which years were which generation...

I thought I had it figured out, by what you're saying, I guess not.

1999 thru 2013 Ventures are second gen.

[ActionJax]

I had the same issue with my 83. And it was just the steering head. Once tightened road like a charm.

[dacheedah]

If he has dunlop 404's they will travel a bit and a tire change can help a ton, also look at the Tire pressure.

[GaryZ]

Alignment, Tires, Tire or shock Air pressures, Wheel bearings. Steering head bearings, Worn Bushings anywhere . Mis loaded, all come to mind.

 

My ZX11D Ninja will shake its head at 50mph when the front tire is "cupped".

Lightly run your hand along the edge of tread on your front tire and check for "cupping" or waves in the tread.

 

[rcbailey56]

1983-1985 are MKI 1st Generation. 1200cc

1986-1993 are MKII 1st Generation. 1300cc

 

Anything after 1993 is a 2nd Generation.

 

Sounds like a bike you would enjoy riding.

[Bodaggit23]

1983-1985 are MKI 1st Generation. 1200cc

1986-1993 are MKII 1st Generation. 1300cc

 

Anything after 1993 is a 2nd Generation.

 

Ahh, ok! I thought the engine change for '86 was second gen.

 

Thanks!

[bongobobny]

No, it is still a 1st gen in '86 because the body style is still the same! The Tupperware Ventures were 1st gen and the Harley wannabe's were 2nd gen...