Need some advice, please...

[hmedina]

Good morning:

 

This post is addressed to all those experienced venture owners, i am looking for good solid advice and I think this is the right place for it.

 

I am shopping for a used Venture and surfing the net i came across this ad., the owner is asking $3800.00 for this bike:

 

"Bike is in great condition. Lots of power, 1300cc. Bike has 83,000 plus mile and still been ridden. Items that has been replaced and Maintenance done: Stator, Recifier, Plugs, Wires, Air Filters, Rear Rotor and pads, Harley Slip-on Mufflers, all Fluids, Carbs cleaned and Sync, Valves adjust. Bike had Corbin Seat with Back Rest, Radio and Speaker in Fairing, LED Driving lights, Highway Bars and Pegs, Hard Lockable Saddlebags, Luggage Rack, Kury Grips, Criuse Control, Acc Outlet, chrome in good shape, overall great bike. Running great, tires are good!! Still riding bike and would ride it cross country no problem! This is a 4 cyl Engine, 6 Gallon gas tank, gets 165mile before reserve light comes on, has gas gauge that is spot on

 

Can somebody tell me if this is a good deal? yes/no? and why?

 

I will appreciate your feedback. thank you very much for reading.

 

H.

Edited August 4, 2014 by hmedina
adding information.

[Yammer Dan]

Year?

[hmedina]

it is a 1999 and the asking price is $3800.00. the rear trunk is missing.

[Rick Haywood]

Without pics and such I cant say but I believe you can find a bike with the trunk anf same miles fo not much more money. Don't rush keep looking and you will find a great bike for a great price. Also what if the most you want to spend. Let people know on here and you will find that they will show you adds in their area for all kinds of deals. As for the bike its self the miles are not to high. Taken care of they will run 200,000 miles.

[hmedina]

I am including pictures of the motorcycle. i hope you find this information useful. Thank you.

[steamer]

Missing trunk and has been painted? accident? Did he say where the trunk is? Also what is he using for a radio antenna? I do like the color.

[djh3]

WOW If they say they dont see that coming they shouldn't be driving. Ask about trunk, see if its available and ask him if he modified the bracketry to where a trunk could not be reinstalled. Although I dont know if you could find that paint. Pinwall has a couple of "complete" trunks padding, wiring and all for the north side of $970.

[MikeWa]

That is a very nice looking bike. I like the color scheme. If the trunk is not an issue for you. Does the seller have the trunk? If the bike has not been in an accident and if the title is clean it could be negotiation time. It would be a one of a kind. Be sure to get the exact paint colors from the seller.

 

Mike

[etcswjoe]

Bike looks familiar, check the title and make sure it's not a salvage bike. There are numerous 99's out there complete and in good shape for around 4K. I just looked at our classifieds and there are a couple listed.

[Neil86]

Yes, basically decide if you can live with it as it is.....

if however you want a full featured RSV, trunk, CB, passenger audio controls

etc, and painted to match the bike you will soon be into it for more

money than others with lower miles.

[mm482]

I would want to take it for a good ride and check everything out. If the owner will not let you ride it, forget it.

 

Earl

[Yammer Dan]

I like that!! Check title make sure not salvage. If salvage I don't know what I would go but that price not real bad if not. Someone has taken a lot of interest it that one. I don't think you would be unhappy with it if in good shape as it looks. If you weren't used to a trunk you wouldn't miss it.

[hmedina]

Missing trunk and has been painted? accident? Did he say where the trunk is? Also what is he using for a radio antenna? I do like the color

 

Good question. I asked about the trunk and this was his reply:

"Thanks for your interest. There is no trunk. The bottom and sides of the trunk were cracked badly and not repairable. Took the rack that was on the trunk and made a rack for it as u see in the pic. The price is set do to me not putting the rotors and pads on the front. The front rotor is warp and I have new one in hand. Planning to put them on this weekend. Bike runs great and everything works as it should. Thanks!"

 

Now, my question is: Is 83K miles (and counting) too many miles for this engine? . I am new to Yamaha venture motorcycles therefore your opinion will be important when it comes to make my decision.

[Flyinfool]

IF that engine has had all of the proper maintenance and care and you continue with the proper maintainance and care, that engine will go 200,000 miles.

[hmedina]

Travis:

Thank you for your feedback. That is an interesting fact. I, like most people, was looking at the mileage the way we look at mileage in cars. But, you pointed out two facts that made me look at this potential purchase with a different perspective.

 

It is the personal experience from riders like youu that i find useful and valuable.

[Seaking]

Now, my question is: Is 83K miles (and counting) too many miles for this engine? . I am new to Yamaha venture motorcycles therefore your opinion will be important when it comes to make my decision.

 

As everyone is saying, if the bike is properly maintained it will last a long time. I have an 06 Midnight with over 126,000 miles on it that I'm riding out West next week with, with no fear or hesitation on the bike's performance (after the recent maintenance I just did, the bike actually rides a hell of a lot better than before! My goal is to push the bike to 250K miles and beyond if possible.. cheaper than buying a new bike..

 

Ideally, have an experienced RSV owner take the bike for a test ride as he / she would know what to look for during the ride to see how well it rides and runs.

[BigLenny]

I don't mean to poop in the swimming pool here, but that bike gives me the squigly stomach. It's not the color, the color is fine, especially if you want your nick name to be Bumble Bee. It's the whole, not have a trunk because it's been damaged too much thing that worries me. Also, the aftermarket passing lamps don't turn me on. You really aren't buying a Venture. You are buying a half of a Venture.

 

As some have already stated, if youre patient, you can find 1999-2000-2001 Ventures that are complete, non altered bikes in great shape for not very much money.

 

Just my two cents.

[hmedina]

BigLenny:

 

excellent point!...honesty is the best policy. thank you.

[Kirby]

This bike does have one thing that can't be bought anymore. Does any of the older Ventureriders know what it is? Yep, it's the grill cover. Made by the late Steve Warner.

[djh3]

Here is a brand spanking NEW 2012 in fredericksburg for $15K

An 02 with only 20K break in miles asking $5900

[Sylvester]

Here is a brand spanking NEW 2012 in fredericksburg for $15K

An 02 with only 20K break in miles asking $5900

 

Why would I want another 02 RSMV, I only have 191,000 miles on Sylvester?

 

[steamer]

There was a mod done on the 99 trunks due to weak mounts . Had to add plates to the mounts due to cracking. Mine were cracked . Most 99s had this issue.

[bongobobny]

There is something familiar about that bike; I think it may be a former member especially with the Wagner grille...

 

 

 

PS you could put an aftermarket trunk painted black on it fairly inexpensively!

[Ky. Rider]

I wouldn't give that for it because I think a better deal on a Venture with less miles and a complete bike can be found. My advice, keep looking. Used Ventures are typically cheaper than they should be.

[Yammer Dan]

The trunk I'm thinking could have been repaired. Do you need it? I like the bike. The engine if properly taken care of is just about broken in.