Anyone else find it a bit amusing that....

[Great White]

The venture riders tend to want to add a Vmax final drive gearing for more performance and the VMax camp looks to add the venture final drive gearing for a bit lower cruising RPM?

 

I understand the reasoning for both and not everyone wants to swap 'em out, but it just seems like a funny little "grass is greener" scenario.

 

[Flyinfool]

Yes it is a grass is greener scenario.

 

The gearing that Yamaha put into both bikes is great for their intended use.

 

But I am still shopping for a V-max rear anyhow.

 

My "reasoning" (if you can call anything I do reasonable) is that I like the bike very much I like all of the storage for getting groceries, I do not think it is too big or heavy for local maneuvering, but my real world usage is not in the way that Yamaha intended it to be used. My bike is my preferred commuter on local roads. 95% Of my annual mileage is racked up on local roads. The lower gearing will help that. I might even get to use 3rd gear once in a while. When I do hit the road on a trip, I almost always have the trailer behind me. the bike was not designed to pull a trailer either. the lower gear will help that to so that I can get into 5th gear on the highway.

 

Modding a vehicle to make it your own is fun too.

[Venturous Randy]

Probably since the Venture weighs a bit more and I have yet to see a V-Max pulling a trailer. I have a V-Max final drive on my 83 and have had it with the stock trans gear set and the 2nd gen trans set and to me, the V-Max/2nd gen set up is perfect gearing for my bike.

Keep in mind that the 1st gen was designed when the speed limit was 55mph and when Yamaha went to the 2nd gen, they geared it up to the point that many were running 4th gear more than 5th gear.

Randy

[Great White]

Yep, I get it for sure.

 

My 83 is just a back and forth to work bike and local squirting around. Bags make using it for a run the store and back a great option.

 

I run the stock gearing and it works fine for me, but can see where a slightly lower final would benefit.

 

I just struck me a little bit of a "ha ha" that they swap venture parts and we swap vmax parts and the use appears to be opposite for the machines intended purpose.

 

Not trying to make any points, just noticing.

 

Of course, once the Vmax heads are on and the carbs are re-jetted, I may be more in the 'max camp with the power to easily pull higher gearing. Even though it already moves out quite nicely for me as is.

 

 

Jury is still out on whether to use the OEm 'Max cams or go with a custom grind.

 

Hmm, I wonder if I should do the second gear upgrade while I have it all out? Mine doesn't have it yet, but it is one of the first months of production 83's....just change the forks and shaft since it's still in good shape otherwise.....

Edited May 28, 2015 by Great White

[videoarizona]

I get it too.....

 

But...comparing both my 1st gen and 2nd gen...I can really see the need for the 2nd gen to have a lower final gear ratio. Running much of my time in 4th gear on local roads seems like a waste. Yet, I get better gas mileage...so what am I saying!

 

If I pulled a trailer...then a VMax drive on the 2nd gen would be mandatory. Constantly shifting gears is not fun after a full day of riding the hills...