Our first impressions of the 2018 Venture

[Gary N.]

Mary and I finally had a chance to see the 2018 Eluder and Transcontinental the other day. No test ride but we got to have a good look and sit on them. The Eluder is not what we would be interested in but it is a very sharp looking eye catcher. Mary said it looked like a transformer but she wasn't interested in even sitting on it without the passenger backrest or trunk. With the cut down wind screen and blacked out paint sceem I thought it looked very stealthy and mean. It had a real nice low rumble sound when running.

 

We had to seek out another dealer to find a Transcontinental. We both really liked the look of it although I think I like the side profile better then the front and rear. I guess a little to modern looking for me. It will probably grow on me as time goes on and I see a few more. I really like the lighting both front and rear. Sitting on this one I really notice the lower sitting position compared to my '06. My '06 has been raised up in the rear with shorter dog bones. The low centre of gravity on the '18 made it a breeze to get off the side stand and flat footing with or without the passenger is no problem. I could actually get the bike up straight just using my arms without pushing anything with my leg if you get what I mean. Mary's first impression on the back seat was that she missed the wrap around back rest. She thought the floor board position was good and that she had a little more room for her feet compared to the '06. She said the seat felt good but knowing her as I do, I know after an hour or two she would be complaining that it's too hard. I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have the same issue. I hate the pillow top on the '06 and use rider beads 100% of the time so the firmness of the '18 I thought was more like the '03 that we had and I liked much better. I found the seat much narrower in the front and no pinch point like the '06. (Lots of Ball Room). The trunk is huge and I liked the little shocks that hold it up. As soon as you push the button, up she goes. And it looks like you could open it even with the passenger on the bike, without to much trouble. The saddle bags look very big on the outside but the opening looks small. The gasket around the top looks like it would do a great job of keeping water and dirt out. I was happy to see the front crash guards but disappointed not seeing anything to protect the rear. There's a lot of plastic to get damaged in a minor fall over.

 

Running the Transcontinental, I thought it might have been just a bit quieter then the Eluder but without having them side by side, that might not be the case. Or the top trunk helps to muffle the sound a bit, I don't know. The motor revs up smoothly without any noticeable vibration. I figured out how to operate the reverse function (salesman didn't know how it worked) and although the bike is very easy to push around, I can see that it will be a great feature and wish I had it on my '06. I find it hard to believe that the new bike is 100#s heavier then the 2nd gen. Standing it up and moving back and forth in the showroom was real easy for this old man with bad knees.

 

I'm kind of old school when it comes to the infotronics. I didn't even get into looking at them all on this bike. I don't own a cell phone and don't want too. Just to complicated for my little brain I guess. Remember when cars had two knobs and five push buttons on the radio.

 

So would I buy a new Venture?? I don't know. I still would have to ride one. I want to look at the new Goldwing. I still love the old school look of the Indian Roadmaster. It remains to be seen what the out the door selling price with be compared to the competition.

[cowpuc]

OUTSTANDING report Gary = a HUGE thank you for sharing your experience = GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

 

Not to be a hard nose, jerk wad, overly persistent ,, club house trouble maker but gotta ask,, did you know that its customary to include,,,,,,,,,, never mind... I see FlyinFool, Saddlebum and YammerDan are already in the club penalty box and I dont wanna be crammed in there with those funny smellin lop eared varmints..

[Gary N.]

OUTSTANDING report Gary = a HUGE thank you for sharing your experience = GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

 

Not to be a hard nose, jerk wad, overly persistent ,, club house trouble maker but gotta ask,, did you know that its customary to include,,,,,,,,,, never mind... I see FlyinFool, Saddlebum and YammerDan are already in the club penalty box and I dont wanna be crammed in there with those funny smellin lop eared varmints..

 

Sorry Puc, I'll have to take the penalty!

[cowpuc]

Sorry Puc, I'll have to take the penalty!

 

,, I think you misread Gary!! It was I who was likely headed to the Penalty Box for causing mischief in an effort to coerce a picture or two from my brother to go along with his outstanding report!! I do think it was worth the try though cause one never knows!!!!!!

 

Still a downright GREAT read Gary!! THANK YOU!!

[saddlebum]

OUTSTANDING report Gary = a HUGE thank you for sharing your experience = GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

 

Not to be a hard nose, jerk wad, overly persistent ,, club house trouble maker but gotta ask,, did you know that its customary to include,,,,,,,,,, never mind... I see FlyinFool, Saddlebum and YammerDan are already in the club penalty box and I dont wanna be crammed in there with those funny smellin lop eared varmints..

What you mean penalty box -----for what----