Possible new Venture Rider

[1sttenor]

I rode over to the local bike shop today. They are predominently a Honda shop, but also sell Yamaha and Kaws. Just as I was getting ready to leave I see this guy come running toward me. He said that he just had to talk to the owner of a Venture. He went on to say that he had sold his bike and really liked the looks of the Venture and wanted feedback from an owner. Well...I not the most objective guy when it comes to my Venture. I haven't had and of the troubles that some have had on this forum; no chirp, no more whine than on my last two GWs and I love the ergos on this bike more everytime I ride it. The only problem I've had was taken care of with new rubber.

 

Anyway, we talked about the bike for a while and we both had to leave. We'll see, maybe we'll have a new member soon. I talked up the forum too!

[Squidley]

Well at least you didn't stalk him and scare the hell out of him in the process

I find that once folks come to the site, most of them stick around, good job on ballyhooing us up

[Ponch]

I printed some venturerider.org business cards that I hand to prospects. That way they can check out the forum for more advice and have a place to go when they do buy.

 

Regards, Ponch

[bassplayer]

Just bought a 89 VR. very nice ride. except if I let go of the handlebars the front end starts to wobble like crazy. Any clues what might cause that? I'm getting new tires this weekend. maybe the front forks aren't even on pressure? don't know. Other than that the machine rides GREAT!!

[mini-muffin]

Make sure you get the wheel bearings done as well. Then let us know how the front end is. Might be the tires. I'm guessing you don't know how old they are since you said you just got the bike. Good luck with the new ride.

 

Margaret

[bryan52577]

Just bought a 89 VR. very nice ride. except if I let go of the handlebars the front end starts to wobble like crazy. Any clues what might cause that? I'm getting new tires this weekend. maybe the front forks aren't even on pressure? don't know. Other than that the machine rides GREAT!!

 

Mine just did the same thing when I put on brand new Avons. Well the tire was in ballance but it was out of round and would move side to side. The bead was good and everything. Avon sent me a brand new tire free of charge, but it did not get here in time for the Labor day weekend. So the dealer had a Dunlop "E3" in the 130 size. I bought it and was going to change when my Avon came in..... Well that 130 made a world of change to my in town driving. Needless to say the 150 is out and the 130 in on. Dunlop has more road noise then the Avon, but 130 is for me.

Bryan

[bongobobny]

Front end wobble in 1st Gens is caused by a number of things, and none being the cure all. Tires will help, as well as wheel bearings, but don't forget fork bearings as a possible cause. The fork brace can, and should be, replaced with a "Super Brace" or equivilant stronger brace. There is also an anti wobble washer available thru Skydoc as well as other sources.

 

The front forks are fed by a common aqir line so the air pressures will be equal. Not to say the font forks could be rebuilt with progressive springs to improve handling...

[BIG TOM]

Well at least you didn't stalk him and scare the hell out of him in the process

I find that once folks come to the site, most of them stick around, good job on ballyhooing us up

 

 

STALK??? I call it "information agenting":whistling:

[Squidley]

STALK??? I call it "information agenting":whistling:

 

A very tactful quotation from you there Tom

[Venturous Randy]

I have twice encountered Venture riders lately and neither were very friendly.

I met two guys from IL at a local McDonalds and one was on an MK II and the other I believe a KAW 1400. I swung around and stopped and introduced my self and asked if the guy was on VentureRider.org and was told no. I suggested he check it out as there was some great info on it. He said he has had five 1st gens and he knew everything there was to know about them. I suggested that if came on the forum, he could share some of his knowledge with the rest of us, but I doubt he will.

The guy on the KAW noted he had recently bought an 84 Venture and he was having problems with the brakes locking up after riding for a short time. I gave him some suggestions and our website, but I have not seen any posts that sound like him.

I also encountered a couple on a white 2nd gen last weekend down in SC. I came up beside him and asked if he was on VR.org and he said no and turned his head like he was not interested in talking, so I gave up.

So evidently I am stalking and scareing the hell out of them, as Squidley stated.

RandyA

[yamadawg]

You did warn him that it would ruin him for other bikes I hope?

That should be a standard disclaimer, right there on the sticker beside the tire pressure and weight listings...

"Warning: Studies have proven that once you ride a Yamaha Venture for any period of time no other bike will feel quite the same or satisfy the standards set by the Venture."

 

Don

[bassplayer]

My wife bought this real nice leather jacket at a flea market for 25.00. the only problem is, it has harley davidson on the back. We just got an 89 VR. So we need a patch to put on the back of her jacket. On that note I need one on my jacket also. Anyone know where I can find one? Needs to be at least 10 1/2 w X 6 inches tall.

Thanks:whistling:

[Freebird]

You need to see if he has any at this time but Eddie had some large venturerider patches about that size.

 

[ame=http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1486]Large VentureRider Patches - VentureRider.Org[/ame]

[Doug W]

Looking for feed back on what Venture (1st gen) owners are riding on. My 84 and 89 have Dunlop Elite II's on. I talked with a GW owner and he was running the Elite series 3. I would like to hear from others and their experiences. Rain is an issue on Vancouver Island so will be taking that in considerations.

Doug

[Venturous Randy]

Looking for feed back on what Venture (1st gen) owners are riding on. My 84 and 89 have Dunlop Elite II's on. I talked with a GW owner and he was running the Elite series 3. I would like to hear from others and their experiences. Rain is an issue on Vancouver Island so will be taking that in considerations.

 

Doug

 

I have had Elite II's and now Elite III's on my 83 and I like the III's just fine. Between the two, I would take the III's.

RandyA

[DragonRider]

Since I have put the 1st gen back on the road, I am experiencing the same thing, but not all the time, sometimes I can ride for up to 100 miles and have no problems then I feel the bike starting to slow down and its the left front brake locking up, I have to left the pressure off by releasing some of the brake fluid at the caliper and everything is fine for a while.. I have bled down all the brakes and replaced all the brake fluid, installed new pads on the front, but cant figure it out, next step is replacing the caliper or maybe disconnecting it completely..........

 

I

The guy on the KAW noted he had recently bought an 84 Venture and he was having problems with the brakes locking up after riding for a short time.

RandyA

[camos]

Looking for feed back on what Venture (1st gen) owners are riding on. My 84 and 89 have Dunlop Elite II's on. I talked with a GW owner and he was running the Elite series 3. I would like to hear from others and their experiences. Rain is an issue on Vancouver Island so will be taking that in considerations.

 

Doug

My 90 VR makes me a 1st gen owner but so far I'm only riding my xv1100. I put an Elite 3 on the back of the Virago 3 days ago and it seems to work very well in both the dry and the wet. You in Sooke? I'm in Victoria but with a bit of luck I'll be back in my house in Saanichton in a couple of months.

[Dano]

Since I have put the 1st gen back on the road, I am experiencing the same thing, but not all the time, sometimes I can ride for up to 100 miles and have no problems then I feel the bike starting to slow down and its the left front brake locking up, I have to left the pressure off by releasing some of the brake fluid at the caliper and everything is fine for a while.. I have bled down all the brakes and replaced all the brake fluid, installed new pads on the front, but cant figure it out, next step is replacing the caliper or maybe disconnecting it completely..........

 

 

Check the fluid level in the rear master cylinder, but since it's only the front, I would suspect a rubber hose that is collapsing not allowing the fluid to return to the MC, but it also could be some scratches on the piston or some fluid has congealed in the passages of the caliper. Pull it off, split it and blow out the passages with some low pressure air and see if that helps.

 

Dan

[Doug W]

Yes, I'm in Sooke. Thanks for the reply. I have found out my tires are 10 years old so thinking I should replace before next summer. Where did you buy your tire from? Interested in going on Sunday drives? Are you connected with any local groups? I just started riding after 16 years so need to get connected again.

Doug

My 90 VR makes me a 1st gen owner but so far I'm only riding my xv1100. I put an Elite 3 on the back of the Virago 3 days ago and it seems to work very well in both the dry and the wet. You in Sooke? I'm in Victoria but with a bit of luck I'll be back in my house in Saanichton in a couple of months.

[Guest rande]

Hi Doug

I bought an elite III for the front and elite II for the back from Langley Motor Sports in March, they have a big tire sale each year at the same time, just before riding season, I think they were 40% off. That was before I moved to Vancouver Island last year. Very happy with the tires in the rain, and never any problems with road grooves etc. Not sure if any have the same sales on the Island but there must be.

 

Rande

[camos]

Yes, I'm in Sooke. Thanks for the reply. I have found out my tires are 10 years old so thinking I should replace before next summer. Where did you buy your tire from? Interested in going on Sunday drives? Are you connected with any local groups? I just started riding after 16 years so need to get connected again.

Doug

Replacing 10 year old tires is a good idea, they are getting into the range of who knows what could happen. I got my tire at Adrenalin on Pembroke St in Victoria. They had the best price I could find in town but it cost $190+tire levy+taxes for a total of $244. Wasn't paying very close attention to the old tire and it needed to be replaced immediately or taken off the road. Still had a month to go on my insurance so chose to bite the bullet. Kinda kicking myself for getting caught unawares. Motorcycle Superstore had the best price I could find at the time US$130.99 but they don't ship to Canada. One of our members lives on Camano Island offered to be a shipping point. The Anacortes ferry from Sidney costs US$43.90 return for an MC and driver. Might be worth exploring alternate possibilities since you have the time.

 

I occasionally get a weekend off and would like to do some fun rides. I'm renoing my house and for the past year I have had no time for any fun stuff. I commute on my MC from Feb to Nov. I'm hoping once I get back into my house, perhaps this Winter, that there will then be time in the Spring to do some fun runs. There are some great roads in the area.

Edited October 22, 2009 by camos