Opinion on trading my 87 for a madura

[cruiserlover]

My beautiful 87 venture i have decided to trade or sell and get a lighter bike.A guy wants to trade an 86 1200 madura.I read up.Great bikes it seems, but are very rare.Probably finding replacement parts difficult.And on 35 year old bikes that becomes important.His is 200 pounds lighter.They have selfadjusting valves.117 hp.I know everyone says they would never get rid of their venture.But i have just gotten tired of the weight. I dont want to strip it down.Plus some guys have thinking they would take lots of weight off when in fact much plastic removed only drops the weight about 50 pounds.Please give me your input.

[videoarizona]

Looks like an interesting bike. Their answer to the Vmax.

Seat height about the same as the Venture. Lighter weight.

 

Biggest difference I can see is it's a cruiser. not a touring bike. More wind in your face (good), but more buffeting too coming up from below.

If you want a cruiser style ride..then, yea...go for it. If it's in good shape you shouldn't have much problems with it. A quick search shows some places on line "say" they carry parts for it....don't know till you try and order some.

 

But I would check out the bike....it's shaft drive so you know what to look for there.

Good luck whichever way you go.

[cecdoo]

I have an 85 Madura I bought brand new and its still sitting in my garage. It is an awesome bike! but it is not a long range touring bike. Liter, more agile, very, very fast! Next to no maint. if you find one well taken care of. There is an excellent Madura site with guys that know them inside out and there are most parts avail. from members and ebay. The biggest setback is the joke they will pass everything but a gas station. Depending on your rite wrist you are looking at 80-110 miles a tankful. Guys have even modified tanks to get them up to 5 gal. or use a tourtank. If you ride 2 up your partner aint gonna be near as happy on that back seat. Any questions fire away.

If you want a super fast sleeper to have fun on, and an occasional long weekend riding solo you could put a shield and some bags to make it work. I took mine to Laconia Bike week in NH quite a few times.

 

Craig

[BlueSky]

Back about 1990, I looked at a 1985 Honda Magna that was for sale at the Honda dealer. It's a very similar bike. I wanted it bad but couldn't afford it at that time. The Magna V4 engine had some cam oiling issues I think. The Suzuki may have a better engine than the Honda. It would definitely be a blast to ride around town.

[cecdoo]

One thing to add if as you say your 87 is the most beautiful Venture and is in very good to excellent shape, I am sure it is worth more then the Madura. Unless the Madura is absolutely showroom perfect it wouldnt be worth what your 87 is. In perfect cond. he would be lucky to get $3K. Anything less then perfect $1500 to $2K I dont know why but they dont get big $$$ for them. They are great trouble free bikes, handle great and go like hell. If you found the 117hp Dyno run online it was my bike.

 

Craig

Edited June 30, 2018 by cecdoo
spelling

[Patch]

Not well known bikes.

True pigs on fuel.

Fast! 6 speed if I recall.

Very reliable.

Was just talking about them earlier this week.

[cruiserlover]

Thanks for all the input.I appreciate it.I still have my xj 650 81 model I am working on and it will be my intown and highway short trip bike.This is my 8th venture.I am very used to and have some knowledge of them.I love them.But my age and willingness to countersteer is just making it not the right bike for me.I too find the madura just a little too rare of a bike.It cant even be found on cycletrader.I told the guy it is a no go.Tomorrow is my birthday.It has been 105 degrees here.So tomorrow early morning I am taking the old girl out for at least a 100 miles. There are precious few bikes with a stock seat that is comfortable including the second gens.The firs gen seat is perfect.makes all day sitting easy.But the weight is making it hard.