Questions, thanks for the help

[jkt69]

I pick up my new 08 Venture this afternoon. Thanks for the help in my decision making process...we looked at a lot of bikes, kept coming back to this one. My only concern is the windshield and looking through it, getting a shorter one and then buffeting the wife. I'm sure we'll get through it. THANKS. WOO HOO!!!!

 

 

As some of you know, I am currently shopping for a new bike and strongly considering the Venture. I have a couple of questions that would be great to get answers to.

 

1) I have heard that the 07's have some issues?? Is this true? Something about the electronics/CB/radio suddently quit working. There is a black 07 at at local dealer, but if I should focus on 08's, I have no problems with that.

 

2) Do you actually look through the windshield? If so, how do you deal with that in rain? (this would be my first touring bike, so looking through the windshield might be the norm..??)

 

Thanks for the help.

Edited July 8, 2008 by jkt69
Update

[bugfish69]

so there should be no problems with 07 that would not also be in 08. I've heard of very few problems, relatively speaking on these bikes. The 5 year warranty is great if there are problems.

 

As for the windhield there is a lot of debate on that. Many prefer to look through the shied, and in fact buy larger aftermarket shields for more wind protection, especially for the passenger. The ones from Clearview Shields allow you to use rain X on them.

 

I an considering getting a shorter shield, but don't know how the wife will like the change in back.

 

I say BUY IT!

 

Bug

[Guest BluesLover]

Can't speak to Q1, as I have an '06.

 

As for Q2, I haven't changed the stock windshield on my bike, and at 5' 7", I do have to look through it in the rain (or otherwise).

 

It's a pain in the rain, but not so bad that it creates a safety risk. If it starts to rain too hard, I just pull over.

 

Cheers,

[hig4s]

My 07 now has 11k miles on it, got it in February 07, not one problem so far.. All brands have problems and you tend to hear about those problems a lot on each brand's specific website as that is where everyone goes to complain and try to learn the fixes.

 

Before I bought my Venture I spent time on a Goldwing site and a BMW LT site and there were as many complaints about issues there as there were complaints about the Venture here. (actually I think the BMW site had a higher percentage of owners with complaints)

 

As far as the windshield, yes you look through it, and the stock screen is fairly flat and upright and does not shed water for beans, definitely was an issue. I like looking through the screen so I bought an XXL Clearview with vent for my bike.. it is taller, wider, but sweeps back more and at highway speeds water is blown off much better. Still in traffic when it is raining with the fine mist from other vehicles, there are times it becomes a little difficult to see through and I have to stop to clean it off. The other option is to buy a shorty screen that you look over.

[Tom]

As some of you know, I am currently shopping for a new bike and strongly considering the Venture. I have a couple of questions that would be great to get answers to.

 

1) I have heard that the 07's have some issues?? Is this true? Something about the electronics/CB/radio suddently quit working. There is a black 07 at at local dealer, but if I should focus on 08's, I have no problems with that.

 

2) Do you actually look through the windshield? If so, how do you deal with that in rain? (this would be my first touring bike, so looking through the windshield might be the norm..??)

 

Thanks for the help.

 

 

On the Windshield issuethe stock is a pain in the rear when it rains..CANNOT use RainX on stock windshieldIt will ruin it!! I know..However if youread the thread on my new Clearview windshield it gives alot of opinions and info..As far as issues the gear whine is a normal thing,some louder than others but in my experience all bikes have some kind of quirk. Tom

[Tom]

so there should be no problems with 07 that would not also be in 08. I've heard of very few problems, relatively speaking on these bikes. The 5 year warranty is great if there are problems.

 

As for the windhield there is a lot of debate on that. Many prefer to look through the shied, and in fact buy larger aftermarket shields for more wind protection, especially for the passenger. The ones from Clearview Shields allow you to use rain X on them.

 

I an considering getting a shorter shield, but don't know how the wife will like the change in back.

 

I say BUY IT!

 

Bug

 

I bought a brand new Yamaha 12.5 inch shorter windshield I LOVED IT...My wife HATED it..I got to keep it on 2 weeks and then put the Clearview on and she is happy now! ( I have the short one for sale in classifieds on here)

[hig4s]

One other issue, not really with the bike but how cheap Yamaha is,, the stock Bridgestones are terrible, the front one is very noisy. You will want to replace them long before they wear out with either Avon Venoms, (my choice) Michelin or Metzler tires (Some have experienced failures with Metzler 880s)

 

Also changing from the stock extra wide front 150/80-16 to a MTB90-16 (140/90-16) makes a huge difference in handling.. (140/90-16 is a valid safe size tire for the stock rim)

[Roy Hoffman]

I have a shortie on my 06 and I love it for the summer. Iput the stock one back on when the weather gets colder.it is more comfortable riding in cold weather with the stock one. I did notice more bugs hitting my glasses this summer though.

[jkt69]

Thanks for the information. I already do not like the stock tires, probably put about 90 miles on the bike yesterday, going to take a little getting use to.

 

 

 

 

One other issue, not really with the bike but how cheap Yamaha is,, the stock Bridgestones are terrible, the front one is very noisy. You will want to replace them long before they wear out with either Avon Venoms, (my choice) Michelin or Metzler tires (Some have experienced failures with Metzler 880s)

 

Also changing from the stock extra wide front 150/80-16 to a MTB90-16 (140/90-16) makes a huge difference in handling.. (140/90-16 is a valid safe size tire for the stock rim)