9/08 Motorcyclist - Battle of the Baggers

[Dave3]

Has anyone else read this article? It just doesn't make any sense why they didn't include the Venture as one of the test subjects. They compared the H-D Ultra, Victory Vision, Honda Goldwing and last and certainly least the Triumph Rocket III. The first 3 make sense, all touring bikes. But why the Rocket? It is a cruiser with hard bags. It obviously didn't make the grade as a tour bike, so why forget the Venture. The ranking came down as follows: 1. Wing, 2. Vision, 3. Ultra, 4. Rocket III. Having riden the Vision & the Ultra, I think the Venture would have given the Wing a run for the money. I will be sending Motorcyclist an e-mail voicing my dismay of their mistake at overlooking the Venture.

mcmail@sourceinterlink.com

[1BigDog]

They probably didnt include the Venture mainly because there have been no updates to the bike since 99. All those other baggers have been updated on a regular basis. I agree on the Rocket 3 though. They should have included a BMW over the Rocket.

[az1103]

I kept forgetting to e-mail them. Thanks for jogging my memory and even providing the address!!

[Freebird]

Is this article online?

[PBJ]

I wondered the exact same thing. But there were no upgrades on the Triumph this year. So that doesn't seem the answer. Personally the Venture fits the category much more than the Triumph does. I think the Rocket Three would be a better match for the Road King, King Pin , Suzuki Boulevard and even the Yamaha RSV Tour.

 

Don, the article was in the latest issue of Motorcyclist but it should be in the on line magazine too

Edited August 6, 2008 by PB&J

[az1103]

They probably didnt include the Venture mainly because there have been no updates to the bike since 99. All those other baggers have been updated on a regular basis. I agree on the Rocket 3 though. They should have included a BMW over the Rocket.

The BMW woul not have fit either. They call theirs a "sports tourer" it would best compare to the kawi Concourse. Besides you have to be either weirdly shaped or a minimum of 6ft-2inch to be comfortable on that thing. The seat is at around 34 in! I would have to use elevator boots!!!

[davecb]

Maybe they know the Venture is a lot more bike for the money than the others, and they are afraid it will show up those real expensive bikes....

[royalstarjac]

The Mags are in the biz of pushing the latest and greatest to sell advertizing. Why should the feature a bike that's been unchanged in 9yrs and yields zero advertizing dollars. When Jamie Elvidge was the editor at Motorcycle Cruiser she would usually include the Venture since she had a soft spot for them. She's no longer with them. Don't expect to see any mention of the RSV in the Mags until Yamaha updates it.-Jack

[PBJ]

The Mags are in the biz of pushing the latest and greatest to sell advertizing. Why should the feature a bike that's been unchanged in 9yrs and yields zero advertizing dollars. When Jamie Elvidge was the editor at Motorcycle Cruiser she would usually include the Venture since she had a soft spot for them. She's no longer with them. Don't expect to see any mention of the RSV in the Mags until Yamaha updates it.-Jack

 

Jamie Elvidge was actually one of the testers in that article and even did a side bar about how much she liked the Victory Vision.. But I think you hit the nail on the head about why the Venture wasn't included. Obviously Yamaha did something right if the Venture is still selling without any major changes in 9 years. We'll probably see a comparison with the Venture if and when a new model comes out in 2010 (hopefully) with the newer V-Max engine derivative.

[Jethroish]

Is this article online?

 

I'd like to read it, too. I'm guessing that since it is the Sept issue, not online yet. Time for a trip to the book store.

[Naked Rider]

didnt the artical say that the bikes tested had to be of some sort of new design or new features added? that might be why the best bike in that class didnt make it in put thats just my .

[Dave3]

I think what we need for true unbiased info on bikes is Consumer Reports.

[az1103]

didnt the artical say that the bikes tested had to be of some sort of new design or new features added? that might be why the best bike in that class didnt make it in put thats just my .

Aha, yah the harley is something new!:Laugh::Laugh:

[davecb]

I subscribed to Motorcycle Consumer News.

 

They are the same as consumer report. No advertising, and fair reports.

[Bummer]

I subscribed to Motorcycle Consumer News.

 

They are the same as consumer report. No advertising, and fair reports.

I've been a subscriber of MCN for a number of years. Unfortunately I've never seen a write up on the Venture there either. They do list it in their annual "What's it worth" write up, but nobody's getting mine for that price.

[Bummer]

Is this article online?

Sort of. Zinio is selling the electronic version. Special deal Joe. One pig in a poke. Only $5 for 12 issues. Get the September issue for only $2.49.

 

Windows only. Latest version of Flash required.

 

Not surprisingly, I suppose, I closed that tab and moved on.

[Naked Rider]

well Bummer i did hear that they did change the frame on the H-D Ultra so yes that would qualify them as a design change.

[Steve S]

Was this article rating the 08 or 09 models? I haven't seen anything on an 09 Venture being put out. But then I am usally about 3 months behind on my reading. Has anyone else seen anything???

[FairlaneDA]

There will be nothing on the 09's untill the dealer show during Sept in Las Vegas. Yamaha always keeps the wraps on petty tight until the show.

[MAINEAC]

I usually spend about 40 bucks a month on Bike Rags and Motorcyclist usually isn't one of them... Too many sport bike stuff and all the Ducati, Aprilla, amd BMW stuff doesn't interest me... I only buy it if it has something that catches my eye... I'm used to the RSV Faux pas' when they don't even get mentioned in Rags while discussing the Luxury Tourer Class... Who cares Motorcyclist sux IMO

[Guest Boomerbiker]

Maineac is essentially correct - the mag flacks have to sell advertising space so they write about something. Riding again after 30 years, I subscribe to a good number of them and have only renewed MCN and Motorcycle Cruiser as being more in keeping with my age and riding style. Otherwise, every month is about another crotch rocket, antique restoration or sports bike, etc. I must admit the seductive photos are nice, but those ladies should really be wearing more protective clothing.

 

As others have said, the article being discussed is in Motorcyclist, Special Issue, September, 08. The inside cover features none other than a full page spread of the much hyped '09 V-Max. Get this from a press release not in the photo but in a recent review of the head designer at Yamaha regarding the Max, "We listened to what our riders wanted in the bike." A laugher for sure when considering the tweaks Venture riders have suggested for the 2nd gen for the last 10 years. Want the '09 V-Max? Put your $1,000 down and get in line. Practicality 0.

 

Others have stated the obvious, the '99 - '08 Venture are essentially interchangeable and the "Battle of the Baggers" was about the Hardley Glide which has changed for '09 with a new frame, exhaust system and ABS option, the new George Jetson version of the Victory line, Triumph Triple (no cruise control on this tourer) and the Honda version of two wheels on a wide body. The article says the Jetson model could give the Wing a run for the money except for acceleration, storage smoothness... etc. Two cylinders vs six. Whatever.

 

Clearly, the lovable old Venture is in a class of its own and we should be thankful for that.

[jneed53]

Yeah -- All of that