It just gives me a tingle up the leg!

[LewTheHighVenturer]

Welcome. I am pumped, totally. I just picked up my first Venture (3rd Yamaha) yesterday,(Labor Day) and rode it home about 3 hours, mostly interstate, through Chicago and then east toward Toledo. WOW, what a road bike. I test rode several GW's in the past month or so, and was just disappointed. No excitment, nothing there. Been trying to find a local Venture owner that would let me test ride, but no luck, so I just went ahead and purchased one, jumped on and rode it home. No regrets!! Previous owner truly pampered this 1989 Venture Royale, it close to a 10! But I am wondering a few things, that perhaps someone would take the time to answer. I am not used to the heel toe shifter yet. Not sure I want to be. I seem to recall reading that there are toe shifters available. Any thoughts on whether I should just get used to it, or change. What have other experianced with this. Also, my hopes are to get my wife riding with me (and enjoying it) Thought perhaps the intercom system would help. I can only imagine that there are really cruddy systems out there and some that are nice and clear, good sound quality. Should I use the intercom system built into the bike? or independent? I have never had or used an intercom system on a bike before. Some advice would be helpful. Thanks and Great Rides to all! Still trying to understand how to navigate and use this site. Looks like it's full of great information and insights. Hope I can become a worthy member of this group of like minded Venture Riders! The tingle up the leg was my wry attempt at humor, that some may get. But that comes close to descibing my feelings on my new (old) Venture.

[GeorgeS]

Thats an aftermarket add on. If you want the Toe shifter, you just need to re-install the Stock Shift Lever, which the bike came with

[LewTheHighVenturer]

Hey, thanks for the info, didn't know that! I start looking for the toe shifter.

[Bummer]

Welcome Lew.

 

Use the built in system. It works great. All you need is a pair of headsets. A lot of guys go with Edsets, others use J&M. It uses the same plug as the Wing does.

[hipshot]

LEW , first let me say WELCOME to our house.

second, about the heel-toe shifter.

if you like the floorboards, then i think you are stuck with the shifter. as GEORGeS said, it is an aftermarket, add on. should you decide to go back to "original", you can almost name your price for the floorboards and h/t shifter.

CONGRATS on you new '89!

just jt

[LewTheHighVenturer]

So if I understand you correctly, the heel toe shifter is well liked, so maybe I should try it for a while to see if I get used to it. And If I go to a toe shifter I have to loose the floorboards. Not sure I like that, I sorta liked the floorboards. No ones made a shifter that works with the floorboards???

[hig4s]

No, you can keep the floorboards,, My RSV is the first bike I've ever owned with the heal/toe shifter and it took a little getting use to it but now I really like it.

[mini-muffin]

Has your wife ever ridden before? If not hope it goes well. Do you have a back rest on the bike? If so you may want to move the trunk back a bit. Gets a bit squishy for the rider if you don't. Here's the link to how to do this. I don't know of a kit to buy for this. My husband made these up for us. The measurements and all are there. If you can't make them maybe you can find someone who can.

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=26542

Good luck and enjoy your new bike.

 

Margaret

[cecdoo]

Welcome Lew, I didnt much care for the heel shifter when I first got my bike, but you get use to it pretty quick, and now I would hate to give it up. Give it some time, I think you will like it. Craig

[dynodon]

Lew, I bought my '86 VR last year and love it. As you know the heel-toe shifter is an add-on, and before you decide to change it, use it for a while. My wife has a Shadow Ace with heel-toe and when I ride it, I like it, but I will stay with the original on my bike.

 

The sound system in your VR is wonderful, assuming it all works right. If you don't have an owners manual, you might want to try to get one, the system has some neat features that are somewhat hard to decipher.

 

I bought the inexpensive generic honda plug J&M headsets, they plug right into the plug that should be in a rubber holder on the left side of the (fake) gas tank cover. NO need to buy an expensive extra cable.

 

If you have a passenger, they can plug a similar headset into the connection in the back left side of the trunk. If you are lucky, the passenger control box is there, with a short coiled cord, but if not, the passenger can still just plug into the system, they just won't have volume or channel control. Mine was missing, but I bought one on e-bay (along with the owners manual, service manual, etc, etc. whoever had my bike before let NOTHING go with it!). You can listen to the audio system and CB and intercom all at the same time, but if you don't have a passenger, leave the intercom off, it just puts more noise in the system otherwise.

 

There is a button on the controls that turns off the headset speakers, and turns on the built-in speakers in the fairing.

 

The little grey thing near it looks like a button, but really is a microphone, don't try to push it! (ask me how I know).

 

There are several controls, the most touchy I have found is the one that controls how much that microphone effects the volume as noise increases. It is the concentric tab on the volume control for the stereo. Play with it, but I find about 1/3 to 1/2 is plenty on mine.

 

If you haven't used CB, the key is the squelch control. You want to turn it up (clockwise) till the constant noise just stops. Then from time to time, if noise increases, you can turn it up and down to keep it quiet. If you turn it up too much, it will reduce the range of your radio reception (not really, but you will only hear the loudest, closest transmissions).

 

Also, the air ride controls are meant to be used with the bike on the center stand. Put it on the stand, and with the key on acces. and the engine off, you can put it on auto for low, medium or high pressure, or set it manually. You can adjust on sidestand, but it isn't as accurate. Again, the owners manual helps a lot.

 

Enjoy your new ride, and ask away if you have questions. This group was a lot of help when I was at the same point you are now.

[Leadwolf56]

Welcome to the site Lew. Nice to see more Indiana riders here. You'll find plenty of technical help here and/or someone who can actually come help you if need be. good luck with the new bike.

[LewTheHighVenturer]

I was leary of all the posts about how open and helpful everyone is, but you guy and gals have seriously stepped up to the plate. Thanks for all the great advice. Exactly what I need as a new Venture Rider. I was totally lucky though. The previous owner had everything, even every opriginal part she had replaced over the last 13 years, all the little snap on bags, map packet, intercom parts controls, everything appears to be with the bike. First thing I'm going to have to add is the headsets that were recommended here.

One other question. What setting have others found best on the air suspension, and do you readjust it when riding single versus with a passenger? If it helps, I push the bike down with about 330lbs of force. (makes me feel better saying it that way:duck:) Fortunately my passenger will be about 7/16 of that!!

[Leadwolf56]

On my 90 I used the medium setting on the CLASS system when riding solo and the high setting for when we rode 2up. if you don't like the way it feels you can put it in manual and adjust it more to your personal preference.

[LewTheHighVenturer]

Thanks for the welcome leadwolf. I stopped by your house Saturday, before I purchased my Venture on Sunday. (I had misplaced your phone number) I was hoping to see the bike you have for sale, but as you can see, the itch was too much to wait, so I went into the Venture adventure, partially blind, but really based my decision on the good things said about them here. As as I stated in my initial post, no regrets whatsoever!! Maybe we could get together for short ride sometime.

Later, Safe rides to all!!

[Leadwolf56]

Anytime Lew, sorry I missed you but we had left early that morning for Southern Indiana. If you need any help with the bike let me know I'd be glad to give you a hand. Did sell mine, it's leaving here in a day or two to a new Michigan member. Give me a call if you want to ride sometime. 574-612-3837 cell.

[mini-muffin]

You can download the service manual from here for the 1st gens. Here's the link. I'm not sure where to get the owners manual. I'm sure there's somewhere that has them.

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3384

Margaret

[Dano]

Congratulations on joining the most exclusive club in the world!!!!! Only a fine few lucky souls have the courage and the smarts to get one of these fine machines (eat your hearts out, 2nd genners!!!!). These machines exist across the globe, do a Wiki search on Yamaha Venture. You also picked the best website to join.

But you forgot the most important rule, when reporting anything new: Pictures!! We must have pictures! You have 1 week from your join date!!!!!

Seriously, glad you are here, sounds like you have a beauty of a bike. You'll have to hook-up with us for a ride this fall.

 

Welcome and enjoy!!!

 

Dan

[gibvel]

Just a note on the heel/toe shifter.

 

Be gentle when using it. Some have reported that the engine case can crack right where the shifter shaft goes through it. This is because the H/T shifter can exert way more force in that area than could the toe shifter.

 

Just something to keep an eye on.

[Pilot]

So if I understand you correctly, the heel toe shifter is well liked, so maybe I should try it for a while to see if I get used to it. And If I go to a toe shifter I have to loose the floorboards. Not sure I like that, I sorta liked the floorboards. No ones made a shifter that works with the floorboards???

 

What I was going to say. I was not sure of one either but now I love it.

[LewTheHighVenturer]

Pics? Took me awhile, but hows this for starters. Best I can do for now.

 

http://i3.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/07/89/019f_0.JPG http://i8.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/08/bc/bea0_0.JPGhttp://i6.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/08/bc/d2ea_1.JPG

[LewTheHighVenturer]

My wife is already beginning to suspect something. She's beginnning to think I'm having an affair. But I tell her its just a bike, it really means nothing to me, (wink,wink). Not sure if she's buying it though.

[Dano]

They never will, just got to try and include her. Every once in a while though, you get lucky and get your new girlfriend to yourself!!!!!!!!

 

Dan

[hipshot]

Pics? Took me awhile, but hows this for starters. Best I can do for now.

 

http://i3.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/07/89/019f_0.JPG http://i8.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/08/bc/bea0_0.JPGhttp://i6.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/08/bc/d2ea_1.JPG

 

 

Lew, maybe you ought to give the camera to your wife!

you ain't worth a hoot, at taking pics!

lol:witch_brew:

i do love what i've seen , so far!

just jt

[dynodon]

Lew, I am the same basic size as you, and I ride solo, with lots of stuff in the bags, with the setting on the middle one. When i go two-up, I go with the higher setting.

 

You will notice the bike come up and sit high when you get off at these settings, the only slight problem be that it leans a lot on the sidestand, but so far the bike has been just fine and it has never gone over. I just make sure to put it in gear if it is going slightly downhill.

 

You are lucky you had most of the stuff with your bike. I still can't find an original tool kit, those things go for over $100 on E-bay, and one guy seems to want to buy them all. Then when he has them, i suppose he will try to hold everyone up for $200!

 

I got a tool kit for a later model Venture Royal from some nice person on this list for a fair price, and have added to it. doesn't have the neat zipper bag, but I can buy something similar for $10 from a number of stores.

 

Welcome and enjoy your Royale (remember to put the"e" at the end, makes us better than the Gen 2 "Royals".)

[LewTheHighVenturer]

I just had a thought. If anyone out there likes a good football game preceeded by a tailgate party, I'm hosting one next Saturday. If its a nice day, hop on a bike and join us.

My son started playing Semi-Pro Football this spring for the Indiana Titans. I know, I had'nt heard of them either until he started playing. Anyway, they put on a pretty good game. Tailgate grilling starts at 5:30 Saturday (Sept.6th) at Laville HighSchool football field. The high school is between Lakeville and Lapaz right on SR31 (north of Plymouth and south of South Bend). If you come, I'll be the big guy near the grill.

Hope for sunshine and cool breezes!