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Hey guys! The watering hole is looking a little dry. I thought I'd start a topic about how all the good people are on here? What's been new with everyone? Any new bikes or big rides planned? Anybody end up in jail lately? lol Nothing real exciting on my end, got the Venture back the other day with the rebuilt front forks and steering neck bearings. Bought myself my first Harley a couple months back. It's a 2012 Dyna Switchback with 26k miles on it. In typical Harley fashion I put 400 miles on it and it broke down, damn stator anyway.... It did give me the chance to tear into a Harley for the first time and replace it, quite the job on there, but mostly straightforward. Other than that I've been taking classes for Civil Engineering Technology, enjoying that and trying to get an internship now. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well! Have a great night

Hey that’s the big thing! Good on you for getting down and doing it! I had a part time guy as a painter when I was Director of Maintenance and he would like to get down and replace faucets etc. I told him to leave that to us, he doesn’t have to get down like that. Those old guys never listen! He still climbs trees and stuff to help out his neighbors and make a little side cash, tough ol boy!

Hi everybody, this looks like my first post... I noticed on my first night ride last night on my new Eluder that the switches, turn signal, infotainment system, etc. was not lit up on my handlebars. Well, it truly bugged me...so I instantly made some quick modifications; but I am not too happy with Yamaha's handlebar lighting efforts. Honda Goldwing is incredible with their handlebar lighting arrangement.

My old trailer is looking sad, so I figured I'd replace the fenders, remove the rust and give it a coat of paint. I happened to be perusing Craigslist and found a heavy duty trailer that was used to haul a trencher, smaller, but 10 ply tires, so it sits lower,... 2500 lb axle. It needed all the brackets that secured the trencher removed and a coat of paint. Wasn't really rusted, but would be soon without new paint. Spent the last day and a half doing just that, plus I welded a couple of new tie down points on it, then mounted a wheel chock I had in the garage. I'll still want to make sure the wheel bearings are properly greased, but that should be it. It's a little narrower and longer than my old trailer., (4x9) old one was (5x8). Should be a great trailer, dedicated to towing the bike. I'll still spiffy up the old trailer, but I'm diggin' this one much better for hauling Black Cherry. At $650.oo I think I'm well bought.

I think that everybody knows that Yamaha has exited the big cruiser/touring market. So where does that leave you? I know that many aren't riding as much as you used to. I also know that there are a lot of die hard Venture riders here. So the question isimple. What are you. now riding? With no new Ventures being made, will you. just retire from riding after your correct bike is doesn't and out. Will you. look for a nice used Venture or go to another brand,. What brand will you go to? Basically, what are your plans moving forward?" I'm still riding my 88 Royale! I always keep a second, newer bike to tool around town with but the Venture will always be my first love. My plan is to start collecting MKIIs and MKII parts and essentially keep riding these bikes until it's no longer possible. So far there hasn't been a bike that fits me AND performs as well as the first gens do. i wouldn't mind finding a mint 1985 1200 though. If you guys recall (you may not) I used to have a 99 that I totaled with a death wobble that I couldn't get ahold of and decided to go back to first gen. I like the full fairing and the upright seating position. All else fails I may get a second gen, or a later model Goldwing. My mom has a triked 2005 that used to be my dad's and that bike just doesn't fit me like the Venture. I would definitely need an aftermarket seat made for taller riders and probably some risers for the bars. I also hate how cramped I feel in the toes with the motor right there and I basically have to go "spreadeagle" to use the highway pegs. I've ridden the newest style Goldwings and that would probably be my ultimate stopping point after the Venture, but I'm sure they're an ABSOLUTE mess to work on!

I'm late to this game, but to answer the questions: First of all I have no intent to replace my 07 Venture. After a few years of tweaking and 54,000 miles it is exactly how I want it. Anyway, if I had to replace it I would: look for another Venture, look for a Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager, look for a comparable Harley. My son has a Vulcan, it is a very nice bike. That would be my #1 choice. As a riding buddy of mine said after a recent trip to Sturgis, metric bikes are becoming few and far between. We've almost no option but to consider a Harley or Indian. Personally, I won't go to an Indian. I have nothing against the bike, everyone I know who has one loves them. I'm just afraid of the cancel culture discovering it, and forcing the company out of business if they don't change their ways. That leaves Harley. I live in Wi (and 70 miles West of Milwaukee), so needless to say, the HIGH majority of bikes on the road are Harley. That's my $.02 for what it's worth. Ride on!

That is good news. I'm sure you can get some of our brothers here to come and ride your bike too LOL.

Take a good look at the bulb to make sure it's ok. I installed a Sylvania Ultra, the bightest, and it burned out in seconds. both low and high beam. So, I replaced it with the base bulb and it worked fine.

They didn't actually promise anything. The primary issue is lack of work where I am. I know several of the guys at the place I'm going to and they all seem pretty happy there, plus they're pretty pleased that I'll be joining them. I'll be coming on board as a senior tech, which means I'll be doing more of the sort of work that will fit my experience and skill set, rather than jumping around on rooftops like I'm still 25 years old. I'll be doing more direction / supervision, kind of like a working foreman. They're taking me on, matching the benefits and pay above union scale that I've worked so hard to get where I am now. That's pretty rare, so I don't think they're expecting me to be a grunt. I've only 4 years to go until retirement and they know that and are still willing to take me on. I'm not comfortable with change, but I really should have done this years ago. They first offered me this spot in 2019, but I opted to stay loyal to the company I've been with for so long, but, like I said, I gotta work or I'll have to start contributing to my health benefits and my pension would suffer without full time hours. It's a necessary move. Even the people I'm close to in management with my current company are aware that I'm leaving and say I'm probably doing the right thing. They even floated the idea of paying me 40 hrs a week, working or not to keep me, but i declined That could only last for so long. I'm sure I'm doing the right thing. I hope....lol... Only 4 years to go....

Must be going out for oysters.

Don't wear all that stuff but just my helmet is more expensive than any clothes I have. Not the picture I want to leave y'all with so I would add jeans, shirt and boots.

I started out on a 650 Maxim, that popped great wheelies, but sounded like a screaming brat at highway speeds. Then went to an 89 Venture Royale. Put about 90k on it, sold it, and asked my Venture buddies to find me one of those Black Cherry bikes. Found 5, picked one with 17k, and still riding it, at about 95K.

Guess the only way for me to get it now would be for me to buy your scooter!

OK...a bit late but we have a winner. The lucky witnner is Ragtop. Congratulations.

08 RSV. No intentions of ever getting rid of it. I guess if something ever happened to her, I'd find another touring option, but it'd probably be yet another used RSV.

I have a 05 and a 07 RSV. The 07 I will give it a clean up and sell this spring, The 05 I took it down to the frame and went threw everything and must have gotten it right it handles and runs out way better than the 07. My 05 will be with me until I cant ride anymore, I have yet to set on another cycle that fits me better than this one.

I don’t have a picture handy but here is one I found in the site.

I was wondering if you could post picture of item please as I would like in on this! I have my 2012 Venture with 124727klms(77501.7miles) which I bought brand new and have driven it with great pride these many years . Drove it daily to work everyday (rain or shine from late March till snow stopped me,even during winter on good dry days) until retiring in 2020 because of health reasons (diagnosed with Diabetes) (also had 2 months short of 30 years). Ride it as much as I can except right now needs rear tire. Have gone out a few times still when dry just to keep my sanity in check!! Would have liked something newer but when retired wife showed up to show me what car she would like for my retirement present!!! So I will be driving my last(do not mind at all) for as long as I am around and maybe convert to keep going if I can! Not very lucky at draws so here goes!!!!(if I was I would have won SOMETHING by now!!)