cowpuc

And there,, moving as swiftly and eloquently as she is beautiful, flows the mighty Colorado River.... The smells, sounds, views inside the walls of this gorge with that mighty river flowing thru it fill the soul and mind with a soothing warmth that is almost supernatural... Reminds me of the Grand Canyon,, minus the throngs of tourist associated therewith...

Coasting,, always coasting.. Even though I been warned about wrecking my bike because of lack of lube (been REAL lucky,, aint wrecked one yet) we just keep coasting... WOW is this coast BEAUTIFUL!!

the view over the side of the Dam is BREATHTAKING!! Notice that roadway wayyy down there,, in a second we will explore that roadway by coasting down it to find out what lies at the bottom!!

Located where the states of Wyoming/Colorado and Utah join - AMAZING!! We rode it both ways (once back in July on our way out to California) and found this one - 191 south to 44 and over to 43 and up to Mountain View Wyoming to be the prettiest! Definitely worth the trip if your looking for some RnR away from all those "Potato Potato Potato" sounds mixed with the screaming and yelling happening on Main Street in Sturgis!!

When Tip turned her back, Puc slid off the new Venture and onto a new R1!! That demo lady was telling me,,, NO wheelies,, NO stoppies and to watch my speeds cause the cops was all over - what da heck,, she think I was born yesterday (heee hee heee).. If you stop the vid at :05 you can clearly see the back AWESOME shirts they gave us just for test riding that day - COOL!!

They would not allow me to take er temp or allow videoing answers to tech questions but I did sneak this quick video of the = up to operating temp motor so those trained ears of yours could at least listen to it while its warm.. Personally,, I think its pretty dog gone quiet for a push rod BIG TWIN (113 inch) air cooled motor!!

and now lets take er for a spin!!!

One of Yamaha's Demo guys was kind enough to spend some time with us showing off some of the features on the new scoot. Check out the parking assist that works both FORWARD and REVERSE!! I just posted another vid in another thread showing the breakdown of this system if anyone here is interested.. LOTS of fun happening here!!

and a couple more for my buddy DragonSlayer - the REAL Superman!!

Sorry Sir Bob - they are over yonder in that Superman thread thingy: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?131508-Sturgis-2017-The-Saga-Begins!!-U-comin-read-this-Others-read-ur-own-risk/page2

and @Dragonslayer,, here is a really good start at those Superman Vids we were talking about!! Deals a deal brother and looky looky = WE DID IT!!! IT"S SUPERMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. - the ride down Main Street is 15 minutes in length - gonna be a bit for its finished uploading but I will post it up as soon as its done..

INDEED! Glad to hear your OK Popester - that flying rubber out there can be down right nasty - cant even imagine getting wacked by the stuff like you did!! The bike might be a mess but THANKFULLY your ok!!

AND WE MADE IT!!!! Tweeks is lickin her sore paws (especially her hind legs - that 4th new tire is wayyyy gone!! = time for number 5!!), Tip is takin a well deserved snooze and I am jumping right in here with info hot off the press just cause I love you guys!! @Dragonslayer - the Superman vids are brewing as we speak.. First to pop up here as accepted and upload completed is found below. This will serve as PROOF that I did try to get recorded answers for the questions gang.. The tech guys would NOT allow video taping and would NOT allow temp checking.. I tried.. I should have just done it the first day when one of the demo guys pulled a new bike out just for me to video and take pics of the new one next to Tweeks but I didnt so.. In answers to your questions: Pay load is under 414 pounds, there is a rack available for the trunk with a 4 pound limit on it - not unlike the original 1st Gen trunk rack- that mounts to a bracket - all available from Mom Yam. I know we use our 1st Gen rack A LOT for hauling two heavy jackets (leather) and sweat shirts - over 4 pounds and never an issue - cant see where this would change with the new one. The techy said its limited because of the added weight "up high" causing handling issues. No trailer hitch available from Mom Yam. I do have video of the under carriage for @Flyinfool and others who are interested. Will have to wait till I can find that Vid for you guys. Their answer for being heavy is because of all the new electronics = thats what they said. My own summation is that it has more to do with the xtra charging system (maybe thats what they were trying to say) + the parking assist system. Had no idea of what rake it was BUT I can say upon riding it that it is definitely plenty - it has that heavy to turn when not moving and very very stable at speed = screams lots of trail and plenty of rake at the neck - rock solid on the open road highway.. There were questions somewhere about the vents on the front - those vents are NOT functional EXCEPT for the bottom two. One of the techs who would not let me record removed the cover on the rights side leggin for me and showed me some of the components encapsulated behind those fake vents. ONLY the bottom two vent holes are operational. There is no hidden pathway for air flow and, as seen in the vids below - the jugs are walled (like a watercooled scoot) for oil cooling - this is a true air cooled engine. also may wanna note the straight cut gears on the tranny in these vids.. May be noisy BUT - gotta LOVE the strength of a straight cut gear - like the rest of life = its give n take...

They say time heals all wounds but it will be 3 years in November since the Lord called my Dad home and I still think about him/miss him daily.. Somehow brother,, I think the more they meant to us the longer it dwindles - ur feelings show how much you loved her,, if that makes any sense at all.. Prayers Up for you and your family Dan!

back at cha bro,,, have done the DC Wall several times = will bring tears the eyes.. This one is diff,, its called "The Healing Wall" and is in constant motion.. One can only hope it serves its intended purpose. Definitely speaks to the heart

No... lol I know EXACTLY what your askin Snype cause I like to take my shoes off an ride barefoot occasionally and no,, not a good plan on this one.. The oxy sensor on the pipes is right below your heal on the right side = cooked piggys for sure!!

here is one I cant wait to show ya Bob = no phone booths,, worker at Sturgis Subway allowed the man of steel the use of bathroom for cloth changing = THIS is a big deal at the Rally - not always welcome to change clothes in those joints.. Subway earned endorsement from Superman - eat at subway ya bunch of lop eared rally luvin varmints and NO,, I didnt record the suit swap lol,, I recorded the endorsement lol

fyi,, Tip has spent time on lots of HD's (close friends own em - they share =plus demo's) n plenti of Indians. Her take: new Yam is no where near as hot on her legs as other air cooled V-Twins.. Fact is, Mom Yam did amazing job of rider peg placement and rider positioning for this imho. Tip also reports back rest for her "frame" = sets to low for her comfort = she is 5' 8" - think eileen is shorter - may fit her perfect brother! Tip never liked HD seating,, she liked this one. She did not feel like she was sitting to high up like she did on a 2nd Gen or HD's. She also LOVE the buffeting protection on the windshield at full up - not as nice as our 1st Gens ihho BUT close! I HAVE to have mid controls so I can stand up on pegs, also have to be able to stretch out - have always removed leggin fairings on my 1st Gens BUT, that said, this new one has plenty of room for long legs - think more roomy than ur Road Glide was and, being used to non removable leg guards (this one houses compenents like your 2nd gen down there) - could be no prob for you folks.. It is a NICE scoot = TOTAL Mom Yam quality - still miffed about no V-4 but slowly gettin over it lol.. As far as looks,, I think frame mounted fairing scoots are ugly = all of em.. Back when I was shippin Hogs to England the Tour Glides were NOT welcome because even over there some folks agreed with this.. That said,,,, I do think Mom Yam did put forth a valiant effort to build in some VERY sharp lines into the new one,,,,, still think someone from Polaris/Victory helped though LOL

AWESOME!! Hope you 2 lop eared driften varmints are able to find a clear path up the hill brother - it is GORGEOUS up there!!. Sorry we aint crossed paths - its not my fault bro - its those dad burned heathens on those potato mashin V-Twins that keep goin round n round n round the block = theys to blame - ol desert rats like us dont stand a chance of even findin dinner - LOL.. fyi,, actually tip, tweeks and I done got caught in another one of those high falutin stiff western cross winds,, over n over again = that just keeps happenin = RETIREMENT = GOOD STUFF!! A real deal south dakotian gentleman bout our age comes walkin over to Tweeksis while she was lappin up 85 octane out in a little cowtown - after takin the last sip of soda from his pop bottle - he looked at me and said "I can see you r not the "normal" rally rider". Then he mentioned somethin about wondering why we were not chasin "the wall".. Of course,, I hadda ask.. He said the Vietnam War Wall was headed across South Dakota!!!! Having lost friends in that one and havin a tender heart for all who served = Tweeks n i stared at each other,,, then at Tip.. Tips thumbs went up and away we went = caught in another cross wind.... FINALLY FOUND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On your way home - right after you cross the missuri rivr at chamberlin, look up to ur right and u will see the Dignity sculpt overlookin the rivr = we chased em into this spot - my understanding is "the wall" will be there a few days,, the openin excerizes with the small entourage of Vietnam Vets who followed the wall is over (got it on Vid thou for anyone interested) but def worth a pull in there to pay respects imho... Glad all is wll,, tks 4 checkin in.. luv Tip, Tweeks n Puc

major hit! Folks loved it! That thing is definitely empowering once you put it on! Got some awesome vids,, cant wait to get home n post em! Endless beauty! Redid the utah,wyoming,colorado boarder! Flaming gorge is nothing short of breathless! Wayyy cooler temps than in july when we were there and most of the fire smoke was gone! Also, it is now open on entire loop,, 191,44,43 ,,, just beautiful!

Still out ctfw annie, hope u get this,, love the pic sister! Looks like u 4 varmints are having wayyyyy to much fun,, ok,, not possible but it does look like 4 of my dear friends are really enjoyin life,, what its all about! You folks,,, allll of you,, rock!

absolutely no problem jack! Hi JACK away brother,, i ejoy it! Just posted a lil info over in the 3rd gen thread, still out ctfw here, 4th back tire is gettin right down there! Wowzy wow wow wow,,, u varmints who aint toured the flaming gorge have gotta go! We redid it n was able 2 get all the way around this time,,, it is amaz>ng,, equal 2 the canyon but no,, i mean no tourist in mtr homes slwing ya down! Wyoming is gorgesous! @Dragonslayer ,, place went crazy over superman! Was told absolutely no standiing on pegs but pulled it off any wavy. Matter of fact, tip said she saw the cops taking my pic too while standing up, holding one hand up like i was flying wbhile putttin down main thru the crowds.. Also finally got to ride boss hosses and met montys friend who works for boss hoss! Great guy! Even got em to sign the boss hoss koozy cup ya gave me at dons md @Monty! I love those grat big chevy powered scoots! Me n tip rode a red trike with a 57 chevy rear end,, wayyy purdy! Still thinking no way would even that 383 stroker touch my r1 thou but it sure would be fun to find out! Still think afrlen ness went to work for mom yam,, those new ones sure look sispicially like a victory,,, probably sounds nuts but i know you varmints consider the source here n forgive my opinions.. Speakin of bling,, wow did ee get really nice shirts for riding the new one,, definitely worth the trip lol. Also, speakin bling,, tip wanted a spin in a sling shot so away we went. Wasnt spose to squeek the tires but,,,, well,,,, you know me. Weathers been weird,, hot, cold.. even got nailed with a bunch of hail. Tent is shot! Rear tire almost gone! Sunburned head! Tweeks ki ked some hd butt! Tip wore out a couple dryers in kadoka and in white wood drying wet sleepin bags so far! All n all,, all is normal n great!

soon,,,, very very soon.. still out ctfw. Got tons of info n, of corse, opinion to share. Have ride vid, vid of motor cut away n sooo on n so forth.. quick high lights,,,,, definitly in the get up n go range of a stock 88 inch hd. Nothing even close to the 1st gens i am used to. I think i know why. The engines crannk is weigjted with balance shafts and, get this,, 2 alternators. 2 some of u this may mean nothing but to anyone familiar with the use of flywheel weights in dirtbikes u will know what i am talking about. Stick a 12 oz fylwheel weight on the flywheel of a kx500 n see what happens, tames em right down, they cant rev. Effectively same situation here imho. Tip n i rode 2 up on the new one, not even close to pull of tweeks. definitely hot, hotter then hd but not as hot as yhe indians imho. Oxegen sensor is located right behind heal on right foot. The air vents on the front are fake except for the bottom2 holes on each side. Internally those fake holes have devices mounted behind them. Right side has all rear brake devices including brake res, hidden within. They would not allow me 2 vid when asking your questions but the tech guys did the best yhey could w explains.They refused to let me temp check them. They also again said heat is no issue in their eyes. When asked about sitting in traffic their responze was its a motorcycle its gonna get hot! i asked about heat transfer when in cross winds llike places like wyoming. They said they had never heard of anyone having an issue with getting burned on the legs from cross winds, i agreed with them openly about that statement EXCEPT for people who use thier bikes for actual touring, then the issue becomes very common. I dont think they liked me. Goin off memory here, i have this on actual vid if tip held the camera correctly n i wont know that till we get home,,,, the bike bounces off the rev limiter at 30 in 1st, 45 n 2nd n 60 n 3rd,,, with its very short power band this requires a lot of shifting, think semi tractorish. Fairly normal in the vtwin world cause ya cant spin em up or they come unglued,, this one is no diff. It is a push rod motor with those single tubes on right side of each jug housing a pair of rods,, think strat. I have really good vid of all. The tecks said xtra weight was from new electronics,, he did not say because os additional alternator but i am sure that adds lots. Also the par,king assist n reverse systen for sure adds. By the way, straight cut gears on the tranny. Techs said mom yam has never had a belt failure, beieves belt drives r much stronger then shaft. Tired,, could write for hours but gotta get some zzzz,s. been an awesome rally! Tip says wassup.

Got about 1/2 PERCENT on bat so time 4 one post.. its all yours brother. Prayers up for each of you as u work thru the grieving process. Rip wardens mom, thank u 4 all u did for your fellow man and 4 giving us Dans wife! Puc and tip

@CaseyJ955 n others. We will not be able to make rapid city tomorrow @NOON. CTFW in upstate wyoming. Met jakester a yammy shop 2 day, he says hi to all. Ralyy goin great, lots of test riding. Will shout out when we get back in sturgis if possible. Puc