cowpuc

Anyone interested in a last ditch effort to wake up mother Yamaha to our needs, this is a must read and an open invite to participate in one last ditch effort to wake em up.. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?102280-Let-the-discussion-begin THANKS again Boss for starting that new section and thank you "little birdie" Flyinfool for hooking me up!! I think we in the end, we should make a copy of that new section and mail it to corporate Yamaha so we KNOW they get the message!!! P.S. If you happen to be from Yamaha and you are reading this, that link above is a MUST READ!!!!!

NOW I KNOW I AM DOING THE POND PALACE THING!!! IT HAS ITS OWN PRIVATE SECURITY FORCE - NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD DARE CAUSE TROUBLE NOW!!

I gotta agree with Gary on his opinion on the belt drive.. They are tough BUT I have helped stranded riders who have popped a belt and its sad when there is nothing you can do at roadside.. Harley big twins have a real issue if this happens cause the whole primary has to come apart (no idea of the designs on any of the other brands of bikes that use them).. I really like the right side belt of a Sporty cause they are much much easier to replace - those modern day Sportys are kind of an overlooked bike with lots of potential I think - I am one strange critter - I LIKE EM - wonder what a touring Sporty would be like).. I like my shaft drive Yam's.. In many many obusive miles I have yet (KNOCK ON MY WOODEN HEAD) to have issues with one.. This is gonna sound really really insane but,, I would rather return to chain drive than belt (not on big twin harley though) as long as I could get my fingers on different gear sets. I LOVE being able to tweek my gearing thru swapping out front sprockets - its fun!! Plus, with todays o-ring/x-ring chains and high tensile strengths - things have changed greatly in chain/sprocket applications.. Old school thinking, I got real problem with that..

I responded on Freebirds thread BEFORE I read this thread,, amazing how similar important things ring in all of our hearts!! I LOVE THIS NEW SECTION DON!! Dreaming and wishing is good clean healthy fun.. Only thing that could be better is if those dreams came true!!

Yea,, I got opinion, YOU ARE GONNA HAVE A BLAST!!!! Have fun and ride safe out there Donv!!!!!

Sorry to be so sarcastic Sailor, I really do think its AWESOME that you participated in that opportunity!! The world needs more of this type of stuff and willing participants like yourself!!

GREAT IDEA DAVID!! Could do something like a dollar a date pic just to keep it affordable for everyone.. Exciting times, Yamaha better do something soon or I got this gut feeling that a more and more Venture riders are gonna be jumping ship

Trade it in, the new 1700cc Venture is gonna be awesome:big-grin-emoticon:!!!!!!!!!! COME ON YAMAHA,, LETS SHOW EM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been a Yamaha enthusiast for many many years and they have proven to me over and over again that they are TOPS!! Owned a couple early YZ monoshock MX bikes way back and they were AWESOME!! My little RD350 and RD250 (remains still in my basement) were giant killers - proving Yamaha's superiority in R&D!! My 73 XS650 beat across the country with me on its back several times, chopped it and rode it many more miles until sold. Bought a brand new 650 Special, AWESOME "cloned" mini Harley that saw the west too!! My faith in mother Yamaha has been proven 5 times over by my continual riding of the 1st Gen Ventures starting in 1987 until present day with my 83 that has almost 300k on it!! Fact is, folks at Yamaha, I AM READY FOR THE NEXT PHASE!! All that said, here is my feeble wish list: 1700cc V-4 "V-Max" motor.. Detune it if you must (just like before) but please,, dont do another V-Twin - got enough of em.. You guys can do it,, I KNOW YOU CAN!! Shaft drive! EFI with a tunable tuner - even if its an add on - please provide one so we can tune it!! LED lighting. Engine guarding and saddle bag guarding. Adjustable bars like on the first gen. Factory tank and windshield bags. Fixed Fairing. Get the same Doctors who advised you on constructing the seat of the 1st Gens (cant remember what you call those guys) to advise you on this one - my kids, wife and I LOVE what they did!! Keep the seat height difference between the rider and passenger no more than 3 inches (2 is great) - raising the passenger higher causes weight imbalance and makes slow speed riding harder. Ease of removal of the trunk(s) for changing rear tire. Center stand. Forward boards with normal foot pegs located rearward so standing up while riding is still possible, shift and brake levers at both locations (no heal toe please). Hand warmers. Key removable rear trunk and bags. Grease zerks on all main pivot points. High output stator even though it has LED's. Double check the gear sets in the tranny and make sure they ramp up solidly. Oversized clutch to insure NO slippage in high gears with xtra weight. 42 millimeter front fork tubes with progressive springs. Imbed reflective tape (or use reflective paint) in paint lines (like pin striping) so all profiles of bike light up when grazed by car lights. Add a large foot onto side stand - tired of bending over to pick up stand plate after parking on loose ground. Explore which tire sizes are the most common and build around those standards so tire choices and finding them are easy. Remember those long grips you used on the first gens? Use those, I love bending them back onto my knees. Enclose the motor well to keep ANY objectional heat off both riders BUT - use lots of venting with plenums to act as heaters when needed. Windshield it so the rear rider remains in the protective air pocket - functional vents in shield and fairing to adjust air movement if needed (hey,, could be asking for servo operated shield but I dont care for more things to go wrong). 6 speed Over drive tranny. Use GOOD solder, especially with ECU pins. QC the daylights out of it! DONT go cheap and trust the Chinese!! Dont short us on wire harness leads so wiring is tight - xtra 1/4 inch really helps!! Make fairing panels easy to remove but not so they fall off. Supply printable shop manual disc and printed well written owners manual. Supply GOOD factory tire pressure guage. Chrome is out for me, I LOVE dull stainless (like the pipes on the "New" V-Max),, matter of fact,, build mine with no rustable chrome and all dull stainless!! Intercom, CB and radio would be nice.. Keep the tape deck. OK, if you REALLY are reading this and you like what I am talking,, PLEASE make mine just a little faster in stock form than anyone elses.. Not that I would ever use the extra pazzaazz but I have buddies that I gotta compete with and just KNOWING I have the fastest one would be worth an extra grand to me:big-grin-emoticon: I KNOW you can do it!! Keep the faith mother Yamaha - I AM!! Puc

I LOVE this idea @Freebird bossman - YOU DA MAN - THANK YOU!! Couple of quick thoughts, @Flyinfool just gave me a link to this thread in another thread located in the Waterhole. I wonder if we should put a post in all major area's that has a link back here so no one misses this thread? I also would like to encourage ALL readers to support each comment made by people who take the time to post (by clicking on the "like" or "thank" icons) if what that person is saying is something that triggers the ol "hey, I like that too" nerve.. Reason being, I am sure there are folks out there that just like to read and dont post much and this particular thread needs all the support it can get.. I totally agree with you Don, may or may not make a difference but what da heck,, worth a shot and, also like the Boss said - if nothing else - WHAT A BLAST,, this Freebird guy is one of my hero's!!

AWESOME!!! Thanks for, once again,, having my back you snow makin fool you!!!

I was planning on camping next to Freebirds Harley so I could borrow his battery during the night and use it to power the lighting for my tent.. If this Pond Plaza joint has enforced rules concerning snoring/laughter/abusive story telling and errant biker control's I may just move on over to their establishment too.. I am sure they do cause most of you varmints talk as if you have been there before and most campgrounds who dont have such modern day enforcement of rules dont have many return customers so I will say I will also be staying at the Pond Plaza too,,, upwind of others of course..

Awe,, what a shweeeeetheart!! First thought in my mind was he looked like he might have some Beagle in him too - ADORABLE!! If your not going to hunt him maybe get a pet rabbit to raise with him, that way when your out playing on your bike and he smells a rabbit ol Gunner might not be so apt to take to his heritage and follow the scent:big-grin-emoticon:.. We raised Beagles and LOVED them - really mild mannered fun dogs to raise and own!! Congrats Goat and welcome to the family Gunner!!

Yea,, remember the Cavalcades,,, those things were gorgeous.. Been a long time since I have seen when out and about.. If memory serves correct, 1400cc V-4, very well thought out machine, had some minor issues like all bikes but was over built.. I think Suzuki lost money on it as it just didnt compete well in the tight nit touring market and they stopped building it.. I agree with what I think your saying here BlueSky, I hope the refrain from giving the world a Gen 3 Venture (talking V-4 mtr) is not based on there being to few of us Venture folk left.. @Freebird,, gotta ask something (if you cant answer cause your sworn to secrecy I understand), have always wondered whether or not mother Yamaha has "spies" watching VR,, as in doing market research and stuff... Any thoughts on that? Sorry about Boss,, flaw in my charactor and all that:hihi:

Yes you did, BUT,, I raised my hand in class and got permission from the teacher before I gave my perspective :rasberry:

wow zzzzz whoppin wow wow wow is that GORGEOUS Jonas!!! :thumbsup::thumbsup::clap2::clap2::dancefool::dancefool::dancefool: wish I was rich,, I would buy out Yamaha Motorcycles and hire you to come and build AWESOME touring bikes!!!:clap2: hey,, mother Yamaha,, you jokers seeing this?

HEY,, 60662,, MR. LONG RIDER WITH AN IRON BUTT - CONNNNNNNNGRRATTTTSS FROM YOUR OL BUDDY PUCSTER!!!!:thumbsup: PS AND BY THE WAY,, I TOLD YA IT WAS GONNA HAPPEN!! LOVE YA BROTHER!!!

Thanks Silv!! My problem is and always has been, that I happen to be In-Love with motorcycles (all motorcycles), they are my passion and my love (only seconded by Tippy) and have been since the very beginning of life in my case. I have owned, ridden, made my living off them, built em from scratch, crashed em, had bike shops, seen design work, spun wrenches on them, walked hand in hand with 1 percenters, fixed Cannon Ball riders old bikes, fought the good fight of understanding them both their mechanicals and their emotions (ok, I am a sic man,, have actually felt the soul of many Honda's, Harley's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's, Penton's, Kawi's, Husky's, Greeves, Maico's, Sach's, Victory's, Indians - list goes on).. So PLEASE, anyone who reads this dont kill the messenger - I only speak the truth of my opinon as I understand it and,,, keep in mind, I still am at just the beginning of understanding bikes.. The writer (who I will refer to as HE from now on) talks about Harley's involvement in racing that no body cares about.. Fact is, Harley's history in racing matters to everyone who has ever owned a Harley (and, more importantly, anyone who has ever owned a V-Twin). It is thru competition that the modern day motorcycle's, ALL OF THEM, have become what they are today. Without Harley's involvement in racing and the idea's that sprung from competition, our world - all motorcycles, would be less than they are now. HE talked about the 1 percenters and their drive to stay clear of anything non-American and that there was no other choice until Honda came out with the wing. I take issue with both parts of this. Back in the day of the true 1 percenter times, Norton - Triumph - BSA - BMW - GUZZI and an amazing list of awesome bikes were here in plenty, there was lots of choices of wayyyy cool - good bikes.. Also, many of the "real" Harley riding fools back in that time that he refers to, took the early Honda 750 motors and did their own thing in creating metric motor powered AWESOME Chops that they chose to ride long distances on instead of the Harley's they had sitting in the garage. Company's like Amen, Santee, Denver and many many other American companys cranked out frames/forks and stuff to supplement this need and those business's were HUGE within these groups that he states only allowed Harley. These guys were not "Harley Only Clubs" as he suggested.. They were some of the most unbelievable, master gear heads known to man.. HE speaks of Indians early failure in 99/03 as just another bike with a "clone" Harley motor in it. Ok, I concede that they did use an S&S EVO motor in some of them BUT, that beautiful Bottle Cap motor was no S&S but a valiant attempt at adding something to the V-Twin world. It was a gorgeous display of an attempt to make a true "Indian" motor and I happen to LOVE it (I love the S&S EVO too). HE continues in building up Polaris but forgets to mention what Polaris did to over 2 years worth of customers at the beginning of their Victory days.. It seems like most people, including this fellow biker who claims to have lived thru all this, have completely forgotten those days.. I was in the bike business back than and had a very good friend who had chosen to franchise with Polaris at his shop.. Polaris was so unreasonable about solving early problems and not honoring legally binding warranties (those first 3 years were HORRIBLE) that he ended up tossing Polaris out on their ear!! To this very day (that I know of - it could probably be proven easily with a quick internet search) Polaris STILL owes thousands of dollars to closed business's and their owners and to thousands of bike owners who got hit with the Polaris culture rip off guys and they have still NEVER recieved so much as a "sorry".. Its not just Harley who has taken advantage of people.. Than HE starts on "resale" values and, to my shock,, dares to touch on the "Shovel Head".. HE states "for the last 10 years this has not been true" (good resale value),, I completely and truthfully take issue with this.. The last ten years of my motorcycle business has almost been exclusively Harley Shovel's (with a few T.C.'s tossed in) - reason being, they are the only thing that HAS held its value - complete opposite of this persons perspective... I was at Sturgis when they unveiled the new Polaris Indian (GOREGOUS GORGEOUS SCOOT) and almost laid flat on the pavement and started crying when I heard Polaris was raising the prices on all models to match Harleys models - upping the price of the bikes before they ever even hit the market. I spoke with the Polaris gang and told them that THAT really hurt.. Was asked why I felt that way, I said because you are going toe to toe with the pillars (HD) and its not going to help seeing this fine bike get established.. They said, WE ARE NOT GOING AFTER HARLEY RIDERS OR HARLEY DAVIDSON - WE ARE JUST GIVING PEOPLE WHO MIGHT PURCHASE A BIKE ANOTHER CHOICE.. It was not long after that that Polaris finally came out and said this was NOT true, they clearly changed their minds again.. HE writes on and on about the V-Twin motor, playing Vic against Harley.. Personally,, I am just flabergasted that the writer cant clearly see what all of it is about,, ALL of the V-Twin motor business is all about.. If it were not for Harley, Harley marketing people, Harley riders, Harley engineers and on and on,, the V-Twin motor would have died a LONGGGGG time ago.. In a way, every V-Twin in production today is a Harley clone. They are all taking advantage of what those people over in Milwaukee did to perfect and keep alive the lowly V-Twin. Spin it anyway you want to spin it,, their clones.. Of course, it goes without saying, even Harley could not have done what they did without people wanting them, BUT, its still a fact that its Harley and Harley alone that has kept the V-Twin in existence.. The very desing of the V-Twin Motor is archaic at best, even the homely parallel twin is by far a better design than the "V" but somehow, because of bikers love for the sound, the viberations and simplicty - Harley kept it beating.. Why? Wellll,,, let me tell you what I think, IMHO (and it aint worth much). In my pea sized brain, the opposed cylinder motor (like a Honda wing) is the closes thing to the best natural balanced engine design that a person can find.. Living in a perfect world, all with the same intrinsic love and satisfaction levels we should all techically be riding Wings. Problem is, we are all different and we all ride for a different reason.. Our taste in motorcycles is no different than our tastes in ice cream. Given that, its no wonder that so many people would rather ride a Harley or one of their clones than they would a bike with the "perfect" engine.. One of the areas that I absolutely agree with HE about has to do with center of gravity and handling.. I spent a fair amount aboard a Victory Vision 8 Ball. When I gave the bike back at the end of the day, I told the owner that ALL bikes should handle like that - THAT was the perfect bike in handling!! Polaris engineers had found that sweet spot in design that literally caused the bike to give the rider the "feeling" that even in the tightest of twisties - the bike would NOT go over - I nicked named the Vision 8 Ball "the weeble" because weebles wooble but they wont fall down - IT WAS AMAZING!! I truthfully feel that this "geometry" combined with the perfect balance and smoothness of an opposed cylinder engine could be the beginning of the PERFECT motorcycle.. Would I buy a brand new one if Polaris could somehow do just that,,,, no,, of course not.. I would rather take my pitance of a money and keep riding my beat up old 500 Dollar 1st Gen Ventures,, the price of a new bike these days can sure take a tired old biker like me and my pretty wife Tippy to some amazing places.. If folks were honest with themselves, instead of spending their time trying to justify what they chose in the kind/type of bike they purchased and just rode it and enjoyed it for what their tastes had brought into their lives they would be happier.. There are many people who really dont want the perfect bike, they might wanna bounce along on the Pogo seat of old Harley or even find solace in the peace that comes from a humble 600cc Honda Silverwing scooter with a side car attached.. If it makes em smile AND they sign my bike for me when I make their aquaintance - they are ok by me!! that was a long one for a camp fire chat,, pass the hot dogs this time will ya..

WOW Rand, you once again posted a VERY interesting link - THANK YOU my brother!! Gotta tell you, when I first started watching that I instantly said NO - I COULD NOT RIDE THAT!! That "thought" didnt come from a shyness about being willing to try,, it came purely out of = what they did changes EVERYTHING about riding a bike.. Than I watched the vid.. About half way thru I said to myself,, I wonder what would happen if they took a child who had never ridden a bike before and he learned on that one - Puc, I said, I bet he could learn to ride that thing as quickly as he would have been able to ride a regular bike.. THAN, how wayyyy cool,, the author did exactly that (well, almost).. Anyway,, THAT was fascinating and one of the coolest, thought provoking, informative video's I have seen in a very long time!! THANK YOU BROTHER FOR SHARING!!

Indeed!! THAT was an interesting article THANKS Silv for the link!! Also, thank you for the link from the perspective of I LOVE BIKES AND BIKE MAGS so you get a DOUBLE thank you from ol Pucster!! Now,, that said,, some of the points of view that the author shares I agree with.. I really do take issue with some of the others though and would LOVE to share my perspective (in my eyes - my perspective (as well as anyone on this site) is just as valid as his and I would LOVE to share it BUT - I wanna get your permission to do so before I do Silv.. Consider this before you answer that. Lots of times,, especially in a family "campfire" setting like we are entering into if you say "yea Puc,, I would like to hear your point of view" - when the point of view gets shared people (and I am NOT talking about you or anyone in particular in this statement,, its an over all perspective that I have ran into a number of times in relationships) take pieces of the sharing person's perspective out of context and feelings get hurt.. Regardless of whether or not I get the go ahead to comment, THAT was a great read and I appreciate the writer, his background AND the article!!

THANK YOU ALL again for all the well wishing, thoughts and PRAYERS!! Family's are an amazing thing - THANKS for letting me share in ours here!! Puc

OUTSTANDING!!!!! Now THAT is a campfire feast if there ever was one!!

ROCK N ROLL MRJEFF!! You da man bro!!

Gosh Beltfed, I have made fun of about every bike (yep,, even my nasty old 1st Ventures that have carried me all over the country - even right to their faces - they make fun of me too though) known to man at some time or another.. I grew up on Harleys and most of the stuff you have mentioned I have actually enjoyed about them.. Holding up my "friends" on their brand new bikes while that waited for me to kick start my nasty old knee breakin 59 XLCH (kick only - competition hot) Sportster is a prime example.. Grease and oil all over my pants, wrenches hanging out of my pockets and old sock waving at em (grease rag).. But you know what,, they ALL had fun teasing me and asking me how on earth I kept er going.. FUnny though,, they always liked having me in the group,, maybe cause the women LOVED that old Ironhead,, nah,, maybe cause it sounded like a bike is suppose to sound (to some people that is true) or maybe just because it was a blast to watch me have fun (always smiling and laughing).. Same with my 78 Shovel Low Rider (her name was Hoglia) that carried me on thousands of miles of western excursions.. Even Olivia, the 42 war bike and the 70 Cop Bike,,,,,.. Actually,, the couple Twin Cams I have owned were kinda boring like a Metric cause they were almost to dependable:big-grin-emoticon: Nahhh,, you guys,, take all the ribbing in stride,, these new machines are no different than any other bike.. Gonna break,, YEP - its a machine.. Gonna have flat tires,, YEP - cause they are tires.. Gonna make ya SMILE like ya aint never smiled before - YEP, especially if you pay no attention to what others think and ride your ride!! Oh, by the way, if your broke down on the side of I-90 and I go flying by ya on my beat up old Tweeks of a bike that people like Biker John, Squidley, GeorgeS, Condor and Raggie (and MANY others who I dont even know their names) have helped keep moving in one way or another - I WILL do exactly like these great real bikers in our lives have done for me on a YAMAHA,, I WILL stop and help you - comment you in a positive way about your gorgeous bike after we get her moving again and THAN,, and only THAN,, probably tease you about riding one of them Harley's.. It's the CODE:thumbsup:

Right on the money Rand!! And that movement thought is exactly my thought on using habitual hand signals with lots of movement (an up and down, pointing with an open hand) to catch the attention of unconcious motorist around me.. Here is another point that some folks may find interesting (I am sure that most folks reading this already knew it but, being me and my love for campfire chit chat I will say it anyway).. For many year people who did a lot of biking knew of what we speak. They did things like put leather fringe work on their saddlebags and those girly (not that I think they are girly but a lot of todays "real" bikers will tell you they are) fringes hanging from the jackets and chaps.. The beginning of all that "bling" had its beginning frame work completely founded and grounded in the idea that movement attracts attention of the motorist around you and THAT can (and I believe does) save lives.. I know, I KNOW,, Puc,, your crazy BUT - we all know thats true so I can get away with making statements like all this.. Oh, yea,, hey @VentureFar,, if you happen to read this,, that GORGEOUS "Back off whip" that you made for Tweeks serves a MIGHTY function in doing exactly this stuff!! It aint just waving bye bye to all those 2nd Gens it passes:missingtooth: Sorry Silv for hijacking yet another one of your great threads!! this is really good stuff,, pass me another marshmellow will you guys, pretty please...