videoarizona

((Or would you just recommend holding out for a '05+ RSTD. I did find an 05 but it has 75K miles.)) I just bought my 05 RSV with 50K on it last month. I paid $4K for her. I consider she's just getting broken in. Seriously. She's now got 53,900 and I'm riding her on 3 hour trips (each way)... each week or more. I changed tires, changed oil and filter and hit the road. If the bike has been taken care of.....and you can tell that my looking at it and asking questions...it's going to do well. All mechanical things break down once in a while...but a good well-cared for Yamaha minimizes that concept nicely! My 05 RSV. Shame you weren't able to get in on the RSV that sold recently by a member with over 100K miles. I would have gone for that in a heartbeat. Good price and those miles would not bother me...cause I know the bike was well cared for. Good luck...keep your eyes open...!

New lighting...

Another day, another few bux spent on 2nd gen scoot. This past week, I took off the 4 reflectors and changed them out to LED lights. Added an HD taillight/license plate bracket with two stop/run lights and changed those bulbs to LEDs as well. (Note to self: don't buy those led bulbs that only have leds pointing up. Not as bright. The HD reflectors are cheap, dull plastic and don't reflect anything!) Changed rear end oil. Got about 1/2 way apart on lowering the front end and couldn't find the 2 bolts guys have posted that must come off before the triple tree comes up. I got the fairing apart and pulled it away from the triple tree.....then had to stop. Those two bolts are supposedly in the front of the triple tree and come off before the top triple tree part comes off. After an hour of looking around...gave up and put her back together. Going to spend weekend riding, then maybe get some help and try again. So far, I'm happy with the way I've been able to navigate in/around and through the various parts of the bike. In some ways, easier to work on than the 1st gen. Took ride on 1st gen this morning: Accelerated up long freeway ramp...in 3rd...at 5k rpm...cranked throttle...hit redline and over 90mph! Oopsies! Shifted quick to 5th and slowed down. Nice rush. I tend to forget how well geared the 1st gen is. Beginning to think a VMax rear end might be in my future for 2nd gen scoot! I'm really enjoying wrenching on these bikes.....almost as much fun as riding. Almost...

Since I had the rear end apart for lighting changes, I went ahead and drained the differential oil. Sensor was clean and very little metal filings in oil. But at least now I know the rear end oil is clean and fresh. OH...someone had put a gorilla on the wrench and tightened up the drain and fill plugs! Geesh. Had to use a long breaker bar to get them loose. I torque'd them back on but now curious if they will leak. So now wondering what else would cause my speed needle to stick as it goes up and down.

Bump.

Same! Mine is like yours...a little cold blooded.

I have a VStar 950 Tourer, an 89 Venture Royale and a 2005 Royal Star Venture. each is unique in it's own way. The 950 is a fantastic run around machine. I've ridden 300 to 400 mile days on it. Yea, the motor gets "busy" at 80 mph, but it handles well in all situations. it's light on power... but 2 up...I have no problems going up 7 mile long hills at 7% grade at 75mph. Gets 48 to 52 mpg and never needs anything other than tires and oil. VTwin, FI and belt drive. The 89 VR is a sport touring bike. High center of gravity, full frame fairing and tons of stuff on it. Goes like a bat, handles like a cheeta in heat and is very comfortable. It is my goto bike if I'm going camping in the woods and hills. It loves to rev and run and carries gobs of goodies. You can lay that puppy down and scream around a corner that most bikes would cry to be able to do. The 05 RSV is my "lets go get some ice cream 2 states away", bike. it loves to run on interstate at 75. Carries two people and gear with aplomb. By far, much prettier than the Harley Ultra it was designed after. It also is fast as long as you let the engine rev...higher gearing for cruising. So there ya go....not one of the bikes I have are what you are looking at...BUT...that said...the RSTD would be the scoot I would recommend. It has the V4 power and high revving engine that you like, can carry 2 up or stuff for days on end as a tourer...but can be stripped down quickly for around town rallys and fun! Well balanced, easy to work on and very reliable V4 with shaft drive. The Yamaha engine and drive trains are bullet proof if taken care of....they will go 100 - 200K plus! My two Ventures are closing on 50K and in excellent shape. So, I agree with Lenny...if you can find a well taken care of RSTD with around 50K miles on it, It will do everything you want with minimum issues. Resale value will never be a long suit with a metric bike....but you won't have any troubles selling it if you take care of it. Plus, the people and wealth of information on this site are worth the $12/year to help you when and if you need it. david

I agree. Think you did a great job fabricating a very workable solution! I like the looks and the way you engineered the way it closes up and locks for travel right next to the bike.

Agreed. hopefully, someone will chime in tomorrow!

I think that someone did put some pictures on this site...but darned if I can find them now! Did find this.. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?95158-83-VR-Little-help-with-engine-rebuild&highlight=balance+shaft+marks

I think that someone did put some pictures on this site...but darned if I can find them now! Do a bunch of searching.....sorry!

Why? You can buy a complete set on-line...boots and cable...at the proper resistance (5K ohms) for not much bux. Might was well replace them all..then you know where you stand with respect to wires and boots! Here is a complete set...made up and ready to go with proper wire and resistance cap... http://tinyurl.com/pdgda2f I did this and am happy with result. I have an 89 as well...

That one, if it is a direct replacement, is a two brush starter...??? I looked up the yamaha model number it says it replaces...2 brushes. You don't want that. Get any 2nd generation starter...even used...it will be 4 brush.... david

GW has it in a few words..."pre-flight wallkaround" .

I would change the plugs. If you run SeaFoam all the time, you will burn up those plugs faster than normal. The other thought...it's not the rev shifting that reduces mpg's but how hard you twist the throttle. These bikes are very sensitive to that right hand twitch! Especially on my 1st gen...that I love to twist the wrist. My mpg's drop dramatically when I do so. 4 carbs just guzzling fuel! Try and be like your friend for a tank full...go ahead and rev, just take your time getting there...see if that makes a difference.

((On both bikes there is a long ramp pulling onto the interstate where I live.Both bikes I have reached down countless times to shift into 5th only to find it there already.)) Funny...I'm the opposite. On a similar situation...both bikes...long uphill ramp to freeway, I find myself accelerating to merge...then realize I'm way over the speed limit (75mph) and STILL IN 4TH! Especially the 2nd gen. There have been a few times I've forgot that I wasn't in 5th with 2nd gen until a few miles down the road. Since GW posted the above gearing info...I now understand why.

Sure like the looks of the white wall on an RSV....

My thoughts: My dealer doesn't have anyone who knows the RSV's and most of the people there are younger than my 89 1st gen. The head mechanic did say he would brush up on the manual and would love to have the bike to work on. So far, with the exception of the balance beads, they have done good work. They even followed my request to not fill the oil level according to book, but rather only 1/2 way up the sight glass. I found my tool kit under the rug on the right side saddlebag. I found it today. PO said he didn't get one...he was 2nd owner. I think I'm missing the 2nd bag...but at least I found a tool kit! I get between 38 and 42 mpg. Doing so by staying in 4th gear around town and only shifting to 5th on freeway over 65. Haven't checked my air cleaners as PO put K&N's on there and gave me the refill and cleaning kit. They are usually good for a year unless I run into a dust storm...

Today...my list included putting on the front LED lights instead of the reflectors and the HD rear license plate/light assembly. Easy with plug and play wiring kit...from Steve K. Next up....figure out how to mount the rear LED's on the saddlebag crash bar. david

Thanks, Steve. Still learning this beastie!

Anyone have an issue of watching their speedo stick? Mine has been jumping up and down in 5mph increments...then will slowly go up and down individual mph's if I'm using the throttle gradually. This normal? If not...nothing I have found in searching for 2nd gen speedo stick....

((Would you say your RSV is comparable to a gen1 as a 4 speed (ie: not using 5th around town) or would it still be, what could be considered, "lazier"?)) BJ, apologies...missed your last question. Yes...good way to put it. All the gearing seems a bit lazier on 2nd gen.

Here I am.. Reading this thread for first time in 2015. Wondering where they both are today! Regardless, very enjoyable thread! Thanks to all!!! David

For those of us who are somewhat new to this organization.... Like me....Can someone tell me where this is? I see it's on labor day weekend..... David