videoarizona

Hmmm. May have to re-consider. PO gave me a new front tire to match the rear ...but it's stock size. Maybe I should order a 130 before I pay to get the front mounted....and try it out. I want the slow speed handling.... Thanks for the report! david

I put Shinkos on my 1st Gen, blackwalls, and they hug the road so nicely I'm not concerned if they wear out earlier than another type tire. I'm really surprised I can scrape the hiway feets leaning way over and they stick! I really like the handling. Makes me feel safer too! david

Steve posted: The front signal wires have bullet connectors inside the fairing.> Even better, Steve. I just sent my order in....will you please makes something up similar for me? Thanks! david

Okie Dokie. Back from a 400 plus mile weekend. The Admiral didn't like the 2nd Gen Seat or backrest. Nope. Plus more buffeting. Thinking a pillow between backrest sides under the backrest cushion might give her lumbar support. She's 5'4" and likes support on lower back. Also to upright for her...likes 1st Gen's adjustment to lean back. We'll figure that out... Anyone adjusted their backrest? Maybe take it off and put a thin wedge plate behind to angle it back a tad? Got 41 mpg up to PHX (one up -loaded) at 80mph indicated...and 42 mpg back (2up/1up and more loaded!)...same speed on cruise. I'm real good with that! Though head wind on last stretch between Tucson and Green Valley had very little throttle left in 5th gear! Next time think I'll slow down and shift to 4th. Be easier on me and motor. Also amazed me to have 1/4 tank left plus reserve after 177 miles. If I were younger, I could go after some iron butt awards! NOT! Butt couldn't handle that anymore...nope! Getting used to handling. Found myself whipping around Tucson this morning delivering stuff to youngest kidlet. I realized I was getting used to scoot when I whipped a 180 to avoid construction in 2 lanes without even thinking. Well...if I can solve the Admiral's back support issue....and get a Clearview with vent...(solve buffeting for her)...she might like it. She was disappointed she couldn't control the audio though! Grins! Pic halfway to Phoenix...Picacho Peak...site of Arizona's only Civil War battle.... PS - She was disappointed we couldn't get both helmets in tour pack like 1st Gen...but thankful for helmet locks!

Ok...I've gone over both the tech manual and the owner's manual....and either I'm blind or Yamaha didn't bother to put down the type of bulb used...only says 55/60 watt 12 volt. Geeesh! H7 or H4 or 9006 or??? I'd like to buy a spare bulb....sigh. Thanks, david Whoops...Bike Bandit had the parts breakdown....it's an H4.

I'm waiting until after Mom's Day then will start watching EBay. That was a good deal a few weeks ago. Sounds like that's a good price you got on boats.net. I may go the same route! But now I'm concerned about how thin the Tour Pack top is compared to the 1st Gen. I put about 20 pounds on the 1st gen rack and it took it just fine. The whole Tour pack is better built...latches and hinges too. So I'm a little concerned about putting same gear on top of a rack on the 2nd Gen tour pack. It just doesn't appear to be as rugged. david

So far, yes I do. I am disappointed that so much was left off that was good on the 1st gen. I really miss the pouches to put things in....guess I could buy some small metal bars, drill holes and mount my own pouches....but come on guys! And yep pbj...I do realize apples and oranges...just wish momma Yamaha could have used a tad more brain power and make the 2nd gen "better" than the first.

I concur with GW. My 1st gen sits on it's side stand with a nice lean...and my suspension is set on "Low". Everything stock. As far as center stand....I always used to raise suspension to "auto", "High"...then plant boot firmly on stand and center bike while pushing down on stand with foot. This allows me to get the stand to hold the bike vertical...then I put all my weight on the stand and pull BACK with left hand on bars and right hand on passenger hold bar. The bike pops right up with very little effort. I do NOT use my upper body to try and lift the bike. At 67 years young, no way I could do that! I let the weight of my body on the stand and the weight of the bike pull it backwards and up. It is really easy once you figure out the technique. One fluid motion and she's up. Lately I've found myself putting the bike on the stand then realizing I forgot to raise the suspension. That's a good thing...as before I always had to remember to lower the suspension as I didn't want the 25 year old seals to blow out with all that pressure on them sitting for days. Just a Thought... david

Two weeks of ownership: Compared to 1st gens Uh Uh: 1: Wrong gear ratio's for the weight. 2: Flimsy plastic construction. 3: Tour pack smaller. 4: Saddlebags smaller. 5: No additional storage. No places to put sunglasses. etc.. 6: Heavier steering 7: Not as slippery through wind. 8: Handling a tad awkward, overall. Definitely a touring bike. 9: Speedo inaccurate. 10: No tach. 11: MPG's down from 1st gen...gearing to high in 5th? 12: Lack of passenger audio controls. 13: Lack of standard lighting. Really like the way the 1st Gen's "Venture" name is reflected at night. Easy to put lights in there too! 14: Not as easy to add custom lighting. (ok..this goes with #13 ) 15: No class system. 16: No center stand. I do like: 1: Added aux input. 2: Seating, much better. 3: 80mph ride...cruises effortlessly except for 5th gear to high...downshifts needed in wind to pass, or climb long 7 degree hills, etc.. 4: Ease of getting to major systems (I don't worry about weather issues-those areas can be sealed better easily) 5: Separate antennas & audio system seems much better overall. Less attention needed to make changes. 6: Much better brakes. 7: Softer ride (subjective) with front at 0 lbs and rear at 40 lbs...one up. 8: Easier for me to move bod around without upsetting bike balance at slow speed...IE, turning head to look for idiots running lights, etc.. ...and so on. Nothing new to anyone here. Just typing out loud. I'm keeping an open mind since I know it's a different ride altogether. Well...going to head up to Phoenix in early am and dodge some rain. See if the lady likes it better than the 1st Gen. Her wish for Mom's Day was a ride on new scoot! Note to self: She fell asleep on 1st Gen ride in mountains last weekend. Hmmm. later all, david

Thanks Goose. Ran through the switches...simply for peace of mind. Then took fairing off and went looking for the O.D. bulb. Yamaha did a good job of hiding those little buggers! Used my new HF very long pliers (advice given on this very forum) to pull the light bulb out. Bad bulb. Test ride today to see if that's the problem! (any excuse for a ride)... david

I got a second key made. The first was really sloppy. The guy took his time and got all the little teeny angles just right. Made a difference. Now the spare key works in everything! Cutting keys is really an art. Takes patience and a keen eye. That's why auto and bike keys are stamped. Accurate right out of the machine. Kev, the reason you have to finess the key to get it to work in the ignition...is there is one "tip or valley" on the key not quite right. If you look really close at your master and your spare keys...you will see the offending area. The Ace blanks are good....their people...not so much, maybe. david

I wish! The PO said the PO before him....got in some sort of tangle and scratched the fairing on one side. I wanted to get it looking right. The gentleman I bought it from reduced the price so I could have the bux to paint. See! Simple explanation...no big bux here! Grins, david

Suggest you might also want to consult with a local custom paint guru. I found one in the tiny town of Green Valley where I live. He does custom HD's. He just finished painting my fairing the silver/pearl color of the 2005's. He actually used a Ford base for it. Looks so clean! He loved the pearl look of the paint.

Yep....actually done part of that. But it was hot getting to Globe...even leaving early am. [/color]The Devil's Hiway (old rt 666) is another choice up to the White Mountains then across NM. May do that anyway. Want to see the Radio telescope array west of Socorro (sp?) The issue I have is timing the ride so I leave the heat country in early am, finding gas at "O dark 30" on some of those roads and .....my bod can't ride all day like it could when I rode from NH to AZ on a Yammie 250cc! So judicious planning is required! Been riding AZ for 40 years....still amazed how sparse coffee, donuts and gas can be in the boonies. Thanks for the encouragement! david

One major issue I see...is the Tour Pack on the 2nd gen is flimsy compared to the 1st Gen. Much thinner material with cheaper hinges too. Maybe I'll use the 1st Gen for camping...and leave the 2nd Gen for traveling... So many things were changed, and not for the good, when Yamaha dropped the 1st gen and moved on. What were they thinking??? Sigh...

Mounted my mounts at the junction of the bars. Worked with both the GPS mount and the GoPro mount...

Ah dam. I was just up in Albuquerque weekend before last picking up the Silver Bullet. I could have easily swung west for a Laguna Burger! Didn't even think of that! [/color]

My (new to me) 2nd Gen just started similar thing. Overdrive light gone away. Bulb probably...

Stock bars. No tape. Think I will order the cheap one! Grins! I'll deal with it next week after company and Mom's Day. Nice thing about being retired...can choose priorities! thanks, david

Cool! Didn't know that...that would be easier with a kit! Thanks![/color]

I think you will be fine. My Austin Healey was fine in Denver and the surrounding mountains except for dead of winter. Then I had to richen the mixture buy turning the knurled nut on the bottom of the carbs two turns. The SU carbs are cousins to ours. Since our carbs aren't adjustable that way, you may have to change out the idle jet... You will see, for sure! And congrats! Beautiful area...[/color]

Don & Dion, I guess it costs more make one slope vs the other! Thanks guys...since the PO says one side fell out....I only have one. Guess I'll look into my surviving damper and order it's mate! For the cost of these guys, I may resort to using epoxy to mount the suckers to the bars!

Just looked. Stock setup. Thanks for thought, though![/color]

Well...went to Ace. They denied they had the blanks until I showed them the box that was labelled "Yamaha". And guess what? The new key will open and lock the trunk and saddlebags but not the ignition. In comparison, it looks like they didn't take their time and did a rough job. Tomorrow, I'll drive back (12 miles each way) just to give them a second chance. I really wish people would do the job right the first time. But then, I've made mistakes too~!

Why do these two parts differ so much in price? They look the same to me.... #11 4XY-2317J-00-00 DAMPER 1 #12 4XY-2317K-00-00 DAMPER 2 david (I need one - just one...but who knows which one???Grins)