CaseyJ955

I'm not groaning or *****ing anymore, I see a poster was really offended by all the bellyaching and he's probably not wrong, so I'll keep it light as simple debate to address your excellent point. I'm a gen1 guy, and I have to respectfully confess, that is exactly what I wanted! That thing you said, I want that! Heres what drew me to the 1st gen initially, in order of importance: -Reliable, high-powered, unique V4. -No cruiser pretense. -Full bodied/excellent ergos/wind protection of a dedicated tourer. -Comfort and displacement of a full dedicated tourer, but when asked to dance, ***** can dance! -Good option package for era. -Complete package that functions in all fronts, including spirited hills riding, open road and surprisingly composed for city use. -Notice I didnt say shaft drive, It would be nice but a belt with robust rock guards would be perfectly fine with me. So if Yamaha wanted to update that and throw it back in my face with the new Vmax V4 and the refinement consistent with todays manufacturing processes and current hardware. Yes please! THAT would be a real Venture in my opinion. There is a lot of subjectivity on options so here is how I might have liked to see it. Again, not complaining but just what I would have liked to see. Would any of you guys buy my gen3 Venture? As above but options as follows Standard Venture (~19k) Bluetooth connectivity/stereo/intercom/CB/headset only, basic cruise control/manually adjustable windscreen/manually adjustable suspension/Basic info center-gear indicator something similar to what it has now Tech Package (~22+k) Adaptive cruise, central locking, alarm, heated seats-grips/NAV/External speakers-amp/power windscreen/electronically adjustable suspension Venture Royale (~26+k) Standard and Tech Pacakge with Reverse/dual zone audio/directional assistance/off-axis ABS/riding modes/Traction control/powered center stand. pretty much the run down of what is on the actual new Venture that some folks want. You could put me down for a standard, maybe a tech but probably not. A royal would be a bunch of stuff I never needed and dont want now, but I realize it's important to many buyers so it should be included in an option package. I didnt expect it to be exactly like this but to minus the V4 is just a bridge to far to still call it a Venture. I might appreciate the current gen3 if it were called a Stratoliner. I could even see it as it is now but with the V4, that could be a Venture, I probably wouldnt buy it but I would respect it as a Venture. With all love and respect due our fellow members, the updated gen1 is exactly what I wanted and what would have brought me down to Yamaha with my checkbook.

I have to admit that each time I see it, it is better looking now that the initial shock of it not being a Venture is over. I did notice boasting torque numbers but completely omitting HP figures. I also noticed they have taken a page from the HD marketing manual in using words like "traditional" when antiquated and obsolete are much more fitting. It would seem that they are looking for Harley buyers, not us. Do we have an actual HP figure yet? I have a feeling that this "traditional" twin is going to cut it for most of us. There is no such thing as the presence of luxury in the absence of competence.

Im going to guess that one that comes up that nobody talks about is trying to get out from under the financial obligation. Lets face it, $25-30k is a great deal of money, even for the comfortably well off. Think about a used RT and putting the other 20 large into an IRA or invest. My feeling is when folks see and ride it becomes a must have item inspite of better financial sense. A purchase is made with passion and emotion. But down the road when the calculator comes out the burdon becomes clear. Im also going to guess that it is too much bike for some riders, im not sure off the top of my head but I'll bet the cost of maintainance is up there too, which is a reservation I share. I might have made such a decision had the new Venture been a more serious effort at a world class tourer and now I'm glad it wasnt. Im sure many reasons but ill bet this is a big one.

I saw one Listed in the Ozarks somewhere for $13.5, the deals are out there. I was really starting to seriously consider a new Venture before its unveiling. Im glad not now because I would like to get a house paid for first. By 2019 I should be ready to go with a new or new(er) tourer. That fits in better with my financial goals. Unless someone comes out with something better than the K1600 thats likely what I'll go for. Ill bet by 2019 I can have one for under 10k. I will also bet that its still going to be baddest tourer on the roads. What can I say, I demand ample (even obscene) high speed passing power with my $30,000 (by the time you pay the taxes and get the plates) bikes. Even though I want one for a measly $10k:biker:

So if it were liquid cooled it would cost closer to $30-31,000? I know there are some reasonably snappy reliable air cooled twins out there but it is dated tech that gives up plenty to their liquid cooled counterparts. Cyl head temps can go crazy on air cooleds, especially if you run hard or start milling and decking to tighten up the comp. Not to mention if head and cyl temps are lower than charge temp can be kept cooler as it enters the cyl, thats more free power. For the price of the bike I dont think modern cooling would be to much to ask for given all the pros and inconsequential cons. It just seems odd for Yamaha to go this direction on a top dollar machine.

Here is a direct link to his classified. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/photopost/showproduct.php?product=21&title=butt-butler-seat-mod&cat=16 I didnt know there was a Corbin for a Gen1. My experience wirh Corbin has been overwhelmingly negative, they are very heavy, very hard and usually shaped all wrong. I couldnt sell the one off my Vmax fast enough. After 2 hours it was pure torture. Some of the bigger guys do like them, if you have a robust posterior you may find it comfortable but im not aware of to many narrow guys that like find Corbin usable. I cant wait to have rick do mine but im using it as a daily rider. Ill have to get with him on it pretty soon..

Im onboard with you. Its got all the right stuff in all the right places. 160 hp, 130+ tq. 40+mpg. One thing BMW does is make a world class inline 6. When I heard a bike that had one I was inside out with want. I threw a leg over one and lemme tell ya, like a damn glove and build quality 2nd to none. I declined a test ride because it was around 23k and I seriously would have signed on the dotted line. Its really not a good time for me to drop $2X k. I have asked owners what they think when I see them and all I hear is fast as hell and comfortable as hell with magical handling. I look at this bike the way I looked at the Vmax in 1985. My only reservation is the knowledge that BMW cars/bikes can be finicky and tricky to service. One guy I talked to had a Remus system and described mind boggling torque from 1500rpm on. On paper and according to those who have spoken to me its as close to perfection as a performance tour bike can be. I super want one. I thougbt the gen3 Venture was going to be the Japan bike to call the K1600 out to the mat with a nasty V4 and Yamaha reliability. Boy was that a grave miscalculation! When I saw the mosaic headlamps I thought we had a real bruiser from Yamaha to rival the lone German missle. The gen3 is in a class with most bikes on the road but it would appear that the K1600 has no stable mates and resides in a class by itself. Ever hear one with exhaust? Man, I think I shat myself when I heard the one with the Remus blaze the onramp. Ok, I just talked myself into test riding one. When I'm done working this week I'm going to BMW, since I now know the Yamaha is a real let down. Air cooled, Phhssssss! Phuuu-effen-lease! Its 2017, its time to bury obsolete HD tech, not emulate it! If imma drop 20+ large on a damn scoot it better plaster an irreversible grin on my face! Imma take that cutting edge I6 for a spin through Spearfish Canyon! I lile the new Trophy too but something intoxicating about that rediciously overpowered I6. Did I say I was going to move on and not rant about this anymore, sorry I lied, but this time its for realsies!

I did slap an R6S front right caliper on the back. I read that the bleeder would not be accessable without caliper removal, but I found that I could bleed it no problem, the sidebag was off though. I used semi metalic pads in the rear instead of HH, if I had to do it over I would have used HH back there too. Very happy with the R6 calipers but in looking at them next to the OEM MKII calipers there really isnt a huge difference for fronts. I have not tried it but I suspect Camos is correct about proprtly functioning OEM brakes with good HH pads would be perfectly adequate. I only replaced the calipers because they were ha ging up pretty good and used R calipers were cheaper than OEM caliper kits. What I didnt know then is that bike calipers can often be disassembled, cleaned and reassembled w/o kits.

Yup, thought I got edged out for racy language or something.

Yea, I was making crap up, tried to turn it into a bike I might buy. Drive by wire and ABS were also axed in my version. I made sure to say fiction or it would be mean haha. I can spin a tale, I once had one of my CNAs believing that reconnaissance demons (cacodemons, the name I pulled out of my ass from Doom2) may be surveying her and ever present and unseen, and were looking for people that made bad life choices. It took me 20 minutes to convince her that I did in fact make it all up. Im surprised she never snitched me out for that. If I make stuff up I promise to label it as fiction. I would have believed the S model story. I want it to be true. Careful phrasing and a straight face are quite powerful.

I think you and I are on the same page. It should have V4 and shaft drive. I figured the motor would be retuned for more voluptuous lpw end torque, better MPG (the gen2 Vmax gets pretty ****ty mpg too) and still have robust satisfying midrange poke (rather than not even having a midrange) and of course double that minivan-esque redline. It eludes me. My comment about belt drive being the correct choice was with consideration that the rest of the bike is what it is. Honestly I would have no real issues with this bike if Yamaha were more transparent about even the most basic info during development and they shoulld have never called it a Venture, or even hinted at it. As a now former Yamaha customer I resent the hell out of that. Why did it have to be a big secret grand unveiling, we're all.grown ups, not children on Xmas morning. ****ing talk to your customers Yamaha, no more secrecy and games. Just tell us whats happening, we're grown men and women and we can handle it. Dicks. Im not sure why Im ranting at them, they sure didnt listen before and I dont think tbey are going to start now. On the other hand whoever here buys one, still love ya bro/sis.

A model that was in development next to the just released 2018 Venture Star, known as tthe "S" will be seen as a 2019 model. It will feature a slightly revamped fairing smoothing out the scoops and featuring a 2.5" shorter fixed windscreen. The transcontinental package will not be available on this upcoming model. In favor of weight savings the bike will be devoid of Reverse, parking/directional assist, Nav, dual zone audio, external speaker pods will be deleted as part of the streamlined fairing. Luggage space will be reduced by 30% for aesthetic and aerodynamic purposes as well as further weight savings but capacity is still generous. The only options will be standard stereo/intercom/BT and cruise control. These alterations and some general diet items will bring the curb weight down to 744 lbs. Ride quality is largely unchanged, engine and drive system will be retained but sport tuning, cam/crank reworking, and headwork will raise the redline to 6400 rpm with 157 ft lbs torque available at just 2250 rpm and 116 hp @6100 rpm, also helped by a tunable intake, free flowing sport exhaust with DOT legal and race only quick change baffles which save 36lbs over transcontinental exhaust and delivers a very aggressive and distinctive note like no other twin to date. Compression will be raised to 10.7:1 requiring premium fuel, improved internal oil cooling galleys and a sport shroud system will wisk the significant heat away from the rider and downward in front of the rear wheel asssisted by a light weight pull fan which draws cool air through the heads and cyl blocks. We have to do this because we somehow decided air cooling was still okay. Top speed will be electronically governed at 140mph and the 1/4 mile will take just a lick over 11sec. 5th gear roll ons vastly improved thanks to extra torque and signifcant reduction in weight. Canary yellow, Porsche red and polar white are the color options with rearl teal and Flat Urban Black for an optional $499. Production numbers will be around 30% of the standard non "S" model. Because we deleted virtually all the options production cost is lower which we pass onto the consumer with an MSRP of $18.999 usd up to $19,498 with optional finishes. Preorder now and delivery is expected in the fall of 2018. There, thats my fancy tall tale for the day, and I feel better now.

. Because a belt has no master link, on some bikes lots of disassembly is required to R&R it. As a counterpoint A shaft drive would zap power the bike probably cant afford to loose and the weight of a pumpkin, shaft and housing would add weight this bike cant afford to gain. IMHO a belt was the sensible option for this machine, based on what we know so far.

I was carving out some financial room too. Im actually relieved because im trying to move this year. There are other options out there tbst are quite nice but I was craving the power and revs of the V4, not the power and revs of a Road King. I still have the gen1 which is a fine road bike even with all the hears and miles on her. Im seeing a 1200GS in my future to satisfy the off pavement touring tendancies. IMHO Yamaha's biggest mistake with this bike was the secrecy and Venture name on a very unventurly bike. If motorcycle blueballs was not a thing before it is now. That was a long hyped wait for an air cooled twin that revs like my hydrostatic lawn mower.

If I may be so bold as to speculate. I know the emotion I would have when I grab the loud handle to pass a row of Harleys RVs going up the pass at 70 MPH with some gear and wife on the back. I think that emotion would be frustration and dissapointment followed by a wave of heat no longer seen on a modern motorcycle. I think Don is right, it should satisfy those that like to cruise gently, I'll bet it leaves a stop light with authority amd has a very relaxed cruise, probably built with quality, but your emotional response may not be healthy if you've come to appreciate a bike that can pull fairly hard well into triple digit speeds while revving angerly. I have always liked quick bikes, and fast bikes, performance is part of the appeal of a bike to me.

I could live with a belt drive, belts and chains dont loose as much power as a shaft drive so more of tbe juice hits the road. Shaft drive is still my preference but I would take a belt over a chain. They are lighter requiring less power to spin em fast, less maintainance, adjustment and oiling. Modern belts can hold the power and last a very long time. A belt wouldnt be a deal breaker for me. I just read something that suggested 126 rw-tq and hp probably under 100. A redline somewhere south of 5k and cruising rpm of 2750@75 with a double overdrive gearbox. The double overdrive was on my original wish list but with a redline of a stationary diesel generator it may need those short ratios. On paper this bike looks like a serious pig in spite of impressive rwtq. I guess we'll have to see the reviews as they come out. Its clearly not aimed at me but Im still curious how it handles the 1/4, 0-60 and most importantly 60-100. Im sure it will be a nice bike for the twin guys but I cant imagine the rev limiter cutting in at what will feel like off idle. I guess I see a couple glaring flaws, those being dismal MPG and a very lofty price. I guess it remains to be seen how it performs. Compression ratio is relatively low, as expected with air cooling. I would expect highway performance to be unexciting. Just for the sake of arguement lets assume it has 100hp, 100hp at a redline of 4700rpm is a fair bit pokier than 100 hp at the 8000 or so you can spin the gen1 up to. So it can be less less "powerful" with the same HP rating, other factors being equal.

After a few decades the foam does tend to break down. I spoke with Butler and read thread after thread of praise for his work. I plan to send mine off over the winter. One thing is fur sure, cant argue with the price. Its a fraction what I paid for my custom Vmax seat. My Sprint seat redoo was over $600 and Rick does our seats for well u der 100, im in! Mine is OEM now and probably the best stock seat I have ever had.

Dear Yamaha, Thank you for my early Vmax and early Venture which most notably feature an amazing stompy V4 that is so good its still acceptable decades later. Great work. Also enjoyed the RD400. A 3rd gen Venture, hell yea! Obviously this would be the amazing V4 already in production, what else could a Venture have? The answer is not so exciting, is it? You put a HD level engine in this bike. Did you look at the current market and see a vacuum or void that could be filled with an generic cruiser/tourer with dismal performance and economy. Really? WHAT THE HELL? Did you think adding BT and reverse was going to make that okay? Whos idea was that? You should have told us when you knew that this was no Venture. You let us get psyched for a machine based on the monotonously mundane, garden variety, generic (stop me if you've heard this before) air cooled (stop me if you've heard this before) Narrow angle (stop me if you've heard this before) Vtwin. REALLY? Oh, wait, theres more, its priced like the truly magnificent K1600GTL. How do you justify that? Please regale me with tales of how now common technology and an engine more suitable to a log splitter, bilge pump or garden tractor justifies all the hype and secrecy. A bike nearly 1000 lbs damn near needs the V4 just to outrun a 52 passenger schoolbus, how could we be this far back 30 years later? I thought we were getting a stompy touring bike clad with current engine tech, the next chapter in Venturedom, i started moving things around so that I could buy this bike if you hit the nail on the head. Yup. You hit it on the thumb. Exactly when did you think Venture customers/owners stopped caring about performance? I will likely be buying a new bike in the coming months. It will almost certainly be a Triumph or BMW. Sincerely, Lost customer. There, done, moving on now.

It looks okay from side and rear, front, well Ill bet it looks much more aggressive than it is. If I wanted a quality Vtwin I too would buy an indian, but I wanted a V4, so no debt for me, the ol' gen 1 it will be. I think the two Yamahas I have now are the last I will own. Im going back to Triumph and BMW. I am dissapointed that Yamaha stirred Venture fans up for (wait for it) yet another Vtwin. It better have a top speed of more than a buck ten. My gen1 can cross 100 in 3-4th gears and give me 40mpg near its 30th birthday. It took no imagination to crap out another obese twin, way to take it outside the box Yamaha! Im going to go out of my way to race the first one I see! Let me end on a positive or two. 1. I like the dash, color and seat, tail lights are neat and tasteful. 2. Im positive that its going to pull some guys off HD but positively wont get me off my gen1

Oh my! Thats repugnant! Is this what we have been waiting for? It looks quite bulky and confused about what it is. Unless its 188hp at 7500rpm and 145tq by 2000rpm its another drop in a very big bucket full of big twin cruisers. Side profile not bad but generic and mundane considering all the other bikes out there just like it from at least 5 other manufacturers. Do we have a spec sheet yet? Im terribly disappointed but not terribly surprised. Maybe it will be different in person but the front view is pretty far from clean and flowing. I guess we'll see how it is recieved by those present.

I cant see anything, all I have is commentary herr. Vtwin huh? Seriously? Of soo it better be well into triple digit HP. I cant fine any image yet.

I may do that at some point. I hear the HH padd alone make a huge difference, I put mine on with the R6 calipers so never knew how they might work on factory pinchers. I think the best thing I did was delink. I found this thread that Dingy did awhile back, it seems to shed some light on brake upgrades. Are yours still linked? http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?60986-Master-Cylinder-Caliper-ratio-chart

I have the MKII so I decided to give er a go. If it were any smaller I think it would have to be upgraded. MKII already has 14mm IIRC, I think MKII is something like 12.7 or thereabouts, not quite enough volume displacement for nice fat calipers. Would a MKII work, or ya just tryin to be one of the cool kids that can say you have sportbike hardware on your venture? Seriously would be good to know what upgrades do fit. Its nice to have brake components that arent old enough to buy booze. Also I wonder if a complete front brake system off that bike, calipers, mc and all if it would essentially bolt on, aside from lines.

I wish I knew, im still running the stock mkII MC with the R6 calipers and it seems to work fine. Im glad you had faith in me but now I feel twice as bad for not knowing. haha

Sounds like hes having a blast! He may be among the first to see the new turbo charged FMIC large caliber V4 full dress Venture!