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Midnight

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  1. Midnight
    Thanks for the replies and input. I hope this isnt what is going to be happening with the Venoms either. They have been a good performer for me for some 50000k. From what I am reading on this site and others it seems there was a wave of problems a few years back and might be less frequent now. I was hoping Avon had rectified their process. Perhaps not. The tire is getting replaced under warranty so that is a good thing. It is inconvenient to go through the process and cost of remounting though especially when the tire is essentially brand new. I get why people end up switching to the Dunlops E3's. I'll wait and see what the new one does and go from there. I see some folks are running the new Michelin Commader II on the rear. Unfortunately it doesnt look like Michelin makes the front tire for our bike. Maybe that will change. JR
  2. Midnight
    Well after 4 sets of Avon Venoms with no issues the front one that is practically brand new has sidewall cracks on both sides. I put it on last summer. It was manufactured on the 19th week of 2011. I will be dealing with the supplier and get a path forward. My question is this. Has anyone actually had a tire fail from these cracks? Is is pretty much a cosmetic thing or a structural? Obviously I will get it replaced somehow but was simply wondering what other had experienced.
  3. Midnight
    We bought two of these Gel seat type cushions on sale for $10 each and put them on top of our pillow top seats. http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/VehicleAccessories/SeatCushions/PRDOVR~0321419P/Gel+Seat+Cushion.jsp?locale=en They work great. We also have sheep skins but find the Gel types to be much better. Seem to be cooler than the pillow top by itself or with sheep skin. I have seen them at Walmart as well for around $20. They also dry out quickly if they get wet.
  4. Midnight
    Hi: I sent the bike to Florida last fall where it is being stored in the Titusville area. We flew down last Decemeber and travelled to Key West and back. Awesome experience. We are flying down again in mid march for some more touring. I will likely need the rear tire replaced while in the Titusville Florida area. Is anyone aware of a shop somewhere in this area where I can wait while the wheel is removed and tire mounted/balanced. I will supply the tire. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time. Jim
  5. Midnight
    I wouldnt wait to long before replacing the heater based on the two experiences I have had once seeing rusty water. I had a electric hot water heater fail a few years back at our home. The bottom of the tank simply let go at the seam and we had a major flood of rusty water. The heater was approx 18 years old and had been flushed occasionally. A few weeks prior we noticed our hot water was a bit rusty. I guess that was the warning sign. I also had rusty hot water at another home we own. This water heater was about 12 years old. After the first experience with the flood I decided to simply replace it. Once I got the old one out I removed the cover and insulation and inspected the bottom of the tank as I was curious. Sure enough it was showing signs of corrosion and may have failed at some point as well. Just my 2 cents. JR
  6. Midnight
    We have been using a Gel type seat cushion from Canadian Tire as we are from Canada. I know Walmart carries them in the US as well. They are around $20 a piece and work great. We have yet to wear a set out. Link attached. Good luck. JR http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoAccessories/SeatCushions/PRD~0321419P/Gel%252BSeat%252BCushion.jsp
  7. Midnight
    Thank you for sharing your experiences. Here is an update on my replacement process: I received my replacement Zumo today and discovered a few things, which may help others who are going through the same thing. If you get your replacement from Garmin in the U.S., then Garmin will change the serial number in their database to the replacement one before they ship it. This allows access to software updates and lifetime map subscription, if you purchased it. I live in Canada and had mine replaced by the authorized Garmin dealer in Canada, in order to avoid all the border issues. They do not have access to Garmin's database, so I had to call Garmin USA to get it done. No big deal. The XM radio worked fine on the replacement. I simply plugged it in. The only problem I do have now is it appears the refurbished unit sent to me doesn't always respond to touch screen commands. It also jumps to a different screen occasionally when you are typing in data. I updated the software and did the screen calibration to no avail. Has anyone else experienced similar problems with a refurbed unit? So I guess this one gets sent back, too. Let's hope this isn't a trend. The old one lasted 2-1/2 years and did a lot of work. Made our trips a big success. Will call tomorrow and go from there. JR
  8. Midnight
    I wondering if anyone has gone through this experience yet. I had to send my Zumo 550 away for replacement a week ago as it decided to stop working after 3 years. The screen touch went crazy. I should have the new refurbished one in the next week. I had purchased a lifetime map subscription last year. My question is whether the map update will transfer to my new Zumo. Do I have to call Garmin to make it happen? I also have the XM radio. I am assuming it will work no problem as the antenna/receiver is a seperate piece. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks JR
  9. Midnight
    I sent my bike to Florida this year with a friend who was taking his truck and trailer down with him to his winter home. It will be down there until April when he will bring it back, unless I ride it back. His home is in the Titusville area. We plan on flying down a couple of times through the winter, the first one being in early December for around 10 days. So I am hoping there are some Florida members or others who could offer some suggestions for routes and neat things to see (other than the normal Orlando stuff). We plan on doing the Florida Keys for sure and wonder whether following the Atlantic shoreline down would be worth it or if we should simply follow the Florida turnpike or I-95. We are also considering heading North towards Jacksonville and Savanah Ga and then over to Macon, Ga and back down. I always try to avoid interstates, so if anyone has any ideas for routes to and from these areas I would love to hear from them. Thanks JR
  10. Midnight
    I kinda suspected the sending unit too. I have warranty until May of next year so I will watch it and get it taken care of. Thanks to all who shared your experience. It appears there was a bit of an issue with the sending unit in the 2007/2008 year. JR
  11. Midnight
    Thanks for the help and feedback. I consulted another Yamaha dealer and they felt the Yamalube ACC-Shaft-LU-00 (80W90) was fine for the venture. It is GL-4 and GL-5 rated so it does meet the specs. JR
  12. Midnight
    After the past few fillups my fuel gauge never completely registers as full. It stays down by one bar. It may blip up to all bars but only for a few seconds. It seems to trend down O/K as the tank goes empty. I have not checked any connections yet and wonder if it a grounding problem. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Does anyone know how the sending unit works? Any help is always appreciated. Thanks JR
  13. Midnight
    Stopped by a Yamaha Dealer in my travels today to pick up some Rear Diff (Shaft Drive Gear Oil). I have been putting Yamalube SAE 80W90 part # ACC-11000-65-05 in it every year when I change it per dealers instructions. They didn't have ACC-11000-65-05 and gave me ACC-Shaft-LU-00 (80W90) instead saying it was the same. Has anyone else run into this? I want to put the Yamalube in until warranty is over. I was going to phone another dealer tomorrow and get another opinion and be sure. I was just wondering if anyone else had any experience on this they would like to share. Thanks JR
  14. Midnight
    I had a chance to ride a friends new 2010 Goldwing this past weekend. A great bike for sure. Being 6'6" tall I found myself a bit crowded and wondered if the seat could be modified somewhat to move me up and back a few inches. Has anyone had experience with this? Can the seat be modified easily? I also wondered if the handlebars could be adjusted so they could be farther away? My wife really liked the Wing. We both noticed that the intercom/sound system to be superior to our RSV using our JM headsets. Wind buffeting also seemed to be less. Definately quieter and smoother. Fuel injection, ABS and heated seats and grips are also a huge plus. If I can sort out the leg room and handlebars this will be the RSV's replacement. JR
  15. Midnight
    My wife and I were there last summer on the RSV. We stayed just outside the Old city at the Hotel Chateau Laurier. We parked the bike for two days in their underground lot and walked everywhere for 2 days around the old city. It was an easy walk for the most part. There are horse drawn carriages that will take you anywhere for a fee. That was when we noticed the sign that said no motorbikes in the old city. I'm not sure why. The streets are very narrow and very steep in spots. They are also brick. I dont think I would want to drive a car down them not to mention a bike. At any rate we had a great time. There is so much to see. Restaurants are great. Lots of history and beautiful scenery and architecture. We will definately go back some day. Traffic is a challenge getting in and out of the metro area but we took our time and followed the GPS and all went well. Bottom line. Quebec City is worth a visit. Good luck with your planning. JR
  16. Midnight
    My wife and I are hoping to do a spring bike trip next year. We hope to start out from Knoxville Tennessee, go over to the Natchez Trace Parkway and ride it south, loop back through Macon Georgia to visit family and then back to the Knoxville area. I was hoping I could get some advice from as to: The earliest we could go next spring and still expect reasonable weather for our ride through Tennessee/ Mississippi/Alabama and Georgia. What we should stop and see along the way Interesting places to stay If there are any detours worth exploring on our route We have done the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherohala Skyway and the "Tail of the Dragon" previously although we may ride the Cherohola again on the way back as it is hard to beat. Any input or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks Jim
  17. Midnight
    Does anyone have a valid discount code for Jake Wilson that they have used recently when checking out? Thanks Jim
  18. Midnight
    Thanks for the quick reply Goose. Thanks Ian: I checked out that website and it appears they are on backorder. I will most likely order it from Royal distributing in Guelph if they have it tomorrow. It appears they are the same price. $179 plus tax. Either that or I will get it at Zdeno cycle in Kitchener as their prices are usually good. I need to get at it as it appears I am about to see cords. (22000 km on Avon) JR
  19. Midnight
    Hi all: What is the specific number of the Elite 3 rear tire that should be used on the 2007 Venture. Looking on line there appears to be only one (MV85HB15). Is that the one? I am running Avons Venoms at present and I know when I ordered it I had to specify which model as there was more than one that would fit Thanks for the help. JR
  20. Midnight
    Mine froze once. Called Garmin. They recomended I run the software update. Updated and have not had problem since.
  21. Midnight
    I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem. On my right saddlebag the screws that hold the hinge mount plate to the bottom of the bag (see attached pics) are failing. The screws screw into the molded plastic and the plastic is disintegrating. To me it looks like they were overtightened at the factory. I just notice this a few monthes back. The left bag has no issues. I have been very careful not to overload or overpack the bags. I will be talking to my dealer about warranty and want to make sure I have as much info as possible. Comments appreciated. Thanks JR
  22. Midnight
    Overnight I use a master cable lock as shown on the attached link. I wrap it around the rear rim and then to the trailer tongue. It would defintely slow someone down but I am sure no matter what you do if someone wants the bike or trailer they will find a way. Basically it keeps an honest man honest. Good luck http://www.masterlockcycle.com/product_quantumcuff.shtml
  23. Midnight
    Hi Brad: Yes the photo is from the tech article. It sounds like It will take a big pull to move it. I will get the right size wrench so it wont slip and give it a go. Thanks for your help. Jim
  24. Midnight
    Hi Goose: I'm still confused. The nut I am talking about is the chrome one right under the handlebars (by the yamaha emblem). It is 1 1/16" (27 MM). I cant seem to get it to budge. In Freebirds tech article it says I have to loosen it before I can do the screwdriver thing below. I just wanted to know whether I should put a cheater on it to break it loose. From one of the replies above it seems to indicate it is on tight and they needed a long bar on a socket to break it free. Is that what you have experienced? Thanks again. Jim
  25. Midnight
    Sorry if I have confused anyone. I havent taken anything apart. I am trying to do the underneath sneak adjustment as it is shown in Freebirds tech article. I cant seem to get the top nut loose so I can do the adjustment below. Pic attached. Article short cut attached. Thanks for the help. Jim http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=511
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