Mike G in SC

How old are the spark plugs? I've had a mystery lately where my RSTD failed to restart once for a minute. Then two weeks later after a ride and again a 20 minute stop, it started but sputtered for 20 miles till it seemed to then run fine. (I've had experience with bad fuel pumps, this is not that.) I changed the plugs, which were not were not that old and looked okay. But have not had similar issue since with many days riding.

Like Jim said, it works. But on the Venture and RSTD it more like "works to get you home". Several years ago I wrote up how to gravity feed on VR. I used it when my pump died. The dealer had to order one and that week I ran gravity feed for several hundred miles. But, with that said, I believe that as your tank gets down below half full (or half empty haha) that you will begin to loose the pressure and even more as you get lower. But, the suggestion for gravity feed on our bikes was to keep the tank above half and you can run on. On the Road Star I remember there were some STAR Touring and Road Star Clinic folks who had changed jets and that allowed them to gravity feed permanent. I had a Road Star but don't remember if the tank was generally higher. But you could get away from it on that bike.

I'm real happy with the F4 I bought for my 2009 RSV several years ago, and my 2008 Goldwing trike last year. Stock shield on the RSV was soft and scratched easily. The F4 looked new years later. Not cheap but happen to catch a sale. Great customer service. Thanks F4 Customs.

I got a 29" inseam, so my RSV and my RSTD's were lowered, front and rear. I was fine on my Road Star and my Stratoliner without lowering. I had good experience with the height of the 2018 Venture and Eluder in demo rides. Got a STAR friend, CD Heaton of AR, who is about 5'5", he says. He is also good with it, flat foot. And in Redwing at STAR Days, Sherri W, who is 5 foot nothing, took a demo ride and was okay. And my friend, Steven Anderjack, SR is 6'4" and is good with them, even on the back, haha. So, Yamaha did a good thing on seat height this time. I did go sit on the 2018 Goldwing a couple weeks ago. Really sorry to say, I cannot flat foot both feet. It is rated 29.5" seat height but with the seat width, it's high for me. I could ride it but if I got a pebble or leaves underfoot, could be a stretch......... Too bad cause I like my GW trike for two up and may have been interested in the two wheel. (I think it's a tad higher than the previous GW's, or maybe the old seat let me sit lower. .) I think the new BMW 1600B is going to be about the same as then new GW.

Paul Spenser, I've not had a 1st Gen but I have had a 2006 RSTD and put 110K miles on it before I replaced it with another 2006 RSTD with only 6K miles last August. While I had my first RSTD, I also had a 2001 Road Star and a 2006 Stratoliner. I loved the RSTD way more than either of those. And,,, While I had the RSTD I also got a 2009 RSV in 2010. I kept it till late 2016 and put 78K miles on it, side by side with the RSTD. I replaced the RSV with a Goldwing trike because me and then wife thought it was trike time. Simply put, if you want a highway bike, get the RSV, if you want it for back roads and shorter trips, get the RSTD. I got the RSV to be my two up and long distance traveler. It did well. It is more comfortable for one or two for distance. The RSV is better at over 70 MPH for comfort, both for the wind and control. It is unphased at 100. The RSTD is more fun up to 70, but at interstate speeds, like 80, it gets pushed around more and thus tends to wander in the lane. The RSV feels smoother than the RSTD, perhaps weight, but mostly aerodynamics. The RSTD tends to be more sporty on back roads and in the mountains. If you want two, up I suggest RSV. If you want to do distance and interstate, I suggest the RSV. If you want more solo and two lane roads,, I suggest the RSTD. The RSTD is fun, the RSV is comfort. PS: as noted, I liked my 110K mile 2006 RSV so much that when I came across a "time capsule" 6K mile 2006 RSTD for cheap, I got it,, took some accessories off the old one and then gave that to my son in law. I did this after evaluating the 2018 Venture and Eluder and Goldwings and decided I liked the RSTD even better.

Zagger,,, I was talking about "The Great American Bike Show" in Atlanta, not the IMS. There is no longer a southeast IMS show. I would go to an IMS show if it wasn't 500 miles away. Mike G in SC

Been Googling, can't find any production numbers. But I can account for two, my old one I gave to my son-in-law with 110K miles and the "new" one I bought with 6K miles late last year. (After I tested the 2018 models,,, I headed right back for what I liked,,, the RSTD.

That is disappointing. I was "almost" thinking of going to the one in DC (but probably not really..). I went to the Atlanta Great American Motorcycle show two weeks ago because their promo said it would have many foreign bikes. It was a joke,, foreign bike was Vespa. There was one local BMW dealer but most of the rest was motorcycle lawyers and same/same bike leather dealers. Oh,, and some RV's, go figure. A real waste of a 500 mile round trip. Glad I did not make plans for IMS - DC.

I've done 4 demo rides on the new Venture and the Eluder, Redwing, MN and Charleston, SC. Not planning to buy one but I like the ride and with my 29" inseam,, fit me just fine. (that's nice because I had to lower my RSV and two RSTD's.) I stopped by my Honda dealer last week because they had a new 2018 on the floor (but of course already sold). But dealer let me sit on it and stand it up. Dang,,, not as happy as I was expecting. Yep, smaller but to me it looks like the CTX1300. I can flat foot on the old GW, not the new GW. Seat seems higher and wider,, the new model does not fit me as is. I did not ask about lowering it. (But,, I sure prefer the Yamaha top load bags, hate the Honda side loading.) So, I'm good for a few more years with my current 2008 GW trike and my "new" 2006 RSTD.

When I had the Baron's kit put on my RSV (also on my RSTD) years ago, it was to low in the rear for my add on mufflers. I went to a fab shop and had a set made that were half way between the old stock and the Barons. So, this more or less dropped the rear only 3/4" instead of the Baron's 1 1/2". The new ones are simply rectangular with holes,, not dogbone shaped. I drew up a template for the fab shop. See picture. You might be able to make some cheap out of bar stock from Lowes. (Fab shop charged me about $40 for both.)

I might suggest you look at a 2005-2009 RSTD, unless you need the trunk or fairing (radio). Have not had a HD but have had all the big Yamaha's. Found the RSTD to be the most fun and easier to handle than the RSV. Most any year RSTD can now be had for under $5K, and a lot do not have the miles you find on the RSV's. (I got a GW trike for my two up and trips but I just got a 2006 RSTD with 6K miles, for $4K, to replace my other 2006 RSTD with 110K miles. Put some money into the new one and now got a brand new bike!). Mike G in SC

And a shame no IMS in Atlanta or Charlotte (or Greenville or anywhere southeast) anymore. DC, NY, Chicago, nah, too far in dead of winter. Oh, did you here them talking about the Venture? Goldwing, yep.

I was a Sam's Club the other day and I picked up 3 packs of these for my Christmas giving. It's a two pack of chargers, each about the size of a I-phone 6 and rated at 10,000 ma. for about $35. So, each will go to a couple to split them. I don't know how good they are yet. (they are on the same store shelf as the Duracell batteries.) It only comes with a pair of the micro cords (Android?), so if you got an I-phone, you need your own cord. See link below. For me, I got the Antigravity Micro X1 for my bike. Goes on trips with us, it can jump a F350 or a cell phone. Real quality but on Amazon went from $89 to $140 this year. Also, there is a mall type store called 5-Below, nothing cost more than $5. They have a lot of electronics charger cords and battery packs for $5. They are small (credit card size but 1/4" thick) and will do a charge ok. Sams link: https://www.samsclub.com/sams/10000mah-battery-2pk-fall-2017-pallet/prod21423854.ip?xid=plp:product:1:16

Rode my lowered RSTD onto my trailer with a flat tire. Hit the lip of the trailer with my oil drain bolt, took out the oil pan. Stood there looking down at the oil spreading out to my feet. Still had to get it on the trailer so told my son-in-law to PUSH as I still throttled. Completely sprayed him with oil. But, got it on the trailer. Seems funny now,,, not so then. Oh,,, gave him the bike last month.

Hey Jim, I don't dislike the two new bikes. I have ridden the new Venture 3 times and the Eluder once. I think they have a good bike for what it is,,,, but there is that HEAT issue. I did not notice the heat in Redwing, MN. The ambient temp was near 75-80 degrees and the humidity was low. I did use the air diverters. But in Charleston, SC, the temp was 85-90 and 100% humidity. The heat on my left thigh was bad on both the Venture and Eluder. I forgot about the lower diverters, which may have made the difference. I replaced my RSV with a GW trike for my two up a couple years ago, if I got a NEW ride (2018), it would probably be a new Goldwing. I really LIKE that 6 cylinder water cooled. But, after sampling the new Venture last summer, I decided to replace my 2006 110K mile RSTD with a "new" 2006 RSTD with 6K miles. I've either moved stuff over re-bought stuff, putting new tires on it too. SO, I got my new bike! I am hoping that Yamaha Star line will get it back together and get out some models that folks will like. It can only benefit this group and our STAR Touring family. Mike G in SC

Just saw a post from a member, Jozipp in AZ, asking about the display on his 2018 Venture (with reply by Freebird, noting this is the first post by a 2018 owner). It is mid December. Yamaha said, after August/September did not work, they would hit the floor in December. So, I looked on Cycle Trader and I see one in Sacramento, CA. Says, IN STOCK. $26,999. Just talked to my SC dealer and he was expecting January. Link to dealer page: https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2018-Yamaha-Star-Venture-with-Transcontinental-Option-Package-5001065677 So, guess they are starting deliveries to dealers. (??)

Hey,,, hold the presses. Are you saying you have bought a 2018 Venture? Really? If so,,, congrats,,,, did not know they were for sale yet. (But I do see a Sacramento dealer who says he has one in stock to sell, thru Cycle Trader). So,,, actually Jozipp,,,, you are the boss for now. Post some pictures, update us on the ride.

My dad's family lived in southwest MO, Wheaton, near Cassville. Good memories going to grandpa's dairy farm in the 50's-60's. Have visited the area a few times now on a bike,,,, WOW are the roads just below great. Nice to visit the memories and ride there. I bought a 2006 RSTD (like new, 6K miles) out there this summer from a guy in Monett, and my test ride was 200 miles of Missouri and Arkansas western end of the Ozarks. Anytime! But about 5 years ago, traveling from SC to Branson on Hwy 160 (great road on it's own), at 7 AM was in a convenience store in Doniphan, in line with probably 10 guys, "Amie" by Pure Prairie League came on the overhead. Probably 7 of the 10 started singing along, out loud, not aware that they were all doing it.... My dad would have done the same. You know you are in Missouri!

Puc, thanks for the input. I will talk to my guy. (He is actually a lead tech at a dealer.) This bike is now just my solo bike (We got a GW trike for two up and trailering). Mike G in SC

I bought a 2006 used Stratoliner-S in 2009. Got it cheap, while I was still owning my 2006 RSTD. I liked the power and, once I got new tires, loved the handle in the NC mountains. But,, just never felt it was "my bike". Sold it a year later to a neighbor and got a RSV. Still had the RSTD, till this week,,, replaced it with a low mileage RSTD. So, like they said, throw a leg over and see if its' for you.

I just ordered/received a Progressive Suspension spring set for my "new" 2006 RSTD per my tech. But for a different reason. Amazon $87. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GTXIM2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 On my old 2006 RSTD (110K miles), years back a friend lowered the front, similar to you do on the RSV, but only 1/2" to 3/4" as that is about all you can do before the Schrader valves hit the handle bars. I also lowered the rear with the Barons kit but fabricated links that only drops the rear 3/4". So it was leveled, perfect for me with 29" inseam. I got the new RSTD and moved "my stuff" over, including the rear lowering kit. (Gave the old bike to my son-in-law yesterday,, happy boy.) I asked my tech to drop the front like the old bike and he suggested that instead of just dropping the triple tree on the forks as before, to get the Progressive Springs and he can cut the spacer to lower the front internally instead. It will still be a tear down of the front forks, about the same labor, but will have much better results because of the new springs. For those who know the use of the Progressive Suspension kit,,,, does this idea for lowering the front pan out? Thanks, Mike G in SC

Yep, same bike I was talking about!

Trex, I got two of them. I have my original 2006 Midnight RSTD now at 110K miles. It still looks great and rides great. But with what seems to be a drop in pricing on the RSTD and RSV lately,,,, and the introduction of the new models which I don't plan to buy,, I bought another 2006 RSTD, mint with 6K miles for $4200 at the end of August. So for the last while, I have been moving my accessories over from old to new and then adding some other stuff to the new. And next week I am giving my old to my Son-in-law. Keeping it in the family and I get a fresh horse. I know a guy above Richmond, VA that has a very clean and well maintained,,, loaded with accessories, 20K miles selling for $4K even. If I had not just bought one,, I would be headed that way. Here is a link to the Face Book page (he may be a member here, not sure). https://www.facebook.com/groups/21338336667/ Scroll down till you see a black RSTD for sale by David Williams But, these are awesome bikes and you've come to a good place to learn. PM me if you want. Mike Griswold Mike G in SC

That's a good price for a great product. I had one on my RSV and loved it. (Actually the first one got "crazed" and they replaced it.) So, a month ago, "Wing Stuff" a Goldwing vendor who works with F4 Customs offered 15% and I jumped on it. And, take my word, the GW cost more than the RSV shields from F4. Remember, you just clean it with Windex type cleaner and paper towels. You don't use wax or Plexi stuff. F4 sells a cleaner too. Also if it seems to get a build up, you can just take straight alcohol or vinegar to it. More like maintaining glass. If you get the vent, and have a windshield bag, have them place the vent 3"-4" higher, if they can. (I didn't get the vent on the RSV, seems like my triple bag was going to interfere.)