FutureVentures

Man, I wish. X is outta town and kids have soccer games both days. So I'm stuck in Chi-town for the weekend, dang it. This woulda been cool. Maybe could get my radio fixed while there too! Next year, fer sure. Otherwise, lemme know when/if Chicagoland folks are going for a ride. Have a nice trip!

Were you able to get it working? I'm having all kinds of radio problems so, I'm interested. Good luck.

Might as well try it, the fairing's still off. I'll give that a shot tonight when I get home. For the other's feedback; Yup, checked the fade, doesn't do anything any more. It's a 2000 MM, 2nd generation. Thoughts I was on to something when I found the Aux cable from Amp to Cassette wasn't even connected but, no luck. I'll grease it all up tonight and see what happens. Maybe I'll find a cassette (we still have some) and see if that's working or not. One more piece of the puzzle.... Thanks again.

Did take the blue one apart, all of em. Agree about control unit, worth a shot. Dang it all. Thanks!

So, the radio has been intermittent, at best last few weeks. Comes on, goes off, all on it's own. Tried the recommendation tonight of, splitting the fairing, reseating the big connectors and applying di-lectric grease before the last reseat. All, to no avail. Here's the current symptoms. -Radio plays through rear speakers only. -Volume control does nothing, doesn't get louder even at 30, only goes mute when it goes to zero. -When adjusting volume, the front speakers make that beep with every volume click, so they're working. -Also, the CB transmits through all 4 speakers and the volume adjustment for that, works fine. -Aux still doesn't work. Thought I was on to something when I discovered the connector from amp to cassette wasn't connected together. Still didn't work though, after connecting. One dealer thought it was the "head unit" needs to be replaced. Is that the amp? Another dealer thought, it's the antenna... So, it's sitting in the garage looking ugly, as the fairing is off. Luckily, rain tomorrow.....I hope. Any idears? Perty please?

Roger, willco! Sounds like the plan and the fix. Now, I just gotta go find some dielectric grease, whatever/wherever that is. I'll hit Wally mart, Pep Boys and Napa, sure to find it somewhere. Thanks again.

Yup, it was the ignition switch! Sure felt nice when I confidently told the mechanic I knew the cause, before he did. Felt even better when I was right. So, bike starts/runs just find now. However, radio is STILL on the blink. Most the time it isn't working, other times it spontaneously comes to life, scaring the bejeesus outta me. Mechanic thought it was/is the antenna needs replacing but, I dunno. If that were the case, the MP3 would work, but it doesn't. Well, at least it runs now, thanks again! Next repair, hope to do myself. Between the tow and repair, $530 smackers, ouch.

Dumb question: what and where is MX Day?

Yeah, this site is awesome! Can't believe how quick the answers come, accurate too! Bike is at shop, doesn't open till 10am. Will be calling them at 10:01 telling them exactly what the problem is. Since this one sounds like a bugger to replace, I'll let them do it this time. Next, I need to get a cheap/effective method of towing this beast. Then, hope I never need to use it! Thanks again all. Will update you as this progresses.

Is it the kill, or ignition switch? Or, are those one in the same? Thanks

Ok, I'm going to look in the tech library. Yes, I did check the kill switch, repeatedly. Even with the kill, killed, the lights come on. They didn't. Whoa, so the ignition switch can just die en-route and that's it eh? Weird. Thanks. Will let the shop know tomorrow about this, if they don't already. Any chance this coulda been affecting my stereo too? Guessing not.

Ok, this wasn't supposed to happen, yet! Radio has been on the blink for a week or so, working occasionally, not at all others, for minutes at a time.... Took off seat last night to inspect cables under the backrest, all seemed fine there. Rode in to work today, ran like a champ, radio still on the fritz. Riding home tonight, have gone maybe a mile and boom, it dies while in motion. No warning, just conks out. Thought it might be fuel, though I filled recently, switch to reserve, nada. In fact, no lights, NOTHING! Oh except of course, the radio control has power! What the hell? The only thing with any lights/power at all is the radio control on the handlebar. Otherwise, it's dead. Looked at fuses under seat, all are fine, none blown. Didn't get a chance to look at other fuses. Had it towed to local dealership. Just when the weather had warmed up too. Ideas anyone?

Hi, also looking to reduce height on my bike a tad. Soooooo, if the top of the forks are even with the top of the triple tree, is that as low as it can go? Mine are that way so I can assume it was already lowered? Thx.

But mostly, I'm an idiot. Many of you read my recent traveling posts, where I flew down to LA to buy a bike and ride it back about 1115 miles. Sooooo, lets just say, the bike handled REALLY weird at slow to medium speeds, ESPECIALLY in turns. Thought it was just me on a new bike, first time with a fairing. Heck, I heard these things are a bit top heavy, yeah, that must be it.... Sooooooooooo, 1115 miles and a day later, a friend says, "say, your rear tire is low". Holy friggin crap! Can you say, TIRE PRESSURE! Dumb, dumb, dumbie, I didn't check the tire pressure before departing on my sojourn. FYI, I TOTALLY blame my own stupid self, not Roy. As "pilot in command" it's my responsibility to do a pre-flight check, I didn't. Too eager I spose. Long and short, BOTH tires were..............ready for this? 21 lbs low! Not combined, each. Yup, they were about 15lbs each. "Life is tough, it's tougher when you're stupid". Ok, I was lucky enough to survive and learn again, this lesson. Won't repeat this mistake. The self flagellation continues. Long and short, NOW the bike handles like a dream! I'm soooooooooooooooooooooo happy and yet, mad at myself.

Yeah, I totally agree about most Harley's, having ridden an Electra Glide for two days. What I meant to say was, I personally would be less willing to ride, sight unseen, an 8 yr old Harley than I would a Yamaha. Believe me, could I also afford a Harley, I'd have one of those too! Sorry for the HD slam, wasn't intended.

I have the same issue with my clutch lever, it's a farther reach than I would like. Much further than my Vstar was. Hopefully there is some way to bring the lever closer to the grip?

Indeed, you put the FUN in dysfunctional. So, a not-so-quick recap, as promised. The adVenture started with the airlines, having to take 3 flights, I knew it was gonna be a challenge. Plus, I was carrying all my baggage, heavy leather coat, full face helmet(doesn't fit in overheads on smaller jets!) and a big backpack. Oh yeah, I also brought my battery powered heated vest, laden with wires and two small batteries I thought for sure TSA would balk at that. Nope, didn't seem to notice. BUT, they did notice/remove my travel size toothpaste and deodorant! Yeah, I felt safer then. Managed to catch all 3 flights, barely. Last one I made by about 30 seconds, from Atl. to Lafayette, gangway door closing on my heels. Roy greets me in the airport, easy guess the only guy carrying a full face helmet wearing a motorcycle jacket in 75 degree weather. Can't say enough about the hospitality/kindness shown to me by Roy and his wife, man I miss the South. I was born and raised down there and plan to return one day. Oh, ya know the saying the man that dies with the most toys wins? Lets just say, Roy as a really good head start on us! After delicious biscuits, blackberry jam and butter provided by Roy, I'm off at about 6:30, not bad. I hate new bike jitters, feels like you haven't ridden before. I was soooooooooo glad I didn't drop the behemoth leaving the driveway, though I was over-revving I'm sure. Actually, didn't drop the entire ride! Was pretty happy bout that. First mile I see a small coyote in a rice field, maybe a big fox, probably eating some of those Crawdads! First gas stop in a really small town, in who knows Louisiana, a young lad rides up to me on his bicycle, extends his hand and says "Hi, I'm Jouber, wanna trade bikes?". After letting my Chicago-inherited guard down, we have a pleasant conversation and off he goes, into the hot morning. So the ride went through LA, into Miss., everyone waving or nodding hello, ahhhh, the South. As y'all (it's coming back) noticed, things started getting a wee bit nasty on my way north. Stopped at a gas station, waiting out a few rain drops, chatting with the wife who was playing internet meteorologist for me. The Motel 6 across the street was the ticket, called it a day with almot 500 miles. Damn smart/lucky move. Twenty minutes further north along my route, tornadoes and other nasty weather. Will post photos later but, when I arrived the defunct pool at Motel 6 was 3 feet low, at least. When I left the next morning, it was 2 inches from the top! Did I mention, there's a LOT of State Troopers in Miss.? Seems to be a popular job. They didn't get me, but got a bunch of others. Arkansas and Missouri flew by, averaged about 85 for a solid 2-3 hours, saw 1 trooper. Illinois was as always, boring but this time, windy as all get out. Quartering tail wind, thankfully but, was leaning a good bit at times. Bike handled it all with ease. Gas stations and parking lots no longer got my heartbeat racing, but still have my attention. However, there is still something really odd with the way the RSV turns at slow to medium speeds, can't put my finger on it but, seems like I have to really force the turn. Must be doint something wrong. It's like the bike wants to stay upright at times and other times, the bars want to dip all on their own. Anyway, cutting this "short". Put about 1115 miles on my first adVenture. Great ride. So, how many folks would be willing to get on an 8 year old Harley and ride her 1000+ miles, unassisted? Me either. Great testament to this bike. Quick math shows me I did about 655 miles yesterday and honestly, I could have gone a lot more. Only my neck was stiff/sore. However, it was getting down-right nippy and I was glad to get out of the wind. I will DEFINITELY be doing a 1000+ mile day in a "future Venture", guaranteed. Thanks again for all your support! Cheers to all! Erich

Ya know.. NOW, that I've read all the replies, I could/should just kick myself Being somewhat new to the forum and a TOTALLY new Venture rider, I didn't want to assume too much. Soooooo, I tried something here that I learned from my Hanggliding days: that is if you can't be there, listen/read from someone who is there currently. Hmmm, I'm not saying what I mean... Mainly, I did NOT want to seem pretentious about my posts, cause I'm new, so I only posted here and there. But frankly today, I seriously only stopped for gas, pee and a Baby Ruth. Again, figuring (incorrectly) that on a Saturday, nobody was reading. But, it was REALLY cool posting my thoughts along the road. I hope, we start something here, cause it was fun, it kept me connected. Oh yeah, thanks again to Roy for taking me in like a friend and keeping y'all informed. Hey Roy, I wanna come back one day, 2 million candlelight flash in hand and send some armadillos off to armadillo heaven. Lawd knows, they don't cross the road very welll.

Wow, what a great ad-Venture!!! Sorry that I didn't post at all today, two thoughts: figured it was Sat. and everyone was no longer bored at work: Two: I was hauling ass to make it home quickly, lunch was a baby ruth. First, I made it home safe and sound! Thanks in part to y'all! Seriously. I can NOT thank Roy enough for his hospitality, reminds me of why I miss the South so much. The bike/journey were/are great, did 600 plus miles today, no problem. However, due to tornadic activity at my last stop, I'm ready to call it a night. ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Hope the occasional, if not duplicate updates, from the road were a break from your normal grind. Again, I will put more updates/detail on tomorrow eve... BTW, the few replies/comments I was able to read via Blackberry, REALLY were heartwarmining. Especially those that were warning, correctly, about the bad weather ahead of my path. Thanks again y'all......... Love me bike and my biker community. Semper Fi, Erich.............akak............FutureVentures:bighug:

Hi, I'm actually posting to the site via webbrowser on my BB. No idea why it's posting soooo many times, doh! So, u guys were right, MAJOR storms here, whoa! Off to pizza hut and BEER! HOLY MoLEY, as I was typing this, with door open, lightning struck a pole across the street, transformer blew up!!!! Very loud. We just lost power in here too, there goesw the TV! Not to mention air conditioning. Off to get beer before they get warm!

Crap, did the last msg work?

Yes, those storms moving thru MS and TN have grounded me, almost 500 miles for the day. Tornadoes within 15 miles, nice! Stuck in Senatobia MS...missed major rain, lightning by about 30 seconds! Thank goodness for Motel 6. A restaurant in a town where I just passed thru was hit by tornado with 30 people in it, according to a local guy. Love the Southern Hospitality, hate the tornadoes! Will elabortate more on my stay with fellow venturer Cajunsrv, who sold me my bike and was very generous with his Southern hospitality. Great guy. Saving battery so I am only posting, then powering off. More posts tomorrow as my adVenture continues. Cheers!

Well, I was dodging raindrops like a pro! One storm passed before me, one behind me......now a biggun is in Memphis and dropping hale. Stuck in Centertopia MS, yeehah. About 460 miles so far, almost half way. Motel 6 across the street is starting to look good. Still pondering... Bike is feeling better all the time. Cruise control is an amazing thing! Now, if only I could figur out why mu MP3 isn't playing thru Aux mode on the stereo, cause I don't like Country!

Ok, 313 miles down and counting. I'm in Jackson MI on I55, time for a bite. Damn, there's a lot o police down here!!! Weather is holding out so far, overcast and windy, but dry.......for now. Bike is surrrrrrre fun, miles just click away. Ok, more later.

Ok, 313 miles down and counting. I'm in Jackson MI on I55, time for a bite. Damn, there's a lot o police down here!!! Weather is holding out so far, overcast and windy, but dry.......for now. Bike is surrrrrrre fun, miles just click away. Ok, more later.