I'm Jeff from North Carolina and I'm new to motorcycling... Some history on how I got here and basis for my first upcoming post:
As a kid, always wanted a moped, finally bought one when I was "of age." Rode that Honda for 3 years, then sold when I joined the Navy.
US Navy for 4 years, led to medical equipment service career, became a private pilot, owned a single engine plane for 7 years...
Daydreamed about buying a "max-scooter" ever since selling my moped, finally bought and now own a Suzuki Burgman 650.
Took my first motorcycle safety class (3 days) at age 52 and now want to buy a motorcycle (will keep scooter).
Yamaha Venture is in my top three bikes I'm shopping for, always loved cruisers. (Long wanted a Gold Wing, have ruled out now)
Other bikes I'm considering: Suzuki Boulevard 800 Touring, Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT.
So you can see based on what I plan to buy this Spring, I've nailed down that I like Touring Cruisers with sidebags. Now I'll seek advice from you Venture riders to help me decide if a Venture is the right fit for me. I am mechanically inclined and perform most of my own maintenance on all my vehicles (boats, planes, etc).
Can anyone comment on Venture verses Vulcan versus Boulevard besides the obvious (Twin -vs -V4, power, curb weight)? I'd be interested to head if anyone owned one of these then migrated to the Venture later and why. Thanks!