Jump to content

Freebird

Administrators
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    17,942

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    215

 Content Type 

Everything posted by Freebird

  1. Freebird
    You know what folks? I believe it. I can't explain it and am always at a loss to explain how one rider in the same area can get 20,000 miles out of a tire while another rider who seems to ride almost the same way is lucky to get 10,000 but....I've seen it reported by folks that I trust and respect 100%. I've never gotten 20,000 out of a rear. About 12,000-14,000 seems to be about my limit and I'm happy with that. I honestly lost track on my Michelin but I think I got about 13,000 miles out of it. Probably would have gone another couple thousand miles but I was leaving on a trip and didn't want to push it. I will say that the Michelin was a very good tire. I would not have hesitated to replace them with another set of Michelins but I had read so many great reports here on the Avons that I wanted to do my own comparisons. I only have about 2,000 miles on the Avons at this time. The only remaining test is how long they last. I am totally impressed with them in regards to handling and how quiet they are. My only complaint EVER with the Michelin was a bit of whine in long sweeping curves. Nothing that really bothered me. They handled GREAT on roads of all types, wet, dry, rough, smooth, didn't matter. The Avons have handled just as well and I have now had a chance to ride them in some heavy rain as well as light rains where the roads are usually pretty slick. I've had no problems at all with them and they are quiet even in the long sweeping curves. So, at this point I rate the Avons as equal to the Michelins for my use. The final test will be whether or not they get close to the same mileage as the Michelins did. Only time will tell. I've never used the Dunlop E3 so can't comment on them. For me though, at this time, the best choice for the RSV is the Avon or the Michelin.
  2. Freebird
    I was going to say the same thing. I'm thinking that you made a typo. I have a VMAX rear in my second gen. I run about 3700 RPM at 70 MPH in 5th gear. That is about 500 RPM higher than it ran with the stock rear and about 500 less than a first gen runs with a stock rear. I am very happy with it.
  3. Freebird
    Eileen and I just got to West Virginia. Mixed riding today between 50-75 MPH. Riding two up and pulling a Bushtec trailer that was probably a bit overloaded. Ended up getting 33.6 MPG. Hilly roads. Would like to see a bit better but it could be worse I guess.
  4. Freebird
    OK folks, I know that I'm WAY late in finally getting this contest started but it's just been very busy lately. So I am going to keep it simple. I REALLY need your input as to where you would like to see the 2009 International Rally held. So, all you have to do is reply to this thread as to WHERE the rally should be held and WHY you would like to see it held there. Now I know that some of you will agree on certain places and that is fine, your recommendation does not need to be unique but you DO need to at least briefly explain your reason. Now this does not mean that the rally will be held at any particular place. Even if many of you agree on a location, we still need folks from any given area to step up and take charge of it and if nobody does, then we have to look elsewhere. So, this contest will run for 1 week. The winner will be randomly selected from all of you who post your recommendations to this thread. The winner will receive a $100.00 gift certificate from New Enough. http://www.newenough.com/
  5. Freebird
    Nope, remove the LEFT bag. Very simple. Just 4 allen head screws and it comes right off. All four are on the inside of the bag, two on the bottom and two on the upper back. Then just remove the plug at the bottom of the drive and drain the oil. Replace the plug and remove the fill plug. Just fill it until it just starts running out. I do this with the bike on a stand so it sits level.
  6. Freebird
    Well, Eileen and I were on and off about going anywhere this week. We finally decided yesterday that we would go. I spend Saturday cleaning the bike, cleaning and re-oiling the air filters, etc. Made reservations last night near Seneca Rocks, WV and thought that would be a nice place to spend a week. Woke up this morning and wasn't feeling well at all. I tried to push through it. Got the trailer hooked up, got everything all packed, took care of some last minute things around here and then try as I might, I just couldn't deny the fact that I was not feeling well enough to go. I did something to my left foot yesterday while working in the yard. Can barely walk today. Also have some type of virus or something and spending a LOT of time visiting the toilet. Finally admitted to Eileen that I was sick and then canceled the hotel reservations in WV. So, I slept for about 7 hours today and I THINK I'm feeling a bit better. Foot still hurts but I think I can balance the bike OK with it when I stop. We are going to try again tomorrow to at least get aways somewhere....probably somewhere closer but just get away.
  7. Freebird
    I wonder if this is actually a problem though. Since we already have some people in that area doing a rally, they could just expand it and make it the International for next year. I have no problem with Kentucky. We did a MTA rally in Somerset a few years ago and it was great. So, are you volunteering to take the lead?
  8. Freebird
    I agree. The only other thing I could suggest would be to take it to somebody who does custom upholstery and see if they could add a couple inches of padding to it and then recover.
  9. Freebird
    I've often seen people here who are looking for driver's backrests for the first generation Ventures. Markland used to make one but of course it is no longer in production. They do come up on Ebay from time to time but usually bring top dollar. I was wondering how many people know that Utopia still makes a backrest for the first gen. At least for the '86-'93 I think. It requires a bit of work to install but really doesn't look that difficult. http://www.utpr.com/venture.html
  10. Freebird
    After seeing the demonstration that Plastex put on at the International Rally, I'm pretty much sold on it. I think that is what I would use.
  11. Freebird
    It is still undecided at this time. It will depend somewhat on WHO steps up to the plate and wants to take the lead. These things don't just happen and we need folks who are local to the rally area who can contact campgrounds, hotels, arrange a dinner, etc. AllenH and I were talking about it while in Kitchener and he suggested "The Hub" in Northern Arkansas. http://www.hubinfo.com/ Anybody close to this area that wants to take on a huge headache? There is also another possibility but I can't mention it yet because it may fizzle before it even gets off the ground. We'll see though.
  12. Freebird
    Have you tried just turning them down a bit but not to "0"? The mic on the Edset's are much more sensitive than on other's that I've used. I've found that keeping it on about 13 works well for us. We can still talk to each other but not a lot of wind noise. Another option is the Mic-Mutes. I have it on my bike and it is really nice. You just quickly toggle the press to talk button for the CB to toggle the intercom on or off. From or rear button will toggle it on or off.
  13. Freebird
    The "wandering" is certainly a sign that you have them too tight. It's hard to describe exactly how to tighten them properly. I just put it on a centerstand or bike stand and gently swing the front end so that it bounces off the left or right stops. It should rebound and then gently come to a stop without swaying back and forth.
  14. Freebird
    Charcoal? Looks kind of bluish to me.
  15. Freebird
    I agree that it is absolutely not the same. I've seen more than one independent analysis of these oils. The 10/40 Mobile on for Autos is also "energy conserving" which means that it has friction modifiers and I would not use it in a bike with a wet clutch.
  16. Freebird
    Jerry, I don't remember, have you ever posted any pictures of the BSA? I love those old bikes and would like to see it.
  17. Freebird
    You will never get a consensus on which brand, synthetic or dino, what weight, etc. Everybody has their own opinion. I am exactly the opposite of FLB, I don't think that motorcycle specific oil is a rip off at all. I use Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10/40 full synthetic and it is certainly not the "worse quality of oil available" Have been using it since 1999 in my '99 RSV and will do so as long as I own it and will likely use it in my next bike also.
  18. Freebird
    I think this is the Firestik AM/FM that I used. They make it in a 3 ft. and a 4 ft. version. http://www.westcoastmall.net/amfm3b-amfm-antenna-p-212.html
  19. Freebird
    I don't know how well it would receive. When I replace my CB antenna with the Firefly, they made a FM antenna that matched it. It looks almost exactly the same but was an FM antenna. Don't know if they still offer it or not.
  20. Freebird
    OK....while I agree that you are SUPER, I actually changed all the moderators to super moderators a while back. It gives you more permission in the admin panel to perform actions that may be necessary. The only exception is V7Goose, he is actually an admin due to the fact that he has a good deal of computer experience and can help me with some of those duties.
  21. Freebird
    It is really a matter of experimenting a bit because it will vary depending on rider and passenger weight. I would suggest that you start with about 30 lbs. in the rear and maybe 0-3 in the front. See how much the rear goes down at that pressure and how the ride feels. If it doesn't sag too much and the ride is not too harsh, that is good. The only aftermarket shock that I know of is from Works Performance. From all that I've read, it is a great upgrade. It does use an external spring and no air. I don't know of anybody using the Star Bar at this point. Maybe there is somebody and they will add their comments. Many people have reported that they do NOT have to extend the cables due to the risers. Most have said that they had to do a bit of re-routing of them in order to get some extra length. I personally went with SS lines as I like them anyway. Really only a couple of things that I can think of right off hand. You will find 5 large connectors on the right side of the fairing. These are for the various audio system functions and etc. Unplug each of them and add a little dielectric grease. They get corroded and can cause some problems. If you plan to use an MP3 player, you might want to pick up a 1/8" stereo splitter cable and a short male to female cable. The auxiliary wire plugs into the back of the cassette deck so that you can plug an MP3 player into it but then you have to leave the cassette door open. If you add a splitter, you can bring out another cable and use it while leaving he cassette door closed. Hopefully somebody else can jump in on this one. I have not seen that but maybe I just didn't look close enough when I changed my tires. I have had good luck with the Michelin tires though and think they are a great choice. I'm trying a set of Avons right now just to compare them to the Michelins. You are very welcome. I'm sure some others will add their own comments to mine.
  22. Freebird
    Well folks, those crazy Canadians that did such a good job on the rally were actually able to persuade Yamaha Canada to show up for us. They brought a couple of bikes, an ATV, a scooter and even a 350HP outboard motor. There were three reps there, two guys and a very nice young lady, and they said that they had strict instructions to bring back several pages of things that we, the customers, want to see on a new Venture. Now I'm not sure how much Yamaha Japan had actually shared with them and they either knew little about the new Venture or else were swore to secrecy. What I was able to get out of them though is that there WILL be a 2009 Venture but that it will probably be pretty much the same as the previous models. I also got the impression that there WILL be an entirely new model for 2010 though. So, I'm not sure how accurate this info is but that was the word. They also admitted though that they are not always given the top secret info and all this could be incorrect. I thought it was great though that Yamaha Canada took the time to come to our rally. They also handed out goody bags with caps, shirts, lanyards, etc. and even attended our wrap-up dinner on Wednesday night. I sure appreciate them a lot more than I do Yamaha USA who won't give us the time of day.
  23. Freebird
    I'm going to ignore that remark. You are probably very tired and not thinking right.
  24. Freebird

    Why Sell?

    Freebird replied to star4772's topic in Watering Hole

    I don't want you folks to think that I am ignoring this thread so decided I had better at least let you know that I HAVE seen it. As for creating a forum for our Wing riders. Man...that is a tough one that I will have to give some thought to. I have no problems personally doing it but I'm not 100% sure that it's the best thing for the club. On the other hand, I don't want anybody to feel that we don't support them and share in their joy of riding whatever they choose to ride. I will try to briefly share my thoughts but I don't know if it will make any sense. The Motorcycle Touring Association was was known as the Venture Touring Society. They were established in 1983 and are still going today. I was once on the BOD there and am still a member. They are a fantastic group of folks and one of the few clubs that I know of that share a close family atmosphere as we do here. After Yamaha stopped making the Venture in 1993, they continued on as the VTS for a few years but then some of their members started trading bikes and with no Venture on the market, many went with Goldwings, Voyagers, BMWs, etc. At some point the decision was made to change the name to the Motorcycle Touring Association as to not discriminate against a member due to the bike they chose to ride. I'll be honest, at the time, I thought it was a great idea. Fast forward a few years and now I'm really on the fence as to whether it was a good idea or not. The old VTS now MTA sort of lost their identity during all the changes. The idea should have worked but I think that many of those riders whom they thought would embrace the change, didn't support them as we all thought they would. The fact is, many found better support and etc. from other brand specific clubs and slowly seemed to drop out. I stopped by their recent rally and saw that there were still more Ventures there than any other make but not enough to sustain it as just a Venture club. The are going to stick with the all brands format and continue to try and grow the club to what it once was. I support them 100% in that direction and will continue to work with them in hopes of getting the membership back up again. They are truly a fine group of folks. So, what does all that have to do with us? A couple of things. 1. This group has become the largest Venture and Royal Star site on the Internet due to the fact that you are great folks, the site is extremely active with questions answered quickly and a lot of very knowledgeable folks here that can answer most any question about the Yamaha V4. Not to mention that it is all FREE unless a member chooses to donate. Due to other very active brand specific clubs dedicated to the Goldwing, BMW, etc., I just don't know that we can compete for those riders and am not sure that losing our "identity" trying to is a good idea. 2. As I said, I am still very close to many of the MTA members and feel that I will be hurting THEM if I try to turn this into an all brands organization. Many, actually most, of their Venture riders are members here also but have also stayed loyal to the MTA. I hope that continues but I'm not sure that I feel good about creating a competition to an "all bikes" club against them either. That's just a personal thing with me though. So, as always, your comments and input is welcome. I said when I started this club 4 years ago that it is "our club, not MY club". Your thoughts and opinions are more important than mine because without you, there would be no VentureRiders. I don't want a single member leaving due to the fact that they have moved to a different brand bike though. This may be the most difficult issue that has come up since the beginning of VentureRider.org
  25. Freebird

    The Trailer

    Freebird replied to a topic in Watering Hole

    Hey...I paid my money and took my chances also...in fact...all but ONE PERSON did that. BUT...I DID win a really cool digital picture frame that you just put your SD card from your camera in and it loops a continuous slide show. VERY COOL. I can tell you this, the winner of the trailer was very excited about it, as well he should have been. Last year it was won by Clay and though we were all happy for him, he wasn't there for us to share in his excitement. This time the winner happened to be there and it was really great to see.
×
×
  • Create New...