steppenwolf

Huh,that was a good idea...........I will remember that if the need arises..thanks.

Thanks for the kind words..I make my reports usually a little short and long on pictures..first report and kept it short,left out a few facts. It was a Harley event but I was still invited,friendly fun of my"rice burner"it was a priveldge to be there. But of the twelve riders who I met up with.....one got hit by a car at the exit ramp to the motel,many broken bones and the couple who invited me had an accident also.I was not on this ride with them as my friend and I did our own ride,we wanted to hike a bit and check out the park more than ride.My friends wife( these are true Harley riders,had over 20,000 miles so far last year when I met up with them) while they were out in a group she hit some gravel,went down and he just nicked her rear fender and totaled his bike,I heard on my scanner that two bikers were down didn't realize it was them till the next morning when I saw them,road rash and high as kites on drugs. They healed and ironically three hours after I made the ride report I was invited back for this years ride on the 3rd,4th and 5th of OCT.I have the motel and campground ph#s...he haw.The 20th of this month is the SWOKZ run,a bunch of us old farts riding old bikes for three days...my first time there. Just thinking....should I ride my partners Harley,she wouldn't care to the Hocking Hills ride? [ATTACH]21696[/ATTACH] Naw.....my Yamaha will do just FINE by me. Ohio is just not corn fields with flat level roads..........a great place to visit ........

Old 8, leave early on that friday so you have some time to scout around that day.Great place to ride,,should be there next month again to meet up with some friends.Early enough in the season so you won't have the fall leaves and the flocks of tourists.I would like to ride there but I will be meeting a group of riders in Williamstown Ky on their SWOKZ run and run the last half with them.

Ok I have hung around a bit,did a trip report in the picture section,haven't got the pics part figured out right but that was a quick report....just got an e mail a few minutes ago from the guy I went to see in Hocking Hills OH,another meet is planned for Oct 4th and 5th...almost all Harley riders...gonna do my best to be there..If I hammer down can be there in three hours.last year they wanted to take a hack saw to my exhaust so they could hear it!!!! My bike is worth more in parts than as a whole unit.I still have the orginal exhaust...:-) kinda rare I am told. But it seems that a few of you still own,or did ride the bike....and still feel something towards it...I haven't had any negative coments yet so I am having some fun here and have enjoyed the posts I have read....You guys and gals are very open minded from what I have read...my partners bike... a Harley, she hasen't come around yet..........:-) [ATTACH]21654[/ATTACH] But if we were to find a '70 CB 750 Honda in good condition ....that would be her bike. Click on the picture for a bigger size......I am not doing something right:-(

New here, haven't got the picture thing worked out how I want but I am not good with computers..they hate me. We work our way down from northwest Cincinnati to RT52 that follows the Ohio River,since RT32 in OH and the AA highway in KY have opened this road is now a great road with very little traffic other than locals. Very scenic.Well we make our first "p" stop at Point Pleasant at the rest area and home of Grant's birth place...nice little stop [ATTACH]21645[/ATTACH] We are on a XS 1100 Yamaha and 750 Honda.A little museum is across the street to see Grant's early years,we were a bit early so it wasn't open. As we travel east on 52 we stop at Meldahl Dam,no barges going thru at this time,we were fenced off from getting any closer than the parking lot,maybe 9/11 had something to do with this,had a little obervation tower we used to go up in. Back on 52 we ride along some nice road till we drop of to pick up Boudes Ferry to take us to KY... [ATTACH]21646[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]21647[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]21648[/ATTACH] To cross over it was $2 a bike,it must be run by KY cause if OH ran it there would be a tweleve foot high fence on it to keep you from falling off. What is really cool about this ferry is the engine house,he is facing forward as he pulls up and when ready to go back the whole engine house turns around so the actual ferry never turns...neat as shti. So we are now in Augusta KY,ya gotta visit this old river town,sit by the river or just walk around,put it on your list. We find RT8 and it is empty of traffic,follows the river,smooth,scenic....it don't get any better.As we travel RT8 we miss the Rankin House in Ripley OH,it sits high above the river and has a great view of the Ohio River on a bend. We hit Maysville KY and stop to see the flood wall and walk around on the river side,neat town..it is growing and why did we want to see the flood wall? Size perspective.....[ATTACH]21649[/ATTACH] Well we cross back into Ohio and on RT 52 again,as we keep travelling east we pass one of my favorite state parks,Shawnee State Park,the lodge is great and the area is beautiful,the trails I am told are used to get in shape for those who plan on hiking the Appalichian trail. We finally make it to Portsmouth to see the flood walls,1/4 mile long and depicts the history of the area and on the river side is a park and you can just enjoy the river.[ATTACH]21650[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]21651[/ATTACH] From there our final goal was Hocking Hills State Park to meet up with a few Harley riders,some great roads getting there,ya can't go wrong in OHIO.We spent the next day riding around the area,fantastic place to visit,easy walking trails..but would stay away from the weekends [ATTACH]21652[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]21653[/ATTACH] First report,click on the pics for a bigger picture..I hate computers...This trip was last October and will try to make it again this year as I had a great time. Bill XS1100 Yamaha..It's Evil, Wicked,Mean And Nasty.....

Cervie,....well I never owned a Venture,never rode one but from what little time I have spent here....:15_8_211[1]:I have felt welcome....thinking about a ride report with pics to sorta let the crowd know where the Venture started at it's humble beginnings:-)

So I am back had to watch the 100th episode of Monk...... So I have made an impression? I have noticed a lot of views,thank you for reading.. still learning the site,lots of good stuff here but since I don't ride the Venture I feel a bit out of place.I shall keep on lurking...think I got the size right:--) http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t37/yamaha_28/IMG_1951.jpg

Well I could leave pretty easily but I,as I was lurking,found a lot of interesting posts,pictures and the like.... am I family,the Yamaha family for sure, but my bike is nothing like what you guys ride.I live in a different world.I could post pics and stories of a couple of rides but that would not be right...readers on here want the Venture...as it should be,so I will try and keep any posts generic in other threads..... Ride safe............... Bill

While I am new here and still lurking around and do not ride a venture I had new tires on my bike three days ago for safety sake and handeling but as an x truck driver one other factor than should be on your mind at all times while near a truck "what happens if a wheel falls off or a tire explodes" I have lost a wheel in the past,no one was hurt.Had a steel hauler pass me last year and about 100 feet ahead he blew a tire and it sounded like a shot gun,lucky for me I was in the work truck as the carcus hit the cab and flew on over...if I were on the bike I would not be here.Steer clear of trucks and stay away from them and don't ride in the blind spots..if ya can't see their mirrors they can't see you............ Sad story,hate hearing things like that especially here in Ohio.

Ok, this site has me hooked a bit,nice place,went to the venture history area...danged if I didn't learn all kinds of stuff,who ever put that together,good job. Well the Venture that I thought I knew and the ones that I like(don't shoot me down later owners:-)I thought had gone by the way side in '93 in the configuration I knew. Then the Royal Star from '96 to '98 and now the way it is set up to the present........wow has this bike come a long ways....I am of the old school I suppose,what is now classic styling was state of the art at the time.I am riding an antique compared to you guys:-) Dano...yuppers you win the prize..collect it from the Moderator........... Giga..thank you for the kind words...they are not always heard on line... So what the venture was based on...not shy about pics,think I got it sized right this time,last OCT,overniter....camping by the tracks with trains running by all nite...XS 1100 HEAVEN:D http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t37/yamaha_28/12-12-07105.jpg

James I agree with ya,Yamaha failed from the top on down to the dealerships to promote the bike.I would go to my dealer,eyeball the Venture and nada,no take it for a spin Bill,makes your 1100 look like a city slicker,perfect bike for ya,good in the city and pack it full and hit the road for weeks............I liked the first few years they came out..I don't know '83 to '86 looked like the perfect size that I could handle then they got a bit bigger so I stayed with my 1100.........so that in a nut shell why I still ride the 1100. Paul, I am out here in Dunlap near MT. Rumpke:-)I know the Venture is a better road bike than mine but I am stuck in the UJM era:-)That is the style that I like. This will most likely be my last post....I expected a couple of posts and maybe a read or two but you guys have it together.I came here to find a little info on the Venture as it was bought up in an all brand site and I didn't really have a clue....I have not mentioned the site cause I am not here to promote it and it would not be right. Till we meet again......Ride Safe......Bill Leave ya with an Indiana Welcome sign........... http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t37/yamaha_28/DSC_0294.jpg

Thank you for the welcomes..you guys have a great site here,friendly with lots of posters and vieweres.I was hesitant about asking why the wing became bigger and the Venture sorta got lost in the shuffle. I thought there might be a lot of bashing..but it was all civil and informative...you are a dedicated lot that is for sure:-) I do not plan on getting( a Venture)as I like my '80 XS1100....it fits me perfect for my riding style and trip lengths.I was just seeking some info for an all brand site about the Venture,I won't be on here much,I moderate one board,it's sinking:-(.enjoy the 1100 board and we just got a new UJM(Universial Japanese Motorcycle) board which is small but fun...soo a little busy. Thanks to the history site of the Venture...looks like my 1100 was the fore runner to the newer Venture....so does that make me an old timer and you guys newbies:hurts::hurts: http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t37/yamaha_28/DSC_0275-2.jpg Bill

Todd, Bam there ya go Yamaha wanted a Sport Touring Bike......smaller bags,less storage,I heard a little top heavy and Honda did the full touring routine.......and the riding public wanted a pure road bike......not trying to p on the parade just trying to figure out WHY Yamaha did not see that.

Hey all,first time poster,glad to be here.We were discussing the Wing a bit on an all brand board and a poster mentioned the venerable Venture being sorta tossed aside and not given it's due so here I am to try to find some info. I ride an '80 1100 Yamaha.. http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t37/yamaha_28/6-31-08049-1.jpg So I am fact finding actually...did Yamaha fail in it's marketing and advertising of the Venture as a good road bike or was the Wing that much better? Yamaha back in'83 or so sent me a mailing with a US road map,literature and a small square record with the song..Don't Follow Anyone....So what I am looking for is how are the early bikes holding up?Had this bike been on the sales floor in '80....possibly that would be what I would be riding now..........I HAVE not been thru this site so my post might be redundant...if so please set me straight........ Bill