RandyR

If you don't like the gas mileage on that, the easy solution is to just peddle faster... Good to hear from you Eck

my heart goes out to you and yours.

I'll try to get there for the bbq if it happens. Probably won't have my bike though.

good advice

Look out for those little old ladies buddy.... Hey

I smell something fishy !

Well, the new Venture got me looking at new bikes in general again. If I were to buy a new bike today its likely to be an Indian Scout (1200cc water cooled vtwin) or its little brother the Indian Scout 60 (same bike w 1000cc water cooled vtwin), or its cousin the Victory Octane which is a slightly souped up version of the 1200cc engine. In one sense these bikes are just downsized versions of the new Venture, which I judge to be too big and heavy for my riding style and my 5foot 8inch self. I've come close to pulling the trigger on one this past week. Hey Puc! That Honda 305cc Superhawk brings back memories of good times. I rode one while in college and Army in the late 60's.

Good to know. I've heard mixed reviews about the Kendas before.

I was the OP and another discussion/debate on gun control wasn't what I had in mind when I started this with the statement "The polarization being created in the US disturbs me deeply." What I was alluding to, and probably should have been clearer, is my belief that many in the media and in politics have come to depend on slander, insinuation, and demonizing of others. There are big money interests who hire life-long professionals whose job it is to win at any cost. And if one doesn't have a compelling story then just change the focus from the issues that matter to issues that can get everyone fighting. There are politicians on all sides of the issues that use those tactics. imo I could ramble on. If Don wants to delete this thread, then I understand. If I was forum moderator I probably would have already.

Yamaha designed heads for other companies at one time. Toyota being the most well known.

Reminder to all that we have a recommended eating establishments section of the Forums. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?111-United-States-Restaurants That said, Puc, you could probably write/record your own famous burgers of the USA travel log. That Laguna Burger calls to me, wth, its only a thousand mile ride away.

Yeppers. You're a big boy Condor. No doubt it will take a bigger bike to keep you comfy on the road than I would need. Truth is, I really was something of a minimalist for the first 30 years I rode motorcycles. I guess that still shows. I used to laugh at the full dressers. But, the BMW K bike I had spoiled me with its windscreen, bags, and top box. Cruise control was pretty nice too. I guess I lost my taste for bugs.

I guess I'm in a minority here, but I don't think that bigger or even more hp or fastest is necessarily better. I agree with pointing at the original 1200cc Venture as an example of a near ideal production mc at the time. My list of priorities for a motorcycle would rank things like, riding comfort, handling, reliability, ease of maintenance, economy of maintenance, fuel economy, etc; far ahead of bigger and faster. But I realize my perfect ride might not be everyones.

Just watched the news about members of US Congress being shot while at a baseball practice. Luckily no one killed, although some serious injuries from a lone gunman. The polarization being created in the US disturbs me deeply. May God Bless America

thx for reminding me that I wanted to see episode II. The first one was a hoot. By the way, back on topic, I saw a real clean 1st Gen Goldie sitting in front of a house this morning on my way to visit a friend who lives just a couple miles away. I don't recall seeing it around town before. I didn't see anyone around, so I may just drive by again on the weekend and see if the owner is there and say howdy.

There were several forsale on cycletrader.com when I looked a few days ago.

Be sure to visit the Crazy Horse memorial nearby. And some nice twisties thru the park area just north of there.

Yep. I took a demo ride on a RocketIII when I was shopping for a new bike after losing my BMW K1100 to a largish mailbox. I was surprised that I could ride the RocketIII at all but on a street demo ride playing follow the leader, it was manageable. But I decided it was too much for me and I decided on the Yamaha RSTD instead. I had 3 of the air cooled 'original' Triumphs over the years. A '68 650 Trophy, a '69 500 Scrambler, and a '71 650 Bonnevile. Of particular interest I also had one of the first gen of the resurrected Triumph Hinckley water cooled triples, an 855cc '2001 Thunderbird. Actually, I would buy another of these if Triumph was still making them.

Triumph is funny. Like the 2nd Gen Venture engine with its cooling fins, Triumph goes out of its way to try and make water cooled engines look like its air cooled engines of 50 years ago. This probably makes the engines more expensive than they need to be and may lead to some strange (inefficient) design choices. The Bonneville T120 is case in point.

I keep reading that new emissions control regulations will require MC manuf to go to water cooled for the larger engines in the near future.

Well, the K1100 was my first bike with fairing and windshield, but probably my 10th motorcycle more or less. I've been riding since 1964. Mostly street Hondas and Triumphs previously, with a Yamaha XS1100 thrown in. The K1100 wasn't repaired properly following an accident and insurance claim. So I washed my hands of it as I wasn't in the mood to fight with them any more. But, fast forward a couple years and I bought a new RSTD in 2008 which I still own. I'm not sure the RSTD is an upgrade from the K1100. Not in the picture of the K1100 were removable bags and luggage box. It was a nice package.

in today's email In the coming months, there are several opportunities where you can see, touch and experience the Star Venture: Laconia Bike Week New Hampshire Motor Speedway 1122 Route 106 North Loudon, NH 03307 Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - Saturday, June 17, 2017 Thunder In The Valley Downtown Johnstown 223 Washington Street Johnstown, PA 15901 Thursday, June 22, 2017 - Sunday, June 25, 2017 Music City Motorcycle Rally Fontanel Nashville 4125 Whites Creek Pike Whites Creek, TN 37189 Friday, June 30, 2017 - Monday, July 03, 2017 World Superbike & MotoAmerica Road Race Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 1021 Monterey Salinas Hwy Salinas, CA 93908 Friday, July 07, 2017 - Sunday, July 09, 2017 Star Days *Includes Star Venture Demo Rides Treasure Island Resort & Casino 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road Welch, MN 55089 Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - Thursday, July 20, 2017 Sturgis Rally *Includes Star Venture Demo Rides Lazelle & 3rd Streets Sturgis, SD 57785 Saturday, August 05, 2017 - Saturday, August 12, 2017

Very Nice!! I had a 1997 K1100 for several years and it was a sweet riding motorcycle. I'd only had 'naked' bikes before, this being my first with a fairing and windshield.

Its worth checking the list in another month or 2.

Normal??? Normal?? no way. speak for yerself. Did I hear Cowpuc say normal? must be losing my hearing.