aharbi

http://www.colorrite.com/

I don't buy bikes that have spoked rims (ie. require tubes) including dual sport.

I dunno about a top trunk. I mean I'd use it, two of my bikes have them and I use them all the time but it would really depend on how it looks. I do have a leather tour pac with a leather round roll that would look nice strapped to the rear seat backrest if I needed it for a long trip (our a quick trip with the wife on the back:crackup:) I did not notice any heat on the left side. But it was in the morning and cool and I was wearing my riding pants. Yes, the power is smooth and the torque was incredible, always there no matter what gear - just roll it on. Also the bikes take 91 octane fuel. Attendance was good but not overly crowded. They had 13 bikes and I think each ride we had 10 -11 riders. I road each one and had no complaints about anyone waiting. We did touch a little on price, MSRP (Chieftain $22,999) was clearly marked on the manufactures label on each bike. They (dealer) didn't want to go below MSRP but was willing to throw in $250 gear, a gas card and other promo things not sure if from Polaris or the dealer. Probably Polaris. It's not like they had a back order on the bikes, he had a showroom full (6-8) of them. I downloaded and read the "Riders Guide" owners manual (one manual for all three bikes) before I left so I had an idea about the bike. Kinda liked the idea of an actual oil dip stick as opposed to crawling around on the floor to check your oil. (actually I use a mechanic mirror on a telescoping antenna thingy) but still.

Always chasing down my keys and glasses. Won't wear a shirt anymore unless it has a pocket for my glasses. and I put a beeper on my keys that goes off when you whistle, but to whistle I have to find my teeth

I don't remember where I bought it. It is a J&M 3 Pocket Leather (faux) Windshield Bag HDCH990. I love it. Big center pouch holds my prescription sunglasses. Right pouch holds my mp3 player & cord (to plug into the aux. jack). Left is to empty my pocket keys/change/stuff. I loosened the windshield screws to fit it (remove the chrome strip, CAREFUL don't break the tabs). The screws aren't long enough to "sandwitch" the pouch between the fairing and the windshield. I measured carefully and with an exacto knife made a slice lengthwise and removed the leather (front & back) from the pouch-hangy-down-sandwitch-between dash & windshield piece reducing the thickness by half allowing the windshield mounting screws to work. Only problem I've had is dead bugs fall behind the pouch and the windshield, compressed air works best to blow them out. The pouch can be found on ebay for $55-$60 new.

It was 31° when I left Austin Thursday morning and showing 29° in Odessa for the 738 mile round trip ride. Beautiful morning, clear skies. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide004-20140227-121418.jpg I wore my Tourmaster Epic jacket and Tourmaster Flex riding pant. This is my choice for any trip as they are water proof and 3 season weather rated. I brought 3 pair of gloves, winter (thinsulate lined), waterproof, perferated white leather. Decided to wear my HJC helmet with SENA SMH10 bluetooth for my iPhone and GPS. I pretty much have given up on the Venture radio electronics for music/communications. I will however on rare occasion use my other helmet (J&M headset) if requiring CB use for a group ride. It is as much work preparing for a single over nite ride as it is for a week or more. Only difference is the number of socks and shorts to pack. I have never ridden the bike to Odessa I wanted to see the sights, ride the roads. I chose one way up and another back. Here is the route I chose: http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/capture-20140302-134817.png The roads were in good order and very little traffic. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide010-20140227-130858.jpg For the most part it was two lane blacktop/chip seal occasionally opening up to 4 lane divided highway near towns and cities. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide002-20140227-113405.jpgand back to two lane http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide011-20140227-131014.jpgat 75 MPH http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide017-20140227-140028.jpg better photo of speed limit. I never had a problem with anyone "on my bumper" pushing me down the highway. They waited and passed when clear - and they waved. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide018-20140227-140804.jpg The road (US87) to San Angelo http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide021-20140227-143547.jpg and flat for as far as the eye can see http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide023-20140227-145030.jpg Entering San Angelo http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide024-20140227-145946.jpg With San Angelo behind me, I notice some buttes http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide029-20140227-155307.jpg and behind them are hundreds of these. They are everywhere. Looks like wind is replacing pumpjacks? http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide030-20140227-155402.jpg well maybe not. We close in on Midland http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide036-20140227-163026.jpg everywhere you look they are drilling for more. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide039-20140227-163705.jpg The worst part of the trip has been between Sterling City and Midland on 158. The entire section is under construction and congested with crude oil haulers who are suicidal. And again the frantic drive down IH20 from Midland to Odessa (17 miles) in rush hour traffic. Everywhere I look it is obvious I'm in the "Oil Patch" (Permian Basin). I pull into where I'll spend the night (whew). A very nice area across the street from the UT campus. With fresh (still warm) cookies waiting at check-in. I chug a complementary cold bottle of water as I sign-in. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide101-20140227-183721.jpg Not wanting to get back on the bike I ask for a place to eat nearby. Next door the strip mall houses Dos Compadres a family run Mexican restaurant. Thursday night special Carne Guisada, it was very good. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide102-20140227-185205.jpg I put the bike to bed, cover it, set the alarm, cable lock the rear wheel. Set the alarm for 6:30am and hit the sheets - it's 9:15pm. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide103-20140227-194114.jpg Next morning, hot complementary breakfast, sausage, eggs, fruit, yogurt, coffee. Uncover the bike, throw my topcase liner in the trunk (these are great for travel, pack in them and carry to - from hotel to bike). Drive 3 miles down the road to the Indian Demo ride. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide052-20140228-102925.jpg They open at 9am, I arrived at 8:45. Demo rides were to start at 9am. Well... new downloaded software wouldn't work to register, ALL the bikes needed gas. This and that... finally KSU was close to 11am. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide043-20140228-095445_stitch.jpg http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide050-20140228-102849.jpg for the first ride I chose the Chieftain for my first ride. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide049-20140228-102224.jpg I did not regret it :-) Very well mannered, carried it's weight well. Never felt how heavy it was (848 lbs wet). Incredible power, never had the chance to use 6th gear. ABS brakes (non-linked) very good. Cable pull clutch. Bluetooth, 100 watt radio, TPS, Keyless start - very cool just press button (don't hold it in) just press once it starts, press again it stops. High enough so tight corners don't drag hard parts. Power windshield, smartphone capable. I felt very at-ease with the bike and ready to throw it into the twisties. I liked everything about the bike. The seat had a tendency to make me slouch, I had to keep pulling myself up, a back rest would help. A note to the Houston folks, the demo tour will be in Houston next week. Y'all ought to get out and test ride one. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide053-20140228-105627.jpg The one I rode http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide062-20140228-112239.jpg I love the looks of this one, color, pipes, everything http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide040-20140228-112218.jpg and in blue http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide057-20140228-112106.jpg With the demo rides over, it was time for me to head back to Austin. I knew I would be riding in the dark once I got close to home. I headed south on US385 into arid west Texas. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide070-20140228-124748.jpg "nodding donkey's" still visible on both sides of the highway http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide065-20140228-123905.jpg west Texas http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide083-20140228-150201.jpg hour after hour the scenery changed little http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide084-20140228-150326.jpg love the name http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide090-20140228-155908.jpg I always found this sign peculiar, reduce speed to 65mph curve ahead. Guess it makes sense when speed limit is 75mph http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide091-20140228-160009.jpg this was a great "back road" Mountain Hwy or 915 some turns a few hills. I looked down at my speed and I was doing 87mph and didn't know it. Yeah I liked the Indian but the Venture is still one heck of a motorcycle. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide092-20140228-162042.jpg temp showing close to 90°. A while back I stopped and opened all 7 vents in my jacket to get a breeze flowing. Unzipped the vents in my pants too ;-) http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide093-20140228-162748.jpg I love these town court house. This one is in Mason, TX. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide096-20140228-172601.jpg long shadows, the sun is getting low. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide099-20140228-174908.jpg Closing in on Llano. I'm still an hour and half from home. One gas stop left, change my face shield to a clear one, grab a bite to eat, close jacket vents, change gloves for the ride home in cool evening darkness. Thanks for riding along. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Odessa%20Ride/OdessaRide100-20140228-175256.jpg

read these http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?p=817588#post817588

What is it about bikes? You can have a garage full and still go out and look at the new ones. I rode a Victory CCT, nice bike, but somehow I expected more. Wasn't enough of a WOW factor to get rid of my Venture. Didn't think it had any more power, definitely didn't run nor shift as nice as the Venture. It did carry its weight well, had cable clutch, cable throttle, and a large gap between the side case lid and case, (correction it does have ABS). If getting a new bike I would want the "new stuff" throttle by wire, ABS, traction control, hydraulic clutch etc. It would be hard to convince my wife on another bike. The Venture is "hers" I just steer it. Planning to test ride an Indian Chieftain in the near future.

They are coming to Texas. Though Houston and Beaumont are closer thought I'd make it an overnighter and take some roads I've never been on. Think I'll attend the Odessa demo on the 28th of this month. Anyone interested is welcome to ride along.

read the posts in this thread: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?p=812273#post812273

I run 50psi in mine. Good even wear, no problems. Oh I ride two-up most of the time. And we are both... ah... well nourished :-)

The Fonz's bike was a Triumph. Sonny Barger was a past president of the Angles not the founder. The Hell's Angles was named after a WWII fighter squadron of the same name.

also most MP3 players. most gps units, ALL cell phone towers, ALL cable DVRs, and ALL imbedded controllers, most security camera control units, and the space station because I helped install it on the Thinkpads that are velcro'ed to the walls in each modual.

Motorcycle Consumer News reported Sliders as the best buy. So I got several pair, kevlar lined in the butt, knees and down the sides. They come in blue jeans, black and cargo for $80. Not as cool in the summer as I would like as the kevlar lets little air thru. I took a spill last spring, didn't rip or tear. I like them.

Very cool and the videos are all in HD on their web page. The currency conversion to US dollars is a mere $83,778.40 How many of y'all are going to order two, the wife wants one also.

Running Windoze 8.1 It has never crashed, I run a high end graphics card with dual DVI LCD displays, 2TB drive, 500GB SSD boot drive, 32GB memory, 2 DVD/blueray burners. Again, never failed. But finding things you install and the Apps/Start menu sucks big time. Windoze 8 is perhaps the most user hostal/unfriendly interface I've used. I dual boot either Linux (default) or Windoze 8 as there are a few programs that I use that need Windoze. Like Garmin Base Camp (that POS is another story). I believe Linux takes far better advantage of HW capabilities and runs extremely fast. Graphics rendering takes 1/3 the time in Linux. I believe Windoze has way too much overhead trying to be the end all do everything. My wife's laptop has Windoze 7 that I'll never change, my Netbook has XP which I'll update to Linux if/when XP no longer supports what I need for my motorcycle traveling.

Thanks djh3, got mine today. Looks good professional job, heat shrink and no exposed connections/wires. It would of cost me at least that much chasing down the parts to make one. Like you said plug/play couldn't be easier.

I know they exist, I've used them. Very well written as I recall. Just have to figure out where I found them. I did print them out and have them in the service manual. sent from my Nook HD+

I bought my copy at Cyclegear a few days ago ($24.95) have yet to watch it. Wife is home with the flu and "owns" the TV. Update: Very enjoyable, I liked it, 90 minutes long, covers all aspects of riding and some riding history. I also picked up Isle of Man TT review for both 2012 & 2013 (240min ech) now that's intense! Dang! Video is incredable.

Wow how scary. But for the grace of God you were right there. On bended knee for the two of you.

So I get my cylinder coolant plugs in. I spill out the package. I thought these were genuine Yamaha parts! Looks like they came from AMWAY. I'm gona try them anyway http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Motorcycle/IMG_1484.jpg

Get a heavy cruising tire. This is from a spreadsheet I put together. Hope it helps, some tire types have changed by the manufacture. I went with the 80H tires as I ride two-up and need the extra weight carrying abilities. Tire Front Rating/Load Rear Rating/Load Avon Venom 150/80-HB16 71/H 150/90-HB15 80H Dunlop Elite 3 150/80-16 71/H MV85B15 77H Michelin Commander 150/80-16 71/H 150/90-15 74H Metzeler ME 880 150/80-16 71/H 150/90 B-15 80H Speed rating H=130 mph Load 71 = 761 lbs Load 74 = 827 lbs Load 77 = 908 lbs Load 80 = 992 lbs A good guide on motorcycle tires by the MSF Hope this helps.

Me too Sent from my BNTV600 using Tapatalk

Fastest I've had the Venture is 90mph and that was to shake some idiot off my tail. Never wanted/tried to go any faster on it. On my newish Triumph Trophy I've had it to 132mph till I ran out of nerve.

Agree with the above. Never had a carb problem even riding high in the Rockies, always had all the power I need. I run mid grade gas (89) but will run reg (87) if can't get mid grade. I only started using mid grade when they went with the ethanol crap in gas. My personal experience only¹ I find the bike runs better and I get 20-30 miles more per tank. ¹ The views expressed are my own and do not reflect those of other viewers, riders, know-it-alls, trolls willing to argue mileage statistics. Nor government agencies forcing the myth that ethanol in gas is good for humanity.