aharbi

Two stories: Once while putting on my helmet while standing next to my bike, an older lady parked next to me getting into her mini asked "aren't you getting too old for that sort of thing? As I often do when I see folks taking picture of each other I offer to take a picture of them all together. At a scenic overlook with a van full of geriatric females I again offered. They gladly accepted and I was handed 3 cameras and 2 cell phones. After returning all the equipment as I walked back to my bike I heard one lady complain to her friends "but I wanted a picture with the motorcycle man". I smiled the rest of the day.

Do a search on "coolant change" You'll get some good posts, thoughts on how it's done. I leave the pipes alone and use a serpentine belt wrench and ground down a cheap Harbor Freight 17mm socket to reach it. Can't tourq it but tighten it snug works for me for years. ps. you only get a cup of coolant out of the waterpump, so if you change it often may not be enough to worry about.

Take the FJRRide the rocky mountains, I too would put Bear tooth at the top of the liststay off the interstates, use the old US highways, 70+ mph is not really fun for hours on end.Always take at least a sleeping bag to sack out at friends, under the stars, flee bag motels. Get an AARP or AAA senior card, never check in a chain hotel without a discount. Walmart is a motorcyclist best friend. It's less expensive to buy new undies then pay to wash them. No one can smell you at 55 mph :-) Take a pair of crocs, extremely light, water proof & comfy, leave the riding boots for riding. Carry a camera around your neck to take pictures on the fly (learn how to use it with your left hand BEFORE the trip, if not water proof carry a plastic baggie in your riding jacket. Ask folks "where do YOU eat"? not for a place to eat. Ask the restaurant what they are know for, NOT what the special (going out of date or slow moving menu items)crackers, cheese, summer sausage/salami keep for days and make a great eat anywhere snack/lunch. 500 mile days should be kept to a minimum, don't wait in long lines, move on. Don't hold to a tight schedule don't over pack, everything fits on the bike in the side cases or the trunk. Only thing on the trunk rack is the bike cover and my crocs. Enjoy, have a great ride.

Rent a houseboat.

I'll add to the rumor mill. Stopped by my Yamaha/Suzuki/Honda/Polaris dealer yesterday. The GM which I've known for years approached me and asked if I heard about the new venture. I said no but have heard the same thing for the past 1/2 dozen or so years. He said this one is appears to be true. Asked for more details. - V4, shaft drive? He didn't know but is is still named Venture. yamaha has their work cut out for them to change my mind on an Indian roadmaster. The roadmasters are being sold before they arrive at the dealers.

Ditto - couldn't agree more

Got a call on Saturday that the indian dealer got some road masters in. 2 days later I drive up to check them out - all sold. Dang, can't keep them on the floor. They are sold before they arrive. He did have a customers in the back waiting tobe picked up. He let me go over it - check it out but not sit on it. When I replace the venture it will be with a indian road master - nice bike!

I think it may of been a bad bulb. If it does it again then i'd start looking for a problem. Also, due to vibration the bulb should be either "heavy duty" or vibration resistant to ensure longer life.

I don't get the least expensive nor the most expensive. But one with good reviews and respectable warranty and power (CCA). The battery technology is changing to frequently between replacements. I'm using an AGM I bought several years ago. So far so good.

I run the same tires. 42 front, 50 rear. Most of my riding is 2-up

Honda shadows have always been bullet proof. No valve adjustments! Shaft drive, carbs.

I have a 2005 V-Star 1100. It has never let me down. Its my favorite mid size flower-sniffin cruiser. I can ride it all day long doing 50mph getting 50mpg. Its "old tech" carbs, coils, shaft drive, no gas gage (watch the tripmeter), easy to work on. Its a fun bike. I've taken it on several 1,000+ miles overnight rides.

You will be fine with a 1amp. Important thing is to have the circuit protected.

Love the Avons. I go for the increased load (H) as it is my two-up touring machine and heavy loaded. Besides the wife gets upset when I cruise at the 130mph speed rating of an H rated tire. So I figure the 149 mph rating of the V tire is just a waste

fail

won't work if you have a center stand. The rod uses the same mounting holes.

I wanted something a bit lighter, a bit more zip, and comfy. Mainly for one-up but yet could do the distance. Of all the sport touring I looked at, the Trophy SE fit the bill. Now, if I were to ever replace the Venture (would need wife's permission first. After all it is "her" bike, I just steer it). It would be with an Indian Roadmaster Great handling, latest tech toys, very well mannered. But for $27K?

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. __________________

I have a 2013 Trophy SE a sport touring.

It's been hot here. Too hot to ride. Until this weekend. I dropped off the Triumph (in the rain) at the dealer on Saturday for some warranty work. Sunday was cool with low 70's in the morning. I jumped on the big Yamaha and took off for a several hundred mile ride in the cool overcast day. It's been several months since I last rode the Venture. I knew when I parked it last it may be awhile till I get a chance to ride it again. I call it my wife's bike, we got it for riding two up. Anyway, When I parked it last I shut off the gas and ran it out of gas to drain the bowls. So it sat for months in the garage under it's cover attached to a battery tender. Time to ride it. Took off the cover, topped off the tire pressure, checked the lights and fluids. Turned on the gas before I did all this. Was worried I may have to crank it a bit to get it started. Nope, pulled the choke, hit the starter and she roared to life in an instant. I tell ya, I love this bike! I think it's more anxious to ride then me! http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Motorcycle/P9147086r.jpg~original http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Motorcycle/P9147087r.jpg~original

My last post was prior to reading your most recent post. You, your family have my prayers for gods good will. Your heart is with your daughter's best out come. She is fortunate.

You don't give her age. Yes, it does have a bearing on the situation. Is she leaving because she feels she must? Because she betraied you? Your trust in her? Your faith in her! She may feel she is not worthy to stay. She is young, just because she is expecting does not mean she knows what to do, she needs guidance, your guidance and most of all your love and understanding. Your JOB as a parent is to fill her cup of self-esteem so full that lifes challanges can't empty it. She'll always be your daughter - and you always her "daddy".

There have been several follow on videos and rides with the "Grand Riders". One of the best "why we ride" videos I've seen and still my favorite. Another good one is [ame=http://vimeo.com/11285536]The Norton Project on Vimeo[/ame] about 2 sons that restored their dads Norton "The Norton Project"

Don't see Triumph listed

I've walked thru his shop and lot some time ago. I reviewed the 16 pictures in detail. Pretty much stock bike, missing cowling screws around gas tank fill cap and looks like inside trunk mounting bolts on back seat. Can't see any obvious needed repairs from the pictures. I would question why he's asking $9,000 lower than KBB retail for a Venture S with 112,000 miles. Drop him an email and ask what repairs he says it needs.