XV1100SE

Only thing that would stop me from riding is if they mandated having to ride a Harley ! :-)

...and if you don't have a passing light spacer... now would be a good time to add one. Mind you, if you haven't split the fairing in 8 years of owning the bike you are doing really well. When I split the fairing I plan ahead and consider any other things I want to add or do inside the fairing. Look to see if you have a relay on your passing light, check all other connections, consider adding things like a Buddy Rich cable, adding a splitter to the Aux input... Also, consider replacing your headlight bulb. If you haven't changed it in a while, you might want to take a preventative step and replace it before it burns out. If it is the OEM bulb, consider the Ultra Star, look into LED or HID. You'll have to aim your headlight after doing this, but checking the aim on your headlight and passing lights occasionally is a good idea anyway.

Are they trying to say that forcing people to spend money on a helmet would stop people from riding? They aren't saying you have to spend thousands on a helmet, just that riders should wear them. Is a cheap $70 spent on a helmet going to make someone stop or never ride? I can see the CDC recommending helmet use. I would think that most riders would agree that wearing a helmet can reduce head injuries and save a few lives. That is the reason for seat belt laws (prevent people from being thrown thru a windshield or thrown out of a vehicle in a severe crash). Look at football players... and imagine what shape they'd be in if they weren't wearing helmets while playing. I get the argument that helmets are a freedom of choice. When we were in South Dakota we rode in a town without helmets (first time without helmets) for a few miles and it was enjoyable, could see better without a helmet, could hear better, was nice feeling the wind... but our personal choice is to wear helmets. In Canada, helmets are mandatory. They don't say you have to wear a full face helmet, just that you wear a helmet that passes certain standards. They don't make ATGATT mandatory. You could ride naked as long as you have a helmet. I'm not making an argument for helmets. For us our personal choice is to wear helmets. If people feel strongly that it is their right to not wear helmets that is their choice. To say that having to wear a helmet would make people not ride is stretching it. If you get hit by a bus/truck/car... a helmet isn't going to prevent the rest of your body from being injured. Before they mandate helmets I'd rather see graduated licenses limiting sizes or styles of bikes for new riders. But that is my personal opinion.

Thoughts on the 2015 rally... the NEW Yamaha Venture. Maybe Yamaha will donate the new 3rd Gen to us ?

Not sure if anyone else noticed but out of the last ten "new member welcomes", five of them are Canadians. Might have to change the site address to venturerider.CA soon !

I have the Garmin Zumo 660 and use bluetooth to pair it with my Blackberry. I have the Buddy Rich cable to connect the Garmin to the bike. When receiving a call (rarely place a call from the bike while moving) I use my J&M headsets in my full face helmet and have no problem hearing or being heard. For music...I have an sd card loaded that I put in the Zumo. Don't recall if I've played music on my smartphone thru the Garmin to the bike's system using bluetooth.

Hopefully everyone in the affected areas are safe from the tornadoes and high winds. Affected States so far are Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky. Storm going to touch West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Upper New York, and Ontario. The attached image is current severe weather at this moment

They say things come in 3's... you've outdone it. Can't be any more coming !

As much as we'd like to attend, Jan 4th is when my family is getting together for Christmas.

Little ways off but in 3 years I'll be in Saskatchewan again....if you don't mind a couple Ontarians joining in the fun !

I'd say keep the site related to Ventures and RSTD.... no need to change it. There are sites out there for other specific bikes and if someone with a Wing for example, will go to a Wing specific site if they need help or have questions. VR.org is about Ventures, riding, and friends. Lets keep it that way. People that have moved on to other bikes come here for the friends they have made and to talk about riding. Doesn't matter what they ride. If they need help with their bikes, I'm sure they go to forums geared to their bike. As to membership being flat.... still goes to show that as people leave, others join. Lots of people don't even know about VR.org and I for one hate Facebook. The layout of this forum works for me. Until the time that Freebird loses money on this site... don't change what ain't broke.

Hope everything goes well

I'm here most of the day. Still relatively quiet at work and thru the evenings I'm reading off and on depending on what is on tv. Think for the most part it is as riding season comes to an end for most of us.

Neat looking bikes... http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/11/yamaha-tokyo-motor-show/ No info on range or top speeds

After having met you and your wife and kids... I know how generous and special your family is.

Put some miles in for those of us that have had snow this week. :-(

Careful with the trunk rack. The OEM rack has metal rails between posts to spread the weight of any load you put on it. If there isn't support other than the posts you could end up with the rack going right thru the lid.

As a suggestion...sign up for each day you will be at the event. Some people only make it for a day or two rather than the whole event. Putting your name on the first day doesn't make it clear that you will be there for the entire thing.

Still not in the touring range....but : - Torque 106 lb-ft - 60 mph in 3.3 seconds - 660 amp motor giving you 67 hp and a top speed of 102 mph - ability to add even more juice to the range-topping 11.4 kWh Zero S, SR, and DS models. The power tank accessory replaces the parcel container under the dummy fuel tank with a 2.8 kWh battery pack that can be installed before or after you purchase a 2014 Zero. The extra cells boost range to a maximum of 171 miles in the city, 106 miles on the highway (at 55 mph), or 131 miles combined. The new battery will let you go 88 miles at a sustained 70 mph http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/11/2014-zero-sr/

Response from Allen Hall @ Diamond R : "We are fixing to run a sale on our covers, $109.95 exchange plus shipping a savings of $30.00. If you are interested, you can place the order securely online and we will make the credit when we process your order." Going to go with them.

$139... not bad. Do they chrome the plastic? You have to send in the old covers and they send you chromed ones.

Just saying .... if on a warm sunny day it takes longer than 30 minutes to wash and dry the bike.... it is too long. More chrome.... more to dry and polish. Rather be spending the time riding !

I got the backing plates for the passenger floorboards and horn brackets (they go behind and below the passenger floorboards) from Slowrollwv and with the shiny parts there.... figured the battery covers would give more flow to the chrome. I've seen the chrome battery covers on ebay for $190 but if I can get a better deal, I'd rather do that. As for chrome.... you have enough when it starts to take too long to polish the bike.

Anyone have a set for the 2nd Gen they'd like to part with ?

30 mph, 30 mile range. 5hp electric http://www.gizmag.com/toyota-i-road-electric-three-wheeler-production-hamo/29295/ Urban commuter in "car" share. Limited production. http://www.autogo.ca/en/news/industry-news/toyota-i-road-ev-production-confirmed