BigLenny

Tyler, Welcome to the site. I ride a 2007 Royal Star Tour Deluxe and absolutely love it! I think you ought to go with the Tour Deluxe. You will never regret it. This bike is a great mixture of cruiser, or tourer. You can take the windhsield and backrest off with the click of two levers, and the bike turns into a completely different machine. Or you can load it up, hit the cruise control, and let it ride. Yes, i did mention cruise control. The other bikes you mentioned do not come with a cruise control, and trust me, you will love that feature. The notion that a Venture has more storage room than an RSTD isn't necessarily true. The Royal Star Venture has a fairing on front while an RSTD has a windshield. The Ventures fairing houses the radio and gauges, but doesn't offer storage bins. So, you're not going to be able to store more on a Ventures fairing than you are on an RSTD's windshield. The back of a Venture has a nice lockable trunk, but, it doen't mean it has more room than a large t-bag that you would mount on your luggage rack on the RSTD. My wife and I have ridden our RSTD to over 20 states, and we have a huge bag mounted on the back that I'm almost 100% sure will hold more than we could cram into a trunk. Having said that, I do love the Ventures, and I wanna own one someday. Even though I know I will potentially give up some storage capacity when I switch to the Venture. Anyway, I say get yourself an RSTD. You can't beat the V4 motor, and what I like most about it is; not very many people have them. I love the fact that pretty much everywhere I go, nobody knows what my bike is. VStars and Road Stars are everywhere. They're a dime a dozen. Don't be a follower. Get an RSTD and be unique. LOL.

Hang in there Danno. I've never met you, but I hear you're tougher n boot leather. Praying for ya.

Have you looked at Cycletrader? You could probably get a good estimate of what people are selling their trikes for on that site.

Phoneman, I see your still rollin the RSTD. Stay strong my brother. RSTD'S RULE!!!!

I agree with the wear bars = gone statement. I,m OCD about tire psi's and tire wear. Going down because I,m trying to push a few more miles out of a worn out tire just to save some bucks, well, I,m not going to be guilty of that. I could deal with myself going down, but if I ever did it with my wife on back because I was riding a tire that should've been changed, I wouldn't forgive myself. Wear bars= gone.

Does all of that hoo haa cut gas mileage?

Wow! Yeah, your obviously hearing more about it than I have. I only know the one cousin who owns one. He may be getting lucky. They are leaving out in a couple weeks to do a 21 day Neb, SD, Wy, MT, UT, ID, CA, CO, AZ back to Arkansas trip. That just might reveal some issues with overheating. I'll keep you posted.

For the past 4+ weeks I have been suffering from kidney stones in both of my kidneys. Throwing up, lotta pain. Finally, a week ago on Monday I had a surgery/procedure to remove the one in my right kidney. It was 14mm large. They went up through my money maker to get to it and never could quite get to it, so they did lithotripsy. Pounded my kidney through my right back with 4000 shock waves. They apparently busted it up into little pieces. Not sure how little. They put a stent in my right ureter, and it is very uncomfortable to say the least. I will go back to the Dr on the 17th to get the stent removed and assess where I'm at. Then, the sadistic bastards want to go into the left kidney and get a 6mm one thats floating around in there producing a lot of blood. I haven't been able to do any riding because of my issues. Wantig to travel so bad. Looking forward to this being past me. Big Lenny hasn't been having a great month.

Checked out the video. Crazy impressive. I didn't know until right as he was doing the tipover protection trick that he was the one doing all of the talking. I thought it was some announcer standing on the side. That dude is gifted. LOL Victory bikes are drawing me.

No, My cousin has had no problems whatsoever with his bike. I talked to him about 15 minutes ago. He said Harley has had some recalls that he had to take it in for, but everything has been awesome! When I test rode the EG Ultra I really liked it. I was very impressed. But there is one unfixable issue with the bike that kicks it out of my radar. The bike isn't near long enough for me. I'm 6'6" and I feel like i"M scrunched up on the bike when I'm on it. That's why I like the CCT. It's a long feeling bike with huge floorboards. My RSTD is a long feeling bike that fits me real well. The Harley folks have told me there is a tall boy seat that you cane buy to help with that issue, but it only sets back about an inch. That wouldn't be enough for me on that bike.

Don, I know you say you are very happy with your Glide, but let me tell you a story. My cousin and his wife were long time Wing owners. They went through 3 Goldwings over 15 years and rode them from one end of the U.S. to the other. In 2013, during a trip out west, they stopped at a Harley dealer in Colorado because they were riding with some Harley folks. While they were there, they shocked all of us who know them and traded in their Goldwing for a brand new 2013 Road Glide Ultra (exact color as yours). Blew our minds because they were die hard Wing people. Anyway, they wound up loving everything about the Glide except the heat from the motor. They weren't used to that from the Wing, but they toughed it out and reluctantly made themselves get used to it. They loved loved loved everything about the Glide and Harley in general, except for the heat issue. Anyway, they had the Glide for a year or so, and then Harley came out with the Rushmore edition water cooled Ultra's. They were on a ride in Tulsa and stopped at a Harley dealer to take a break. They test rode the new Electra Glide Ultra and couldn't believe how much better the bike rode with all of the improvements. Plus they loved the upgraded latches, touchscreen infotainment center, LED lights, etc.... The dealer made them a heck of a deal on trading in there Glide(I couldn't believe how much they got for the Glide) and they bought the EG Ultra water cooled. My cousin immediately said after he bought the bike, and continues to say, he can't believe how much cooler the bike runs with the water cooling. He said it's night and day difference. They are crazy about it! As you know, Harley did a ton of upgrades to the Rushmore bikes, and it has vaulted them forward quite a bit. So, I gave you that too long story to say this; If your ever get to where you want to make a change to get away from the heat that your Glide puts off, you might just want to stay with Harley and give the new water cooled bike a shot. With all the new improvements they have made to the bike, it actually feels like a completely different machine. BTW, my cousin at first kinda baulked at the idea of getting a handlebar mounted fairing bike because he had been so used to the Wing and the Road Glide, but he reports that with the new aerodynamics of the new fairing on the EG Ultra, he doesn't even notice any difference with wind than he did with a fixed faring.

Looks awesome! But, I have a querstion. The front corners of that little trunk are awfully close to the exhaust. Are you concerned that the heat from the exhaust might deform or mess with the finish?

Great info!! I can tell you are really excited about your bike and like the heck out of it. That encourages me about looking at a CCT. I once heard a saying; "If after you have gotten off of your bike and started to walk away, if you don't turn around and take a look at it, then you have bought the wrong bike". I bet you do that. I noticed the noisy shifting whenever I test rode it. I could get used to it. I did not know about the tip over protection. I thought that was only on the Vision? Don't know about the kickstand safety. What is that? I'd have to get used to the non blipping. I have been guilty of blipping. LOL.

SilerT, It's good to know there are things that can be done to reduce the heat. Thanks for being candid. Let me ask you; how is your bike's fit and finish holding up? Are there rattles where there shouldn't be rattles? Or, have you had issues with nit pick things that shouldn't happen? Hows the paint quality?

SiverT, I absolutely LOVE the look of the CCT! That bike has turned me on ever since it hit the market. I have test rode it a few times and really dig the way it rides and it certainly is a conversation piece when at gas stations and such. Red is my personal favorite. My RSTD is Red/Black, my F150 is red, my wife Altima is red, etc. However, the one thing that has held me up from pulling the trigger is the fact that it is air cooled, and there is a consistent discussion on the forums about engine heat. I have not ever had a heat experience with my RSTD, and I'm not really wanting to put me and my wife in a situation where it's a blazing hot day out, and we're also having to deal with heat coming off the bike. Harley has helped themselves a considerable amount by semi wet heading there Ultra's. I know two different people who traded there old HD's for the new water cooled ones, and they both say the heat reduction is substantial and they love it. A few times I have test ridden the Vision, which I think is an interesting looking machine, but man, the heat was immmediately on my right inner thigh. I think the big fixed fairing attributes to that. As far as the Jap brands having heat issues on their air cooled bikes, I'm not really verse on that, but I do know that the water cooled Kawasaki Voyager has been plagued with some serious heat issues. So much so that they installed some sort of blower system under the seat on the newer models. Sounds like you have yourself a mischievous son on your hands. LOL.

Don, Great read on your research of the Roadmaster! My wife and I test rode that bike back in September at Bikes Blues and BBQ, and I was highly impressed with the power, smoothness, and overall feel of the bike. However, I did notice the heat from the motor. And it wasn't a hot day. Something about the looks and mystic of that machine really appeals to me, but after reading about the issues you brought up in your post, I'm not about to put up with all that kind of mess from a bike that cost $30K.

Ventureless, You bought an awesome bike! I have two cousins that I ride with on a regular basis. They're bothers. One of them has the 650 V-Strom, and the other has the 1000 V-Strom. The cousin with the 1000 V-Strom rides one up only, and he has been all over the place with us, and the bike never does anything but perform perfectly. Let me tell you about the cousin with the 650. He and his wife have been two up all over the nation on that bike. Heck, right after he bought it years ago, he and his wife went on a week long trip to San Antonio with us. He has it equipped with a top hard case and removable hard saddlebags. He and his wife have been on two week trips to CO, UT, NM, AZ and back. They have been to the Smokie Mtns and rode the complete length of the Blue Ridge Parkway. A couple years ago he bought a brand new BMW R1200RT and they now ride that all over the nation, but he still rides the 650 V-Strom to work and back, and a lot of his 1 up riding. It has 130K miles on it, and still running great! There are a boat load of serious bikers that have no idea what a Suzuki V-Strom is, but it is a fine machine. As a matter of fact, it was the 2009 world bike of the year. Just letting you know. So, get on that thing and ride the hair off of it. It'll handle freeway speeds just fine.

No way!! That looks photo shopped. LOL.

Last night me and a number of my buddies did the local Special Olympics ride. Wonderful event! 300-400 or so bikes rode to the college football stadium where the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics is held. Police escort. The whole deal. When we got there, we all parked and got off of our bikes and lined up in a double row and the handicapped athletes (approx 2000) paraded down between us as we all cheered them on, gave them high fives, threw mardi gras beeds around their necks. Then, after all of the athelets filled the stadium stands, we all got on our bikes and paraded around the track and field track that goes around the football field. The athletes and their families and coaches loved it! Now, here's what never cease to amaze me: When we pulled up to the stadium and parked, the bike that parked behind me was a RS Venture. So, I decided to strike up a conversation. This guy was all geared up in leather, doo rag, tats all over his arms, , the whole pirate gittup. Certainly had the "biker" look going on. Anywho, he told me he had owned the Venture for about 2 years. It was a Galaxy Blue/Raven so I knew that meant it was a 2007. He noticed my bike and asked what kind it was, and I explained it was a Yamaha RSTD, which is the exact same bike as his except for his has a fairing and a trunk. He was really loving on my bike, when I stated that mine was a 2007 just like his. He then argued with me and stated that his is a 2008. I kinda looked crazy at him , and said no, the 2007 venture is his color. He wouldn't take no for an answer and insisted that I didn't know what I was talking about. I just shrugged my shoulders and was stunned that a guy who was all dolled up in his biker looking world wouldn't even know the year model of his bike. But, wait, I'm not finished. He then asked me if the fairing and the trunk were the only differences between my RSTD and the his Venture. I told him that was the only differences. I then stated that I love my RSTD and I love the V4 motor. He then looked at me and said "I thought you said there were only two differences, MY VENTURE HAS A V TWIN, NOT A 4 cyclinder". Yes boys and girls, he actually said that!!!!! It was all i could do to keep myself from falling on the ground laughing. This dude has had his bike for two years, and doesn't know that it is a 4 banger. Un-Freakin believeable!!! Leather chaps; check, leather jacket; check, tatoos; check, doo rag; check, German looking scull cap; check. I'm thinking I ran into the perfect definition of a "Poser".

Heres to hoping your coworker is exonerated. It was a "mess" alright. I never have and never will understand motorcycle gangs and their territorial bull crap. It's all so high schoolish.

Thats a great point Wally. A dipstick. How freakin hard is it to put a dipstick on it?

Congrats Reiny!! You're gonna absolutely lose your mind. You are going to experience a love you never knew you were capable of. It's literally one of the coolest things my wife and I have ever experienced. Grandkids are God's reward to us for not killing our own kids when we were raising them.

Jeff, Yep, you're gonna be busy. I'm sure they'll bring you in and do a dye test to see if you have any blockage before they do the surgery. Also, right before the surgery, they'll put you in a semi sleep and run a probe down your throat to look at your lungs and the back of your heart to see if you have any blood clots. Don't freak about that, you won't even know they did it. I have a crazy hyper sensitive gag reflex, but had no issues with that procedure. Also, tell your family that will be waiting on you to be patient. It is a long freakin surgery. I got to the hospital at 9:00AM and went into surgery at noon. They finished at 6:00PM. Then the family had to wait an hour or so before they could come back and see me. It's a long day. You'll be okay though. It's just the hastle of it all.

Venturous, As we say in the south, "you done good"! I saw that 40th anniversary one in a Honda dealership last week and it pert near caused me to get the checkbook out. I LOVE that color combo! And I LOVE all the blacked out stuff on it. You're gonna get a lotta comments when you ride it out in public. As for me, I guess I'm committed to waiting to see if the spy photos of a new Venture come true in October.

Okay, Okay, Okay. I did not want to do this.......but....... No, never mind, I'm not gonna say it. Awww Heck! I'm gonna go ahead and say it. Friday I stopped into the largest Yamaha dealer in the state. Big, nice joint that all of us Yammy owners would be proud of. About 50-60 bikes on the new showroom floor and a building beside it with approximately 150 used bikes, plus a Honda dealership across the parking lot that is one of the top Honda sellers in the nation. All owned by the same guy. Big place. Anywho, I was talking to the owner about all of the talk on our forum about a possible new Venture coming and we talked about the recent spy photos. He said it was interesting I brought that up because he said he had just had a conversation with his Yamaha rep a couple weeks ago asking him about the possibility of a new Venture or some kind of Yamaha full dresser on the horizon. He said these manufacturer reps are sworn to privacy by contracts they sign, but occasionally they'll throw you a hint of whats coming. His Yammy rep answered his question by saying he should be pleased by what is coming this fall. He said the rep wouldn't say anything else about it, but it is causing him to wonder even more about whether it's true or not. But, he said he wouldn't guarantee anything because over the past 30 years he has been in the business, he has seen it not turn out to be true for one reason or another plenty of times. NOW! I DID IT! I FREAKIN WADED OFF INTO THE BS WATERS! GOD, I HATE MYSELF!!! LOL.