WilCruise
-
Posts
406 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Store
Everything posted by WilCruise
-
I know we all have had bad dealer experiences. I just wanted to give props to my dealer for working with me to get a problem solved. My most local Yamaha dealer (Quincy, MA) isn't particularly well versed in the Venture and sometimes doesn't seem to like working on it, however, they do step up to the plate for me when it's necessary. I recently had a very spongy rear end (hey no comments!) and found oil leaking from the rear suspension. Having hung out here for quite a while I knew exactly what had happened and that it SHOULD be covered by warranty. I called the dealer, explained the situation and that it would be warranty work. Also asked if they had the part. They didn't and they said they'd have to look at it before they could even order it. The tone implied that they weren't thrilled about the prospect of doing work either. So I'm thinking to myself "OK here we go, it's going to be a pain in the ass and I'll have to fight my way through it." I brought the bike in and talked with the service manager who was skeptical that is was covered. I explained that I belong to a club of thousands of Venture riders and that this is a fairly common problem. Also told him that a few folks had needed to fight about it being covered but ultimately Yamaha had covered it. Got a call back from him and he explained that a history check showed the rear suspension had already been replaced once by the previous owner. Again I'm thinking "here we go". I told him "that''s nice, but it still failed and it's still covered" and also shared tales from other owners who had replaced more than three under warranty. We hung up. I called the next day to check in and I was told the part wasn't in stock and it'd be a while before they could get it. Again, I'm thinking "here we go". I checked in that Friday (only 3 days after I had dropped the bike off) to get an end of week update. They told me the part was in, They were trying to get it fixed that night but it may be Saturday before it was ready. Covered by warranty. What a nice surprise - no fighting and riding for the weekend! So far when there's been any question on things like this, I've been able to calmly state facts - many of which are learned here (Thanks Don & everyone who contributes) - which show my point. This dealer has been very good about taking that into consideration and doing what's right when I take this approach. Sometimes I think that dealers are so unfamiliar with lower profile bikes like the Ventures that they aren't aware of what's covered. Similar parts are not covered on other bikes or never fail within warranty periods so they don't see the situations often. Not being one to embrace conspiracy theories easily, I prefer to believe that it's more often unfamiliarity or apathy rather than spite that cause many dealers to question warranty coverages. Anyway, thought I'd share some positive dealer news since it's easy to overlook that when we hit a bad experience.
-
Just got my bike back from having the dealer replace the rear shock which blew out. It was gone while riding solo, but I had my hitch / receiver in place as well as wiring harness. They didn't even question it.
-
Congrats & Good Luck with it! :happy34:
-
biker down need left fairing
WilCruise replied to mother's topic in Venture and Venture Royale Tech Talk ('83 - '93)
I'm traveling for work this week but have a couple of requests to check on over the weekend. I ave a fair amount of odds and ends in a storage unit. I seem to recall that I have one that's faded with a few cracks. I need to go there this weekend anyway so I'll have a look and see if I have it. I'll give you an update on availability and condition once I get there. If I do have one that works for you it's yours for the cost of shipping. -
Amen!
-
Ya know there are easier ways to upgrade to a newer scoot, right? Glad to hear you're OK!
-
Anyone have a first Gen seat sitting in their garage?
WilCruise replied to GG54172's topic in Watering Hole
I got one that's really ugly but works. The pan and foam are OK but the cover is pretty ugly (although in one piece). If you don't have any luck otherwise, let me know and I'd be glad to let you have it for the cost of shipping. -
Sounds workable. A carb swap may be in order. Keep us posted.
-
So sorry to hear this Jerry. Far too many of these lately. Thoughts & prayers to the family.
-
Always the diplomat, I operate in the dusky (my wife would say "dim") side and keep one foot firmly planted on either side of that 1-VS-2 Gen fence (thankfully it's a short fence and I have a long inseam) Only sirens I'm hearing come with blue lights attached.
-
:rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf: I still say ya gotta put at least ONE blue panel on it Dan!
-
The reason for the question on the 07 Venture
WilCruise replied to Rattlesnake's topic in Watering Hole
Congrats! Great to have a new bike - especially when it's as nice as these things are! -
More good news for ya Dan - That's good to hear even if they're not out yet. How many 1st gens could you fit in that soon to be vacant house if it was say... gutted by fire I wonder;-)
-
If it only fires with the fluid it may just be that the carbs are too gummed up to get the right mix in there. The fluid would make the mix volatile enough to fire but not fix the problem. I'm guessing that it's all about the carbs.
-
I'm Psyched for you Dan! This bike looks schweeeeeeet! I used to sell these baby's and the accessories back when they were new. The guys that put all that crap on them usually took really good care of them. I think a little elbow grease is likely to get you to a point of having one of the nicest early first gens around Bud! Just make sure there's not so much of that crap on there that it slows this bad-boy down! Need to get at least one blue panel on there somehow too! :D Enjoy it - Hope you'll be able to make it up to next year's international meet so I can check it out first hand! Or maybe I'll have to find a way to make it to Freebird's next Maintenance Day next spring!
-
While I'm sure there are a variety of things that contribute to it I tend to be suspicious of conspiracy theories. Having grown up in the retail business for over 30 years I've seen first hand how it's virtually impossible to keep track of currency rates, import overhead / tariffs, handling costs and other factors in an ongoing basis. Typically there is a point in time (usually annually) that pricing is set vs. currency rates and other costs. The real rates always fluctuate more frequently. There will be times when the roles will be reversed on pricing. I've seen this personally over the years as I travel regularly to Canada and Europe with my work. Technology still hasn't advanced enough to stay on top of this and keep pricing consistent internationally despite what you may think. So, although I understand that it doesn't explain pricing discrepancies in their entirety, and it's not a completely satisfying answer, there is quite a bit of truth to the answer you got.
-
I agree with Don & Bob. I think the 86-93s were also more comfortable with floorboards. The early ones were kinda awkward with boards IMHO. That being said I like the earlier ones outside of the 2nd gear issue (just missed a beauty of an 85 without the problem on eBay). I don't use the boards and I think the early bikes are a wee bit quicker. I also like the removable luggage even though it's slightly smaller.
-
Well said, ditto!
-
Them there 1st Gen'rs are Awful Quiet here lately !
WilCruise replied to BEER30's topic in Watering Hole
Ummm... I need to drop off my 2nd gen to have the rear suspension fixed before the warranty runs out. I'll be riding the 1st gen which doesn't need any service. Then I'll be spending time on tweaks for both over the winter so I can have the choice to take either out when the weather breaks (or on those Indian Summer days). -
Sent a couple in including one from the Venture East event. I know there were some great shots there so send a few more in Folks!
-
Ron, So sorry to hear this. I echo the sentiment of the others with sympathy and wishes for strength as you work through the losses. There's really no excuse and it's particularly rough that you've been impacted so much by this. Keep your eye on the positives that life has to offer as it helps make the tough time tolerable.
-
Sorry you joined the Asphalt Surfers unwillingly but glad you Survived to tell about it. Welcome! Getting checked by the docs is a good idea. I agree about the helmets working!
-
Dang! Hope someone here DID get it. Man I REALLY wanted to go for it - but I'm in enough trouble as it is. So who got it?
-
I've got a Garmin Nuvi 350 and I love it. Its small and portable, plays MP3s and interrupts with directions where necessary. Its all flash - no drives to break. If you go up to the 360 it has bluetooth which enables you to incorporate a phone etc. (not that I encourage phone use, but you can be accessible & answer and defer calls all hands off). All of this can be routed through the intercom.
-
Saw this on eBay. If I had the $ I'd buy it now!!! Forget that the mileage is so low... it's an 85 with serial number 1617. Ya know what that means?? Well according to this thread: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7977&highlight=serial It means no 2nd gear issue. An early 1st gen, with less than 10K, garaged, 1 owner and not susceptible to the 2nd gear issue... PRICELESS! See it here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270169759194&rd=1 Hope someone here gets it!