Stache

Sept 19 2012 I dumped my venture on the highway at 100 kmh. 11 weeks later I got out of hospital. Every jurisdiction in Canada has a helmet law. Law, or no law, I'll be wearing mine. I have the one I was wearing during the crash hung up where I can see it, to remind me.

I've been asked (repeatedly) why I insisted on my Venture rather than a Harley. Price was a factor, but comfort was more of a factor. I tell everyone that'll listen that my Venture is the most comfortable 2-up touring machine ever built. I did move the trunk back the 1" to buy a little more room after I added my drivers backrest, but I'm gonna keep this thing until I can't find a way to keep it going. The standing joke is that when I bought it we were about to refurnish the living room. My wife said she wanted to buy a couch fast. I misunderstood. I bought a fast couch.

Nice looking rig. That configuration is gonna have tongue weight issues if you put a couple Ventures on the front.

I feed my iPhone into the aux port (cassette deck). I plug my phone in to charge while playing and I get a loud annoying buzz. Research tells me I need a ground loop isolator on the 3.5mm connection. I use the Sena SM10 to link the onboard stereo to my Sena SMH headsets (rider and passenger) If I plug the sm10 in to charge while playing, same noise. I hope somebody has hit this before and can recommend a make/model of isolator.

Rode it to work. Walked around it scratching my head, trying to figure out where I put the parking permit. I know I bought it, don't know what I did with it.

Flags? Heavens, no! They might hide some of the chrome.... Somehow I don't see you getting a lot of support with this. Good luck, but remember: If ever, when you're having a frank discussion with your wife, you find out you're actually right, APOLOGIZE IMMEDIATELY!

I love mine. I don't flip it as often as I thought I would, but it's just enough shorter than stock for ne to comfortably look over instead of through. The extra width helped smooth the airflow. Gives me a comfortable bubble of almost still air at speed. I'd buy another one.

On my second tour in Afghanistan I worked for a man who had a thoroughly impressive handlebar moustache. After seeing it every day for months I got the thought "I could do that". After I got home my son talked me into doing the beginner bike course with him. At one point during the training one of the instructors came out with "Hey Stache! Try that again. Of course my son heard it, told family and friends. Some adopted it. I think I'm stuck with it now.

A tale of customer service, and tires. Short story: 1. Very pleased with Atlantic Recreation. 2. Not so pleased with Avon tires. When the time came for new tires for my Venture, and my Tour Deluxe, I did the online-research thing and decided based on customer views, mileage reports, etc., that the Avon Venom tire was the way to go. Purchased and installed through Atlantic Recreation. I've just put the bikes in to Atlantic Recreation for spring service and checkup. Some minor and expected maintenance issues with both, but the surprising report was that the tires were N/S from dry rot! Bikes were properly stored, next to other motorcycles with other brand tires, that show no fault. I pointed out that the tires were recent purchases from, and installed by, them. Their service and parts department grabbed the ball and went to bat. End result: Their supplier has agreed to inspect the tires pending credit to the dealer for replacement. I bought my first bike from Atlantic Recreation because of online reviews OF THE MACHINE. I've bought 5 more machines from them, as well as one private sale Yamaha, and all my service business for 6 bikes goes there because of MY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM. It's the dealer that prompts repeat business, not the machine. Will I ever buy another Avon tire? NOPE! Will I buy from ATLANTIC RECREATION? YES! I have 2 children that aren't riding age yet. Thats 2 more machines eventually. All 6 currently in the stable will need maintenance. WELL DONE AR! https://www.facebook.com/Atlantic-Recreation-Yamaha-253374021392156/?hc_location=ufi [/url]

Must have meant July 8th

The above is very much "tongue in cheek". It matters not what you ride. It matters that you ride. (but riding a YAMAHA is still better)

2012 Venture, 20000km. Clutch operates properly. Fluid level and appearance fine. When I pull the lever and release it doesn't return all the way out. I nudge it out with my fingertips and it moves easily to the limit. End of next week I'm setting off on a 3200km weekend run, 800/day over 4 days and I'd like to clear up this minor annoyance. Any ideas?

Let me know when you're coming

I just spent another $15.73 to stay connected. That's a full tank of gas! There goes another 230 km I won't ride this summer.

The boss bought a Venture? Who'd ever have thunk it?

Seems its a 1-cylinder, but that's quite a cylinder!

Far too many businesses are trying to maximize income by controlling costs. Yes, controlling costs is important, but it can't come at the cost of repeat customers. the profit is in the REPEATS, not in the walk-ins, in turning the walk-ins into REPEATS. I think the phrase "efficient service" is an oxymoron. Being completely efficient can kill the service experience. I hold up the example of the dealer I buy my motorcycles from. They get my repeat service work because the service writer gives a damn, greets me by name, knows the general history on my bikes, and because their techs get it right. They get my repeat purchases for the same reason. Every time I walk in the door the sales guy comes over, always a personal touch in the conversation, always a gentle nudge toward the new showroom. I've lost count of the times he's thanked me because someone mentioned my name when they came in. Neither practice is perfectly efficient, but both remind me (and them) that they're employed because guys like me buy and maintain motorcycles. It's a lesson too many businesses learn the hard way. Joe's will likely close before Joe learns the lesson.

Fuel pump? Fuel filter? Fuel line kink? blockage in the petcock tubes? You got spark or it wouldn't run on choke. I'd be thinking fuel flow.

L - R |BIG V, '12 Venture | TD, '09 Tour Deluxe | 2nd son's '09 950T | wife's '10 650 Classic | wife's '09 250 | missing from the pic: '09 950 I traded in on the TD. '10 1st son's 650 Custom

I'm looking at the Sena SR 10 to link my phone to the CB on my '12 venture. Anybody know which cable I need to run to the radio? Choices seem to be Motorola twin pin Motorola single pin Kenwood twin pin ICOM twin pin Yaesu single pin Midland twin pin Thanks in advance

Its a simple question, really... Which is cheaper? A $5 filter or an engine?

When you go out in public bring your thick skin because someone you meet is gonna take exception to the way you talk, the way you dress, what and how you ride or drive, the way you choose to live, something will irk somebody. A site like this is an even broader selection of opinions, attitudes, preconceptions than your average neighborhood. The best difference of opinion is the one you can walk away from without causing personal offence. Say what you think/feel politely and accept that people will differ. The difference doesn't mean you're wrong from your point of view. It means someone sees it differently.

Thanks puc -much better right side up

This is my driveway last fall: I'm not sure why the picture appears sideways. Tried rotating to no effect. From left to right: me and my daughter on BIG V, my ride. 3rd son on TD, my other ride 2nd son on his VStar 950 1st son on my wife's VStar 650 (his VStar 650 was in for service) My wife on the VStar 250 (normally used as a practice/trainer ride for learners) It's 5C here today, going to 8 with rain to help melt the white stuff. My calendar says it's 32 days till spring, but I'm starting to get hopeful....

I've kept it pretty simple: 2012 Venture: Big V 2009 Tour Deluxe: TD Wife's 2010 650: Reddy 1st son's 2009 650: Whitey 2nd son's 2009 950: 950 2009 250: crowbar (the tool I use to get it unstuck from my butt after I ride it) 3rd son and 1st daughter aren't old enough yet. There'll be more eventually.