Stache

+1 on these folks. Several transactions with 0 issues.

How do you get into the thing?

Interested? Yup. Available? Depends on spouse. I'll raise the flag and see how the wind blows.

I'm in Newfoundland where there are 4 distinct seasons: Almost Winter. Winter. Still Winter. Road Repair. according to my calendar its only 76 days to Still Winter.

I have the 2009 (last model) with stock shield. No buffeting reported. I'm 5'10" 275, spouse is 5'0" considerably lighter. just under 23000 miles since I bought it new. 0 issues at all. Put oil in it, put rubber on it, it'll go. I like it so much in 2012 I bought the Venture. TD still gets a lot of use though.

Nice bike, but wearing shorts, low shoes, and a ball cap for a helmet? No thanks.

My son has one, my wife has another. Both solid and reliable. Only issue I found was that the stock clutch friction zone is very narrow, which impacts slow speed maneuvering. There's a replacement clutch lever called a "clevver" http://theclevver.com/ that changes the geometry and increases the friction zone. Fine machines, capable, fun to ride.

Ignorance can be taught. Uneducated can be trained. Stupid is permanent.

I'm not location dependent, I'm spouse dependent. I'm so far east anywhere is a long way west. Once there's a location I'll start begging, wheedling, whining, asking permission..... I would like to make it to one of these but, to me, the 'where' is far less important then the 'who'.

Hopnel (Big Bike Parts) Tri Pouch - Y60-108BKC Fits the baggershield like it was made for it, which, I suppose, it was. Seems a handy gadget bag. Liking it so far.

Mostly because 2nd gens don't need that much working on......

Of course, having a cup holder immediately caused another problem. When I rolled up to the drive-thru window at Tim Horton's I found myself fishing in the VERY deep pockets of my chaps for change. Annoyingly, time-consumingly embarrassing with an impatient line-up behind me. The solution? A magnetic parts cup, $1.99 CDN at Princess Auto. Most Canadian coins are magnetic, so I dump a handful of change in the cup before I set out, and, should i stop for a tea, I'm all set.

I may have finally found one I like. It's rigid mount, fits 1" bars. The rubber gasket that came with it made the unit difficult to fit on the bars. I wrapped the bar in electric tape instead of using the rubber thingy. Seems to work for me. $10 CDN in the bicycle accessories aisle.

Velcro. Alcohol wipe the inside of the lid. pull the backing off the adhesive, press the whole unit into place, let set overnight. Seems really secure so far. pulled them out a couple times the test the adhesive.

I'm 55, spouse somewhat less. 25 yrs in the infantry has done some damage, but overall the machinery still works well enough. Glad I moved to the RSV and RSTD from smaller V-twins. The comfort and room lets me flex the achy bits and relax into the ride.

Sorry. Should have remembered the picture rule

Saddlebag Organizer Set Brand Fitment: Harley-Davidson Model Fitment: FLHT/FLHR/FLHX/FLTR models Year Fitment: 1993-2013 I just mounted a set in my RSTD. Fit the bag like they were made for it. I've ordered a 2nd set for the Venture.

I started on an 09 vstar 950. Found it wasn't quite enough horse for long distance comfort. Then 09 Royal Star Tour Deluxe. The liquid cooled V4 changed the experience completely, but I wanted more storage and creature comforts, like a cassette deck. By this time I'd found Ventureriders, so my dealer had an easy time selling me a '12 Venture. I kept the TD because his idea of a fair trade in value was ridiculous. Which bike?" It's always an interesting decision because it comes down personal preference. I doubt I'll ever go back to a Vtwin because, to me, the V4 feels so much smoother. The RSTD is easier to handle in traffic and at slow speed, but the difference, to me, is more in my perception of the weight and balance and my need to remember which bike I'm on and make appropriate slight adjustments to riding style. The Venture is more comfortable, carries more stuff, good electronics, incredible cassette deck. I tend to figure out what my most demanding use will be and buy a machine configured to do that. Seems safer than buying smaller and forcing it right to the limit of capability. That's how breakdowns happen. The Venture will do everything you describe in your original post, with comfort and ease. The Tour Deluxe can do all of it but may be a little stretched for carrying capacity on multiday trips. The Road Star can probably do it all, but you may find yourself making compromises about what you carry and the comfort and ease of the trip. All are fine rides and, if treated with respect, will serve you well. Match the tool to the task.

Depending on what you fly, where, and when, this infantryman may find himself riding behind you. Yes, please get checked. For yourself most of all, but for the rest of us too.

I'm also 5'10" but somewhat heavier. I'm far too sane to dare commenting on my wife's comparative statistics. My transition was from a v-star 950 through a tour-deluxe to my venture. I found the 950 too light at speed. The TD didn't have the storage or the electronics I wanted. The venture is a perfect fit to my riding needs. And it's got a cassette deck! Like you I read this board, and others, extensively before deciding. I expected the venture to be top-heavy, and it is, at low speed. My counter to that was to go to an empty school parking lot and practice starts, stops, slow speed maneuvering, over and over till the venture felt as natural and comfortable as the tour deluxe. My point? Don't let the size, weight, or top-heavy reputation deter you, but learn the bike well and you'll be fine.

Spoke with my dealer today. Nothing's confirmed yet. He expects there will be a release this year. He thinks it'll be a bagged up air cooled 1900 twin based on the strat. If that's what they come up with I'll keep my BIG V.

Yours didn't come with an 8-track? Odd, I thought they all did.