Ky. Rider

I like the upgraded headlight and running lights. Anyone know where they're available?

To answer your question, no significant difference that I know of between 08-13 other than color.

I'm checking in and fine. Mayfield is about 5 miles from me as the crow flies. We had strong winds but no damage. Downtown Mayfield is destroyed as well as outskirts in the path. It's amazing how much difference 1/2 mile makes outside the path. Lots of pictures on youtube. Bill (Ky. Rider)

Either way it's "winner, winner, chicken dinner"" but I do like that blue/gray gen 1 as more classic. AND my current ride is an 06 bc. Both of those are sharp.

Very nice!

I thought someone on this site might want to know of a 1985 Venture Royale for sale listed on VCI in Murray, Ky. It looks sharp with good miles and tires for $1600. I have no connection but saw it listed and wanted to pass it on.

I'v put Dunlap E4's on my 06 RSV but I'm only about 6000 miles in so can't evaluate total miles. So far, they look like I'll be please with mileage.

My wife and I have been trail riding for about 30 yrs. We have seen some beautiful country but some of the best is only about 90 minutes from us in the Shawnee National Forest in S. Il. Our home turf is Wrnaglers in Land Between the Lakes in W. Ky. Most recently rode and camped 3 days seeing the new year in. Good times. That sign is a chuckle!

I was a member of the last combat unit (operation Gimlet, 196 Infantry) that left VN in the fall of 72. I was in B 3/82 artillery and we fired the last U.S. artillery round on Aug. 10. We knew that the future was bleak for SVN after we left but our interest was in getting home after an 11 mo. deployment. Interesting video. Thanks for sharing.

I check in frequently but don't do a lot of posting. My 06 now has 65,xxx miles on it and mostly trouble free other than replacing a fuel pump and regulator over the years. There is a group of us guys (5 - 10) that try to ride once a week. We do breakfast rides in hot weather and lunch rides in cooler weather. We'll cover anywhere from 100 - 200 miles.

Have a buddy that rides one and he loves it. Over 100,000 mi. basically trouble free.

I'm running my first E4 on the front and I can't tell any difference in it and the E3's I ran as far as handling. Don't know about miles.

I met Bob and his wife when they came to Murray, Ky. to get his bike triked at Hannigan's. I loaned him my RSV so they could enjoy riding locally while they were in the area. We talked about our service time in VN as well as our families. I agree with all. He was one of the good guys. That was the one and only time our paths crossed.

Only met Bob once. He and Becky came nearby to Hannigan's to get their RSV triked a few years ago. I happened to be at Hannigan's and got to talking to them since they rode in on a RSV. They had time to kill while the work was being done so I offered them my RSV to ride while in the area and they did so. I think I remember that he, like me, was a Vietnam vet and we shared our story. That was the last and only time I talked with Bob but his nature was such that I was happy to loan him my bike while in our area. That is a compliment to him as all you bike owners know. RIP brother and prayers for Becky and family.

As has been stated, Garden of the Gods is a good stop and is near Cave In Rock. It is a walking tour that takes you up on a bluff of rock formations. Takes about 1 hr. Not much touring to C N R other than walking down to the cave. You can catch the ferry at C N R that will take you over to Ky. The little restaurant in C N R has good food. It is to the left just before you start down the hill to the river. Going through Red River Gorge S. E. of Lexington is a good ride if time permits. Willow Pond is a good place to eat near Eddyville. Happy trails and always give us VR members a holler if you need anything while traveling. We are scattered out all along your routes.

All in all that's good news. Could have been a lot worse. Lost a sister n law a few years back when one flipped back on her. Prayers for your grandson.

This may sound silly but my radio/cb (2006) will freeze up in cold weather. If it's on it won't change channels or turn off. If it's off it won't turn on. This happens when it's 55 or so and below. Not a big deal as I often don't ride when it's that cold. In warmer weather it works like it should. ??

Good video, nice bike, beautiful scenery. Thanks for the post.

The U.S. government recognizes all Vietnam era veterans as just that "Vietnam era veterans", including those who were "in country". Other organizations have distinguished between "in country" which means in the territorial area of Vietnam (air,land,water) and those not in country. I know one thing, those F4's and gunships bailed us out several times that I'm thankful for and I didn't give a rip where they came from. All veterans deserve gratitude and respect regardless of where and when they served.

I've got a 1964 Cub 90 that I actually had in 64. It got away from me for many years but I traced it down and it's back home.

It actually got up to 60 today in W. Ky. so some of our group went for a lunch ride. Wound up covering about 125 miles. 6 bikes and a nice ride.

Hello again Du-Rron. Thanks for sharing that info. I had a hint you were some type of mechanic. Actually, I wasn't "heated up" but was just making a point. I suppose I can come across as a little strong sometimes due to my past vocation and military time as well. Take care and happy riding. Bill

Yes Du-Rron, you seem to be able to grasp the English language. While I appreciate your diligence to proper maintenance and won't debate the issue with you as previously stated and I know where you are headed with this. I'm sure your reply will be something such as "well I'd be changing mechanics!" Let me ask you this, do you have vehicles with over 50,000 miles on them that have never had the wheel bearings repacked? If so, why not? What about the steering bearings, even if they book doesn't recommend it they need to be done. If they have been repacked then you are a member of the less than 5% club in this country. It would be interesting to run a survey on here and see how many have actually had their swingarm and steering bearings repacked and how many that have not have ever had a problem. My guess is that it will be less than 50% that have had that work done. I do appreciate you attention to detail and you may be correct. If I have a problem I'm man enough to get back on this site and give owners a warning about getting that work done. Until then, I'll trust my mechanic. As the miles grow he may tell me it is time to do both and if so, I'll have them done. Have a good day and happy riding.

I don't have the mechanical knowledge to debate this issue with anyone but I will add this. My mechanic worked in a Yamaha motorcycle shop as their head mechanic for 20 years and the last time I had my bike in his shop about a month ago for a new tire to mount I asked him about repacking the swing arm and neck bearing and his reply was "unless you are riding in dusty conditions for an extended time they shouldn't need it". As stated above, my bike is an 06 RSV with 59,xxx miles. He has been very knowledgeable on any previous work he has done for me so I'm trusting his judgment.

I fall about where you do in the middle. I believe in maintaining my bike but I will not take it to a dealer to do the suggested maintenance. My bike did not get the suggested maintenance by the book at the mileage indicated. It now has 59,xxx and over time I have had things done such as grease the shaft splines, valve clearance, carb synch, etc. but never on the suggested mileage. I only did those when in the shop for other things such as new tires and they were done by an independent shop at considerably less cost than a dealer. If it was me, I wouldn't spend $1600 for what shouldn't need to be done anyway. Those book suggestions in my opinion are overkill. I have had no problems with my bike that book maintenance would have prevented.