Dont hate me!

[firemedic309]

So I have a 97 Tourer and like it a lot But, I'm thinking of getting some thing a little more modern. I am liking the Yamaha Royal Star Venture.   I have a line on a 2008 with 32k and he's asking $3800.
I would gain more leg room fuel gauge ,cruse control and better gas mileage.
Has anyone here had any experience with them. I have ridden a buddy's bike and its a pretty nice ride.

[3fan4life]

I have a couple of buddies that ride them.

They are pretty good bikes.

It takes all they have to keep up with a Valk though.

I can run off and leave them anytime that I really want to.

But, I have to really want to.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have a friend with one. It's a good bike. Reliable, decent power.

[Jess from VA]

Compared to Valks, they are really pretty top heavy.  And tougher in the slow parking lot style maneuver stuff.  Slower than Valk, but OK.

[..]

Ive been told they eat rear tires. 5000 miles.

[Gavin_Sons]

It would be a good downgrade. 

[Hooter]

It's a nice cruiser. My brother-in-law has one,  nice bike, no problems.  Gets great mileage and it's comfy. He's tall like I am and likes the room. He's never said a word about tires and he rides a bunch, been to Alaska on it from Michigan. His has a gazillion miles on it and never heard anything negative. Good luck.

[northernvalk]

Being a V4, I love the concept of the Royal Star but the engine has been de-tuned from it's v-max rootss.  There have been a few guys who "maxed" their royal stars with great success.  Google it...

[old2soon]

If you would have been here you might have seen the light go on over my gourd!  Guy I used to ride with had one-sold due to health reasons-and far as I know never had an issue with it. He'd put Wife on and away we'd go. Better M P Gs-Even with Wife on-gave him a fair lead couple times but he Never beat the Valkyrie. I sat on it but never rode it as sitting was Not comfortable to me. I also KNOW he weren't happy sellin it. He also never had any issues in the twistys. RIDE SAFE.

[northernvalk]

https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/custom-yamaha-royal-star-with-heart-v-max-from-archives

[shortleg]

  Get yourself an F6B it will be just like your tourer with a radio.
Have one now and that's how it feels to me.

[Savago]

I recall a test comparing the HD something-something, the Yamaha Venture and the Valkyre I/S.

Basically the best engine was the valkyrie, the best 'tech' (i.e. finishing details) was Yamaha.

I thought about buying one when I got my I/S 4 years ago, but I though it was a bit under-powered for such a big bike, plus at speed the front feels a bit 'floating/loose' (got the impression the almost flat windshield was at blame).

The article: https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/touring-motorcycle-comparison-harley-electra-glide-honda-interstate-yamaha-venture-to-alaska

That being said, they are really nice bikes and really well made (the cruise control is a plus). On the other hand, I'm all about the flat six engine smoothness and power (not to mention that the I/S bigger gas tank and fuel gauge had what I needed).

[Tundra]

I owned a Royal Star Venture and it was the best bike regarding maintenance I've owned absolutely zero issues. It's a big heavy bike, you'll get used to that easy enough coming off a Valkyrie. It's also longer and top heavy so slow speed maneuvering is different until you get used to it.
My unsolicited opinion:
I enjoyed mine, great two up bike, great highway long distance bike, plenty of power to do what it needs to do, kind of like a Winnebago, you won't win any races but it's a good comfortable, solid reliable motorcycle.

[Art708]

I owned 2 of them...an '07 and an '09. I liked them both...very comfortable but the Yammy I liked best was my '05 Tour Deluxe....no fairing, no top box but had everything else the Venture had but wasn't nearly as heavy.