2018 Yamaha Venture

[Reb]

Actually surprised, Yamaha made a sharp looking bike. 1850cc Vtwin

[Gavin_Sons]

That is a nice looking bike 

[Beardo]

I like. 

[98valk]

nice, but, over 900lbs, 6.6 gal tank, and rated 33 mpg and 25-27k. can buy two I/S's for that. or one I/S rest of the $$ for spare parts and gas/oil.

My friend has a stratoliner, looks like same engine, its a great engine.

[Jack B]

I was hoping that they would've used something other than a V Twin.
Looks good though.

[Raider]

Great looking ride!  When that sad day comes and it's time to replace the I/S, this will be in the running for sure!   

[Jess from VA]

The thing about all big Vtwins, compared to the flat 6, they are really top heavy. 

So were their V4 Ventures.

[michaelyoung254]

While the Valkyrie is NEVER going anywhere, I'm seriously thinking what the next bike will be. I've always loved the Goldwing, I have to admit that this would be a real contender. Honda may have to sweeten the pie a bit to keep people from jumping ship.

[Valker]

I sure don't see $26,000+ sitting there.

[Firefighter]

Looks great, has lots of features I would like, but it is still a V twin air cooled engine which I don't want.

[Beardo]

While the Valkyrie is NEVER going anywhere, I'm seriously thinking what the next bike will be. I've always loved the Goldwing, I have to admit that this would be a real contender. Honda may have to sweeten the pie a bit to keep people from jumping ship.

Agreed.

While it would be hard to go away from Honda's 6's...I just don't want to ride something covered in plastic, and while this has some, it's tasteful, IMO.

I've thought my next ride would be a Rocket III, but honestly, I don't know if I want another shaft drive and Triumph's reliability isn't what the Japanese bikes are.

Maybe my next bike hasn't been made yet. Please Honda make a traditionally styled 6 with no tech crap on it and a single sided swingarm if it must be shaft drive.  Ok...maybe ABS, that's it.

[Alpha Dog]

I do like the looks, I like it a lot. Yamaha has been promoting this for months thru teaser adds that suggest what features it would have on it called the Journey.  A bunch of us were hoping for a v4 version of the Vmax 1600 engine, but I always figured it would be water cooled.  I doubt it sells well here, it may do ok in Europe and Australia.  I wonder if they will have a street glide version next spring.   I guess Honda will have the new wing out sometime this year.  I think Yamy wanted to beat them to the punch.

https://rideapart.com/articles/journey-2018-yamaha-star-venture

[The emperor has no clothes]

I used to have a Yamaha Venture. It was a good machine.

[GiG]

Actually surprised, Yamaha made a sharp looking bike. 1850cc Vtwin

Nearly identical to my V I C T O R Y
(At twice the price!!!)

[..]

While the Valkyrie is NEVER going anywhere, I'm seriously thinking what the next bike will be. I've always loved the Goldwing, I have to admit that this would be a real contender. Honda may have to sweeten the pie a bit to keep people from jumping ship.

Agreed.

While it would be hard to go away from Honda's 6's...I just don't want to ride something covered in plastic, and while this has some, it's tasteful, IMO.

I've thought my next ride would be a Rocket III, but honestly, I don't know if I want another shaft drive and Triumph's reliability isn't what the Japanese bikes are.

Maybe my next bike hasn't been made yet. Please Honda make a traditionally styled 6 with no tech crap on it and a single sided swingarm if it must be shaft drive.  Ok...maybe ABS, that's it.

Why not in favor of shaft drive?

[Beardo]

A low maintenance single sided swingarm, sure. Something that requires a complete tear down and maintenance every year, no thanks. I've owned every kind of drive a bike can have and the Valk drive, which is similar to the Rocket III, requires more maintenance than every other bike I've owned combined. Give me a belt drive any day. Heck, even a chain drive is better.

[cookiedough]

A low maintenance single sided swingarm, sure. Something that requires a complete tear down and maintenance every year, no thanks. I've owned every kind of drive a bike can have and the Valk drive, which is similar to the Rocket III, requires more maintenance than every other bike I've owned combined. Give me a belt drive any day. Heck, even a chain drive is better.

respectfully disagree, chain drive requires more maintenance than shaft drive and 200 bucks for sprockets and chain every 20K miles as well.   

why not a good used goldwing for 10K or so as the next bike of choice being newer/less miles/fuel injected/still smooth 6 cylinder engine as always?

[Beardo]

20 years from now, sprockets and chains will always be available, unlike our final drives.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Valk...but just because I have one doesn't mean I can't see it's faults vs other bikes I've owned.

Older Goldwings...still covered in plastic.  I owned several plastic covered sport bikes though at one time, maybe someday, I'll get back into them. 

Anyway...nice to see another company putting out a touring bike. Options are good.

[Alberta Patriot]

The thing about all big Vtwins, compared to the flat 6, they are really top heavy.  

So were their V4 Ventures.

Not True I owned 2 Stratoliners from 2007 up until last year. One thing I know for sure...the Stratoliner is a lighter feeling bike than my I/S, even with the I/S Trunk removed. Yamaha did a lot to make sure that the "Liner" was a low C of G bike...The Aluminum frame and swingarm weigh in at 48 pounds...37 for the frame, 11 for the swingarm. They used the engine as a stressed member of the frame to keep the weight down low. My Stratoliner including bags, windshield and backrest weighed in at 805 pounds wet, but it felt more like 700.  Most of the mass of the Liner is just above the axle center-line. They even used a fuel sub tank under the seat to help keep that weight low. I would have stayed with the Strat but I wanted a better pillion setup for my wife. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my decision to move on to the I/S.

[Jess from VA]

The thing about all big Vtwins, compared to the flat 6, they are really top heavy.  

So were their V4 Ventures.

Not True I owned 2 Stratoliners from 2007 up until last year. One thing I know for sure...the Stratoliner is a lighter feeling bike than my I/S, even with the I/S Trunk removed. Yamaha did a lot to make sure that the "Liner" was a low C of G bike...The Aluminum frame and swingarm weigh in at 48 pounds...37 for the frame, 11 for the swingarm. They used the engine as a stressed member of the frame to keep the weight down low. My Stratoliner including bags, windshield and backrest weighed in at 805 pounds wet, but it felt more like 700.  Most of the mass of the Liner is just above the axle center-line. They even used a fuel sub tank under the seat to help keep that weight low. I would have stayed with the Strat but I wanted a better pillion setup for my wife. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my decision to move on to the I/S.

OK, so there's one exception.  Noted.   

My 80CI EVO Hog was 200lb lighter than the Valk, and still top heavy by comparison.  Not that I couldn't ride it every bit as well as a Valk  (only slower   ).

[Gryphon Rider]

Nice looking bike, but they sure went to a lot of trouble to make it look like it has a radiator on either side.

[Savago]

It looks really great and I'm sure is going to be a great bike.

The design kind of hints a bit of influence of Victory Cross Country Tour?
:-)

The only thing that I think is a bit disappointing is going with a V2, instead of a V4 like the new V-max (and the older Yamaha Venture). I guess it is due to market demands (i.e. most people want a v2).

[Alberta Patriot]

It looks really great and I'm sure is going to be a great bike.

The design kind of hints a bit of influence of Victory Cross Country Tour?
:-)

The only thing that I think is a bit disappointing is going with a V2, instead of a V4 like the new V-max (and the older Yamaha Venture). I guess it is due to market demands (i.e. most people want a v2).

Seems most here undersell the V-Twin. That 113 CI pushrod stroker would surprise most of you...it is a torque monster and down-shifting to pass someone is optional. I learned to short-shift my Stratoliner as it accelerated very well without running it up the rev range. Keeping between 2500 and 3500 was sweet riding. My I/S is a capable power cruiser and will stay with the Strat until you reach prison speeds but the Strat's 101 HP and 125 Ft Lbs of torque just takes over...again...don't get me wrong I like my I/S very much but that 113 CI counterbalanced engine is a wonderful vibration free piece of machinery and exactly why Yamaha chose a very modified version of it for the new Venture.

[The emperor has no clothes]

It looks really great and I'm sure is going to be a great bike.

The design kind of hints a bit of influence of Victory Cross Country Tour?
:-)

The only thing that I think is a bit disappointing is going with a V2, instead of a V4 like the new V-max (and the older Yamaha Venture). I guess it is due to market demands (i.e. most people want a v2).

Seems most here undersell the V-Twin. That 113 CI pushrod stroker would surprise most of you...it is a torque monster and down-shifting to pass someone is optional. I learned to short-shift my Stratoliner as it accelerated very well without running it up the rev range. Keeping between 2500 and 3500 was sweet riding. My I/S is a capable power cruiser and will stay with the Strat until you reach prison speeds but the Strat's 101 HP and 125 Ft Lbs of torque just takes over...again...don't get me wrong I like my I/S very much but that 113 CI counterbalanced engine is a wonderful vibration free piece of machinery and exactly why Yamaha chose a very modified version of it for the new Venture.

Prison speeds ?

[Alberta Patriot]

Yes Meathead...Prison Speeds...speeds fast enough to get your ride confiscated and you calling someone for bail...uhh...I stand corrected...jail cell speeds.

[Bronxboy]

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/yamaha-star-venture-first-look-motorcycle-review?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=boosted-posts|tpfn&utm_content=bike-review-article&utm_term=yamaha-star-venture-first-look-motorcycle-review-post-060717-|tpfn-article

[ZekeValk]

I've read pages and pages of responses on the GL1800riders.com forum.  Personally, I like the design and the tech.  I don't care that it's a V-Twin, but it does seem like it's going to be a hot bike (temp).

Just like here, Goldwing riders love their boxer style engines.  Venture riders wish they put the V4 in it. 

I think the styling and the tech will sell quite a few of them the first few months.  Since they're not releasing till fall, maybe the hot engine complaints won't impact the spring buying season.  I'll give it a three year production run. 

[Wizzard]

Air cooled???

[sheets]

 . . . what Gig said . . . . 

[Gavin_Sons]

Air cooled???

Thought this was 2017, not 1945

[Savago]

And the price is out: "The TransContinental option package ups price from the $24,999 base to $26,999. The package includes GPS navigation, CB and Sirius XM and XM Travel Link, plus adds an extra pair of sound system speakers and “Dual Zone” audio control that allow rider and passenger to take separate phone calls and listen to different audio sources using an accessory headset and mic. A security alarm and LED fog lamps are also added."

Source:
http://www.cycleworld.com/2018-yamaha-venture-air-cooled-v-twin-luxury-touring-motorcycle-first-look-review#page-7

If paying 27K (which I wouldn't...), I would buy an Indian.
:-)

[RudyF6]

27k?! I have 2  nicely equipped Valkyries, a 1981  CBX, and a 2001 Suzuki DR 650. I'm not even close to that much!

[jimmytee]

I like the styling and the gadgets, but the price has you in HD and Indian territory.  For an air cooled V-twin and that kind of money it better be good. HD has a lot going for it in the accessories available it.
I would have been more intrigued had it had an updated V-4 powerplant and water cooling.

If I were to be in the market, though,I would have to wait and see what Honda does with the Gold Wing for 2018 and see what the new BMW K1600B looks like in person.

[cookiedough]

never understood the mentality to spend over 20K on any cycle.  Even if I had 20K or more laying around burning a hole in my pocket,  a new cycle would not be in my garage for that price.   Met a HD ultra limited guy today and he is retired age 62 now he said and every 3-4 years he trades in for a new HD for another one, but he rides them 16K miles every year.  I guess if he is spending 27K on a new HD every few years, at least he is driving the heck out of it every year at least?   

I think even if I won a new 25K cycle of any kind,  I would either sell it ASAP or trade it in at a dealership for a few grand less and then go buy what I desired USED at 1/2 the price of new.  There are so many used cycles on the market with such low mileage in good shape worth buying. 

different strokes I guess for different folks?   

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I'll be 60 this month, which means I hopefully have another 20 years of riding ahead of me. Realistically, much as I love my Valk I'll need one more long lasting bike or several less long lasting bikes.

Since big expenditures will be out once I retire completely, I'll go the "one more long lasting bike" route.

I'll be looking for a bike with better performance than my Valk with roughly equal longevity and comfort. And, I want it to look like a motorcycle, as in "easy on the Tupperware" although looks are the one thing I could reluctantly compromise on.

The Rocket has the power but the dependability doesn't seem up there with the Valk. The FJR has the power and probably the longevity but falls short on looks and probably on comfort. The Goldwings just don't trip my trigger. If the 1300 CTX made the 120HP it should have made I'd probably own one.

If this bike looks as good in person as it does on paper (digital media I mean) one of them might wind up as Little Martha's stablemate. Although, as has been mentioned I would have preferred it to be based on the V4, my son's Ducati has shown me air-cooled twins don't have to fall flat on performance.

[old2soon]

27K fer a M/C 35K fer a cage 60K fer a pickup. Yeah-I KNOW they can all go higher.  The styling do NOT appeal to me-even IF I had enough coinage to purchase. When I look at my rolling stock it ALL has one thing in common-ALL are paid for in full!  Saw a 44K h/d late last year BUT I did not see it in my future. Depends on two thing actually-What duz ya want And more importantly-How deep are yer pockets?  RIDE SAFE.

[Savago]

I noticed this photo:


On the plus side: Yamaha seems to say that yeah, you can ride at 110mph on it, which is nice!

On the negative (assuming the photo is representative...): red lining the engine at 110mph? Damn! Even my 650cc vstrom with saddlebags and big ass windshield won't red line at 100mph.

IIRC, my 18 years old I/S will be at 5-5.5K rpms at 100-110mph (I don't quite remember as I confess that I avoid going that fast really).

[Alberta Patriot]

I'll be 60 this month, which means I hopefully have another 20 years of riding ahead of me. Realistically, much as I love my Valk I'll need one more long lasting bike or several less long lasting bikes.

Since big expenditures will be out once I retire completely, I'll go the "one more long lasting bike" route.

I'll be looking for a bike with better performance than my Valk with roughly equal longevity and comfort. And, I want it to look like a motorcycle, as in "easy on the Tupperware" although looks are the one thing I could reluctantly compromise on.

The Rocket has the power but the dependability doesn't seem up there with the Valk. The FJR has the power and probably the longevity but falls short on looks and probably on comfort. The Goldwings just don't trip my trigger. If the 1300 CTX made the 120HP it should have made I'd probably own one.

If this bike looks as good in person as it does on paper (digital media I mean) one of them might wind up as Little Martha's stablemate. Although, as has been mentioned I would have preferred it to be based on the V4, my son's Ducati has shown me air-cooled twins don't have to fall flat on performance.

First off that Gen2 V-Max V4 is a top heavy fuel hog, which if detuned to about 140HP for cruiser bike mode might get better mileage??

Re: Reliability...Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki...all pretty much bullet proof if maintained.
Anyway...The basic 113CI engine platform that Yamaha used for the new Venture is from the "Liners"-(Stratoliner, Roadliner, Raider) and is Air/Oil cooled which does NOT have any of the issues that plagued the HD's. Basically very reliable although they had a few 3rd gear failures in the 2006/2007 model years(solved) and some bad hydraulic lifters(solved).  2013 model intro'ed the slipper/assist clutch and reduced clutch pull a lot(3 springs vs 6).
The updated Venture Transfer Case/Transmission is all new.  The belt drive is on the right side now (very quiet, clean and reliable) and cheap to replace if done with a Gates brand Belt(usually good for about 80K miles) The cogged belt pulleys are probably good for the life of the bike.

[shortleg]

  It is funny how everybody  keeps chasing Harley and using  V twin a air cooled
motors.
    We all know through many miles that the  Valk, Goldwing  flat six motor
is the way to pack on the smooth miles.
   I think all Mother Honda needs to do is add  the new giZ Moe's  to the Goldwing
and maybe  use the same motor in a sport frame with some  company backing
and maybe some of the brain washed V twin people will wake up

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Wow. Hadn't noticed that. Even though I would probably never take a bike much over 110 (used to pretty often though) I do want to know I can if I want. Someone with better math skills than me could probably find the gear ratios and see what gear the above would occur in. An article I read about it said it had an an "overdrive 6th gear" that left the RPMs low at interstate speeds. Perhaps the redline above would occur just before shifting into 6th?

I know my old V65 would do way over 100 without ever shifting into 6th but it had a much higher redline than this bike does.

I noticed this photo:


On the plus side: Yamaha seems to say that yeah, you can ride at 110mph on it, which is nice!

On the negative (assuming the photo is representative...): red lining the engine at 110mph? Damn! Even my 650cc vstrom with saddlebags and big ass windshield won't red line at 100mph.

IIRC, my 18 years old I/S will be at 5-5.5K rpms at 100-110mph (I don't quite remember as I confess that I avoid going that fast really).