Rode the Yamaha Venture today

[Raider]

Dangit, I like this bike!  So, a couple weeks ago, I wrote about three Harleys I rode and figured I'd give you a run down of this one as well.  I only got to put about 15 miles on the bike, half highway, half side road.

Engine/transmission: Potent!  Definitely a good bit more power than the HDs.  Similar in power to our Valks, but delivery was different.  Loves 2,500 to 3,500 RPM.  Snap the throttle in 2nd gear at 2,500 and realized that I really needed to hang onto the bar.  It'll be interesting to see some actual numbers (0-60 and 1/4 mile).  6th gear was great and VERY tall.  At 65-70 MPH the engine was barely more than idle.  I opened the throttle wide at 65 and it barely started to speed up.  6th feels like it's made for 80 or so.

Seating position: This was better than the HDs, but still not as good as the Valk.  Feet were still just a touch forward with the knees just a bit higher than I'd like.  I need a bit longer ride on to know if the position will work.  Seat felt good for a stock seat and the adjustable backrest (slides forward for those with shorter legs) could be helpful.  

Wind protection: Adjustable windshield was great!  I'm 6' 1".  Needed the high position on the highway.  The deflectors on the sides make a tremendous difference.  When folded out wide, I had no wind at all on the highway.  None.  When I folded them back entirely, they blew some stout wind right up to my face.  About half way in, and I got some great cooling wind right to my torso with the mesh jacket.  Perfect.  They wouldn't let me smoke my cigar on the ride, so I couldn't get a fair comparison to the wind protection of the HDs, but it felt on par or better to theirs (and better than my IS).

Stereo: Sound was great.  Full sound, very clear.  I'm sure my poor old IS could use some new speakers; mine don't sound nearly this good on the higway.  I didn't get to try the bluetooth or any of the other neat features (rider and passenger can listen to different stations, make seperate phone calls using ICOM systems, etc.).  There were two USB plugs, one by the fuel tank and one in the trunk; one for the driver and one for the passenger.

Controls: Much more intuitive than the HDs.  I'm not a fan of the HD joysticks.  I'd be working through a menu, hit a bum, and the switch would click.  I was endlessly going where I didn't want to go on the HD menus.  Not an issue here.  A home button next to a pad with a center (Enter) and four "arrows" around the center to walk through the menu.  Worked very well and no negligent discharges. The cruise control buttons (right bar) are as simple as possible and the cruise worked well.

Storage: The trunk was GIGANTIC; maybe a little larger in length and width than the IS, but quite a bit deeper.  Saddlebags didn't look as large on the inside as I expected when looking at the outside.  All had push button entry and all lock with the key fob or a push button on the tank.  

Overall:  I'm sure not all will, but I love the looks of this thing.   I think the front end looks like a miscle car.  Maybe the newer Camaros.  I really need to ride it for a bit more time before I could spend money on it, but if the seating position works out for me, I'd gladly drop some money on this thing!

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I don't know 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Really glad to read this ride review. Thanks for posting it.

Magazine reviews written by people who don't ride Valks really don't mean much to those of us who do. This bike is out of my price range but it's still great to hear about it.

Thanks for sharing. 

[Rams]

Nice to read, thanks for telling us about it.

For me, too much Tupperware and, it's still a V twin.   If I wanted that much plastic, I'd buy a GW.  Won't see one sitting in my shop or under me.

I still love the styling, performance and reliability of my flat six.

[Alpha Dog]

Thanks for the review Raider. Very nice.  A couple of questions.   How does this machine handle the weight at 950 plus pounds and your thoughts on any vibration?  I will say I am a fan of it's looks although for me as a solo rider I would be more inclined to the Eluder which is not out yet.

[Beardo]

Really glad to read this ride review. Thanks for posting it.

Magazine reviews written by people who don't ride Valks really don't mean much to those of us who do. This bike is out of my price range but it's still great to hear about it.

Thanks for sharing. 

Great point. I’ve been shopping for a new bike and have ridden a few. All have been junk compared to my 19 year old Valk. While I likely won’t be buying a new bike, it’s nice to see a review that compares it to ours. 

[Art708]

  I think that it would be a great looking bike with the trunk removed!

[Alberta Patriot]

I owned 2 Stratoliners over a stretch of 9 years.  I only bought the second one because I liked the chromed "S"  compared to the "Midnight" color scheme.
The engine is similar to the new Venture but the 6 gear transmission is all new for the new touring bike.  I read a lot of negative opinion here on V-Twins but with this engine that is just not valid. A friend owns a GL1800 Wing and we have traded bikes on rides occasionally and I found that power and balance was very similar with these bikes...biggest difference, bottom end grunt on the Strat (2200-3000 RPM) was better.  The one big issue for me with the Wing/Valkyrie is leg room. With the Strat's huge floorboards there was no need for highway pegs.
Re: High price tag...the Venture is going to be a great reliable used bike bargain, just like the Strat is. No need to buy new when a used one will last many trouble free years...just like almost every metric bike.
 

[Rams]

I read a lot of negative opinion here on V-Twins but with this engine that is just not valid.  

Here's the truth, if you like a V Twin, go for it.   Won't hold that against you.
I'll stick with my or another flat six.  

Show me a V twin that will compare with DDT's Ali.........................  Or a lot of other Honda flat six bikes.   I honestly doubt I'll ever wear my Valkyrie out.   

[Raider]

I don't know 

No doubt, it's a taste thing, but I love the way it looks!   

[Raider]

Thanks for the review Raider. Very nice.  A couple of questions.   How does this machine handle the weight at 950 plus pounds and your thoughts on any vibration?  I will say I am a fan of it's looks although for me as a solo rider I would be more inclined to the Eluder which is not out yet.

The weight sits so low that I didn't notice it.  Easier to stand up from the side stand than my IS (I have 13 inch progressive shocks at 50 psi and an Austone Taxi Tire, so mine sits high).  Handling was great.  At the end, we could turn around on the road and I did a couple tight figure eights just to test it.  Easy to pull off on a narrow two lane road.

Vibration- barely noticeable.  My old Road star was also very smooth for a V-twin, so this was no shock to me.  At idle, I could tell it was a twin, but just barely.  On the road, you'd never notice.

They had the Eluder there as well.  Nice looking bike.  Buddy rode one and was likewise impressed.  Both of us agreed that we were glad we couldn't buy it on the spot or we would have had a new payment to deal with!

[Raider]

Really glad to read this ride review. Thanks for posting it.

Magazine reviews written by people who don't ride Valks really don't mean much to those of us who do. This bike is out of my price range but it's still great to hear about it.

Thanks for sharing. 

Glad to share.  Thought you/other Valk riders might like to hear about it.

[Raider]

I owned 2 Stratoliners over a stretch of 9 years.  I only bought the second one because I liked the chromed "S"  compared to the "Midnight" color scheme.
The engine is similar to the new Venture but the 6 gear transmission is all new for the new touring bike.  I read a lot of negative opinion here on V-Twins but with this engine that is just not valid. A friend owns a GL1800 Wing and we have traded bikes on rides occasionally and I found that power and balance was very similar with these bikes...biggest difference, bottom end grunt on the Strat (2200-3000 RPM) was better.  The one big issue for me with the Wing/Valkyrie is leg room. With the Strat's huge floorboards there was no need for highway pegs.
Re: High price tag...the Venture is going to be a great reliable used bike bargain, just like the Strat is. No need to buy new when a used one will last many trouble free years...just like almost every metric bike.
 

I agree with all except the highway pegs.  If I get it, I'll have to put highway pegs on, but I have 34 inch inseams.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Really glad to read this ride review. Thanks for posting it.

Magazine reviews written by people who don't ride Valks really don't mean much to those of us who do. This bike is out of my price range but it's still great to hear about it.

Thanks for sharing. 

Glad to share.  Thought you/other Valk riders might like to hear about it.

absolutely

[Raider]

  I think that it would be a great looking bike with the trunk removed!

The Eluder is basically the same, but with no trunk.  It also has a lower windshield and loses the parking motor.  A bit less expensive, too.

[sheets]

I like it. Too bad, for me, they weren't on the market a few years ago.

[Alpha Dog]

Thanks for the review Raider. Very nice.  A couple of questions.   How does this machine handle the weight at 950 plus pounds and your thoughts on any vibration?  I will say I am a fan of it's looks although for me as a solo rider I would be more inclined to the Eluder which is not out yet.

The weight sits so low that I didn't notice it.  Easier to stand up from the side stand than my IS (I have 13 inch progressive shocks at 50 psi and an Austone Taxi Tire, so mine sits high).  Handling was great.  At the end, we could turn around on the road and I did a couple tight figure eights just to test it.  Easy to pull off on a narrow two lane road.

Vibration- barely noticeable.  My old Road star was also very smooth for a V-twin, so this was no shock to me.  At idle, I could tell it was a twin, but just barely.  On the road, you'd never notice.

They had the Eluder there as well.  Nice looking bike.  Buddy rode one and was likewise impressed.  Both of us agreed that we were glad we couldn't buy it on the spot or we would have had a new payment to deal with!

Thanks for the reply.  My Victory cross country is quite smooth for a twin also and it is exceedingly comfortable with those long floorboads and stretched out ridding position.  My one complaint is engine heat.  I saw a riding review online for the Eluder in which he stated Yamaha used some double wall heat protection piece and the heat management he thought was quite good, much better than the Harley's he had been running. 

[G-Man]

  I think that it would be a great looking bike with the trunk removed!

   +1

[G-Man]

  I think that it would be a great looking bike with the trunk removed!

The Eluder is basically the same, but with no trunk.  It also has a lower windshield and loses the parking motor.  A bit less expensive, too.

Very cool for a non-F6.  Wish the F6B had legroom like this. 

This older body of mine was feeling it this weekend.  Cramped riding position was getting to me.  Won't get rid of the Valkyrie, but after the car is paid off, I just may be looking for something like this for much of the riding I am anticipating to do be doing in the future.  The Valkyrie will be great for long hauls where most of the time my feet are on the highway pegs.  With local and group riding, the Valkyrie is just too tight. 



Wish Honda would have expaded on this thing.  Maybe a V-6 with another header pipe on each side.  Also allows for more legroom than the flat-6.

[Savago]

@Raider: great review and quite useful because you compared it to the I/S (in this days young journalists writing for motorcycle magazines don't know or never rode a flat 6 to compare it).

I personally like the looks of this bike and being a Yamaha, I'm pretty sure it is going to be a quite reliable motorcycle.

[Alpha Dog]

  I think that it would be a great looking bike with the trunk removed!

The Eluder is basically the same, but with no trunk.  It also has a lower windshield and loses the parking motor.  A bit less expensive, too.

Very cool for a non-F6.  Wish the F6B had legroom like this.  

This older body of mine was feeling it this weekend.  Cramped riding position was getting to me.  Won't get rid of the Valkyrie, but after the car is paid off, I just may be looking for something like this for much of the riding I am anticipating to do be doing in the future.  The Valkyrie will be great for long hauls where most of the time my feet are on the highway pegs.  With local and group riding, the Valkyrie is just too tight.  



Wish Honda would have expaded on this thing.  Maybe a V-6 with another header pipe on each side.  Also allows for more legroom than the flat-6.

It is possible they will expand on that CTX 1300 or at least a Honda that is smaller than their Goldwing series with a hybrid V4 engine, at least there is a lot of talk of this due to patents filled and such.  Or they may incorporate a V4 hybrid into a Goldwing type version also.  Honda is talking of unveiling several new models soon.  I too have the same problem as you at this point in life.  It is much more comfortable to stretch out with many options to place my foot and move them around.  This is why 80 percent of my riding is now done on my Victory Cross Country.  It has all become about comfort at this point in life and will from here on, I have no doubt.   I suspect this has happened to a lot of former Goldwing riders as they have aged.  In fact I know it has  from what they say on motorcycle blogs and reviews.  Time will tell and no doubt a V6 or inline 6 done beemer style  would be awesome also. 

 I wish I had bought my Valk Tourer 20 years ago when younger and more flexible and being cramped was no issue, and I envy everyone that can still ride one in comfort all day as they are such a great bike.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Don't hiway pegs alleviate the cramped leg position on the flat 6 platforms ?

[Jess Tolbirt]

I read a lot of negative opinion here on V-Twins but with this engine that is just not valid. 

Here's the truth, if you like a V Twin, go for it.   Won't hold that against you.
I'll stick with my or another flat six.   

Show me a V twin that will compare with DDT's Ali.........................  Or a lot of other Honda flat six bikes.   I honestly doubt I'll ever wear my Valkyrie out.   

what about the 3 million mile harley?

[Raider]

Don't hiway pegs alleviate the cramped leg position on the flat 6 platforms ?

Works that way for me!