Venture forth.

Got the rear tire in today so now on two new tires. Windshield should be here this week.
I think there is more chrome hidden under the bags then there is on the entire XS650...
nothing to changing a rear tire, easy project on the side of the road.

20200630_153510.jpg

Honestly I think the design and engineering is better on these than it was on the later Royal star Ventures.
 
I always liked drive shafts. They’re clean, never need adjustment or replacement, easy to remove the rear wheel.
What kind of windshield did you order? Aftermarket or OEM.
 
I always liked drive shafts. They’re clean, never need adjustment or replacement, easy to remove the rear wheel.
What kind of windshield did you order? Aftermarket or OEM.
Clearstream basically OEM shape, height.
The Venture is a look through the windshield bike, very quiet ride. I don't find it necessary or even remember to flip my visor down or pump up my ear seals. Allison commented that air was quiet for the passenger also. Bikes kind of at a sweet spot condition wise, looks good enough that it's not an embarrassment to ride, but not so pristine that I'll be afraid to use it. Sure is a LOT of bike to clean and shine
 
I think it looks really nice and as I say about my ST1300, she’s a big girl, and she like to dance!

Pete
 
Clearstream basically OEM shape, height.
The Venture is a look through the windshield bike, very quiet ride. I don't find it necessary or even remember to flip my visor down or pump up my ear seals. Allison commented that air was quiet for the passenger also. Bikes kind of at a sweet spot condition wise, looks good enough that it's not an embarrassment to ride, but not so pristine that I'll be afraid to use it. Sure is a LOT of bike to clean and shine
Hope you have some moly paste to grease up the rear drive splines...something we ST Owners do every tire change..Those Venture Royales were better bikes than the 2nd gen. bikes that look like hardley wannabes... I have always liked these bikes but their size and weight are beyond what I feel comfortable trying to negotiate..My ST1100 @ 730lbs sans rider is just about my limit...
 
Last edited:
I rode a Moto Guzzi for a little while. My right hand was connected to a strong Brembo single caliper. Consider there are a lot of big Harleys with only one brake up front. The brake pedal was connected to the other front brake and also the rear that was well proportioned. I adjusted to it quickly. The only place I found it very difficult was steep downgrades on gravel forest service roads. Other than that, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea.
My 1982 Yamaha XJ1100 Maxim had linked brakes...Hand brake operated one front disc and the foot brake operated the other front disc brake and the rear disc brake..There were several times where i had panic stops and those linked brakes really kept me in control and saved the day...
 
So a fall CL ad and that venture disappeared, oops, a 100K mile K1200LT now detupperwared out in the shed, getting a current GPS installed. My Gawd WHY do I fall for the "this one won't be as heavy and ponderous as the Queen Mary" thing! Once moving they are fine but OMG stopping is literally scary, it's just a matter of time til over she goes. electric centerstand and reverse cuz ain't no one pushing 900 lbs backwards up hill or on to a centerstand..........
20210723_120303.jpg
Rated 5,000 pounds, should be enough for the K1200? :rolleyes:
20210802_154818.jpg
 
Last edited:
Once moving they are fine but OMG stopping is literally scary, it's just a matter of time til over she goes. electric centerstand and reverse cuz ain't no one pushing 900 lbs backwards up hill or on to a centerstand....

Thats always the dilemma eh? Size and weight equals comfort and ease on the highway, but they are a pain in the ass to move in the garage or a parking lot or slow city traffic. Where exactly is that happy medium?
 
Thats always the dilemma eh? Size and weight equals comfort and ease on the highway, but they are a pain in the ass to move in the garage or a parking lot or slow city traffic. Where exactly is that happy medium?
upload_2021-8-11_10-25-37.jpeg


Anymore, a bike in the ADV category is probably the way to go. They carry all your stuff. They ride sporty. They’re comfortable. And now, they’re available in smaller sizes. There’s no longer a need for a sport touring bike or a big bagger. They understand that even at Harley-Davidson.
 
Thats always the dilemma eh? Size and weight equals comfort and ease on the highway, but they are a pain in the ass to move in the garage or a parking lot or slow city traffic. Where exactly is that happy medium?
IDK I'm pretty happy when I am on my FJR. All day comfort, stupid HP, but not too ponderous for city riding.
 
View attachment 196359

Anymore, a bike in the ADV category is probably the way to go. They carry all your stuff. They ride sporty. They’re comfortable. And now, they’re available in smaller sizes. There’s no longer a need for a sport touring bike or a big bagger. They understand that even at Harley-Davidson.

That’s probably my comfort level too Marty. Some days I kick myself for ever selling my Suzuki 650 V-Strom.
I spent so much time and money dialing in the ergos on that bike. A seargent seat that was all day comfortable,
Handlebar risers, lowered the foot pegs a tad, a bigger windshield, hard luggage. Plenty of power to cruise all day at freeway speed. It was without a doubt the best running, smoothest, most reliable and fastest bike I’ve ever owned. I just got bored with it, and that has always been my problem. I start thinking……..what’s next? :laugh2:
4D810414-6CE6-4183-A46A-EEE4C19C5C94.jpeg
 
T.............I kick myself for ever selling ............... I spent so much time and money dialing in the ergos on that bike. ................... I just got bored with it, and that has always been my problem. I start thinking……..what’s next? :laugh2:
View attachment 196364
Glad that don't happen to me.
Day three of removing old GPS, tupperware MOSTLY back on. Just remembered where two of the "extra" screws go, so yeah 5 parts, 10 fasteners have to come back off. :banghead:
Added accessory fuse block (6 place), LED high beam it's OH SHIT bright.......... power outlet, and circuit for new GPS. Removed the radio/com system. cuz; well, it's 15 years old. That gives me a much bigger glove/glasses/etc box.
 
View attachment 196359

Anymore, a bike in the ADV category is probably the way to go. They carry all your stuff. They ride sporty. They’re comfortable. And now, they’re available in smaller sizes. There’s no longer a need for a sport touring bike or a big bagger. They understand that even at Harley-Davidson.

sacrilege.jpg


FJsmall.jpg
 
View attachment 196359

Anymore, a bike in the ADV category is probably the way to go. They carry all your stuff. They ride sporty. They’re comfortable. And now, they’re available in smaller sizes. There’s no longer a need for a sport touring bike or a big bagger. They understand that even at Harley-Davidson.

The more i ride the V-Strom the more i appreciate the versatility and how it covers the whole range. The seat is the only thing to work on. position is perfect as is.
 
Got it all back together, and put on 30 miles, all good. Not too many screws left over..................
Note to self don't let go of bars at 40MPH. (nasty shake, builds pretty quickly) Forum sez; they all do that...
 
Yeah there's one in there somewhere. :unsure:
Well, dampers (in general) sometimes won't work for all oscillation frequencies they encounter. If "they all do that" is the general consensus, I'd be looking at swapping it out for an aftermarket one that (hopefully) does a better job.
But that's jus' me.... :cautious:
 
Back
Top