SWMBO found a bike for sale!

[renegade_xs11g]

She wants me to look at it, a possible B-day Present for me!!! How lucky am I???

It's a 1983 Yamaha Venture Royale...........32 or 36 thousand miles

is there anything I should be looking for,

Be specific please, Thanks

[Crazcnuk]

Yes, a Venture Royale site!

Not being rude, just don't know anything about those.

I would think that that is pretty low mileage for that type of bike.

[DavesXS]

http://www.venturers.org/

[mro]

I came close to getting a first gen a few years ago.
After some research found that they are at least as dependable as a good XS but parts etc. cost more....


mro

[Jerry]

1st gen Ventures had a transmission problem similar to the XS / XJ, and fix is about the same. Yamaha fixed this problem part way through the '85 model year; I think the serial number of the first "fixed" bike is on the Venture site.

A few XSives have also owned Ventures; excellent road bikes but very top heavy and not well suited for around town travel, so it depends on the type of riding your do.

I've been looking - casually - for a Venture, but decided to go with an '86 or newer because of the increased engine size and better reliability record. Most I've seen are in the $3,500 - $4,000 range, so if you find a good deal on an earlier one I would go for it. If possible, ride the bike first and see if there are any transmission problems.