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PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) is a drag. The King of Kong is waiting for me 2000 miles away. A 93 Venture Royale with 19000 miles and all the bells and whistles is available locally at a favorable price point. Anybody know anything about them?
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1980 XS 11 Special: The King of Kong, 9th wonder of the world. Pacifico fairing, chopped shield, Yamaha hard bags, Diamond seat, T-Kat fork brace, XJ top end, YICS Eliminator, '80 carbs from Spyder Cycle Works, K&N Air filter, Fuse block, stainless steel valves & reg/rect from Oregon MC Parts. Raptor CCT, XJ air shocks, 850 FD, Sportster mufflers, Standard handle bar, Tusk Bar Risers, SS braided brake lines. Cat Eye speedometer. HID projector beam headlight, LED running lights. -
93....last year of first gen ventures
Was interested about a year ago and took a brief look.
From what I read they are dependable cursiers and can last 100,000 miles or so. Several good venture forums.
mro -
Bullet Proof. Several of them around here and The guys that own them just keep riding and riding and riding and riding and riding and riding……..Last edited by wingnut; 07-06-2007, 05:36 AM.wingnut
81 SH (Daily Ride)
81 650XJ (Brother in laws bike, Delivered)
81 650XJ Jane Doe (Son's Ride)
82 750XJ Project bike (Son in law's future ride)
81 XS 400
No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another; and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him.”
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
Thomas JeffersonComment
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I ride a 91 VR and for me the switch from a 78E XS11 was an excellant move. I find it a much more comfortable ride.
I also now ride two-up alot of the time as my wife will travel with me and she wouldn't even get close to the XS. (That can be a good thing or a bad thing I guess.)
As said earlier the engine and transmission are virtually bullet proof if maintained properly. The electronics can be a problem as the circuit boards in the CB radio, the air ride, and the dash some times need to be resoldered as old circuits crack with age. Easily done if you can do a little soldering.
Check out two membership forums;
www.venturers.org or
www.ventureriders.org
I am a member of both and they are very similar to this site in that you can get lots of advise and help with your ride and great people on both.Don Hughes
Ex-1978 E
Ex-1985 Yamaha Venture Royale
1991 Yamaha Venture Royale
1990 Honda Goldwing
EdmontonComment
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They're wonderful bikes but the windshield shakes at around 115 MPH.
GeezerHi my name is Tony and I'm a bikeoholic.
The old gray biker ain't what he used to be.Comment
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I have read that the early versions had the same 2nd gear tranny problem like the XS's! It's documented on the Ventures web site, complete with repair tutorial, etc.! But with those few miles, it might not show up for quite some time!
T.C.
Oh, and my SOFA will fit on it just fine, just ask MartyA, he put one on his before he sold it!
T. C. Gresham
81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
History shows again and again,
How nature points out the folly of men!Comment
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2nd gear was a problem in the 83/85 models. When the V-Max was introduced Yamaha in 85 HAD to repair it or the V-Max would have torn the transmissin apart in a hurry.
If you are looking for long distance touring the Venture is the way to go.
If you only do days trips and to work and back the XS does that just fine.
I hate riding my Venture around town. On the highway for several days I would not ride any thing else. At least that I can afford to own. A new Wing would be nice but out of the guestion.Don Hughes
Ex-1978 E
Ex-1985 Yamaha Venture Royale
1991 Yamaha Venture Royale
1990 Honda Goldwing
EdmontonComment
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