Love my 11special but.....

[TimmyCoy]

Hello all
I bought my 81 11special August 1st '03 and have to date put 2900 miles on her. I love the bike! {It's my first motorcycle by the way.}
Anyhow, my wife loves to ride w/me and i see us getting into more 2 to 4 day cruises and was wondering what you all thought of the 84 - 88 ventures in comparison? Do they stack up (powerwise) to the xs1100? Handle heavier? Lower center of gravity? What do you think- wise to upgrade or stick with what i got????
Tim in central Minnesota

[mitch]

venture royal?

Tim, I had an xj1100,sold it and bought a 1984 venture 1200, Honestly i think the venture pulls harder than the xj!! But as 66 warned me it is a heavey bike handles better on the highway than the xj in the coners yup i said that. But it is one heavy bitch around town or in grass gravel etc other than that i love the venture. I have put about 5000 klms on it in 5 weeks and it is beautiful on the highway!!! ..........MITCH

[strom]

MMmmmmm.. Venture....
Or maybe 1200 GW...
...
for a second bike...

I miss my ex sport thingies.
Plasticwise...

LP

[TopCatGr58]

Venture Royale

Hey folks,

Well, Tim, it looks like it will depend on several factors, like how deep are your pockets, just exactly how often will you be riding 2 up vs. solo, and do you want to ride a bike that can be a decent touring bike, but also a decent sports bike(XS) vs. the apparently heavier bigger Venture that is probably a great tourer, but I don't know about it's handling ability in the twisties? I've not personally driven a Venture, but a prior Xsive that tours alot uses one and I rode with him at XSeast2002, he didn't seem to have any trouble keeping up in the twisties, but it sure was a BIG bike!

I was doing a search to see what the power plant for the Venture was, thought it was the Vmax V-4 type. Found an interesting link about the earlier model and a familiar transmission woe that we XSers experience, but it also has popped up on the earlier Ventures:
Venture 2nd gear repair

It is definitely a stronger power plant, but do you want to handle the heavier machine so much when you're solo?? Just some things to think about.
T.C.

[beechfront]

I met a guy on my last trip and I believe he was driving a venture. He had to turn around because of a water pump problem.

[Don Hughes]

I had an XS11 E with Hannigan Sport Fairing with Yamaha hard bags for five years and loved the bike. Massive power, decent handling, I got excellent gas mileage. Was very happy with th machine.
Then I got an '85 Venture Royale. Every thing the XS did the Venture does better. I would not trade back to my XS for anything, much as I liked it.
Power is about the same but through wider power band. Handling is much better, unless your in a parking lot trying to move it around. It is one heavy bike to push around but I found the XS difficult too.
Gas mileage is about the same.
It is the ride that makes it so much better. I can put in a 1000 KM day on the Venture and still be able to walk after. The XS I was in agony with sore back and legs after a long trip.
For two up the Venture is again far superior. Your passenger will agree I am sure.
Now all this is personal preferance. It works for me. It may not be your best ride.
Also this club site is very good. The people are great. All the help you could need.
The Venture site is just as good.
I am on both. Still with this even tho I don't ride an XS any more.
Don

[Geezer]

Re: venture royal?

Originally posted by mitch
Tim, I had an xj1100,sold it and bought a 1984 venture 1200, Honestly i think the venture pulls harder than the xj!! But as 66 warned me it is a heavey bike handles better on the highway than the xj in the coners yup i said that. But it is one heavy bitch around town or in grass gravel etc other than that i love the venture. I have put about 5000 klms on it in 5 weeks and it is beautiful on the highway!!! ..........MITCH

I never noticed the Venture being heavy at low speeds but I'm 6'5" and umm, bulky. ;o)

Geezer

[Jerry]

Nothing aginst newer bikes but consider the cost difference.

Take your XS/XJ, say $1,200.00
Add top of line Day Long seat $600.00 ($425 for a Diamond Seat)
Progressive fork springs and rear shocks $500.00
Vetter fairing with lowers $200.00
Electronic Cruise Control kit $125.00
Tkat fork Brace $85.00
Stainless Steel brake line kit $125.00

Total: $2,830.00

Vs

Used Venture $6,500.00 (or more!)

Personally, I would rather build my XJ than buy a Venture. Granted this doesn't take into account the Venture's other refinements, but for more than double the price you should get more than double the bike.

Now if I would find a nice Venture for $2,830.00 I would get it. In the mean time, my Vetter equipped, Tkat-fork braced, Diamond seated, Stainless-steel braked-lined, throttle-locked XJ does a nice job of touring.

[mitch]

Price

Jerry, i paid 4000 canadian for my venture with 38000 klms on it about 2800 american i think ? My friends say i stole it cause it is in such good shap. Anyway im happy with it but i did luv the xj too .....MITCH

[mitch]

geezer

Hi Geezer im only 5ft 9 in tall i gotta stand on my toes to hold the venture up thats why i find it a bit hard to manage in the dirt etc sorry about my spelling and all but i have no computer training and type with 1 finger lol regards ....MITCH

[strider5698]

I AM A MEMBER OF THE AMERICADE STAFF ,RUNNING GUIDED MINITOURS MY TOUR LEADER RIDES A ROYAL AND I RIDE AN 81 XS 11. I HAVE RIDDEN THE ROYAL AND I FINED NO MAJOR DIFFERANCE IN THE HANNDELING, POWER OR CONFORT.

[Geezer]

Originally posted by Jerry

Electronic Cruise Control kit $125.00
Stainless Steel brake line kit $125.00

I curious, where are you finding these items. I was going to have brake lines made up here locally but all made up for that price would be tempting.

The electronid cruse control sounds interesting too. Do you have a link to a site with it?

Geezer

[Geezer]

Re: geezer

Originally posted by mitch
Hi Geezer im only 5ft 9 in tall i gotta stand on my toes to hold the venture up thats why i find it a bit hard to manage in the dirt etc sorry about my spelling and all but i have no computer training and type with 1 finger lol regards ....MITCH

I used to have a lady friend that live 8 miles up a gravel road in Rainier, OR. I found the Venture a surprisingly pleasant ride up that road. My old Guzzi was squirrelly as can be on gravel and the Venture was a nice change. Too bad it wasn’t mine, I miss that bike far more than I'll ever miss that woman. (

Geezer

[mitch]

Venture

Geezer, I dont have any trouble once im up and running, gravel roads are no trouble then just when im at a stop, and need to turn hard or push the bike back with my feet. As far as handling i think the venture is great. but i personaly find the venture seat much more comfortable than the xs INHO regards .....MITCH

[madbiker]

Tim
Find the parts .Turn the bike you have in to a touring bike. I did and I like mine the way it is. A 80 Midnight Sp.with a touring pack.
Madbiker