big venture royal

[gumby302ho]

 Was wondering if anyone can offer there dealings with the Venture Royal 1300. I know it became the block which was used in the Vmax and they had plenty of stomp for being a house bike but most dont seem to last past 120 K with exceptions to the rule. I worked with a guy who had one and he said it would put a goldwing to shame on all counts, tall order! That being said I have always liked the venture over the goldwing and the wife said she will ride on the back with me and travel if I get a House Bike. I also know the early models suffered same fate as the FJ with bad second gear issue. venture pros an cons, what do you guys think. 

[Burns]

Was wondering if anyone can offer there dealings with the Venture Royal 1300. I know it became the block which was used in the Vmax and they had plenty of stomp for being a house bike but most dont seem to last past 120 K with exceptions to the rule. I worked with a guy who had one and he said it would put a goldwing to shame on all counts, tall order! That being said I have always liked the venture over the goldwing and the wife said she will ride on the back with me and travel if I get a House Bike. I also know the early models suffered same fate as the FJ with bad second gear issue. venture pros an cons, what do you guys think. 

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I worked at Yamaha of San Antonio when that bike came out. They have a personality flaw that I consider unforgivable in a touring bike: they wiggle at speed. At an indicated 90 the rear end starts to weave - not uncontrollably, but it is not confidence inspiring. Of course that's just the one bike that I rode, but after that ride I never wanted to ride another one.

The MAX I had was solid as a brick to at least an indicted 130 (the fastest I ever rode it).

[FJ1100mjk]

venture pros an cons, what do you guys think.

Have your heard about or come across this website? http://www.venturerider.org/modules/Jig/index.php

It may be a good source to troll for information, or ask your question(s) at too.

[anson45]

In 1986 I bought a left over 1983 Venture, plain no radio, onboard compressor etc. I still have it with 69,xxx miles on it. It had poorly heat treated washers in the transmission which caused a problem, corrected in the 1985 on up models. Mine were detected and replaced. The wiggle that was mentioned could have several causes, tires to stretched subframe bolts. Eventually stiffer fork springs, fork brace, SS brake and clutch lines and solid motor mounts changed my bike so much I wished I had done it sooner. It's not much fun around a parking lot, but when I rode to and around southern West Virginia this spring I was very glad I was on the Venture. I have less chicken strips on it then I do on my FJ. Since I (finally) fixed the exhaust leak I have rediscover how much I like this bike. There is another Venture forum, Venturers.org, lots of high milage bikes, and lots of info. A good bunch of guys.  Biggest gripe is they are too top heavy, and the Royals are more so.
Anson

[gumby302ho]

thanks for your insight.