About VentureRider.Org

[Freebird]

VentureRider.Org was started on July 21st, 2004. The object of this site is very simple. To bring together folks who enjoy friendly discussion of the Yamaha Venture, Venture Royale, Royal Star Venture and Royal Star motorcycles. What started as a very small group of owners has become the most active site on the Internet dedicated to these bikes. Though most of us share a passion for these particular bikes, we welcome all riders who enjoy the company of a friendly community of riders who have a desire to lend a hand when needed, share a cold drink when possible and simply enjoy the company of other riders. On August 15th 2006 there was a major server crash and we lost two years worth of messages and member information. At that time, we had over 3600 folks registered here. After a total rebuild of the site, the numbers are still coming back and the great technical information lost is being reposted as we continue on.

This is a very informal group. We don't feel the need for a lot of club officers, rules, regulations. We do have some basic guidelines for our organization though. These are guidelines that the majority of the members reached a consensus on long ago.

Edited by V7Goose:
The original intent of the founding members was that this site is, always has been and always will be free to all. Don Nelson, Freebird, spends almost unimaginable time and effort personally creating and maintaining this site for the benefit of all members, and for five years he personally covered 100% of the costs for software, hosting, bandwidth, etc. A few members donated to Don in an effort to help out, but they were only a small percentage of the members here. In 2009, Don and his family were beset by some unexpected health issues and large medical expenses that forced him to make some hard decisions about continuing to spend his own money on this site. As a result, the members here were quite vocal that we needed to implement some form of membership fee so that those of us who enjoy this site would all begin to share in the cost. At this time, the forums are open to all to read but registration is required for posting a new message or replying to an existing message. Registration is just $12/year, is easy to do and helps to protect us against spam.

Just as important is the fact that this site is PG rated. There are a lot of sites on the Internet where people can look at pornographic materials, use vulgar language, etc. We do not need that here. By keeping this site PG rated we are able to reach a wide range of people. Please respect this simple guideline when posting here. Although we do not have many rules, keeping the PG rating in all things would be Rule #1.

We have also tried to keep political discussions to a minimum here. Many people have very strong political opinions, including me. Again, there are a lot of places on the Internet to discuss politics and I've never seen any good from mixing politics with motorcycle discussion. What starts off as a rational discussion always seems to turn into a heated debate and it usually gets personal before it ends. All of the same things can be said for religious discussions. Rule #2 would be that politics and religion are two subjects that will not be tolerated.

The last rule, Rule #3, is that all discussions need to remain civil. That is not to say that we do not expect disagreements, and even some "lively" discussions where it is clear that opinions are held strongly by some individuals. It does mean that personal attacks and insults are not acceptable.

Our primary focus here is motorcycles, motorcycle touring, technical discussion, etc. This site would get pretty boring though if no other discussion was allowed. We have become much more than a website here. We have become friends and many of us have met in person as well as here on the site. It was the motorcycles that brought us together but it's the friendships that keep us together. As in face to face meetings, conversations other than motorcycles will often come up. We have specific areas for just that type of discussion and we encourage folks to please try to post in the appropriate areas. If a mistake is made and something is posted in the wrong area...it's no big deal...we will either overlook it or move it.

The main thing folks is that this site should be not only helpful but fun as well. I hope that we all remember that first and foremost, we are friends. This is the kindest and most considerate bunch of folks I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. There are no cliques here and no secret groups within our group. If you are new here, simply introduce yourself and you will be warmly welcomed.

[E-Fishin-C]

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[Marcarl]

You said it plain and simple Bro. Now if we need a preacher on Sunday morning are you available? You can say with few words and get the complete subject together.
WELLDONE DON

[RSV Angel]

Amen Bro Don. Thats the way I like it. uh huh uh huh!

[AllenC]

No truer words spoken

[Skid]

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[ryder]

:thumbsup: :clap2: :thumbsup: :clap2: :thumbsup: :clap2:

well put

[Guindalf]

...If you are new here, simply introduce yourself and you will be warmly welcomed.



My name is Tony and I'm a Ventureholic!

[1 - UP]

THANKS DON,

THAT'S WHY I COME TO THIS SITE AS MUCH AS I CAN BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU JUST PRINTED. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!

KEN:178: :thumbsup: :clap2:

[mavericksix]

Thank you, well said....

Semper Fi

[Country Gal]

Mr. E-Fishin-C,

I just had to send you a note to say that everytime I see your little picture on the top of your posts, I just get the biggest smile on my face. What an incredible dose of happiness. . . . . .I love the little guys messed up hair and the coffee cup in his hand. . . .maybe I identify with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!:rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

Thanks for using that picture!
cg

PS: someone should start a poll of who has the cutest pic on their posts! BTY, how do you get that on there anyway?



:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[Moose]

Nice job, Don. Thanks for the site and the insight.

[mrod]

Well stated. This should be posted as a sticky in the sign up area. Thanx for the great site to share!

[hale374]

Couldn't have said it better.

[WHOOMP]

:cool10: Don, you never fail to amaze me.... I couldnt have said how i felt about this here site, no matter how many circles that i talked in kinda , sorta ... you silver tounged devil you... i just wanna say thanx for all that you do for us here at venture rider... keep up the good work and thoughts.... MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU...:cool10:

[BradT]

Very well said. Every new member should have to read this before getting there membership, as it is so True.

Thanks to everyone here, which I get to call a friend

(at least I hope so, even you Mr. Owl.) :sign20:

Brad

[chabicheka]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup2: :thumbsup2: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[hipshot]

as usual, don, you said what needed to be said!, but do we have to put up with charlie, on a daily basis?
?????
lol
for you new members, charlie is the one with the "road rash" and a cane!





charlie! you'll do!
just jt

[Yammer Dan]

Well said Don as usual. Hipshot we couldn't do without Charlie.

[saga5]

Well said Don as usual. Hipshot we couldn't do without Charlie.

I'll 2nd that ^^ :)

Jerry

[duke]

Well said Don. We agree completly.

[Pilot]

Don for president :thumbsup: . He has a way with words.

[SledgeHammer]

Everything I would have said, has already been said. Let me just add another "Thank You, Don" for your work and dedication to this site. The information, knowledge, and help from you and others on this site has been invaluable to me. I knew nothing about my Venture when I bought it, other than I liked the looks of it. I found this site the next day and started laying out my questions. Don was the first to contact me and respond and many others followed. I have felt like I belonged from the very first post. It is nice to know that friends are only a key stroke away.

:thumbsup: :cop:

[WilCruise]

Don,
You da man! You've suceeded in the mission you described and I think I can safely say we all support the few constraints you've had to put in place. Thanks as always for making this place possible. I travel a lot and really miss it when I'm not able to spend time on the site for a few consecutive days. We all appreciate the work you've put into the site - and again when reconstructiong after the recent unfortunate event.
:thumbsup2:

[Ozark]

Simple, short, and to the point. Yeah Don!!:thumbsup2: :thumbsup2:

[BradT]

:thumbsup: . He has a way with words.


:rotf: :rotf: He is a salesman, this should answer it :) :)

Brad

[pick]

I couldn't agree more. As a new member, I have felt more than welcome in the few questions that I have had to ask. I was introduced to Ventures and this site by a member, (brad from Co) and since buying my RSV, have been more than pleased with it. I am getting ready to do some of my own work and after reading the posts here, feel more than confident that if I need tech. advice, there will more than a few here that will gladly come to my rescue.
I see that there is a VR assistance program on my opening page that I am supposed to join, and I guess I'll have to find out more, but as I am not too tech. savey about the RSV yet.(However, I do know a little more about older HD's as I have a 1981 FLHS) But the home front is always available for someone is is brokedown,needs to get outa the rain or needs a cold drink and a rest!
Hopefully I can start to meet some of the great folks that are one this board at some rides and events and make even more friends as one can never have enough.
Loking forward to riding with ya'all............................................ :cool10:

[DragonRider]

Hey Pick, If you need assistance, I know a couple of guys that will ride 500 miles to lend a hand, I aint one of them, I only have to come from Newnan...........We will have to put together a meet sometime, we getting a lot of members from around the Atlanta area...............Good luck with you bike.

[pick]

Thanks Dragon, actually my daughter was in Newnan last night. Her high school had a game down there. We have a pretty good riding group here. Newnan is about 40 minutes south of me down 27. Not really a bad ride. We'll have to get together one weekend. Gonna be tied up next few weeks, the 9th is a ride for the Battered womans shelter here in Carroll County. The 16 is the Shelby Ride put on by the Iron Pigs MC for fallen police officers and firefighters, then wife and I are heading to Disney for 10 days, then of course Biketoberfest. Maybe on a Fri night we can meet somewhere for a meet and eat?

Ride safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mike W]

My name is Mike and I'm a Ventureholic!!

[Red1]

My name is Mike and I'm a Ventureholic!!

Welcome Mike - we're all Ventureholics here:080402gudl_prv:

You know, if you all keep signing Don's praises - his head will swell up so big he'll never get his cap on. Good thing he still owns those Texas boots so he can wade through all this bull...... :stirthepot: I'll say this - Don, if your lovely wife evers throws you out, it looks like you'll have no shortage of marriage proposals. :rotf: :confused24:

[Ken8143]

Good words, Don. I support the mission you outline for this site 100%

[Zfrebird4]

Such words continue to keep us tuned to doing the right thing so we can all be good and upright men, women and families. Jack Z

[Freebird]

I just want to bring this thread to folks attention again. It's a good idea from time to time to re-visit this topic. You folks have done amazingly well at keeping to the vision that was established for this site but some of the jokes and discussions have teetered right on the border lately.

It's going to be a LONG winter... :) Let's try to keep to the high ground.

Don

[Marcarl]

Thanks Don for the reminder. We all need that from time to time, even if it's just to make your job more pleasant and easier. I haven't found anything lately that I would argue with, so you must be doing a good job or we must really be a good bunch of folks.

[Freebird]

No..it's all of you who are doing a good job. The only joke deleted was at the request of the person who posted it. You folks are the best I've ever seen at self-moderating. :) Sure it nice to not have to worry about what goes on here when we are away from the computer. Like I said...a couple have been borderline but not deleted. The reminder is only because sometimes when things get borderline...the next person will try to push it just a little further...the next a bit further yet...etc. :) No big deal.

[saddlebum]

No..it's all of you who are doing a good job. The only joke deleted was at the request of the person who posted it. You folks are the best I've ever seen at self-moderating. :) Sure it nice to not have to worry about what goes on here when we are away from the computer. Like I said...a couple have been borderline but not deleted. The reminder is only because sometimes when things get borderline...the next person will try to push it just a little further...the next a bit further yet...etc. :) No big deal.
well put Freebird.:thumbsup2:

[hipshot]

don! you got the whip! crack it when ever ya think it needs to be cracked!
i don't read a lot of the jokes, and never post any, so i am "free of the lash"!
lol
just jt

[Tommy]

Freebird,..Don,...I love this site and appreciate all your effort to make it a fun and informative place to visit...Thanks again

[Double D]

Well put. I thank God everyday that this site is here. Good discussions, good opinions and good friends.:2143:

[ctraylor]

Hello, my name is Curtis and I also am a Ventureholic. I own an 83 and just bought an 86 and am looking at a V-Max. Will someone please help me. I can't seem to stop. I told my wife I will soon have PMS.

PARKED MOTORCYCLE SYNDRONE......
:225: :confused24: :confused24: :confused24: :confused24: :sick: :sick: :sick:

[mini-muffin]

Well if you want help to not buy more bikes you came to the wrong place. Now if you want help in buying more this is the place for you. Hope you enjoy the site.

Margaret

[maddabber]

First of all I would like to thank Don for giving me this opportunity to share in this site with all of you. I have been looking in from time to time just to see what is going on here. It is great to see so many people have fun and joking around. Don I see what you were telling me first hand. Thanks again.
Darrell
MTA President

[Freebird]

Darrell,
Glad you have joined in. Hope things at the MTA are going ok and please know that if I can ever be of assistance, just let me know.

Don

[BamaVenture06]

This is a great site with what seems to be plain old-fashioned good folks. Very informative, knowledgeable and humorous. :thumbsup2: The 2 members I have had the pleasure to meet in person so far (Eck & BamaYama) are super nice guys. I can log on here and not worry that my grandkids, wife or anyone is in the room. Heck, my 6 year old grandson has been sitting in my lap before while I read some of the posts here.

I like it here. I learn a lot about my bike, get to get good ideas on neat stuff to add to it, get to read about others adventures and see great pics from all over the place. Not to mention some pretty funny stuff sometimes!:cool10:

Thanks for letting me be a part. :)

[fawnpugsx2]

THIS IS THE BEST:cool10:

[bikerjohn]

I am new to the Venture!
Mine is less than a week old and I love it!!

Bikerjohn

[Freebird]

Hey...you are at the right place...that's about the only requirement we have here. :) Glad you have joined us.

Don

[rooster522]

its good to hear from good people that are nice and can help you when you need it . kudos to you for being a good person

[DragonRider]

I guess the word is out, this place isnt a secret anymore.............

Its the best place in the world to meet family you never knew you had..................

Thanks again Don.......................

[magiardino]

Keep up the good work, Don. It is greatly appreciated!

Mark
2004 Venture

[saddlebum]

THATS WHY I AM A VENTURE RIDER DONS LOGIC:thumbsup: AND CHARLIES NOT SO LOGIC:bang head:, HOW CAN ONE RESIST.

[NL Rider]

Hey all,

Just picked myself up an '84 venture. Awesome job on the site. Its good to have a place to ask a few questions from time to time.

[bigchris]

Thanks for the welcome and info don!!!!!!!!!:322:

[Yammer Dan]

Hey all,

Just picked myself up an '84 venture. Awesome job on the site. Its good to have a place to ask a few questions from time to time.

84's the best one in my opinion. Especially the BLUE ones.

[Dano]

84's the best one in my opinion. Especially the BLUE ones.

I think the red ones might be quicker, JMHO, tho. I might be prejudiced

Dan

[Yammer Dan]

I think the red ones might be quicker, JMHO, tho. I might be prejudiced

Dan


I still have part of it. One of these days we might get to find out.:snow2:

[Aussie Annie]

Many thanx from "down under" in Australia. Great site, and great bunch of folks'. This site and all the entertaining info keep me sane while I recover from an accident. The big dream is to win the lottery and come and see some of you in the USofA !! Have picked up heaps of tech talk info to help with "big blue"
Aussie Annie
-----------------------------------------------

never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly :2133:

[Ponch]

:welcome1: Annie

Hope you recover quickly

[ronhenry4]

my name is tony and i'm a ventureholic!


hi tony

[gunboat]

hi annie
:welcome: sorry to hear you had an accident. best wishes for a speedy recovery. glade you have joined. i have learned a lot since i joined also. have meet a lot of good folks. i'am:sign green with env nice hack rig. and you have the leading link front end. thats the best way to go with the side car. may be we'll meet some day, have kin folk there, who i've never meet. if you ever get to the states, you have a place to stay in houston, texas.
best reguards
don c. :301:

[Aussie Annie]

Hi Don,

It put a big grin on my face when I saw your reply :happy65:The dream is to do a riding tour of the U.S. one day, so thanks for the invitation :sign woo hoo: if we win the lottery we will be off real quick !! The right knee doesn't bend much now and I need to get on and off the bike on the side where the sidecar is at present, so we have been investigating alternative ideas. I am going to sell the sidecar and have sent (over there) for a wedgetail trike conversion. Have to wait over two months :confused24: for it to come. Leading link will stay on, but the brakes will be changed to linked brakes (braided lines) on the handlebar as I need the space where the back pedal is for my right foot. I don't have much strength in that foot anyway, to safely apply the back brake. Will post photo's of the progress when the project starts. And then after nearly two years I hope I will be back riding :7_6_3[1]:FINGERS AND TOES CROSSED

__________________________________________________ ___________________
never ride faster than your angel:2133:can fly

[Tom]

Hi Don,

It put a big grin on my face when I saw your reply :happy65:The dream is to do a riding tour of the U.S. one day, so thanks for the invitation :sign woo hoo: if we win the lottery we will be off real quick !! The right knee doesn't bend much now and I need to get on and off the bike on the side where the sidecar is at present, so we have been investigating alternative ideas. I am going to sell the sidecar and have sent (over there) for a wedgetail trike conversion. Have to wait over two months :confused24: for it to come. Leading link will stay on, but the brakes will be changed to linked brakes (braided lines) on the handlebar as I need the space where the back pedal is for my right foot. I don't have much strength in that foot anyway, to safely apply the back brake. Will post photo's of the progress when the project starts. And then after nearly two years I hope I will be back riding :7_6_3[1]:FINGERS AND TOES CROSSED

__________________________________________________ ___________________
never ride faster than your angel:2133:can fly

Annie,After you stay at Dons(Gunboat) Our home is open to you also for some of the best riding in Texas The Hill Country , Im sure Don will help guide you to the house! If not I give good directions,Debby and I would love to have you all over anytime. Tom And Debby

[Aussie Annie]

Annie,After you stay at Dons(Gunboat) Our home is open to you also for some of the best riding in Texas The Hill Country , Im sure Don will help guide you to the house! If not I give good directions,Debby and I would love to have you all over anytime. Tom And Debby

Hi Tom & Debby,

WOW !:You_Rock_Emoticon:thanks for the invitation, riding Texas hill country sounds good. I think I'm about to blow the weekly budget by buying a lot more lottery tickets now :fingers-crossed-emo
These invitations sure are good incentive to get this old girl back on a bike. I was so worried about the cost of getting "big blue" changed for me to ride, but Alan (husband) hasn't batted an eyelid and informed me that life is for living AND riding :happy65:so look out world by the end of the year (and lots of physio) I shall be back riding again :dancefool::sign woo hoo:

__________________________________________________ ___________________
never ride faster than your guardian angel:2133: can fly