Tisunac

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! So many suggestions, so many interesting comments, warnings, observations,... I can certainly use all of that in future planning of our trip(s) and I hope others can, too. Cause I'm sure we are not the only ones planning their trips, big or not so much.... Everybody can use an advice or suggestion where to go, where to stop, what to see... Thanks again everybody, you are helping a fellow rider a lot! I greatly appreciate your time! When the time comes, I hope I'll be able to contact some of you and meet you on the road for a lunch.... Please keep those ideas coming!... We can all use them.... And yes - my wife is my fellow rider and my best friend!...

A part of me is saying "Good job designing something different in the big cruiser market." but does this mean the end of the classic cruiser as we know it? Don't get me wrong - I believe Ultra Classic need some facelift (despite the name!) to evolve and stay current. I'm just worried all new big cruisers and touring bikes will looks like they just came out of the Jetsons. Obviously, mixed feelings with the design. I'm sure the specs are impressive, though... Just hoping that (one day!) when they come out with the 3rd gen Ventures, they'll keep some of the classic look with updated specs... We'll see...

Since you have your fantastic RSV, you don't need another bike. Save that money on spoiling your wife every chance you can one that trip. That's what I would do. And , there is someone on VR in every state to help out if need be, which I doubt... Ha, that's a neat idea! I bet my wife would love that! I'm really re-evaluating the decision to find a new(er) bike... I do have a very good, reliable machine capable of the trip. On the other hand, I did like the Voyager on that short ride we took (before buying my Venture), I was just put away with all the "experts opinions"... Glad to hear it's reliable cause you can get them nowadays dirt cheap (well, affordable at least). There's a great dealership close by that have a 2011 used one for sale. And they would actually let me test ride it (what's up with all the dealerships NOT letting you test ride? How can you buy something without riding? I know, insurance and all... but c'mon!). I might take it for a 20-30 miles ride and see... Thanks for the suggestion, it is really making me think...

What a great suggestion. Thank you very much, that really sounds like a plan - ride two 100-miles rides in the morning, lunch and than enjoy the afternoon with only 100-ish miles to do.... Thanks again...

Oh wow, now that was the ride!!! I'm gonna check everything on the map, all of that sounds great. Thank you very much for a brief "Triptick" of your adventure, as well as some personal opinions about certain areas (and people in them). BTW, when I said 500-700 miles, I thought in two days riding. I meant ride two days (total of 500-700 miles), than rest for a day or so somewhere. Which would match your suggestion of about 300 miles a day. I agree, that sounds about right...

Firstly: Dude! Thats almost four YEARS from now. Lots of things could change...bike might crap out, you could change jobs...change wives...lose your health...I mean..dang, I dont know what I want for lunch TOMORROW. I would take the trip this coming year..who knows what could happen in 4 years...seriously. Firstly - Way to go encouraging me to look for a near future!... Not even ONE good thing you mentioned - winning a lottery, wife or kids buying you a new bike, getting better job with better pay,... :rotf:Hahahaha... In all seriousness, thank you for suggesting the route that would work. Through this post (and this early in the game) I'm trying to collect as many suggestions as possible so we can plan an interesting trip. As I mentioned before, the part of the excitement is planning the trip and seeing all the possibilities. I'm sure people took these kind of trips before (see some responses and their phenomenal blogs!) and they don't mind sharing the experience - so we can learn from their experience and make it memorable. Is it too early to plan the exact route? Definitely. But we can start dreaming, learning about different areas, routes, possibilities,... I guess some people do it one way, others do it different way... And again, thank you (AND EVERYONE ELSE!) for your suggestions. They are greatly appreciated!...

Yea, when you have a chance/time please write about some of the places in GA. We would love to see them. And just fyi - night in B&B in Elizabeth City was around $120 in full season. I bet it's less out-of-season.... Good luck on Thanksgiving

We were driving through upstate New York this past summer, coming back from Niagara Falls and Toronto and it was beautiful!... We were in a car though (with kids) but it was still gorgeous. Ha, everybody's suggesting to keep the same bike and take it to the trip. Again, this was my ONLY excuse to get a new bike hahaha.... Seriously, I guess I have to consider that option, too. It was nice to shift six gears on an 110 cubic inch engine on an Ultra Classic on a demo ride but for that money I can buy three very good bikes! Or one bike and several big trips. Or, keep my bike and lifetime worth of trips. Or,... you get the picture...

Thank you so much for all the info!... Since I'm at work now (ooops!), I've only had time to glance at your blogs and they are impressive! I will certainly spend some time exploring them when I get home. A lot of useful info there... Yea, I need to reconsider taking my bike for that trip, rather than getting a new(ish) one. But, that was my only excuse to get a new bike hahaha... Not that I need one - mine is perfectly fine. We'll see... We will try to be as spontaneous as we can, but in the same time we would like to have a "skeleton" of our trip, some guidelines, some places to see, things to do... And still been able to steer away when we want to . I was planning to check with AAA, I will certainly check that app for some suggestions but I'm so eager to check your blogs, too. That personal experience and suggestion is priceless!... Let us know when you are in the neighborhood next year, we would love to show you the area. We are spoiled with a beautiful roads as soon as you get off your driveway. Skyline Drive, many breweries, waterfalls, caverns, vine country,...

You know, I was thinking the same way - what if we use our "old" bike, check everything out and make sure it will get us there and back?... But then again - it's a good excuse to get a new bike, right?!? Definitely something to think about, since every time I sat on a different (new) bike I realize how good my bike is. In all honesty, the main reason why my bike feels better is because I "adjusted" it to my liking - backrest in the "right" position, highway pegs in the "right" position, the "right" windshield, the "right" grips, the "right" lights,... That's the reason why (if I decide on a new bike) I will buy a bike about a 6 months to a year PRIOR to our trip - so I can "adjust" it to my/our liking. Add all the toys and farkles, make sure I know how to ride it, how it will respond in curves and on a different road surfaces, etc... Still, I have a darn good bike now, I know... I totally see your point...

I rode a Voyager before I purchased my Venture about 3 years ago (that's what "switched" us from our Vulcan to a touring bike) and we both liked it. We end up with the Venture just because I found a great deal on it but Voyager was very nice. Recently, I was reading some comparative reviews (Venture vs Ultra Classic vs Voyager vs etc...) and they all put that bike dead last in comparison. Not sure exactly why but that was "common opinion". I know, don't trust it... Ride and decide yourself... I should give the Voyager a second look. Do you have any experience with the Voyager (durability, comfort, passenger space, luggage, problems,...)? Last year my wife and I spent our 20th anniversary at am absolutely great B & B in Elisabeth City, NC. Fantastic food, great room (actually, more like a suite), great hosts, loooow price, close to Outer Banks,... Highly recommended! Let me know if you need more info about that place (if it's not too far from you). Well worth the trip. If not, I guess any B&B would do.... Some personal time can't hurt every once in a while...

My wife and I have a big travel plan for the summer of 2017 and I need your help. I know it's quite early to talk about it but I would like to plan it well. In July of 2017 we will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and I will turn big 5-0. So, we would like to celebrate that by taking a month off and riding our beautiful country. This is where I would need your help - our plan is to leave central Virginia and make some kind of loop, visiting as much as we can within 30 days, without "killing" ourselves. In other words, we would like to ride a couple of days (500-700 miles) and than stay somewhere for a day or so, exploring and enjoying the area. So, my "plan" is to find out as many interesting places I can, find a backroad way to get there (will try to avoid highways whenever possible) and than plan our trip day by day. Certainly, some spontaneous short trips and changes will happen, but we would like to have a general plan and stick to it for the most part. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated - places to see, roads to ride, places to avoid hahaha, any ideas regarding the trip..... I'm hoping this thread will also help others planning their trips, bigger or smaller. We all know "our" areas and we can suggest each other what to see and visit. Also, sometimes is as equally important what not to see and waist your time, or which road to avoid for whatever reason. We will get a big map of the USA and will start marking the places once we get suggestions. Then, we can start planning "the circle", marking trips from point A to point B, based on suggestions, distances, etc... That's part of the fun, too. Another suggestion/opinion - we will need to purchase a new(er) bike for that trip since we are planning to put 4000 to 6000 miles on it within 30 days or so. We both love our '99 Venture but I'm not sure it would be smart to rely on 18-year old bike that will (by then) have 50-ish thousand miles. I hope you can suggest us a replacement. I truly hope Yamaha will come out with a new Venture (no new model for 2013 or 2014, they do have a new Vmax engine they can use - all good signs...) but if not, we need to get something. I tried the Goldwing and unfortunately that's not happening - being 6'3", I cannot fit on that bike. Best long touring bike but there's no way... Rode an Ultra Classic and liked it but not sure that I can justify spending that kinda money for it (and maintain it!...). Sat on Victory Cross Country Tour and Vision - liked the seating position a lot but, for some add reason, felt both models are "plasticky" (almost cheap). Yea, it didn't help the people at the dealership were rude and not interested in sales at all - strange... Still would like to ride the Victory models but have to find another dealership, I guess... Any other suggestions???... Thanks everybody in advance for all your suggestions and thoughts. It will help us greatly in planning our dream trip!... Ride safe!...

.... and another private message to Atoolnut.

Another private message sent to Atoolnut. Thanks for your time, Les.

I'm sure you can get it lower, if that's the only problem. I'm 6'3" and I was trying to get it as high as I can, and you would do just the opposite. Lower aftermarket seat (Sargent is a bit lower than the stock), lowering kit (inexpensive option). I would say that is the case with any bike - when I bought my 99 Venture (used) I had to adjust it for me. The previous owner was significantly shorter than me and the bike was adjusted for him (handlebars low, no air in shocks, highway pegs way too close, etc...) so I had to do a few things to get it "perfect" for me. Any Vstrom forum will give you plenty of info how to do it. It is amazing to get this quality bike for $3K-$4K...

Private message sent to Atoolnut.

As a "second" bike, I recently got a Suzuki Vstrom. It does not have a Harley coolness but it's a darn good bike, fun to ride. And for the price you can find a good used one nowadays, you can't go wrong. Adjustable front forks, adjustable shock (previous owner had it as a very, very soft ride - I've changed it to a much stiffer, sportier ride), comfortable, choice of road or off-road tires, windshields, bags, heated grips,...or not. A lot of choices for the same bike, you can certainly make it your own. Bike of the year for '09, '10 & '11 in Europe. Not your manly man bike for sure, but a fun, reliable, affordable ride anywhere you want. Ton of support online (forums). So far, as an addition to my '99 Venture (with all bells and whistles), so good. [ATTACH]80914[/ATTACH]

I was out of state for about a month or so and I didn't start my bike for that period of time. Yesterday I tried to start it - when turned the key to "contact" I could hear a clicking noise (like a pump or something) for about 10 sec or so and the bike won't start after that. It will turn just fine and it "feels" like it will start but it can't. Charged the battery overnight with no results. It's turning but it almost feel as it doesn't have any fuel (tank is full). Any suggestion (before I tow it to a mechanic)??? Thanks for your time. 1999 Venture 2nd gen

Thank you for all suggestions, guys. To make one myself - I'm really not that handy. I understand it is not that difficult (two vents, a tube and a mid-vent) but I wouldn't dare to play with it. I wouldn't mind buying one from somebody who knows what he's doing... Neither Dennis Kirk nor Cruiser Customizing not any other website or company have them any longer - the product has been discontinued. So, I'm hoping somebody can fill in the void in the market (apparently, nobody's making them!) and come up with the product and sell it to riders as well as websites

Darn..... Thank you anyway. Does anybody have any other suggestion, is anybody using anything else for the same purpose?

I'm trying to locate a replacement for a discontinued Progressive Suspension air for balance kit (PS-AFB-1) that was available a few years back. Anybody have any suggestions? I'm trying to connect front forks so the air pressure will always be the same in each fork... Thanks for your suggestions.

Have you tried to install the amp? If you have, did it help?

If you think you can or if you think you can't - you are right! My father got diagnosed and was gone in 9 months - he gave up, too tired of life in general. My father-in-law got diagnosed, said "Ok, let's take care of this!" and 10 years after he's just fine. Attitude. And do not sell your bike! You'll ride again. We don't stop because of a bump on a road - just adjust your speed and hold tight!... There's a smooth road right after this bumpy gravel...