videoarizona

((On both bikes there is a long ramp pulling onto the interstate where I live.Both bikes I have reached down countless times to shift into 5th only to find it there already.)) Funny...I'm the opposite. On a similar situation...both bikes...long uphill ramp to freeway, I find myself accelerating to merge...then realize I'm way over the speed limit (75mph) and STILL IN 4TH! Especially the 2nd gen. There have been a few times I've forgot that I wasn't in 5th with 2nd gen until a few miles down the road. Since GW posted the above gearing info...I now understand why.

Sure like the looks of the white wall on an RSV....

My thoughts: My dealer doesn't have anyone who knows the RSV's and most of the people there are younger than my 89 1st gen. The head mechanic did say he would brush up on the manual and would love to have the bike to work on. So far, with the exception of the balance beads, they have done good work. They even followed my request to not fill the oil level according to book, but rather only 1/2 way up the sight glass. I found my tool kit under the rug on the right side saddlebag. I found it today. PO said he didn't get one...he was 2nd owner. I think I'm missing the 2nd bag...but at least I found a tool kit! I get between 38 and 42 mpg. Doing so by staying in 4th gear around town and only shifting to 5th on freeway over 65. Haven't checked my air cleaners as PO put K&N's on there and gave me the refill and cleaning kit. They are usually good for a year unless I run into a dust storm...

Today...my list included putting on the front LED lights instead of the reflectors and the HD rear license plate/light assembly. Easy with plug and play wiring kit...from Steve K. Next up....figure out how to mount the rear LED's on the saddlebag crash bar. david

Thanks, Steve. Still learning this beastie!

Anyone have an issue of watching their speedo stick? Mine has been jumping up and down in 5mph increments...then will slowly go up and down individual mph's if I'm using the throttle gradually. This normal? If not...nothing I have found in searching for 2nd gen speedo stick....

((Would you say your RSV is comparable to a gen1 as a 4 speed (ie: not using 5th around town) or would it still be, what could be considered, "lazier"?)) BJ, apologies...missed your last question. Yes...good way to put it. All the gearing seems a bit lazier on 2nd gen.

Here I am.. Reading this thread for first time in 2015. Wondering where they both are today! Regardless, very enjoyable thread! Thanks to all!!! David

For those of us who are somewhat new to this organization.... Like me....Can someone tell me where this is? I see it's on labor day weekend..... David

((What should be a good ohm reading for a good plug cap?)) From memory, each wire/cap combo needs to have a 5K ohm resistance to the plug. This is what keeps the original computer happy. When I bought my plug wires and caps...they were tested and showed 5K ohms. The wires are solid wires...no resistance there...so it's got to be in the cap.

Just make sure you run the tires right at or very near max. A number of us have had problems, myself included, with chunks or splitting. I personally think it's because the tires might have been underinflated. My 1st gen had the rear tire at 38lbs when I got it delivered. I rode it that way for two months then the bike felt squirrly. Found out the tire had split open. Other than that, I loved the way the tires handled...

Prayers Up!

I think you will be happier with scoot...for sure! Let's hope that helps with the visa card issue! (know that feeling well - with wifemate) david

Exactly. When I read that 2nd gens were getting better mpg's not upshifting all the time, I thought I would try it for a tank. It worked for me. Staying in 3rd or 4th depending upon speed around town really helped. Plus, I do believe the motor is happier...these V4's do like to rev.

Good question, Todd. I don't know. I ordered one of those cheapie digital tachs just so I could check, but it's so inaccurate, I didn't bother to install it. My guess is....the same as you...around 4K. She sounds like the 1st gen at that rpm around town...so that's as close as I can get without a tach. Still a guess though. I do know the PO put new plugs in/sync'd carbs, etc., last Fall...so she has very few miles on since then. So I "assume" those are good. I did put a new fuel filter in which helped my high speed stumble... david

I put my calipers back on after changing the front tire. One of the notes in the manual said to squeeze the lever firmly a few times to make sure the pads are seated back where they need to be before riding. So either Skid's thought on something hanging up or the pads haven't seated right makes sense to me. Especially if you swapped the pads. If one or more of the pistons have gunk on them and aren't moving forward to compensate for the different pad...that could be a small part of this as well....

(Thanks for that mini review. Interesting that you run the RSV in 4th, which is virtually the same as the Gen1 ratio 5th.....0.906 vs 0.960) Hmm..didn't know that. I feel better about being in 4th all the time. Thanks! david

Last thought from me regarding those getting in mid30's in normal around town riding on a 2nd gen. Stay in 3rd or 4th and let the rpms run. I'm getting the mpg's I'm getting by doing just that. Someone mentioned that here and since then... I'm much happier with the 2nd gen. 5th really is an overdrive!

(The RSV has a bit taller gearing and I'm wondering if anyone who has ridden both a GenI and an RSV (the 98HP version) can give me their impressions of the differences between the two in normal riding?) I wouldn't do the swap for the reasons you gave of just riding around town. The 1st gen is about 50 pounds lighter and a whole lot more nimble. The 2nd gen gearing is really made for touring the interstates over 65mph. I own both scoots and really enjoy the 1st gen for town and hills touring. On 2nd gen around town I'm never higher than 3rd gear...and in hills ... I'm shifting or leave it in 4th. I personally think the 1st gen is really geared perfectly and as such, is truly a sport touring bike. The 2nd gen is geared to high in 5th. If you pull a load or a trailer, 5th gear is useless unless you are hitting 80 all the time...straight and level. Bottom line for me: I'll use the 1st gen for camping in the hills...more storage and far better gearing for those kind of loaded rides. I'll use the 2nd gen for long interstate stuff. If you decide to go with a VMax rear end at some point in future...then the 2nd gen tranny may make a nice combo for you on the 83. But you need to be able to live with the 2nd gen tranny until the VMax rear becomes reality for ya. Last thought...if you don't mind zipping to work in 4th gear..then that will work if you run around 45 to 65 mph. I've found my 2nd Gen mpg's goes up cruising at 55 to 65 in 4th gear...never shifting to 5th. If you can handle those additional rpms, then this argument could be a moot point. david call me if you want to discuss...

I do the same...no problems.

Seriously. This brings up a question: What gear do people use...who have needed them...and how well did they work? Since I'm in the market for new riding gear and there are lots of choices out there...this would be important information for me to have. I imagine others might be interested as well... I have to balance the need for safety with the need to be cool since we have heat most of the year in AZ. Or do I? david PS if this needs to be a new thread...feel free to move...or let me know

I just looked them up...says around $10-12?? http://www.partshark.com/oemparts/a/yam/500454e2f8700209bc792b4c/valve david

You got me grinning on that one! Glad that wasn't your skin! david