videoarizona

This guy's name is Dan... He's an overlander who takes off into the unknown all the time. This link hopefully will lead to his discussion of various types of radios..... It's a good read. How I Use My Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator https://adventuretaco.com/how-i-use-my-garmin-inreach-mini-satellite-communicator/ Hope this link works! Even though you have cell service (thanks Puc!).... It might be wise to look into these type of radios.

Congrats! Like you, I got bothered by the whole smoking thing and threw left over packs away. That's was it. Done. It amazes me I never looked back. Now enjoy the freedom and extra $$.... And stay healthy!

Anyone who thinks 80K miles is to much doesn't know Yamaha and most certainly don't know the V4! I bet they ride HDs!!! Silly.....

Woody, The heat issue you mention... bothers me. I've had my 2nd gen for 4 years now and live in Arizona. I don't have an excessive amount of heat from rear cylinders. Nothing really bothered me. In general, engine heat is quite tolerable due to being water cooled. The amount of heat is similar to the 1st Gen that I also owned(you as well). Suggest maybe look into the cooling system and see if everything is good??? That said...I did find some lower reflectors to give me air on my legs but as mentioned, they are hard to find. I got them just to cool off from Arizona road heat. I mounted mine on the lower part of engine guard. I moved my trunk back about 2 inches. You can do so easily enough. It's posted on here as others have done it. That also moved the pillion seat's back rest back. I then bought a Grasshopper back rest for me and bent the mounting bracket so I could lean back further. Works well. Lots of room for me now in cockpit. The front end is heavy. It's by design. Gives excellent straight line tracking at highway speeds. To mitigate some of that, I lowered the front end about an inch. This changed the geometry enough to make Steering a touch lighter. And didn't hurt the tracking at all. All I did was raise both forks up in the triple tree. Simple. I documented that somewhere on this site. I think it's the best solution since it doesn't hurt straight line tracking. I have never seen any hand protectors. However, you could go to a shop that specializes in track or overland riding. Maybe find a pair that will mount to the mirror nut and still look decent. The only other thing I'll mention is the gearing isn't as good as the 1st gen. With both 4th and 5th as overdrive gears, you will find yourself staying in 4th most of the time around towns. I rarely shift into 5 the until 70... And being a bit longer gearing, starts are more clutch involved as well. But you get used to all this after a while. Same great engine. Same realiability. Not at much weather protection as the 1st Gen but still decent about 40 mph. Only my knees get wet now! Hope this helps... David

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Joe, I gave up trying to figure out which one to buy. Went with one that had a long tube and seemed to be the best deal. Less than $50 if memory serves. It works well enough for me to find those pesky nuts and bolts that jump out of my fingers and go running away. Especially when I had the 1st gen...I could see on top of the exhaust collector!!! Sorry not much help....

Yikes! Sounds familiar!

No problem... Thank you for letting me know... Be well....

Agreed!

Yep... There to go!

Basically, it's very doable. Not hard at all! D

I repaired my fairing as well. You can't tell it's been repaired. I used a pencil solder iron to melt the cracks into v channels in backside. Then melted some abs into the cracks. Then added fiberglass matt and resin to it after sanding down the melted plastic. The fiberglass gives very good strengh. On the outside, I sanded and used a primer to act as a leveling guide. Sanded until smooth. Bought a cheap HF air paint gun and had a local shop mix up some paint. Came out very well! I have a post on that in the archives here. Got some great ideas and hints from guys and gals here!

No regarding tender. When my scoot mostly sits over the summer, I'll stick it on the tender for one overnight only maybe once a month. Battery doesn't need anything more... It's not like our bikes have a ton of accessories that draw power with ignition off. In New England, I never used a tender in winter. Just disconnected battery. In Spring, I would throw the charger on for a day. That's it. Both in NE and here in Arizona, I get 4 to 5 years on a battery. Have had 3 Yamahas here and no issues.

I wonder if cycle gear's web site offers returns on helmets if you order and it doesn't work for you? Thinking out loud here. I won't be home until sometime next week. Having massive engine work done on truck. AFM issue with GM's 6.2 caught up with me. Thought I had gone past that with 124k miles, but guess not! I can check my helmets then...

No I don't remember and I'm 150 miles away. But it's 3 years old so doubt they make same model now..?? Sorry!

I like my modular. It's pretty nice for a three year old helmet! If your have a store you can try one on and walk around for an hour or so... That would be best bet to see if the weight will get to you. Keeping family happy as we age and keep riding is imperative!!! Lol! My better half didn't ride anymore and it's asking me when I'm going to retire from riding. I did satisfy her by selling my 89 to @KICs son. It was just to fast for me... My right wrist just kept twisting and twisting!

Whose still in Arizona besides @KIC and I???

I'm with you PJ. Now that we have experienced the trailer(bathroom, kitchen, bed)...I doubt I'll every pack a tent again...except to go Overlanding. But not on a scoot!

Ronnie, I used to think brands mattered as a #1 priority. Brand is important but the shape of your head vs different brands is much more so! Different brands fit oval heads better.... And narrow heads... And round heads. I found out by going to my local Cycle Gear and let the sales person check my head out.... Seriously! HJC fits my head well... So it's a brand I look at. I also don't worry to much about noise as I wear earplugs or noise reducing ear buds. What's more important to me is how strong is the latch that closes the modular and how easy is it to raise/lower the clear shield and sun shields. I like the pin lock on mine.. Very easy to swap shields. Comfort and usability are top on the list for me.... Hope this helps! P.S. my current helmet is HJC. I also found the Scorpions EXO helmets fit me well.

@Squidley, Brad. Do you still have these brake pads? David

Got in to house last night. Got up at 5am, went out to pat the RSV in the fanny pack and she whispered "ride me". I can take a hint. Got dressed and took off. 1 hour later, came home and put her back in garage. I swear she was smiling at me! Breakfast than back to PHX. 300 miles round trip. Want to know how to put 62K on my truck in 3 years? Commute to PHX.... To see my better half.

Ronnie, Yikes! I'm sorry to hear! Glad you are ok other than teeth! Whoa!! Get better fast! D

I feel left out. To hot to ride now. An evening ride is not smart either with the monsoon storms popping up so quickly this time of year. I'll be home tonight...pat her on the fanny pack and say hi. Maybe start her up and let her warm up. Then back up to Phx. in morning. Truck is getting a major repair...dreaded AFM issue got 2 cylinders, bent push rod....sigh. Thought I was past that at 124K miles. Guess not. Will get 2 year warrantee.... And will hope this doesn't happen again! Hopefully, I'll get some time in next two weeks for an early morning ride!!!

Ronnie, I think I missed something..... What happened?

@Larrydr, I wish I still had my VStar 950 Tourer. It was the perfect scoot. Low, quick and nimble. Still Cruise 75 to 80 all day if wanted.