BlueSky

Cowpuc, one thing I'd really like you to ask the Yamaha rep is what is the specification for maximum allowable oil temperature. There is an online LA Sheriffs dept test of potential police bikes back in 2009 as I remember and oil temp is one of the things they checked to see if it was within the manufacturers specification. According to the test report, the two Harley's that were tested had a maximum allowable oil temperature spec of 410 degrees F! That it amazing to me. As I remember the BMW R bike had a maximum oil temp spec of 300 degrees F. I think the R bike has partial or supplemental water cooling. The rest of the bikes were water cooled and were speced in the range of about 260 degrees F maximum.

I doubt they will let the new Venture sit and idle. It ain't designed for that and will overheat regardless of whether your legs get hot. The fins and the oil cooler might keep the engine cool while riding but it just isn't possible for it to stay cool sitting and idling.

Yep, when I was riding my 74hp Kawasaki ZN700 to work when in Florida where a lot of construction was going on, a lot of workers had Harleys which I think had about the same hp but much more torque. Several times I pulled out to pass a slow car and the Harleys pulled out with me and couldn't keep up! I know they would spank me from a stand still but once I got going.........

I think the hp is the same. the Gen I weighs about 180 lbs less. My manual says my 89 weighs 785 curb.

Put some Chevron Techron in the gas or Gumout with PEA. Use a little starter fluid on the air filter and run it and keep doing that a few times. Even though it is fuel injected, the fuel passages must be tiny for a little engine and they may be gummed up. Just wild guessing here. When my yard tools don't want to start, I use a little starter fluid to get them to fire at first. After they run a bit they usually will keep running. You do know that you shouldn't run pressure washers without the water hooked up and on?

It would be interesting to see if the new Venture can hang with a Gen1 above 60mph?

From what I've read the Honda ST1300 has a heat problem. It's is due in part to having an aluminum frame that is bolted solid to the engine using the engine for frame strength and the heat transfers down the frame.

I bought a Walmart Everstart battery for my Kawasaki that was made by Yuasa. It was an AGM and it came with the acid separate that i had to pour into the battery cells and then charge slowly for a day. It worked great for 5 or 6 years spinning the starter really fast and then one day it was completely dead. I suspect I damaged it because it was a little taller than the battery it replaced and the seat may have been resting on the battery. I replaced it with an AGM from Autozone. Their computer had the correct battery selection for my bike that was shorter. It's doing fine so far.

Well Tooch, I'd say you almost got all the miles out of that tire!

Maybe the Maxum has a more comfortable seat than my 85 Kawasaki ZN700. My butt starts hurting after about 30 minutes of riding. It's easy to ride though due to the weight, 498lbs dry.

Many of the "charities" are as inefficient as the guvment. Lots of them end up giving high wages to the leaders and waste lots of money on "conventions" and the like. One veterans charity was exposed a few years ago for giving only 5% of the donations to the veterans, the rest going to the guy who ran the charity and his family.

From what I understand, autos with air cooling couldn't meet the emission standards and they had to switch to water cooling.

Maximum load for a Gen 1 is 386lbs according to the owner's manual. Also from the Gen 1 manual: "Do not glide for long periods with the engine off, and do not tow the motorcycle a long distance. Even with gears in neutral, the transmission is only properly lubricated unless the engine in running. Inadequate lubrication may damage the transmission." Yep, bad grammar in the manual. You'd think these things were made in a foreign country or something!

Well, we do manage to tick people off sometimes.

I agree with what has been advised so far. Seafoam or your favorite cleaner. I like Gumout with PEA. Sync the carbs. And if that doesn't fix it, inspect the diaphragms. I don't know about the 2nd Gens but on a 1st Gen, you can remove the air filter and look into the carbs while the engine is blipped and see if they are working properly. If that doesn't fix it, I'd change the spark plugs and check the wiring from the spark plugs back for corrosion.

if the seafoam doesn't work maybe change the spark plug and/or check the compression.

Before anyone decides to pour a whole bunch of any cleaner in the gas tank or mainifold of an automobile, don't forget they have catalytic converters that can be plugged up. I suspect moderate use in a car would be the way to go. On our old motorcycles pour it in!! Here is a link to the MSDS. http://www.audiosears.com/MSDS/FS0433-Marvel%20-%20Marvel%20Mystery%20Oil.pdf

Yep, nobody has more fun on his bike for less money than Cowpuc and he sticks with the 1st Gen Venture. There's something to learn there I think.

And Kawasaki believes in water cooling.

Seems to me building an air cooled heavy touring bike in 2017 is poor engineering because it will overheat in stop and go traffic. You may not be aware of it every time but the oil temperature will be very high and may not protect the engine as well as cooler oil in a water cooled bike. I don't count though because I'm not buying a new bike, especially an air cooled bike. If I'm still able to ride, in the future I might buy a Goldwing or BMW R or K bike.

Overall it comes across as a great touring bike. Two things that stood out when I read the reviews is that Honda Goldwing has nothing to worry about, and the comments on the heat from the engine and exhaust.

How old is the gas in the tank? Could it have water in the gas? White smoke is usually caused by water.

A neighbor put about 115k miles on his before replacing it. He said it had been a very reliable bike. And it isn't a boxer of course. It's an inline four laid on its side.

Me neither. My Kawasaki ZN700 was 24 years old when I bought it. It only had 1,054 miles on it and the original tires looked almost like new with no cracks or signs of aging. I did ride it about 300 miles sometimes with my wife on the back before I had new tires installed.

Non-college graduates haven't gotten pay increases in the last 20 years on average. That has to take its toll on the consumer market especially non-essentials like motorcycles. New auto/truck sales have slowed too.