BlueSky

If you order them, check out the vendors return policy if they don't fit or you don't like them. For instance, BikeBandit won't pay for return shipping and DennisKirk will. I returned a helmet bought from BikeBandit that didn't fit and it cost over $30 to ship it back. I learn everything the hard way!

I enjoyed this weeks episode so much, I just watched it again. When I first started watching it, I would get upset when they killed off a favorite character but now it's just part of the show. The title says it all, "Game of Thrones". So many people fighting to get on the throne. Kind of like Washington DC except there isn't as much killing involved.

Excellent episode Game of Thrones last night. I watched it this morning because we also watch Ray Donovan on Showtime and the first episode of the season was last night.

I think it may be related to the fact that the average cost of living adjusted salary for non-college graduates hasn't increased in over 20 years and many of the potential customers just can't afford an expensive toy like a new Harley.

You missed "lighter" which is very important. The new BMW K1600 GTL weighs 767.2 pounds wet, about 200 lbs less than the new Venture. It is smoother, lighter, and much more powerful. Appearance is subjective to each individual but I think the Gen II with a newly designed frame mounted fairing with redesigned round gauges instead of the 57 Ford speedometer would be better looking.

I just read an article about how the sales of large motorcycles are plummeting and Harley sales are plummeting the most. So, Yamaha decides to compete with Harley. Some things are hard to understand. I think a Gen II with the V4, made lighter, lower center of gravity, and a frame mounted fairing would have made more sense. But, it is what it is. We shall see if it is a success. I hope so.

The battery voltage is low. I'd take it to get a load test after charging it. it should be 12.6 volts or higher fully charged.

Some time after we bought a boat, my wife bought a Black & Decker Jump Starter, one of those things that has a built in air compressor with a claim of 500 amps on the side. I put it in the garage and didn't use it for years. This year I took it out of the box and it was dead and wouldn't charge. I took it apart and the battery inside was a 19 amp/hour motorcycle battery. I just took it to Sams Club and they accepted it as a core on a real marine battery that I will make sure it is kept fully charged. We kept the boat in the back yard with the battery disconnected and I charged it before going boating every time we used it. This year we put it in a wet slip and I have to leave the battery connected to power the bilge pump. The float switch stuck and ran the bilge pump until the battery was dead. It wouldn't take a charge, so I replaced it and now have a second real marine battery for a backup. I never signed up for Seatow and if we get stranded, they will charge an arm to get a tow back to the marina. So, I try to minimize that possibility. So, my recommendation is to buy a real battery for backup and forget about those "Jump Starters" unless it's one of those small ones for a motorcycle.

I'm sure the new Venture will be much quicker off the line.

Very extensive and complimentary review. Now we know, maximum of 76.9 hp at the rear wheels. Also noticed that max torque of 109 ft lbs occurs at 75mph so downshifting won't be needed to pass at highway speeds. I think I read that the lifters were hydraulic?

Attention getting sidecar companion.

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?127689-Anyone-Used-the-Motion-Pro-Bead-Breaker-Tire-Irons-Shown-in-this-Video&highlight=motion+bead+breaker

I must have forgot to hit submit before when I tried to post this. Anyhow, I bought an 89 owner's manual from yamahapubs. I think they print them on an as needed basis. I also bought an original owner's manual from ebay. I think it's for the 87 but should be the same. One neat thing about the original is that it has a 12" x 12" fold out wiring diagram in the back of the manual.

I bought one from yamahapubs for my 89 which they print as needed I think. Then I saw a original owner's manual on ebay and bought that one. It's for an 87 I think but should be the same. The original manual has a great folded up 12" x 12" wiring diagram in the back.

How is your brother-in-law doing? Hopefully, he is on the mend. I admire and respect you immensely for what you are doing to help.

Cowpuc I'm guessing may have been asking about straight line performance. With the super Tenure at 110hp and the CTX at 83hp, I think that answer is obvious.

I think you are correct and I would proceed as you described. The battery may or may not come back. If it is an old battery, I would replace it too.

Maybe clean the tank and put a bottle of Naval Jelly or similar product in the tank and let it sit for a while. It's supposed to remove rust. Just a thought. I have never done this. There are videos on the internet where they drill a hole to allow the removal. Don't remember all the details.

This made me look up the hp ratings for the CTX1300 and the ST1300. According to what I found, the CTX engine is rated 83hp at 6,000 rpm and the ST1300 is rated 126hp at 8,000rpm. Same engine just cammed and tuned differently. Big difference.

I agree the drivers in FL are the worst. But, it seemed to me around Miami it was the young guys driving as if they were on a race track and other parts of FL the senile retirees driving around almost totally oblivious to what was going on around them.

You can still buy new 2014 CTXs and they are going cheap. Evidently the styling didn't appeal to enough folks to keep it.

Yep, an aramid belted bias ply tire. Shinko bought the motorcyle tire business from Yokohama so I wouldn't have any qualms buying them.

It all depends on far out of balance the tire is. Some tires will require more than others.

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.