SpaceMan

I was also hoping for a new Venture in 2010. After all, the RSV has been the same now for 12 years. And the rumors have been going for a couple of years now.... wait til next year... wait til next year! 12 years is plenty of time for re-engineering and retooling... if you keep up with modern technology and planning. If you stop planning and preparing for a new model you will fall behind and get caught off guard. I am sure Yamaha will lose market share the longer they wait. Many Yamaha owners who are looking for a new RSV start looking elsewhere, every year, when the new Yamahas come out. Like I said... I am disappointed too!

yes, it may seem like a trivial issue, but I have owned many bikes over the years and none ever pointed to the right, or left when running straight down the road. So, when the most expensive bike I have owned, bought from new, points to the right... I was concerned, and dissapointed. Still am dissappointed, but there appears to be no recourse. I can live with it. I just hope when I go to trade or sell, it does not become an issue.

The dealer has responded after consulting the Yamaha TSM. The pointing to the right is common and is just the way the bike is. Some people notice it and others don't. In my opinion, that may be true, and it is likely due to the approximate 5/8 inch offset between front and rear wheel centerline alignments. This I have measured on my own before.

My bike doesn't pull to the left or the right. It runs straight when I take my hands off the bars. The problem is just that when it is running straight, the whole front end if pointing noticeably off to the right. Like everything is pointing to the right hand edge of my lane.

I have had the bike since new, it has never been in an accident, was purchased from the same dealer that has done every service by the book. They now advise that they are looking into it, and a couple of other things they've tried to fix before, and will get back in a couple of days.

Since I first got my 2007 RSV I have felt that the forks and handlebars point to the right. IN fact, I also had an 06 RSV for a short time and felt that it also did this. I have found a few others, but not many, that feel the same thing. I have had it to the dealer several times to investigate but they say there are no adjustments and that it is all normal. I now have used a small level with angle adjustable vial/bubble to pretty much confirm that it does in fact point to the right. Here is a summary of the testing:- with bike on side stand, attach the magnetic level to the rear brake rotor. Use another level to make sure that the magnetic level is perfectly vertical in one plane. - adjust the level "angle bubble" on the level until it is centered in the window. This will be the reference angle of the rear wheel. Be careful not to bump or change the angle indication.- attach the same level to the front right brake rotor, again using another level to make sure it is vertical when viewed from the side of the bike. - move the bike handlebars until the angle bubble on the level is exactly centered as it was on the rear rotor. When this position is found, this is the normal running position of the front and rear wheels at speed. (that is with one wheel trying to be exactly behind the other and at the same angle - they are like big gyros)- use a piece of string, and/or a metal measuring tape or other means to take several measurements from the handlebar and fork to fixed points on the main frame. The following points were measured:- left and right handlebar tips to rear passenger foot rest mounting bolts on left and right. (about a 1/2 to 3/4 of inch difference was found)- front axle left center to lower front left leg cowling fastener. Same on right side. (aobut a 1/8th inch difference found here)- bolt at left side rear of lower triple tree clamp to gas tank front mounting bolt. Same on right side. (about a 1/8th to 1/4 inch difference here)- lower left and right rear front brake caliper mounting bolt to leg cowling bolts, both left and right sides. (almost a 1/4 inch difference here)In all cases, the measurements from the right side of the fork and handlebar to the frame were smaller than on the left. This tells me that the whole fork, handlebar, etc, is pointing to the right, when both wheels are running vertically as they will at speed. I have forwarded this info to the dealer. And will wait to see what they say.Any comments from other RSV owners?

I have always felt that my 2007 RSV points to the right when it is running in a straight line, on any type of surface. (so did my 2006 RSV I had for a short time). My dealer has checked things and said it is normal. However, I still have the impression it points to the right. I have run into a few others that have said the same thing, but not many. Well, I finally did some measurements and have confirmed, in my opinion, that it DOES point to the right. I used a 10 inch magnetic level with the rotatable angle indicator. Here is a summary of the testing: - with bike on side stand, attach the magnetic level to the rear brake rotor. Use another level to make sure that the magnetic level is perfectly vertical when viewd from the side of the bike. - adjust the level "angle bubble" on the level until it is centered in the window. This will be the reference angle of the rear wheel. Be careful not to bump or change the angle indication. - attach the same level to the front right brake rotor, again using another level to make sure it is vertical. - move the bike handlebars until the angle bubble on the level is exactly centered as it was on the rear rotor. When this position is found, this is the normal running position of the front and rear wheels at speed. (that is with one wheel trying to be exactly behind the other and at the same angle) - use a piece of string, and/or a metal measuring tape or other means to take several measurements from the handlebar and fork to fixed points on the main frame. The following points were measured: - left and right handlebar tips to rear passenger foot rest mounting bolts on left and right. (about a 1/2 to 3/4 of inch difference was found) - front axle left center to lower front left leg cowling fastener. Same on right side. (aobut a 1/8th inch difference found here) - bolt at left side rear of lower triple tree clamp to gas tank front mounting bolt. Same on right side. (about a 1/8th to 1/4 inch difference here) - lower left and right rear front brake caliper mounting bolt to leg cowling bolts, both left and right sides. (almost a 1/4 inch difference here) In all cases, the measurements from the right side of the fork and handlebar to the frame were smaller than on the left. This tells me that the whole fork, handlebar, etc, is pointing to the right, when both wheels are running vertically as they will at speed. I have now presented this info to my dealer to see what they have to say. I'll post any news.

Well, I sure would like to try Motorkote if the i basket doesn't work. Besides, I feel I am already ripped off because it makes the sound in the first place. I thought they would be somewhat happy that there may be a solution that didn't cost Yamaha anything, and which didn't mean ripping things apart. Apparently that makes too much sense. I may try it anyway, as you say, how would they prove I added it?

To give you an idea of the Clearview sizes, I am 6 ft, 1/2 inch tall and have the Clearview Large on my RSV. I can just see over it by about an inch or so. Ideally I would get about a half inch shorter but it is still much better than the stock shield in the rain. I can just feel the wind on the very top of my helmet.

I also have noticed that my chirp has been getting worse, or maybe just more annoying now that I have more kms on it. I have tried to get Yamaha to put an I basket in under warranty. It has been a long hard battle, but I believe they are now going to get one for me. However, I mentioned adding Motorkote to the Yamaha Canada rep and she very clearly indicated that I can't put in any additives, as the bike is still under warranty. Thought I'd better pass that on in case some of you are adding Motorkote to warrantied bikes. So, my only option for now is the I basket. Hope it helps.

I agree.... flames???? Some of you are talking already about a new Venture coming out in 2011. Well, I recall hearing that same discussion in 08, when it would be new for 09, then it will be new for 2010.... now 2011??? In my opinion, Yamaha is gradully losing a share of the big tour market every year that they wait to bring out something new. Instead of all those valuable engineering resources being put towards..... FLAMES!! how about a quieter bike? with no whine and chirp?? Of fuel injection? I personally thought that at the very least, even if they did not change up the frame and platform, that it would have fuel injection and standard CD.

I have an 07 Royal Star Venture, since new, that now has 40,000 kms on it. I have to say that I love the bike, but don't love the quirks it has, that Yamaha Canada will do nothing about. The chirp/whine is a perfect example. Turbo boost?? Yeesh! If I have to lie to my Harley riding friends/family that the noise is a turbo, forget it. Yamaha should fix the problem. When I have to "excuse myself" when I sit on my bike first thing in the morning, and the back shock (or whatever it is) makes its "signature" groan and sounds like I passed gas.... forget it... Just fix it!!! When I have to pretend that my cruise does not have an Accelerate button that is (according to the manual) increment 1.6 km/hr when I give it a single push.... and it does'nt work.... and instead I have to set my speed using the twist grip and then set it??? Forget that too. When Yamaha SAYS the cruise works that way... then make it work that way. If the bike has an issue with chirping and whining... don't make each of us fight with our dealer for 6 months or more and then you make us feel like you are doing US the favor... forget it. I am really fed up with the Yamaha Bull when it comes to standing behind its products. I am not a Harley fan, nor do I own one, and likely never will. My brother owns an Ultra that has its own quirks.. BUT, the Yamahas are not perfect either... and the Yamaha Canada mentality of passing the buck to the dealer, and then dealer back to Yamaha Canada is bull too. Are there any others out there that are unhappy with Yamaha support? Anyone know of anyone taking any legal actions on known issues?

Hey everone.... thanks for the tips. It is comforting to see that others have some of these same problems. A few more comments on your comments: Cruise - the manual says that a single push of the accelerate button will make the bike accelerate by 1.6 km/hr (1 mph). SO... i expect that it should work that way. Looks like others have the same problem with no known fix. Probably a software bug as they have already replaced the switch assy and cruise unit. Rear groan - I have already injected a quite a bit of fork oil into the shock via the air inlet but the problem continues. I will try to get my dealer to change out the shock. Not too optimistic about that... as their, and Yamaha Canada's, line so far has been unless you can show that something is physically broken... then it is not a warranty issue). Chirp/whine - Again not luck so far getting dealer to swap clutch baskets. I realize it is not a sure fix but it is worth a try. So far Yamaha Canada and dealer have said it is normal.... maybe, but it is driving me crazy and we shouldn't have to put up with it for the price of the bike. ALignment - I am going to take some more measurements but after another look at things yesterday I believe the rear wheel is not vertical relative to the frame. thanks again for your help and comments

I have an 07 RS Venture from new. It now has 40,000 kms on it. I have a few problems... some of which have been there since day 1. My dealer has tried to resolve some and not tried on others. The chirp/whine clutch basket noise is a common one and I am planning to talk to my dealer..... again....about trying to fix that one. My question is... do any of you other Venture owners have the other problems I have? If so, were you able to fix them and how? 1) whine/chirp at some rpms. Getting louder now, with 40,000 kms on the bike. Dealer response??? nothing. Do any of you think this is worth pursuing? It is getting very annoying lately. 2) groaning sound from swingarm or rear shock when flexed (sitting and bouncing up and down) when the bike is cold in the morning or on cold days. Mostly an embarassment but the bike has not always done this. Dealer response? lubed swingarm bushings, shock mount pivots, still the same. 3) Accelerate Button on cruise does not always respond to single incremental push. Dealer response? replaced switch assembly, and I think entire cruise electronic box. Still the same. 4) handlebars, forks, seem to point to the right. Bike runs straight, but points to the right. I have initial suspicion that the rear wheel is not true vertical relative to the frame. Dealer response? Bike seems to run normally to everyone else. Any help or comments greatly appreciated.

I have an 07 RS Venture that has the whine/chirp. Like others, it is most noticeable around 80 - 90 kms. I have contacted dealer and they have not offered up to change the clutch basket or anything else. I have contacted Yamaha Canada and they give me some crap about a worn out helmet!?? I have really been dissapointed with Yamaha Canada. They pass the buck to the dealer. Unfortunately, on some of the issues I have the dealer trys some fixes, then can't totally resolve the problem. They don't seem to get any support from Yamaha Canada and Yamaha Canada says go to the dealer with your problems. So I end up in this vicious circle where nothing gets fixed. The problems I am having are: 1) whine/chirp at some rpms. Getting louder now, with 40,000 kms on the bike. Dealer response??? nothing. 2) groaning sound from swingarm or rear shock when flexed (sitting and bouncing up and down) when the bike is cold in the morning or on cold days. Mostly an embarassment but the bike has not always done this. Dealer response? lubed swingarm bushings, shock mount pivots, still the same. 3) Accelerate Button on cruise does not always respond to single incremental push. Dealer response? replaced switch assembly, and I think entire cruise electronic box. Still the same. 4) handlebars, forks, seem to point to the right. Bike runs straight, but points to the right. I have initial suspicion that the rear wheel is not true vertical relative to the frame. Dealer response? Bike seems to run normally to everyone else. I am interested to hear if any of you have similar problems (other than the gear whine/chirp..... that one I know many of you have). Spaceman

I also have the Polk Audio speakers. They sound somewhat better, better low end (considering its a 4 inch speaker) and better high end. YOu may need to increase the volume setting a bit from where you did with stock speakers, but in my opinion they sound better. Especially the front speakers as they have a larger cavity behind them. The rears are mounted in a very small space and the cones can't move as freely as they probably should. Hhmmm..... that gives me a bit of an idea. Wonder if I could drill some holes (ports) in a non exposed area for those rear speakers. Spaceman

Hi Rockworm: Glad you like your Vision. I would still consider one when the time comes. There were a lot of things that I liked about it. It does come with some features that the RSV doesn't have like the heated seat and grips but is missing some things I do have now. I see that you have upgraded yours with some of those items. I am hoping Yamaha will come out with a new Venture soon so I am going to hold off for a while. Have fun!

Hi: Have any of you tried motorcycle superstore for tires? Not sure how they compare in price for you down in USA, but their prices are great compared to most suppliers in Canada. They usually free ship within USA as well. Only thing is they don't ship to Canada, so what I did was have them send it to my hotel in Napa, CA. I then checked it in as check in luggage. Should have seen the looks when the United airlines people started going through their books to see if it was hazardous goods!! LOL. It wasnt', I had already checked that. Anyway, here's a plug for Motorcycle Superstore and tires. Spaceman

Vision 5 year Warranty... It is the same now here in Canada too. They have a five year warranty. I test rode a Vision yesterday and one the day before as well. (wanted to make sure I got my money's worth... LOL... free!). I rode the Street and the Tour. I was told that the 5 year warranty was maybe a limited time offer. Anyway, there were some things I liked and some things I disliked about the Vision. I liked it more the first time I rode it, then liked it a bit less the second time I rode it. To keep things short here is the abbreviated (LOL) summary (I own a 2007 RSV with 30,000 kms, all mine from new): VISION PROS: 1) Radical looks. I like the looks, but my wife said if I buy it she won't even sit on it. (not sure... Pro?? Con??) Ooops.. she might read this! She says it looks like result of a harley having sex with a scooter!! LOL. 2) adjustable shield. I like it, I am 6 ft 1/2 inch and I would have liked if it would go even about an inch higher. Didn't like the lower settings at all. Too much wind. 3) handling, especially low speed. It doesn't feel as top heavy as my 2nd Gen RSV and I think the skinnier front tire makes it less susceptible to wandering on uneven surfaces. 4) stereo - I liked the sound even at highway speed. It has more power and more low end bass than the RSV with bigger speakers (I even have upgraded my RSV speakers to Polk Audio coax speakers). 5) Tachometer - always wished I had one on the RSV 6) large needle type fuel guage (that I assume would indicate more accurately than the RSV) 7) gear indicator - not a big deal, but would be nice to have. 8) bigger full time clock, AND temperature 9) fairly smooth and quiet for a twin, but not as smooth as the RSV. 10) co-ordinated brakes - when you press the rear brake, it also applies a small amount of front brake which really improves braking. It worked well. You can still apply front only if needed. 11) smooth, soft, suspension. It does not seem as harsh as my RSV. Although my RSV is better since I reduced rear shock air from 35 to 25 psi. 12) not top heavy 13) NO GEAR WHINE... or at least much less. There is some audible top end valve train noise at lower speeds. VISION CONS: 1) price - the Tour Premium is $25,500 CDN. 2) much less storage space - the RSV is quite good in this dept. The side saddle bags on the vision are quite small, there are some very small sort of shelves inside the saddle bag area but these are not water sealed. 3) Lack of standard features - the following are NOT standard, even on the Premium: - trunk & bag carpets or mats (90$), DC jack, there is one hidden in a small compartment but you need to buy an extension cord, no CB, no intercom, couldn't find helmet locks?, Accessories are very expensive. CD player is $1500 CDN. 4) overall it has a very "plastic" feel. There really is a lot of plastic and some of the latches don't catch very well. There are no metal push pads on the side saddle bag covers. Instead you just push and pull on the painted surfaces. You feel like you have to be careful each time you push one of the plastic compartments. 5) very clunky transmission. Shift down from second to first is LOUD. 6) poorer acceleration, especially above 120 km/hr to 130 km/hr (about 75 to 80 mph). I am used to gunning the RSV when passing even at 130 or 140 and being up to 160 or 170 km/hr (100 - 105 mph) in no time. The Vision took a long time to get from 130 to about 150 even in 5th. 7) THe Vision TOUR is very susceptible to side wind gusts. I rode both days in about 25 mph gusty winds. When the wind is from the side, the back end of the Vision Tour gets pushed from side to side. I believe this is because of the tour trunk which is set quite far back and quite high. The tour pack acts like a sail and you can really feel the bike move from side to side in heavy gusty side winds. The dealer even thought there was something wrong with the bike and stopped others from riding it, but then the wind went down and it was "normal" again. 8) somewhat cheap feeling plastic covers on trunks, side bags, storage spaces on the tank area. Same for the big dash. Same for a lot of the trim. 9) Heat from the engine. On the first day it was about 20C (72F). The heat coming off the engine was surprisingly hot. The tunnel effect of the front end scoops in tons of air, passes it by the cylinders then onto your legs. 10) seat comfort - (I am 6 ft 1/2 inch tall) while the seat itself feels comfortable, I found that it tilted forward slightly and that I had to reach a bit for the bars, which meant my back was about an inch in front of the vertical back support area of the seat. With longer bars it may be all right. I have 1 1/2 risers on my RSV and the stock seat is about the best I have ever known. 11) weak passenger handholds? I am not sure if this applies to all of the handles, but one of the cast aluminum passenger handholds broke off when the dealer was attempting to demonstrate the "no tip over" feature. Apparently you can't use those to pull the bike up.... SO... what do you use????? Again, I just feel that the materials do not feel strong. Overall, the Vision was a very fun ride and I might even buy one some day. I would first like to see how successful they are for a few more years. I would also prefer a four cylinder. Today I rode my RSV on a 450 km ride and I still feel it is an excellent bike, with all the comfortable features I want. It will just purr at 130 kms all day long, in comfort. I also don't think I want to give up the storage space and the solid, robust, strong, reliable feeling of the RSV. So for now, at least I am happy to have my RSV. I feel the RSV (and Yamaha in general) uses superior materials and has better workmanship. Eventually the Vision may be there as well though. I have not been so happy with my Yamaha dealers recently, and Yamaha Canada's support so have been "looking around". For now I am going to wait and see if there is a new RSV with a VMAX 4 in it! CHeers, Spaceman

BJ Yes, I ride with another RSV owner with the Northern Stars. He has never mentioned any issue of pointing one way or the other. And with so many others here saying they have no problem, I think that there are not so many with this problem but enough that it is definitely interesting. It is not a big deal any more as I am used to it. But now I know that it is not normal. Thanks for the offer to take some measurements. I'll let you know if I think I should do that. For now I am going to go back to the dealer and try to talk to the regional rep. RN Spaceman

Ross: I would be very interested in your dealings with Yamaha Canada as my bike is still under warranty and I would also like the regional rep to take a look at it. On my bike what I notice is that the bars and fairing are pointed just slightly to the right. (maybe it does pull to the left but I haven't taken my hands off the bars yet). I approached my dealer and Yamaha Canada about this early on about this but they basically said it was me and that it was unlikely that I had two brand new Ventures with the same problem. However, now after hearing about yours and other's experiences I see it is not just me. I also have checked everything and also know for a fact that my front and rear tires do not line up. So I believe this is the root cause. I am going to contact Yamaha Canada again and ask them to do some more investigation into this issue. They acted as though they had never heard of the problem but I see that they have. Perhaps in a PM we could exchange the names of people we have dealt with at Yamaha Canada. By the way I am in Saskatoon. Ron

Hi: I already have replied to a couple of you in private messages but decided to bore the rest of you with my stories. I have had two RSVs, both brand new, zero kms, that BOTH had the same issue of pointing to the right. One was an 06 that I owned for a whole three weeks until the dealer totalled it (you guessed it.... while trying to figure out the pointing to the right problem!). So, after a lot of hassle I ended up with a new 07... and it also has the same problem. Yamaha Canada says that the front wheel is deliberately offset to the right by a small amount to counteract the torque effect of the shaft. Not sure I believe that, but so far, 25,000 kms later, different tires, I still have the same problem. I guess I have learned to live with it, but as others have said,.... It bugs the hell out of me. Not sure about the rest of you that have this problem, but I am thinking of taking it to Yamaha as a bigger issue, and see if we can get some action. Afterall, there seem to be many of you out there that do not have this pointing to the left or right problem. I would much rather have the bike point straight ahead! Hope to hear back from any of you, if you have ever found a real solution to this. Either on your own, or from the dealers. My 07 is still under warranty and if some of you have had something done to resolve the issue, I would love to hear about it. I would also be willing to become part of a larger group to approach Yamaha and see what they are willing to do about it. Thanks Ron (Spaceman)

Well thanks for all your information. It sounds like I'm in for a new rotor too. I guess I had hoped my dealer would be giving me a bit of a warning about pad life since I take to them regularly for the scheduled inspections and services exactly by the book. They say they are doing (and charge me for) a complete inspection so I had hoped they would at least say how much pad is left and warn me if it looked like I may be out of pad by next service interval. But.... nothing at all was said. I may have to have a talk with them when I take it in on Monday. If they don't warn me about a few things like this, then why am I paying them to check it over? Have a good weekend everyone! Spaceman

Hi: I am wondering if anyone could give me their experiences on rear brake life. I have an awful rough scraping sound going on in the rear when applying rear brake. No squealing or anything just the scraping sound. I don't recall it being there last fall when I stored the bike. I had a look at the caliper and it looks liket there is still plenty of pad on the outer side of the disc. I could not get a good look at the inside though. The rotor feels a bit torn up on the inside surface as well, especially around the holes. I now have about 23,000 kms (or about 15,000 miles). It may be that the brakes are worn out already, but i thought they should last longer than that. Any help or comments from other 2nd gen riders appreciated! Cheers spaceman

Hi: You can try Motorcycle-superstor.com in Oregon. They have GREAT prices on most tires and will ship to Canada. (they buy by the truck loads) (although shipping is not cheap). Or you can do what I did and have them ship to your hotel in USA (Free shipping in USA) when you are on a business trip and then carry the tire back as a checked piece of luggage when flying home. It worked great, I saved about $100 on a Dunlop elite 3 rear tire. Both the MC superstore and the hotel were more than happy to take care of this. I had Air Canada and United Airlines check into this in advance and sure enough, a tire is NOT a restricted or hazardous item!! Of course, I did have to put up with a few smart ass comments in the airport but I had fun with it anyway. I would definitely buy from Motorcycle-superstore.com again. Great service. They even have a live help line so you can chat with them. Spaceman in Saskatoon:lightbulb: