lugthar

I wanted to let everyone know that adding a secondary smartkey to your new venture can be easily done by yourself for a reasonable cost. I researched the part # needed via Yamaha's parts website. The replacement smartkey is part # 2DF-86261-00-00. It is #36 on the parts diagram https://www.shopyamaha.com/parts-catalog/parts/street-mcy?nw=yamaha-motor-company#/Yamaha/STAR_VENTURE_-_XV19FJGY_-_2018/ELECTRICAL_2 I found it online for $170 shipped. It was backordered for a bit, but I finally received it yesterday. I followed the procedure from the service manual that is also posted in this forum for adding a smartkey. Now I have 2 working smartkeys! I like to have a backup key for long trips just in case I lose one. I haven't yet lost one but you never know. When I had a Harley I would just remove the battery from the fob of the spare key. With the Venture, I will just turn off the smartkey that is the spare. By just turning it off I won't have to go through the hassle of opening the smartkey and removing the battery.

I like the system so far. I believe the maker of the infotainment is the same one that did the Harley infotainment system. I had a '14 Harley with their infotainment system and there were a lot of issues with it to begin with. The same issue of occasionally telling you to turn one direction but the screen showing another happens on the Harleys too. I generally just rely on the map itself, not the spoken directions. I will say that the refinements and features of the Yamaha system is much better than the Harley's. That is my opinion from having owned both. I have had a couple issues with both systems where the audio (primarily siriusxm) would stop functioning. The only way to get it back was to shut off the bike, wait a few seconds and start it back up. Basically rebooting a computer.

Yes, I am considering it. I had an extra one when I had my Harley. I kept the battery out of the spare and gave it to a friend that was along on the trip. I never had a need for it but it was nice to have it just in case. Looking online, it appears it is anywhere from $160 to $195 for a replacement fob if I am looking at it right. The service manual does give the procedure for adding/removing fobs to/from a bike.