spyderhead

That's all loud pipes are good for. Seems folks with loud pipes suffer from some other shortage (perhaps anatomical) in the same way some folks have to buy the biggest gun. You know, short _____ equals big gun; short ____ equals loud pipes. Some of us actually ride. Not just barhop. Have a friend with a Big Dog. Beautiful piece of art. Not a functional bike, but beautiful as art. I ride to Canada, to Arizona, etc., from MS every summer on an 05 RSTD; if I had to do it on, let us say, the Big Dog I would be in traction until the following summer. In short, loud pipes have nothing to do with "safety" just like riding a rolling piece of fine art has nothing to do with riding. Both just say . . . "Hey, look at me!"

I have used basic regular since my 05 was new (14,750 miles ago). Never has skipped a beat. As an experiment once, I used the V Power Shell premium. Ran the same, but got worse mileage.

My 2005 is stock, but I regularly get 42-43 mpg; get 49.3 on the Natchez Trace (50 mph). Always on regular gas.

I am in Brandon, MS (just outside Jackson) and I am selling my 2005 black and gray Tour Deluxe. It has a bit over 14,000 miles and the warranty expires October 5, 2009. Have all of the Yamaha maintenance receipts and the Michelin Commanders on her have about 2,000 miles on them. She's always been garaged and most of the miles have come from three long trips: home to Tucson, AZ and back; home to Four Corners and throughout Colorado; home to Yellowstone and back. I'm a 57 year old teacher at Pearl High School so most of my trips have been summer vacation trips. Except for riding the Natchez Trace, almost all of my miles are highway including numerous trips to Hattiesburg to visit relatives. The motorcycle has some extras: Yamaha driving bar and lights, luggage rack, and some extra chrome. Also, I am including the removable saddlebag liners, a tank bag, and a set of LoneStar rear luggage. Will even throw in the helmets. Don't think I can make your 8k limit, but we can talk about it. We're close in price if you like the bike. By the way, these bikes run on regular gas and mine has consistently gotten in the high 40's on the road. I can send some pics.

As one who put a Mustang seat on a 2005 RSTD and only lost half his money when he sold it on eBay, I would say the Mustang seat is one of the most overrated pieces of equipment on the market today. IF you are over 6' tall, the Mustang will lock you into a numbing experience that'll make riding on the bare frame an improvement. It is just my opinion; however, I spent over 3500 miles trapped on the Mustang. Hate them.

I get around 40-42 mpg on my 05 Tour Deluxe IF I keep speed down. At interstate speeds and loaded returning from a camping trip to Colorado, it easily dropped into the low to mid thirties. On the Natchez Trace Parkway at a steady 50 mph (the speed limit), it gets 50. Odd thing is, I have an 04 VW turbodiesel (in a Beetle) that - even with the AC on and the cruise set at 75, I still get 46 - 48 mpg. On the highway at a steady 70 without AC, the little diesel gets 56 - 58. But, it is not as much fun to be in as riding the bike. Weird. Aerodynamics are . . . interesting.