Cliffieg

That was a fantastic post, Big Lenny, thanks for the reviews!!!

Thanks, Rich, that's what I was hoping to hear from a 'liner guy that has taken the plunge. I forgot to mention the tank capacity amongst the things that were shortcomings on the 'liner--glad to see Yamaha threw the kitchen sink at that one. Question: that Eluder seat looked to me like a one piece? I didn't think much of the 'liner stock seat and wound up on an Ultimate with a backrest, which has been FANTASTIC! If it *is* a once piece, wonder how that will impact the aftermarket seat options and cost. At this point I think I'd be leaning toward the Eluder. That trunk on the Venture is HUGE and I'd only need it on rare occasions. Only "goodies" I'd personally miss are heated grips and TPMS.

Thanks for the warm welcome, CowPuc, I appreciate it! This looks to be a great crowd and I look forward to spending time here. ...and thanks for taking the time to explain to guys like me and Rich the perspective of someone who has been sitting on top of that V4 for years. Let's see if I kinda "get it": the mail-order bride Yamaha sent your way weighs about 75 lbs more than you'd expected, is 20 years older, and looks a little like a dude. ???

Congratulations on the new Eluder, Tom! It’s a beauty!! Thanks for for your review, and thanks to VentureFar for the Death Valley Eluder excursion report and the more recent StoneButt review of the Venture. I’m obviously a total newb here...I’m a Roadliner guy and migrated here mostly to see what you guys think of the new Venture/Eluder. The new bike really seems to be the answer to the few shortcomings most of the ‘liner guys felt existed...need for a sixth gear and a legit fairing, mostly. Engine wise, the original 113 is a reliable monster. Still blows me away w/ stock performance. If they really did improve upon it, we may have vtwin nirvana on our hands. One thing I don’t get from a lot of the other reviews online are the rev limiter complaints. I’ve had my ‘liner 10 yrs and have never touched 4200 rpm. Why would I? Massive torque down below...if I’m in 4th at 75 (which I wouldn’t be) and I wanted to MOVE, hell, I’d *upshift* to 5th. Thing about the Yammy 113 is you’re just about always in the best powerband because max power is ALSO where it’s smoothest and most comfortable. SOUNDS to me like they’ve provided even more of a good thing in this regard. We’ll see, eh? No major heat issues on the ‘liner 113, other than any air-cooled bike in 90+ will get somewhat uncomfortable...hope VentureFar has a sensitive left thigh underside and Yammy didn’t screw up on that left-side exhaust.... Anyhow, thanks, congrats, and I look forward to hanging around. This Cowpuc dude looks to be a *character*. ;-)