YamahaParExcellence

"That pairing might not work...for you know..there could be recessive genes, and gawd forbid, some retardation! LOLOLOL!" Cheers! Joe's purebred SVTC pups....litters expected twice a year...."we encourage you to book early!"

\ THAT...was funny! I'm just going to be sure to be way east of Toronto tomorrow morn by at least 6:30 am. Toronto is a BEAR for gridlock anything after 7:30 am...if you want to get across the city...well...good luck...I hope you packed a lunch, lol. Yep...she has already thanked the Big Guy many times, for she no longer will see me talking to myself...muttering around the house...banging into walls, so self absorbed. Yep...she just wants me to pack on those break in babies...so she can slip a leg over Charlotte as well! Many great trips and adventures all ready being talked about...and the planning has started! Cheers my friend, happy trails for your trip you recently posted you are going on. It sounds like it will be a blast! Joe

A good read, and thanks for posting. I/We take possession of mine/ours tomorrow morn. Glad to see that our ranks are swelling day by day. I found Sport Mode to be a lips over the forehead affair 2nd gear to 6th, pulling strong right up to 100 MPH, where I thought...it might be prudent to back off. My dealer let me ride his fully broken in SVTC. I found Tour Mode perfect for around town riding...a quite relaxed, fuel and engine torque mapping. Then as I moved out of town..I switched to Sport Mode, and WOW...did that engine ever wake up! As to handling...I also own a 564 pound Sport Tour...and I felt no difference in handling between them. Yamaha did an excellent job on keeping the mass low in the frame...and centralized. As far as your reported MPG, that is exactly what the 2000-2017 Gold Wings get. I know...I owned many model year, Gold Wings. That is great. You'll probably get more, after 5,000 or so miles. I think this engine is like a diesel,certainly where the torque is...and how early that great grunt and pull comes into play. I also think they will last as long as a commercial diesel...for what are they going to most operate at, if in proper gear...1,700 to 2,750 RPM? Big deal...it's RPM's that wear down piston rings, cylinder walls, and cam lobes. We have at least three major trips planned for my/our SVTC already this morning! My wife and I are coffee clatching...and have our Trip Ticks out over the dining room table. She is now as excited as I am...for she sees the light, at the end of the long (October to May) delivery 'tunnel'. Enjoy your 2018 SVTC, and we wish you as a riding team, many safe, thousands of tour miles upon it... Cheers! Joe and Dee-Dee

Just got the confirmation call from my dealer...my SVTC will be ready to deliver at 11:00 am tomorrow. Gee..do you think, there is even a chance that I might be late...getting there! This has been a topsy-turvy thingamabob purchase of a new ride, since October, but all's well, that end's well. Thanks to all forum members that encouraged me to hang in there, and not cancel my sales contract! Thanks, all! Happy safe rides this Summer! "Ride..always, to ride again" Joe

I don't think there is going to be a feature change...they will take a page out of the Gold Wing play book...nothing but two new colors. That was the deal for years with the Wings... I mean, what more can you add to this bike? Honestly? What feature,does the 2018 not have? LOL It will take me a month to go through the 3 billion pages of the Infotainment Manual... I just think colors..

I was just looking at a pic of the bike with the shield fully down...there's no way...no way...too bad. That's why the bike didn't come with that vent, if they could of...the would have...for sure. I'm humming that song.."...another one bites the dust...". LOL! Anyway...let me know what you came up with...you have the bike...and you have the template...maybe you'll pull a rabbit outta the hat...

Chief...nah..it's not going to work...I don't need my bike home to see that a picture of the shield down...would not have a vent possible.. I now know why Yamaha didn't have that already installed...for they gave you everything else....it does not work for an adjustable 'live' windshield. Bummer...throwing the template in the trash, lol.

Same here...6'3"...but I wonder what the impact would be for MPG. You're now pushing more air in front of you. I do want it though. When I was testing the SVTC on Saturday, I noticed quite a bit of wind in the cockpit, even in the up position. More than I remember on my 2008 Wing. But then...it all goes back to on the Wing...you had positive venting, even when the louver's were closed. I think that is what is doing it. If we can...I would install this vent... template it...and then Dremel wheel (for carbonates) instead of what they suggest, using a scroll saw to make the cut-out. I loved this vent on all my Wings...simply a must have, if we can get away with it....

That, when you think about it...could be the very reason. If you on that page open up the instruction PDF, on the last page, is the template. Just print that...and tape it to the screen..and when you lower, see if the dash would obstruct the body..or the template goes below the dash..that let's you know..it won't work. I'm going to do that ...print the last page now... Post Edit: Chief...print out the three instruction pages. I just did...and on the third page, you get the full size template. Just take that out to your bike...place it on the inside...where you think it should go..and see if it goes below the metal lip...when you are in the fully down position. I can't do that yet...for I don't have the bike home. The vent template is 8 1/2 inches wide,...and looks great! Just by looking at that...you'd get great air flow...and would positive vent the cockpit behind the shield. Let me know what you found out with the printed template...thanks.

https://fortnine.ca/en/show-chrome-big-bike-parts-windshield-air-vent-clear-honda-gl1200-1500-1800-goldwing-models-2-359c Thinking of adding this as well to the SVTC. Harley added this (slipstream) vent into their frame mounted fairing. It removes suction vortex back pressure. Also very effective in chest area cooling on riders. Works great on GL1800's...so should work just fine after installation in the SVTC windshield. I'm actually surprised that Yamaha did not install a vent in the windshield, like the GL1800.

Man, if you are interested, I wouldn't procrastinate! http://mckeeyamaha.ca/Street-Bikes/adid/13927013/2018-Yamaha-Star-Venture-TC

http://www.bigbikeparts.com/templates/product.aspx?ProductGuid=20-611&GroupGuid=563 I'm interested in this...has anybody else purchased this yet? If so, how does it compare to the stock?

I've heard of this..at any dealership, any brand...if there is one on the floor, it can be sold, at least as far as I know, in Ontario. Imagine someone coming in on a Thursday...seeing an SVTC...wanting to buy it and ride away on Friday morning, to have if for the weekend...and be told..this bike can't be sold, for display purposes only. I'd go nuts... ;(

Thank you, and way too young.

An SVTC? If so...next week...

Good morning! Thank you...and will click on it after posting back to you! Chief....Christmas comes to Ontario on Tuesday, May 8th, and Santa Claus is of course dressed in RED... No snow in the forecast...around T.O.----->ONLY SUN...gobs, of glorious ride-it-home-baby, SUN! Life is good...life...is....good! Post Edit: Yep,read that already...thanks for pointing. BTW...about my first ride with floorboards? WOW.....forget the pegs of the Gold Wing...never going back to that! I could move my feet...shift around on the fly...flex my toes and heels, yesterday...wow...all the years that I only had pegged for the feet, on every past ride. Going to now shut down...and get on board the Kawa. I am going to visit my friends and bring back my Corbin for her. Can't wait to try that baby out. I should have it installed by next Sunday evening...then out for a Corbin butt check... Cheers,

I hope they continue...!!!! Put me down as one to enjoy target shooting. In fact, it is one of the most strongest father/son bonding activities we do. We can spend hours, my son and I on scope set up...range set up...sippin a beer..and piercing paper...or plunking jugs and beer cans. We love it! Yes...there is a father/son accuracy competition....he keeps calling me the 'old man'...with acuity of the eyes...as the rub. I still kick his butt....every time...300-500 yards out or greater...sucks to be young...lol! Old eyes...have patience and set-up of shot, behind them...."hear that, son?" Keep those posts coming...especially the Old West hardware. Some members here, have fantastic gear...wow! Joe

Right, Don, and good morning! My altered take, is that Yamaha could (and probably did...) outright buy one or three top end, highest capacity HD's..and track tested them...as Puc wants to do...infrared the top ends about the exhaust seats...(and head area that houses them), and then tore them apart. As head of design metrics, this would be my game plan! The SVTC comes with Ceramic embedded cylinder wall coatings, that cause less internal heat generation in friction, a better transfer of heat vector to the outside cooling fin tips, and then of course, the actual cooling shelves and sq inches of each fin on the Jugs. They (Yamaha Engineering) had the luxury of no time RTM deadline, had time to see what the competition had...and better it...all in all. It is my opinion, that it might be, that their v-twin solution, could be the most cool operating of all the v-twins. As you say...as more of us take to the roads this summer...I'm sure we are going to post...the yay's...and nay's. I certainly will, if anybody's interested. We will be touring in mid summer...that's for sure. Two up...packed up...and while I'm not going to bother with a technical read on top end or mid air fin actual hard temperatures...I am going to speak to the human logistics, and ergonomics. If we are comfortable, in our summer riding gear...the bike loaded to the gills...that's all that matters to us. I couldn't give a fig, about what the head temps reach....but only if they reach output that we find ourselves wishing to be anywhere but on the bike. My expectations, with so many millions of Yamaha's green back, skin in the game, and for the professional reputations of the entire design team, as well as the following engineering team...speaks to me, that we won't have any touring comfort issues whatsoever. I just bet...that they had a camouflaged model, operating in southern California...the Bonneville Flats, perhaps Death Valley...and if I were part of the developmental team...and knew that North America is where this bike will be RTM'ed....than that would have been the 'acid test'. To think that Yamaha would not do this...before RTM, with full up two riding...sand bags in all the storage to weight out to designed weight capacity, would think that they by not doing of what I just describe in R and D...would amount to be gross negligence, and the Lead Team head's boardroom discussion for termination. I think...with all of the mentioned...I place my faith in Yama Mama...and the billions of R & D, funds at their disposal. My wife and I, shall be the benefactors of those billions of R & D dollars. After my break in...we two going on our first tour...will be the rice in the pudding!

"Oh, so sorry to have read this post...my condolences to his family at this time...wow...". Might I ask how old the member was? For all of us reading...this proves...that 'tomorrow' is ONLY a promise...enjoy every moment of Life, today! So sorry to have had to read this...maybe he is right now...--->riding that new trike up to the very Gates...where there is no rust, nor corruption. God bless his journey! Happy rides, Dan! Joe

Man, that's too bad..and sorry to read this... We enjoy Mr. Mac...and stay on the island for a long weekend. We rent bikes...too much hassle to take our own...or roller-blade...and I just thought what a hoot that bike would be...for going up into the interior of the island, you know...that road that takes you past the gorgeous homes...on the way to the airport. That would have been fun....WAIT...what about a totally electric ride? No sound...who would know? Hmmmm.......scratching head...Hmmm...... LOL!

Can you send your wife out to work...you know...part time..."Hon...for the bike...for the bike" Would that work? On a serous bent...of course at 65, I could retire and start a pension...but I have delayed that for another 5 years...so to erase any trace of the payout, that I had to do, to enact purchase on the SVTC, as well as have the funds set aside to enjoy her, on vacations, journey's etc. So...70 in our household, is the new '55/65. We are both good with that...for having Charlotte 3 was important to our lifestyle for the both of us.. In that regard, the worker, needs to work a little more, before hanging it up...lol! Cheers,

LOL...it did get people wondering...what the heck is this guy talking about.... cha-chink! Cheers...and I love the pop-corn...as well as Puc's standing on the Soap Box animated icon...I could have included that in my diatribe...lol! All is good this morning...got a good sleep...and can except any and all internet traffic, lol. Of course, with coffee in hand...of course!

Of course...I have a massive laugh gauge....and that is what I hope will keep me riding into my 90's....and BTW...I have been in the past...truly accused of being a, as Puc calls it...a 'shill' for whatever...and only because I have a personality generated huge passion for Life...and for detail. My wife gags...as I always want to delve in, in the lowest level of detail...when she always counsels me...to 'Hon..in an conversation amongst our friends...START AT A HIGH LEVEL...and if someone is interested...they will ask you for more details. Sometimes...I have YET, in my 60's, to have learned that lesson. Totally Mia Culpa! You honestly know when your wife truly loves you...for they are still here...sticking it out with ya...despite all about yourself that p*sses them OFF! So..in that regard, I have a Gold Mine at home! I am a rich man, in that regard! Cheers, Joe

Good morning, Puc...all you say is true...and accepted. I'm a new man, this morning....heart rate is down...breathing has smoothed out...and life is calm and good, once more. With my natural level of enthusiasm...I see Puc..where I can actually have some wondering, if I actually DO...either work for Yamaha, or...am a paid, whatever to 'slip' in...say my piece, generate positive vibes for the SVTC... You know, I can see that...and I absolutely take no offense if even some one walked right up to my Forum Face, and accused me of that. The truth though, (and of course, even that statement must be taken on extended trust) is that I am just a fella that by 'accident' (the accident being that in waiting for about three years...(what I mean by that Puc, is that I/We, (mostly more the 'I' than that 'We', I had to convince her of another new ride...the truth...) wanted to R.O.I. the 2008 Wing...three years ago...and had they released let's say the metrics of the 2017, with updated Infotainment Technology, and by use of a tunneled portico, and a door, allowed one to replace in 5 minutes the air cleaner...I would have got right back to one more Wing...and then hope that my body can handle it well into the future. That was the Master Plan, Puc. Well, neither myself nor my wife liked the 2018, so Plan B came into being the next day. Plan B, turned out, as you all know here...to be a purchase of the SVTC that fit all my metrics, and happily all of my wife's. So...we purchased, and this coming Tuesday (thank gawd) I will see that purchase come to fruition. Puc...I was not specifically 'targeting' any one individual active on this site, or out upon the vast Net. I was collectively speaking about ALL that I had read, their posts...followed their posts over the last 7 months...and then yesterday...with real personal metrics...was revealed (and now I word this carefully, in respect of Don, yourself, others...) that my personal experience, where I entered the ride with some 'anticipated and built in dread/disappointment/shoulda/coulda evaporated within the first 1/2 mile! What heat....where is this heat quite a few posters and bloggers kept mentioning as the killer of any further consideration of this being their next follow through ride. I kept riding on...full on throttle, idled for ten minutes as we discussed the Harley..remember?.....and still no waves of rider-enthusiasm-destroying heat wafting up...around, and throughout the cockpit. Nothing...nothing...at 82 F. Nothing...I then emulated the very type of operation that those below the Mason Dixon line mentioned that would cause them to avoid the choices that Yamaha ended up going with for the SVTC. I knowingly (cause I passed the 2 into 1 401 lane closure, going to the dealer) and went right into it...for that stop and go, stop and go...and to my utter amazement, no fans running, this massive capacity engine purring away under me...and no wafts of heat. No cooking of either my ankle, calve, or thigh as was being reported by some when they were demo mode...waiting for a light to change. Here I was...creeping ahead...in 82 F...stop, go, stop go...and Puc...NO HEAT. I was amazed! That experiment, along with every type of riding I have ever been situationally in the thick of things...had no heat...in the forefront of my mind...distracting me...causing discomfort...and then...the emotional reaction...after of course GREAT RELIEF that I would not , or my wife, have to just deal with this..and accept this...was, well...true anger. I actually got angry at all the hype...that (yes..) had me truthfully, cranked up...and crossing my fingers....and in my case, all for not. The bike Puc...runs no warmer (I don't use the word, hot...for it simply wasn't) than my in-line 750 four that of course sits directly in front of my thighs, calves, ankles and feet...on the Kawa. It was in fact, from just getting off the SVTC...starting up CowFace...my body was telling me that I felt cooler on the SVTC. I got even madder...and THAT, after 2 hours in CowFace's saddle...I came home like a Tornado...and almost pressed the on/off button on my computer...pushed to the back of the machine. I was a man on a mission...to post and debunk...all the 'Gawd...is this thing HOT...cooking me alive...' So...yes..there was real....real, human passion within the text of that post. Did my passion perhaps act like a sort of BULL DOZER...well, after reading Don's retort...quite frankly...I felt it might have...and I relented. I said..before deleting with my explanation for deleting...was that you know folks...whatever...all is good...just please don't take their word on anything...don't take MY word on anything...if you find an attraction to any ride...ride it...go see it...sit on it...or do intelligent Due Diligence...but do NOT be PUT OFF, on the review, on comments if negative of another. Make the decision for, and ONLY for yourself. That was the passion behind the post yesterday afternoon, Puc. I merely turned off the Bull Dozer..and let the 'construction site' get quiet, lol. The Bull Dozer has been taken away on a flat bed...and peace and tranquility is in its place. I am thrilled to be getting a motorcycle that has every feature I could ask for...has the type of engine I have never in 50 years, explored, and am now ECSTATIC...because...my ride experience...and I don't actually call 50 miles as a brief or short demo, but that's just me, but that my ride verified that my last October's 'intelligent expectations' were right on...right on. I am thrilled this morning as I type this, beyond all measure...and nobody over the next 8 weeks, will see me for the dust behind my new ride....Charlotte 3 and I are going to get to know each other...really....really well. I have no fear, whatsoever now Puc...that If I want to visit folks back in the home state, in the great riding month of July...no longer a point of stress. I can...I can go anywhere, in any month...and my wife and I aboard Charlotte will be comfortable, as much as wearing helmets allows you in July or August. It won't be the engine...it will be helmets on a 90 degree day that will have us wishing perhaps...a pool or lake was nearby. Not Charlotte. THAT was yesterday's personal 'reveal'. If people think this post was just typed by the fingers of a 'Yamaha Shill'...than there is nothing I can do about that...and they will then merely have to write off any further, and past forum content from myself, if any comes. That has been always the choice of the reader, Puc. As to your opinions...and content...of course it is accepted, and appreciated. That is how we all become enriched. My opinion, your opinion,Don's opinion....we then can form our own conclusions...the three of us for sure. We seem to be strong personalities...but there are other's out upon the Net...(I am not directing this comment with anybody in mind...no sir...) but I have seen in their response posts...that they are like sheep...and whatever the Grand Sheppard states...or points...the Sheep follow... "I found when riding...it got so hot, I was actually ready to fly off of the bike" Response on YouTube video. "Wow...wow...thanks for sharing that...and I was going to go for a demo ride...forget that...I'm now going to look at the Gold Wing...or BMW, or Susie-Q!" That is the Sheppard/Sheep interaction that had me all fired up. I don't think anybody would consider that a 'shill' remark. I'm sure everybody else has seen those response posts, regarding both the new Honda, as well as the SVTC. But..in closing...I don't intend pass this very post, to engage in conjecture on this subject...and only, because I see, that my opinions, ARE, my opinions...and what weight do they really have upon another? They shouldn't...same as yours...Don's...the whole hobby. They are only...and should be only intended as an interesting read... I've surely posted enough..and know when a air/liquid warm/cold/blistering topic has been flogged to death. LOL. The horse is laying there...so I intend to let the horse now lay...and only ride. Someone will buy a Yamaha Star Venture Trans Continental, not because of anything I have said...but because THEY WANT ONE! On another subject...I want Tuesday to come on Monday....now...how can I get THAT to work, lol Any ideas, Puc? Added Content...Puc...I just saw your SVTC honk-on...on the highway again...and I have to tell ya...I think that all the demo bikes were chip-detuned...for whatever reason...for the bike I had yesterday, the sound...was much hotter, the rev's rolling up to the 4,500 limited much faster...and/or, it sounded like you and Tippy, were in Tour Mode. Let me tall ya...that makes the world of difference. Your bike, absolutely sounded like an injection-mapped Tour Mode...absolutely! That would have made all the difference,had you been in Sport Mode. Also, to go from one mode to another, one blogger couldn't figure this out....you have to totally back off to a closed throttle. and then press the MODE button. When you see S replace T...you are good to go. Again...by the sound, I think you were ripping it in a gentle mapped Tour Mode. Cheers! Cheers n' Beers! Joe

Mia Culpa...just doing some work...cleaning up stuff...STILL whipping around YouTube...Don...I've become a SVTC Junkie.... ....the only rehab...is riding one....and not talking about it, LOL Hopeless, huh? Good morning! BTW...I rethought my post...and you're welcome to re-read...cheers!