Graywulf

took it out for a ride (overnighter) yesterday and today, with the new riders backrest fitted on Friday. First 'proper ride' on it since the off on the Roady in Feb.

Most of these only have old photographs of a 'few' RD's 250/350/400 Ummm I was an apprentice Toolmaker and errr 250cc restriction as a learner, but restamped 350 top end as 247cc, then renumbered the crankcase, did the 247cc on the barrels and machined off the bottom fin on a 400 (some cops knew how many fins a 250/400 had). Had a heap of fun on that one. XS400 custom XS650 heritage custom XJ650 'special' (maxim) TR1 Virago 1100 Tenere 660 FJ1200 currently own Roadstar 1600 RSV Gen2

Nice bike I'll tell you something, these things grow on you the more you ride them.

They are probably telling the truth though, there's a huge lot more arriving here (NZ) than there used to be, even just a few years ago.

I've taken the tank bib off Barney, Decided I don't want it, (to my mind it gets too 'flappy' when riding on the highway) It's in good condition, just needs Velcro stuck under the tank to fit it. It is leather, and what looks like cracking, isn't. It's just how the light was catching it. Anyone wanting it, just the postage from New Zealand and it's yours. edit. Seems people want a picture and, will it fit? It's from a Venture (the one pictured) I would presume it will fit all the Mk2 Ventures and Royal Stars.

Having 'fewer' gears can be a bit of fun though. I had the BUBF VN1500C, only a 4 speed box, and to be honest it was 'just right'. Surprised the hell out of a friends son on his GPZ750

If I can make ONE suggestion? Get the 'Ivan's jet kit' fitted, oh and a nice set of V&H Monster ovals

I think many dealers are under the gun from manufactures these days, but there is no excuse for poor customer service. I'm very lucky with my local dealer, been going there 12+ years, they have a very good attitude, fix things when they screw up, and always prepared to go that extra 'bit'. The sales team has been stable for years. However over this decade+ they have gone through 3 major manufacturers. Yamaha they had for a long time, till Yamaha started demanding how the shop is 'layed out', wanting a segregating wall between them and other or s/hand bikes. They were one of the earliest Spyder dealers in NZ, and ended up dropping them because Canam started to follow the Harley dealer principle... clothing, extra's and if you sold quads, seadoo's etc you got a higher dealer discount on trade prices. They now sell Suzuki as their main marque and seem happy with them. They also sell Enfield and Triumph. We have had more than one shop in NZ who sell HD get immense pressure to dump any other brand and be HD only (with a total country population of 4 million?)??I am assuming that similar goes on in the US? It must be very hard for dealers now with dwindling customer bases, and I am shocked that you in the USA seem to have so manty dealers who have a poor customer attitude.

Don't know if it was a dealer fit, or factory. My 2006 the CD is in the top box, and has a 'sprung' metal plate attached to the back (hinge side) of the top box. I only get CD 'jump; on noticeable bumps.

seems the other 'interim'? model they are all starting to use is small capacity bikes made in Asia. KTM, BMW are doing so (India) HD are having the non USA 500/750 street made in India, and seems they are entering a contract with a Chinese manufacturer for 330cc bikes in Asia.

I have a two piece baggershield. It needs to be 'dropped' in the rain at night for certain. At 5ft 10 I can just see over the top, but it covers my nearfield vision, hence the need to lower it at night when raining. It does a fantastic job of wind protection I have the wider than a standard screen version. I've had no issue with the bolts/wing nuts. I had a baggershield on a previous bike for a long time, with no issues around the bolts etc. I'd honestly recommend one for any bike.

locally for me they charge at 2 levels, $50 for 'ordinary' and now $75 per wheel for cruisers (as they require more work often). Even if you buy the damned tire from them too.

have to agree, "she shore is dayum purty" A very impressive conversion

There was a US company did a 'shootout' on about 12-15 LED headlights, many actually ended up being quite poor for 'lux' at 25 mtrs. (chinese e/bay-alibaba JW speaker knock offs). One 'reasonable' company seems to be 'sunpie' they do a 'HD' replacement that has 2x40watt projector (1 low/1 hi) and 2x10 watt near field/peripheral built in LED's for each lo or hi it's the one I've looked at for my own bike, mainly because the unobtanium of the spotlight bar for a Venture. https://www.sunpie.co/collections/harley-lights/products/7-led-headlight-for-harley-davidson-motorcycle-projector-daymaker-hid-led-light-bulb-headlamp-black

If you look at their history Yammy has taken many bold steps, that has bitten them squarely on the arse sales wise. Most recent is the Niken? I owned the MT-01, a bloody great 'torque monster' in a chassis that handled, it didn't sell, apart from the expense, so many didn't 'get' the concept. (and yamaha US deemed it wouldn't sell there? so didn't import them). Yam tried a 'performance' tourer in the 1990's (the GTS 1000) If anything they seem to be too far ahead of time, the MT-01 & 03 didn't go well, 10yrs later? MT07/09 are big sellers. I've not been able to really use my Venture since early Feb when I 'offed' on the roadstar (diesel on the apex of a 50-55 bend, and went down fast/hard with my left leg under the bike). But they'd need to do a complete redesign of the chassis for handling if they went V4-1700cc. The 1300 can easily 'outpace' the chassis abilities on tight stuff, even I've found that in my short ownership time. TBH I don't 'get' why people by HD's etc then spend heaps on performance parts, I have a ZZR1100 lurking in the garage if I want speed. The Venture is a relaxed, comfortable mile eater, it doesn't need 150bhp+. I think we all know the Venture 1300 out HD'd the HD's of the time, yet? Yam decided to go V-twin with the new version, guessing is that they learned people want V-twins, regardless of how good the V4 was/is. I've ridden the R3, and it's a mind blowing machine for it's size, and does way better than you'd expect even on bends, but it is still limited once you hit the tight stuff (which I'll be honest about, Nooo Zeeeland IS about 'twisty roads').

Hi Don, Vicki is 5'5" she has/had the exact same issues for legroom. She tried several bikes, first was the venerable GN250, she tried sitting on so many bikes and nealy always it was the lack of toes on ground that 'killed selection'. Even the Royal Enfield 500 singles were too high. The two cruisers that fit her best were the XV650, and the little 650 single (savage) suzuki. There is ONE really good option for a sportbike IF you can find one, and it will last her, is the Yamaha SZR650. It is a little 'old' now, but I still see the odd one here for sale with low mileage. I've attached page links. I have ridden one of these over our local 'hoon hill' the Rimutaka's 900mtrs and twisty like the dragon's tail. Result was a SEVERE grin issue. We are talking the venerable 660single in a TZR250 (2T) frame. https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_szr660%2095.htm

Hi all, I can bet it's been looked at before, and is a no go, but I have seen Roadwing' shocks advertised for the Roadstar's 16/1700cc. The shock of the big G/wing modified to fit a Roadie. Has this ever been looked at for a Royal? Or are the shocks way too different?

Maybe with the concrete roads {USA} you have to go sticky, but here (NZ) spray tar and chip, I can easily grind the boards on an RSV with Excedra's, and have the new battlecruise on the XV1600, both give plenty of grip.

The slave cylinder went on Barney (2006) only 20k miles, (spent most of it's life standing) I went with a new one, and probably a good unknowing choice. When we looked inside the original had obviously 'dried out' and was quite badly scored up inside. Rebuild kit would have failed quickly/not worked.

22k US, 32k Cn, going by HD prices, will be about 40k+ NZ

Sorry RonK, I'm going to say it, REAR OBSERVATION, it's not called 'the life saver' in the Roadcraft manual for nothing

Bummer But glad you are OK, and the bike looks quite fixable thankfully.

Oh HELL YEH!!! Feral Piggy or Deer

Thanks Cowpuc, from a cloudy, bit cooler, NZ Boxing day. Hope you and yours are having an awesome Xmas day

yeh but my piggy was for xmas dinner hehe, boxing day here, merry xmas day to you though