Jactana

Those low readings are perfectly normal. My mechanic laughed when I installed the oil pressure gauge on my Venture. He predicted that it would drive me nuts, and he was right. He went on to explain that the Venture had a high volume/low pressure pump that would make most anal individuals (I'm sure he wasn't talking about me LOL) VERY ANXIOUS when monitoring it. The water temperature gauge isn't must better. We have very hot summers here, and alot of my riding is in desert conditions. I frequently saw the water temperature reach 230-240 degrees. He again explained that the Venture's thermosat doesn't even open until around 207 degrees, and the fan doesn't come on until 215 degrees, so the readings again are quite normal. Sometimes I think ignorance is bliss! Cheers, Ron:080402gudl_prv:

Thanks for your kind thoughts guys. Ron

I sold my 2006 Venture tonight to a nice fellow from Winfield, B.C. tonight. Seeing him ride away on it, had some mixed feelings. I bought it in August of 2009 and rode it all over the western United States and Canada, mainly riding with my B-I-L and best friend. Unfortunately, he is ill with terminal cancer, and it was time to turn the page. I just want to thank everyone for all their advise and help on this forum. I bought a 2011 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom, something lighter and a bit quicker, as I am not doing a lot of 2-up riding. I have't ridden it a lot yet, but it seems like a hoot. Anyways, I'll still drop in periodically, ride safe, Ron:080402gudl_prv:

Actually just cooling the head isn't that uncommon. My B-I-L has a Kawasaki Vulcan 2000, his bike has water cooling on the head only, seems to work fine. I traveled my miles with him in 90 degree + heat, and he's never complained or had issues. The new BMW watercooled GS 1200 Adventure is the same, I'll bet it will work fine on the Harley. I'd be more concerned with the old style bearings and cam chain tensioners than the new water cooling. Ron

I have a "Ponch Gauge" package and that's consistent with mine. Cheers. Ron

Well done, really enjoyed it! Ron:)

I have a set of Harley Touring mufflers from around '05 that have no Catalytic converters in them. The main problem is that I believe on the right side muffler had a converter in it, the left did not. There was much discussion around whether this made an appreciable difference or not. See link below for some of that discussion. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=31439 Others I'm sure will chime in, kinda of like an oil or tire thread.

+1 on Chuck, makes great stuff, super guy to deal with. Ron

A couple of years ago I was watching a Canadian produced motorcycle show called "Motorcycle Experience" that featured an instruction portion by a well known motorcycle instructor named Clinton Smout. Most of the Canadians on here will recognize the name. The episode I was watching was about riding a large cruiser/tourer on loose surface roads. His tip to make it easier, was to apply some rear brake pressure while applying the throttle to help "stretch the chassis" and keep the application of power smooth and not abrupt, while at the same time keeping your speed down. I've used this technique several times since watching the show, and it really works well. Give it a try, hope it helps. Cheers, Ron:080402gudl_prv:

I experienced loose steering head bearings on my '06, made the bike feel "hinged" and loose over uneven pavement and sqirmy in the corners. We just tightened the steering head bearings a bit, and it's great again. I've had 3 sets off E-3 tires, and if kept in flated to 40+lbs. have experienced no 'feathering" or other unusual wear patterns.

Garmin makes a Nuvi 550 that's waterproof comes with a auto/motorcycle mount kit for around 300.00. Mine works great, no bluetooth or MP3 capabilities though. Ron http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-nuvi-550.html

I did the Harley Road King mufflers, 40,000 Kms on them now. They sound nice, mellow and not too loud. All the aftermarket one ones sound I've heard are too loud and "rappy". JMHO Ron

87 Degrees F today. Ron

I was on the Chief Joseph highway in June last year as well returning from the Black Hills. I 've never ridden a highway so bad with tar snakes. Even on the straights my bike was squirming so bad I thought i was going to down. I was pulling my one wheel trailer and initially thought it was that, but my B-I-L who was with me on his Concours 1400 said his bike felt just as bad.

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html Best oil article based on fact in lay terms. Ron

+1 on Dunlop Elite 3, can't say there is anything I don't Like about them. Ron

I've had 2 sets of E-3's, great tires. I run them at 40/42 PSI, and found they don't flatten out and whir on corners unless I take a long hot run across the prairies, every tire squares up then. Ron

Ventures didn't come with E-3's, they came with Dunlop 404's which were crappy IMHO.

Hi Chuck, I don't think you said anything that warrants an apology, his retort was the only rude remark in this thread. How you been, your health holding up? Somebody was looking for parts (muffler brackets) on here the other day, are you still making stuff? Cheers, Ron

You might want to keep riding that collector bike, rather than a Gen 2. My insurance for my '06 from ICBC (mandatory ins.) is 1200 annually. That only gets you 200,000 liability, no collision, theft, comp., etc. I pay an additional 325.00 annually for that. Luckily I only plate the bike for 1/2 the year. Ron:mo money:

Geez fella, lighten up. I'm sure he was referring to the price of insurance, which is the subject of this thread , in case you missed it. A few too many cups at Timmie's or what?

Hi Kevin, a member named Slowrollvw used to make the links as well. His name is Chuck. I've puchased a Driving lamp extension(so you can split the fairing without removing the lamps), the links, and muffler brackets for Harley mufflers from him. All his stuff is great quality, and he ships very reasonably to Canada. Awesome guy! Ron

Those Bridgestone Spitfires are actually a pretty nice sport touring tire, I'm surprised they have a size to fit the Venture. I just took a pair off my second bike (1981 Honda CBX) that were in good shape but the date stamp was from '99. They actually rode and handled really nice. I put on a set of Michelin Pilot Activ sport touring tires. It's a collector bike with 30000 KM. I don't anticipate putting huge miles on it, but 13 year old tires made me nervous.

On the Royal Star forum, a fellow said he took his took his E-3's off at 19000 MILES, and was considering a different tire for more longevity. I looked at his profile, and he was from Florida, there's like 3 curves in half the state. LOL The other reason my tires might be wearing more quickly is that when we take a trip we try to stay on secondary roads that more interesting (read winding). I HATE riding superslab.

It must be the heat of the Interior, and most of my travel has been to warm places like Cali, Arizona, South Dakota, etc. I have a Hagon tire pressure monitor system so tires are always 40/42. My bike is approaching 50000 KM, I've gone through the original 404's, changed them out at about 14 km, they had some tread but were crap. I put on a set of E-3's, changed them at around 30K for another set of E-3's, and at 45k put on a Michelin Commander II and new E-3 on the front. We'll see how that lasts. I will admit that I don't run my tires to bald, they usually have some tread when I change them. Normally it's cause I'm embarking on a trip, and don't want the hassle of dealing with unknown dealers and mechanics, but they certainly don't have half their life left.