XV1100SE

I think all bikes have this. Right side just in front of the tank. As for the "striker"....there is a stop to keep the handlebars from going around too far.

Just a thought....are you looking at the lock as a "security" feature? I use my key lock when I'm parked somewhere for a short time or in an overnight area I consider safe. I wouldn't rely on it as a very secure handlebar position lock. I haven't tried but I would think that with enough force it could be broken. There is a reason there is a hole in the stopper and the striker. It's for a padlock. If I felt that I was parking in an area where someone might want to try to steal my bike, you can bet I'd put a padlock on it.

I have seen bikes where the "block" on the frame stops the handlebars have been broken off....then welded back on. Is the stop on the forks hitting the stop on the frame? (thinking from memory of where they are). Since you got the bike....has it ever worked? Wasn't that something I was able to get to work when I was at your place? Is it just you???

By any chance do you have a spare key you can try? Also check to make sure it is straight and not bent...in either direction....side to side or up/down. Failing all this.... do I need to meet you again?

3 hours later and they revised the forecast. Nice job to have....constantly changing your answer, being wrong most of the time (long range forecasts)...

Still on for Saturday...Absolutely 60% certain ! Supposed to be hot ! (100-40%)

Sounds like when you try to take the key out of your car ignition and it won't come out. Need to jiggle the steering wheel a bit to release the key. Same with the bike. If the handlebars aren't aligned to the right spot you can't turn the key to "Lock".

Congratulations. Here's to a long and healthy retirement !

Everything looks good for Saturday August 6th. Same time as last time...1pm, Tim Hortons on the South side of Paris - Rest Acres Rd.

I wouldn't mind running into him to set him straight.... but from his attitude what would be the point. ANYWAYS....the point of this thread was to suggest that anyone with a Facebook group supporting Ventures should have a link to venturerider.org and publicly support this forum. Without this forum (and Venturers.org) there would be a definite lack of technical support knowledge. I've yet to see a Facebook group that has the vast array of easy to find documentation that exists here. Kudos to Freebird and all current and past members !

Yup....that's the guy that a number of us have had run in with. Think the admin's name is Sonny. Sorry to say but he is a Canadian out of Hamilton Ontario - bad example of Canadians, eh. He was a short term free member here and scavenged some documentation. Facebook is "free" and like you said he makes profit from advertising but has a hard on for spending $1 per month to get (mostly) intelligent and experienced information. We all know that Freebird doesn't have this site to become rich.

There is a write up in the 2nd Gen read only section (under electrical) on how to connect a tach. Not difficult....power and ground, wrap other wire around cylinder 4 negative cable....

I post get togethers here, not on Facebook. I'd rather go to vr.org rather than Facebook any day ! Besides...all the important people are here.

For technical articles, reference info, support from members...the Facebook pages don't come anywhere close. I've seen posts from new owners saying they want to learn about their bike and you really can't learn anything from the Facebook groups. Here...easy to get assistance, go thru the technical articles.... Ben - the guy you referenced had an issue with having to pay $12 a year. He banned a number of us from his group for suggesting people look here. Think he is out of Hamilton.

Are you referring to the fork deflectors? Or the ones that attach to the engine guards? I have a set of the clear fork deflectors I could sell.

@slowrollwv made them as well as a number of other items. Carb covers, twinkie covers, horn mounts (for below/behind passenger floorboards), passing light mount..... Don't think he is doing them anymore but you could see if he has any remaining.

Sorry to hear of his passing.

After getting banned a few years ago from a Facebook group for Ventures because I referred a couple people to VentureRider.org... just wondering why some of the Venture groups that are administered by members or former members here don't have in their "About" section a reference to here.

I'm open to a "do over" for those that missed it. Saturday August 6th is open for me. Post (weekend) dates you are available and we'll go with the majority.

Carl....just so you know....it is the one closest to your place. Hate to see you have to do a u-turn to go the the correct one. Anyone taking the 403....get off on Rest Acres Road heading North. Timmies will be on the left as you are coming into town.

Okay - Friday July 15th at the Tim Horton's (Rest Acres Rd/highway 24) at 1pm. Good size parking lot to meet, then go for ice cream. Ride possible (if Carl leads...he may be out of practice though and forget about doing a u-turn....or he might do more than the obligatory one u-turn).

I'm the one that suggested this....but not available on the 16th....or the 23rd. Was thinking a weekday would work. Weather looks good for the 14th and 15th. Who would be interested in meeting in Paris on the 14th or 15th early afternoon? I'm open for both these days so majority on these two days settles it.

Been a while since the area members got together and was wondering if anyone would be interested in meeting up. I'm off work now until July 24th and fairly flexible on dates (other than the 11th,12th and 16th). Any one interested in a central meeting point for coffee/ice cream? Thinking Paris is still central and there is a Tim Hortons and ice cream stand close to each other.

Bikes to be end of life this year - https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/two-wheelers/honda-suzuki-yamaha-kawasaki-to-pull-the-plug-on-20-motorcycles-this-year-41655975368933.html https://www.topgear.com.ph/moto-sapiens/motorcycle-news/honda-yamaha-kawasaki-suzuki-discontinue-motorcycles-a4354-20220627 "Japan’s new emissions standards are modeled after the Euro 5 laws in effect across the European Union and have applied to all new models from the end of 2020 and will impact all existing models in November. Complying with the new regulations will necessitate bike manufacturers installing upgraded catalytic converters or redesigning engines. The costs involved in making some models comply are simply too high to justify for Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki."

I couldn't find if there is an increase or decrease in the number of motorcycle drivers licenses. It's been commented before about the number of new bike sales/production. Whether the number of new riders I can't comment on. I'll repeat what has already been said about the new Venture that turned off 1st and 2nd Gen owners. I know owners of the 3rd Gen are happy with their bikes (albeit GPS issues)....but had the 3rd Gen maintained a 4 cylinder (1800/1900cc) liquid cooled, shaft drive...it would have differentiated it from other touring bikes. Fuel injection, a better sound system....icing on the cake. Other big turn off was the price increase. $20k for an RSV Venture vs $30k for the Star Venture. Sure there are significant upgrades on the 3rd Gen but for some of us that may have considered replacing 2nd Gens but not at that price increase. I think 2nd Gen owners would be more interested in a newer bike than 1st Gen owners. As for the market in general...interests have changed among riders. Younger crowd doesn't like "old man" cars and same could be said about touring bikes being "old man" bikes. Sport bikes catch younger eyes. Trunks, comfortable seats..."older eyes". Look at income levels too. Sport bikes are less money than the big Harley's and Goldwings. Job market isn't what it used to be with the fewer good paying manufacturing jobs. Buy a bike or pay rent ? Bikes/snowmobiles tend to be a "nice to have" rather than a "need to have" with disposable income being lower in general. Over the next couple years interest will turn to e-motorcycles just as cars/pick-up trucks are going hybrid or electric/battery. Tends to be a pattern/cycle with bike sales and interest. Hopefully there will be an upswing in the next few years. With an unstable market for chips/bikes/income... fewer people may want to be spending $30k on a bike when you can get a small car for that. If Yamaha's long range planning is reviewing touring bikes...maybe we should resurrect talk about what the next Gen "Venture" should be. Maybe this time Yamaha will listen to Venture riders rather than the twin owners.