rsstar

I got an Xbox360 for Christmas. Was the only thing I really wanted other than a new bike. And I knew the bike wasn't happening. Have been so busy with doctors appointmnets and therapy that I haven't even opened it yet. ALso got a Blade electric RC copter. Don't know which I'll play with first this weekend. Wife said I couldn't have the bike until I am completely healed and well. Sure could have put a lot of wax on her between now and then. (the new bike)

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and the happiest, and safest of New Years !! Here's hoping 2008 will be better than 2007!!!

dON, I MISSED OUT ON ORDERING ONE OF THESE SOMEHOW. CAN I STILL GET ONE?? aND IF SO DO YOU TAKE PAYPAL, AND IF NOT HOW DO I PAY? tHANKS IN ADVANCE. aNSWER HERE OR PM ME!!

If you have free time, and you have a bike, and it's not raining, and you have to ASK what to do then you don't deserve a bike. Send that sucker to me... I know what to do!!!!!

Well, I guess there is no need to follow the other thread now. Now maybe my tires will sell !!!!

Well, just for everyones' info, I am going to list a brand new set of Avons for the RSV. Bought them for my bike just before my accident. Didn't have a chance to put them on. Have always had the same screen name and have never listed anything for sale before. So, if you're interested, I can guarrantee you won't get screwed. Just wanted to let you know.

I'll probably get thrown off the site for saying this but I think the reason the 1st Gen was discontinued is that it looked too much like the Goldwing. The 2nd gen is a bike all its own except for a little mimicing of the Ultra. I think the next gen Venture will look even more like the Ultra in the fact that it will be a V twin, air cooled thumper. If Harley can meet the emision requirements with their twin, and Yamaha CAN'T with the V4, what do you think?? The only thing that might save the V4 is if the new VMax engine (and there IS going to be a new VMax) can meet future emissions. Then I believe that will be the heart of any future Ventures. But can the existing V4 meet future emissions requirements? And why does everybody think the present Venture is doomed? They say that if you wish hard enough for something it will come true. I would be wishing for FI, ABS, CD, MP3, Bluetooth but NOT the demise of the Venture.

Parents in this day and age need to become real parents. We as a society need to stand up and say "enough" to crime , corruption, and politics that isn't in OUR best interest. We need to get tough on crime. A lot more vigilantiism and less ACLU. I believe in tough love for kids, an eye for an eye, and my right to protect myself, my family and property with deadly force. I believe in the elimination of child molesters, purverts and women beaters. The security guard in Colorado had the right idea--eliminate the problem. Did you watch Boston Legal this week? Did you hear what was said could be done with the money we are spending in Iraq and Afganistan? How can we afford this war when BEFORE we couldn't afford to provide basic medical care for the elderly? I believe the US is so far in debt that nothing will ever get us out. Do you agree that the National Guard is and was meant to be a military force to be used IN THE US and not overseas?? What does "NATIONAL" mean??????? My last thought; the US has for too many years, tried to impose our beliefs and ways of life on the world. It is time for the US to pull ALL military troops home, stop ALL foreign aid, build a 50 ft. wall on our southern border and TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN!! And if that mean nuking someone who tries to hurt our citizens then so be it. I'll bet that if we had nuked Iran back in the 80s we wouldn't have the problems in the Middle East that we do now!!!!

Going to Montgomery this weekend to visit son and his family. Will be in Houma the weekend of the 22nd to celebrate Christmas with wife's family. Guess I will miss you this time but next time plan on a stop in Biloxi and I'll buy you lunch, with ICE CREAM !!! Have a safe ride. Maybe I'll have another bike by then.

I've had two Ventures, a 99 and an 06. The only difference in the two bikes was the color, the tank badges and the rpm at which I experienced the whine/chirp. 99 was real bad but corrected with a new clutch basket. 06 was noticeable but not annoying so never did anything about it. Both rode the same and performed equally well. After losing my 99 to Katrina I looked at all the toruing bikes. But I came back to the Venture for two reasons; First was price. Compared to all the other bikes the Venture was the best equipped for the least money, and it had the 5 year warranty. Second, the Venture looks like a motorcycle and I really liked the way it rode. On a long ride I don't think it can be beat for comfort. Everything just fit me. No, it's not the most agile of the touring bikes. It IS top heavy at slow speeds and won't carve twisties quite as good as a Wing or BMW. but the bike is so reliable and so comfortable. My suggestion to you is find dealers who will let you test ride the two bikes. The Wing is an awesome machine with some great features the Venture doesn't have. But, as I said before the Venture LOOKS and SOUNDS like a motorcycle. It is rock solid reliable and easy to maintain. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face everytime you ride it.

If you really want to see how stupid people in the US have become, ask someone between 16 and 30 who is seated in the Lincoln Monument, or who is standing in the Jefferson Memorial. Or, just ask them the capitol of their state. I would almost bet that they can't answer two of the three questions correctly. The only ones that can get the change correct without the register is the waitresses/waiters at Sonic !!!

I know exactly how you feel Hipshot. Spent the evening with my daughter who is single. She cooks Thanksgiving dinner every year. My son and his gang didn't come down so it was nice and quiet. My whole day was nice and quiet as my wife had to work so I was home alone. I was thinking about driving up to Montgomery this evening and spending the weekend with my son but the way I feel right now I just don't think I can do the drive. Since the accident I have really been run down...don't have much energy to do anything. So I think I'll just lay around the house and enjoy the quiet this weekend.

Kitcarson; the accident was in Fayettville West Virginia. silverT; The other guy had a bruised/cut elbow. Did NOT go to the doctor. Female passenger went to the hospital to have hip checked. I was told it was only a flesh wound, ie. bruise. I asked the insurance adjuster that if I was in the left lane going straight, and he WAS already in the left turn lane, WHY did I slam on my brakes and steer right into the left turn lane. And if he was already there Why didn't I hit him in the REAR of his bike??!! They only said that he had 6 witnesses saying the same as him and I had none saying the same as me. Well, I since do have a witness on my side but the insurance company is reluctant to fight it. Just doesn't make sense to me !!!!!

In case you haven't noticed I have been away from the site for a little over a month. Actually it's been closer to 2 months but like I said, who's noticed. Well, I just felt like I should explain. By the way, some of you will remember me as "Mississippi" from the vogel ride-in. I was riding drag for group 2. Anyway, in Sept. my wife and I took a 10 day road trip to South Dakota. It was the first vacation we've had in over 3 years. It was really nice; we got to see all the attractions and then some. took back roads up there and did some pretty empty country but it was still nice. took the interstates home except for the stretch between springfield Mo. and Memphis. I like the drive thru Ark. It goes right past where I used to live. Then, on 8 Oct I left for West Virginia, for the Fall ride with the Venturers. I know many of you are like me, spend time on both sites. great people on both sites. Anyway, the ride-in lasted until Sunday, the 14th when most people headed home. On the 13th we road to the New River Gorge bridge and also road down to the river and then across the old bridge. Then we went to a barbeque place for dinner. After dinner we headed back to the hotel in Beckley. Unfortunately, I didn't make it. Right afterI got back on Hwy 19, a 4 lane divided road, there was another group of bikes (not our group) in the right lane. They were approaching an intersection and evidently wanted to turn left but had almost missed the turn as they were almost stopped in the right lane. As I approached in the left lane I saw that they all had their left turn signal on. I backed off the throttle and continued in the left lane. Just as I approached the intersection either the lead bike or one near the front pulled out left in front of me evidently heading for the left turn lane. I slammed on the brakes and steered to the left, not knowing if the rest were going to follow. Evidently he didn't see me and continued to the left turn lane where I hit him. Luckily, just before we collided I was able to turn my bike sideways so I didn't hit him with the front tire. We pancaked, my right side to his left side. I left the bike and rolled down the median some ways. My bike, after hitting him, fell over on the left side and slid some ways. So both sides had heavy damage. almost all of the plastic was either cracked, broken or scraped badly. I wound up seperating my right shoulder and banging up my left knee. Spent two days in the hospital in Beckley during which time my son drove up and picked me and the bike up. On 23 Oct I had surgery on my shoulder and started therapy last week. Xrays showed nothing in my knee broken but it is really bothering me so I had an MRI done this past Sunday. Don't want more surgery but hope they find out what's wrong. Bike is totaled; they were supposed to pick it up today but when the guy called last night he got upset when I told him I had removed accessories, including my pipes, with the consent of the adjuster. He is from some place in Alabama and I guess he is going to try to rebuild the bike. I was going to do the same but they wanted over 4k for salvage value. Parts would run at least 10k so I decided it wasn't worth it. Anyway, got my check for the bike and came out pretty good. It was an 06 with a little over 18k. Oh yeah, this is the kicker....the guys' friends got together and 6 of them made written statements that he was ALREADY in the left turn lane, and it appeared I was trying to pass him on the LEFT !!! And the Fayetteville police BOUGHT IT !!!! So far though, the police haven't sent me any suprizes. So, that's my story. Won't be doing any riding for awhile. 3 weeks ago I said I would never ride again but can't lead a sheltered life and enjoy living. So right now it's a maybe. What bike will I get?? Don't know that yet either. I'll probably catch hell with all of you but I am leaning towards an Ultra. But like I said, no decision right now. Anyway, it's good to be back and I'll be lurking around. By the way, I just want to say that the people I was riding with were wonderful. A couple of them were with me at the scene and kept me as calm as possible considering the awful pain and then many of them went to the hospital and waited until late that night until I was out of the ER. One couple even stayed an extra day until my son got there. Didn't want me to be alone. I know this group of folks on this site would be equally as concerned and helpful. That's why I am so happy and proud to be part of thses two wonderful groups. You may meet the nicest people on a Honda but Venture riders are true friends !!!!!!

Retired from the Air Force in 89 with 22 years service. Went to work for the FAA as an Electronics Technician maintaining Radar and communications equipment. Will be eligible to retire from there in a little over 2 years but probably won't. Katrina put us back a little financially and I want to get the house paid off before I quit the FAA. Am still driving charter buses part time but don't know how much longer I will do that. We are on our first vacation in almost 4 years and I really like this. I usually wind up using my vacation time to do trips with the bus and then have no vacation time for me/us. We are on our way home from South Dakota, which has been a fantastic trip. Did it all and saw most everything. If and when I retire it will be when I talk my wife into buying a motorhome or a trailer and start traveling all the time.

No Skid, he wants to know what your mileage is WITH the engine RUNNING !!! All those downhill coasts and pushes don't count. I can get 47mpg.....IN MY DREAMS !!!!!

Hey Ken and Rocket, thanks for compliment !! You should have seen it before the makeover by my son and daughter. I was in Ok. City back in February for 4 weeks and while I was gone my wife came up with the idea of fixing up the garage for me. After the rebuild after Katrina I only had gotten to primering the garage, and we were storing some stuff in there so it was neat, but messy, if you know what I mean. Well, I have always wanted a shop but had no room so my wife ordered the cabinets and workbench from Gladiator (Sears) and my son and daughter painted the garage, to include the floor. Since we are down to wife's car, my truck and the bike they made half for my "shop" and bike. I really like it. I don't do much mecahnicing any more....don't have the time with two jobs, so it's pretty easy to keep the place clean. My kids are really something. Wife says they worked all weekend, day and night, to get it finished. I am so blessed!!!!

I have bag rails on my 06 an I really haven't noticed any misalignment. Let's see if I can find a picture of the back of my bike. Well, I don't see any misalignment!

Ok, I finally made it back. Here is my guage pod.

Gibvel, I am at work right now and don't have a picture on this computer. But later after I get home I will post pictures.

Ditto on what Concours said, but each to his own. I am anxious to hear Don's test results. I know this isn't a good comparison but I'll mention it anyway. While riding with my son recently I asked what his rpms was at our cruising speed of about 80 indicated. I THINK he said somewhere around 2800rpms. This is on a new HD Streetglide. My rpms was close to 3800. When I'm cruising on the interstate on cruise control I kind of wish my 5th was a little taller. But then even at slower speeds I have a bad habit of being in too high a gear. Learned that on the same ride with son up around Blairsville and Deals Gap. When we did Cherhola Parkway I forced myself to go at least a gear down and found it MUCH easier to do the curves, faster. Am still learning to ride even though I've been riding for over 39 years. Wish I could ride as good as my son. I wish the RSV handled as good as the Streetglide appears to.

Rick, I have one on my 06. Won it in a raffle on the Venturers' site. Had some problem with the install as Brent (storekeeper for that site) got all the inventory but no instructions. Found out that the sending unit for the temp guage had the wrong threads and had to be milled to fit the 2nd gen. He also sent me a resistor to put in line to make the guage accurate with the sending unit. The other problem I had was that the instuctions for hooking up the tach identified the wrong wire in the harness. When I followed the instructions tach didn't work. So I just ran a new wire from the #1 coil to the tach, thru the little wire harness attached to the guage. All works great now, although I think the temp guage reads a little high. But from what I remember about my Drag Specialties tach on my 99 this tach is pretty close. At 3500rpms my speedo indicates about 79mph, I think. Actually I haven't really looked at it lately. Will double-check it today as I rode the bike to work. By the way, the guy that owned/started Tripmasters patented the guage pod, the Diablo pipes and a couple other things for the 2nd gen. But the guage pod is really nice. I feel very fortunate to have gotten one!!!

Hey Gibvel, thanks so much for posting that thread. I wanted to do this but couldn't find the parts locally. Thanks !!!!!!!!

I bought the shorter Showchrome shield and like the extra width and light tint but it is actually a little too short for me as I get buffeting on my helmet above 75mph. It messes with my vision a little. Although I DO like the extra width of the Showchrome, I would go back to the stock width if I could get my stock shield cut down. I don't have the proper tools to do it. Anybody here want to tackle this for me? I'll gladly pay!!

On a recent ride with my son I found that our speedos matched pretty close. He has a new HD Streetglide. When he had his R1 and I had my 99 there was about a 5mph difference in our speedos, mine showing faster than his. Soooo, I am not sure about my 06. I thought it was about 5mph fast before comparing to my son's . Maybe I'll drag out my old GPS and do some more checking.