Jump to content

TearlessTom

Expired Membership
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    175

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by TearlessTom

  1. TearlessTom
    Okay time to throw in my $.02. I do not have a Venture I have a RSTD. Nor have I ever ridden a Venture but since it is the same bike minus the fairing I think the power and handling should be about the same. I do not have a Goldwing nor have I ever ridden one but I do have a 97 Valkyrie. So like you I love the Torque Monster. I bought my RSTD with the plan to find a good bike that I could give a bit of TLC and make it a Great bike and sale to make a few $$$. Well I found the RSTD, got a really good deal as the guy didn't know what he had. Given it a bit of TLC and made a few mods ( Mustang seat /handlebars/ new pipes) and a tune up. Well my plans on re-sale of the bike seem to be going south. The more I ride this bike (when I can pry it away from my son who borrowed it for a day ride, 5 days ago) the more I love this bike. So as stated above: 1. It does not have the torque down low like the Valkyre/Goldwing/HD. But it does have plenty of torque. As stated rated at 98HP and I believe in the 90's torque.the 97 1500 Valkyrie is rated at 101 HP and 101lbs torque. So minus 2 cylinders it is near the same marks. Pretty dang impressive if you ask me!! 2. Ride and handling: To me the low speed handling is SUPERIOR to the Valk. It feels way lighter. The ride is more comfortable also. Highway speeds for me is a toss up. The Valk. Ride is not as smooth but it feels heavier and more planted to me. Could just be the difference in tires too. The Valk's handling is crisper because it is stiffer. Venture is Air adjustable so you can make it crisper if you want or plush if you don't. So for the super-slab if it is an all day affair I would lean to the Venture, a short 1 -1.5 tank day I would probable go with the Valk. That being said, although the Valk is crisper due to the stiffer suspension the RSTD seems to hold a line through the twisties better for me. The more I ride it the more confident I feel. Again I think the tires has a lot to do with it. The Valk has Elite 3's, the RSTD has almost used up Michelin Commanders. 3. Braking: I don't think this has been mentioned but the RSTD hands down better brakes. And for me stopping (confident stopping)is more important than raw acceleration. So the bottom line is I don't think I will be selling my RSTD, I may repaint it but not sale it. The power is there for the taking if you ride it as it is meant to be ridden. I would not shy away from it. It will out run many 1500cc bikes and give the 1800cc something to think about. So Power goes to the Wing/Valk Handling I think it would be a toss up with the Wing and is superior overall to the Valk. Braking is probable pretty even with the Wing and is superior to the Honda Valk . Cost goes to the Venture. Warranty goes to the Venture. Looks, goes to the Venture. Dang, I'm starting to sound like a Yamaha man:big-grin-emoticon:
  2. TearlessTom
    I had a similar issue on a different bike , the problem was low amperage, I had plenty of volts but no amperage to push it. If your engine is turning over fast enough this may not be the problem but if it turns slow you may not have enough amps to charge the capacitors ( I think that is the right word) Mine turned out to be a battery that had grounded itself out internally. It was only 6 months old. It showed 13 volts at battery, and across the fuse box but only 0.5 volts at the ignition. Since your problem has gradually gotten worse I would start at the battery end. Check the simple stuff 1st, it is usually there. I agree, a can or two of Seafoam may be in order and it can't hurt. Tom
  3. TearlessTom
    Can you give more information.
  4. TearlessTom
    Oh one more thing. My son must have ESP as he called me as I was getting ready to go pick up the bike. He wanted to borrow it for the weekend. So I did manage to ride it about 10 miles before he came to pick it up. I think I am going to have to start charging him rental fees.
  5. TearlessTom
    Just wanted to give you all an up date and to thank you for your help! Monday was Presidents day so I had to wait till Tuesday to contact a rep. Talked to a very nice rep Tuesday morning. She got on the phone and called the dealer and got me some answers. Wednesday afternoon (36ish hours later)I got a call from the dealer and then later from the rep. Bike is fixed and ready to be picked up. Amazing!! They said they would let me know as soon as they tested the bike the previous Thursday. Never did hear back from them. As you know the bike had been in the shop for a month now. Called the manager... never heard back from him. Anyway, Tuesday morning they told her they tested the bike on Saturday and did not find a leak so now waiting on advise from Yamaha Technical support to figure out what to do next. I talked to the service manager again and he told me no leak in radiator system, so they would try to reproduce the overheat problem if they could. Turns out one of the front motor mount bolts had vibrated loose and fell into the fan. The fan could not turn which blew the fan fuse. Resulting in the bike overheating on the long trip we took that day. All of my other trips had been very short back and forth to work or on a cool day so it didn't overheat before. Well for once I am glad I was wrong about the cause of the problem. and to the dealers and service managers credit he covered the whole thing under warranty without any question or argument. Anyway, Thanks again
  6. TearlessTom
    Just wanted to give you all an up date and to thank you for your help! Monday was Presidents day so I had to wait till Tuesday to contact a rep. Talked to a very nice rep Tuesday morning. She got on the phone and called the dealer and got me some answers. Wednesday afternoon (36ish hours later)I got a call from the dealer and then later from the rep. Bike is fixed and ready to be picked up. Amazing!! They said they would let me know as soon as they tested the bike the previous Thursday. Never did hear back from them. As you know the bike had been in the shop for a month now. Called the manager... never heard back from him. Anyway, Tuesday morning they told her they tested the bike on Saturday and did not find a leak so now waiting on advise from Yamaha Technical support to figure out what to do next. I talked to the service manager again and he told me no leak in radiator system, so they would try to reproduce the overheat problem if they could. Turns out one of the front motor mount bolts had vibrated loose and fell into the fan. The fan could not turn which blew the fan fuse. Resulting in the bike overheating on the long trip we took that day. All of my other trips had been very short back and forth to work or on a cool day so it didn't overheat before. Well for once I am glad I was wrong about the cause of the problem. and to the dealers and service managers credit he covered the whole thing under warranty without any question or argument. Anyway, Thanks again
  7. TearlessTom
    They claim they have one ordered. why they dont have one in the shop has never been answered. they say they have the tester part just not the adaptor part. How much are those part listed for?
  8. TearlessTom
    Thanks, I thought their might be one there but havent had time to try to find the manual.
  9. TearlessTom
    Can anyone tell me how to contact the Yamaha Warranty Service Rep. As some of you will remember my RSTD ran hot. With some assistance from my friends here we pretty much feel assured that it has a blown head gasket. The bike has been in the shop going on 4 weeks now with very little being done to get it repaired. The 1st week the service manager told me he had couple of big jobs in front of me so it would be the following Tuesday before they could get started. I'm not thrilled buy am okay with that as I know how these shops work. He also tells me until the last few weeks he has never had a RSTD in his shop for repairs which does make me feel better about the quality of the engine. Anyway... Three more weeks have passed and they have yet to diagnosis the problem. Their reasoning is they do not have the proper size fitting for the radiator pressure tester. This is a Yamaha dealer, they should have the proper tools. He says he has been trying to find one but to no avail. I just can't believe that in 3 additional weeks they can not lay hands on something they should have in their service bay. Then after he does diagnose he tells me it will be an additional 2or more weeks for them to get the warranty approval and then order parts and then do the repairs. I think I have been more than patience but that is quickly running out. So how do I light a fire under their backside. Who do I call? I have a call into the manager now but I want to go higher than that. Thanks.
  10. TearlessTom
    Seen that several times and am still amazed! That guy has skills!
  11. TearlessTom
    Did you ask him by chance what it went for?
  12. TearlessTom
    Ron , where it Fl are you? I am in Spanish Fort AL just across the AL/FL line west of Pensacola,east of Mobile. Tom
  13. TearlessTom
    If the whine were bothering me I would go with plan B. True there is no guarantee that it will fix it but then again there is no guarantee that it won't either. Since I have now changed out my clutch springs with Skydoc's kit I see that it is a very easy job so I wouldn't shy away from replacing the basket myself except for the cost of the part. That being said if it is worse after the repair it you can ask for your old parts to keep and simply put it back in. I would shoot Skydoc a PM some of these guys really know what they are talking about. Me I am still learning the bike too.
  14. TearlessTom
    KBB shows it at $10,975. Mileage is about average. Average mileage is about 13200 per KBB. Additional items normally add about 25% or less of their original cost. So a $400. custom seat would add about $100. to the overall value of the bike. My credit union loans 80% or retail so the loan amount available for me would be $8,780.00. KBB trade in is about $8,490. Usually if you can strike a agreement near the loan value or half way between wholesale and retail. So in this case between $8,800. - $9,300. to me would be about right and he should be happy as it is more than he can trade it in for. In my area the banks use KBB for motorcycles, and NADA for cars. Of coarse the value of anything is what someone is willing to pay for it. Hopes this helps. Tom
  15. TearlessTom
    Thanks.
  16. TearlessTom
    Looking at a rear fender luggage rack. It says it is for the 96-2000 model. Anyone know if it will fit the 2007 model. Part # is STRIDB512000 Thanks Tom Mr Moderator Sorry for the double post, I just need a quick answer. I will delete as soon as possible I can get an answer. Thanks:big-grin-emoticon:
  17. TearlessTom
    Good Question, I would be interested in a set as well. What would be the cost?
  18. TearlessTom
    This is the 1st time I wish I had a slower internet connection!
  19. TearlessTom
    Flanders was my plan but CustomCruiser had a sale on the Barons that I couldn't refuse. I am happy with the change in location with it too.
  20. TearlessTom
    I think so. Its a pretty tight fit there. I put a Barons Star Bar on mine and it feels much better now. Didn't think it looked that much different until I went to pull the tank off and the bar is in the way of the front screw to the decorative trim on top of the tank. It was still accessible just had to use a shorter hex head.
  21. TearlessTom
    Not having a welder or machine shop or anything other than a drill and wrench I made my own from parts from any hardware store. Bike is in the shop at the moment having a I think head gasket repaired I can send photos if you like. Basic jest of it is take a either 4in or 5 inch flat right angle that you get in the bracket department at Home Depot / Lowes. They are pre drilled with several holes. 1st. You will need to round out the last hole to fit the bolt that attaches to the bike. 2nd Next you need to bolt the extension to the other leg of the flat angled piece to make it reach the mounting holes of your pipe. 2 small bolts is all that is needed. 3rd Drill bolt holes as needed to match the exhaust bolt pattern. 4th. Optional. I took a 2nd straight flat bar and mounted between the bikes connection over to the flat extension bar to give it a bit more strength and rigidity. It is not real pretty but just as effective as the others and since it is hidden under the saddle bag who cares. Total cost is about $15 give or take depending on the type and size's you decide to use. The finished product will have the same shape as the 1st drawing (a right angle with one leg longer than the other) You will need: 2- flat right angle brackets, either 5 or 6 inch. 2- flat straight pieces (extensions) about 6 inches, (they come in cardboard packages) the two equals the width of the angle piece. 2- flat straight pieces about 6 inches (optional) I used these to make a triangle brace for extra strength. 4-6 small nuts and bolts. Tom
  22. TearlessTom
    I don't seem to have any oil burning and the plugs do not indicate any. I just changed the oil two months ago and looks great still. No oil smell. I do believe it is coolant as it is still there when warmed up. The system was out of coolant so I just added water to check for leaks. I will replace with coolant. The water would have to be going through the cylinder unless the leak is directly adjacent to the exhaust valve wouldn't it? I'm glad we seem to have a consensus
  23. TearlessTom
    Thanks, I think you are right. If you use the guages you have it would be too big. The speedo and tach are mounted in the 6x9 speaker area along with some 5 1/2 in marine speakers. The lights I got from Auto Zone and O'Riley. They are my turn, neutral, and bright indicators.
  24. TearlessTom
    Yes I already thought of that. That is why I am waiting till Wednesday so I can get my trailer back from a friend who used it to haul his HD's out to Navada last month.
  25. TearlessTom
    But if it was a head gasket wouldn't I have oil and water mixed in the crankcase...? I'm not hearing the puff puff puff normally heard with the head gasket. I guess it depends were it is blown...right? I will be taking the bike into the dealer on Wednesday.
×
×
  • Create New...