dz

MiCarl, I plan on going saturday morning to look at the bike after the dealer gets done going thru it. Thank you for the info on the air suspension. I will definitely try that when I go back. To be honest about my length my buddy is just about 6' even and my legs are actually shorter than his which gives me a little advantage I guess. The bike does have some highway pegs bolted onto the engine guards and it looks like they can be slid forwards more to allow for even more room. I hate the fact picking a bike can't be easy, most people can just hop on a bike and go. And I don't know why motorcycle manufactures keep designing bikes for tiny people, making the posture and drivers space super cramped for even average sized people. Most of the 70's and 80's bikes seem to have plenty of room, more so than newer bikes anyway. How many miles do you have on your bike?

Yammer Dan, I like the way you think. MiCarl, I can't believe that this bike can only support 380lbs. My Honda Helix 250cc scooter can hold just about that much.

Bongobobny, Thanks for the tip, I found it, hopefully it works now. I juggle a few forums so its easier with emails lol.

Thank you for the warm welcome. MiCarl, I knew nothing about the bike before I looked at it, it was a shot in the dark. Now when I go back saturday I will try that with the key. Skydoc, I've been working/riding on bikes for awhile. My occupation is a forklift technician working on electronic forklifts "Raymond", I do lots of electronic troubleshooting. I made a 1974 Yamaha RD250 two stroker reliable two years ago, acid etched and kreemed the gas tank, sand blasted the fuel petcock and re-sealed it, new intake boots, reed valves, throttle cables, etc. Was a fun bike but had to move on. I currently ride a 2005 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 v-twin but I'm looking to get rid of it to move up to a touring bike (4 bad discs in my back, carpal tunnel surgery that didn't work on both wrists, bad disc in my neck so my days of being cramped up on a cruiser are over. I'm 6'4" 375lbs. I even put forward controls on my bike to try and eliviate the cramped feeling. I can only ride the bike about 40 miles before I have to find a spot to pull over and jump off the bike because of butt/back pain. Same thing for when the wife rides on the back. I even tried a mustang seat. SC89Venture, I know you're feeling about big feet and the goldwing. I have a size 14/15 and I can't keep my whole foot on the pegs at any one time, not to mention the heat coming off of the cylinder there . Shifting is a little difficult and when I took my foot off to stop it would hit the engine guard or cylinder head. It's tough to find a bike when you're big. I guess when it comes down to it I really didn't want to wrench on a bike during the riding season I'd rather be riding. I don't mind doing things so long as the bike is going to keep running after the fixing is done, just making sure it isn't a problematic bike. Thanks for all the advice. Oh, the dealer also said they were going to put in new plugs and change the oil and such and put it through inspection to make sure it's 100% ready to ride. They seemed very honest and I feel as though I wouldn't have any problem making a deal with them. Also, is there a way to turn on topic reply notification emails?

Hello. New to the forum. I've been looking at several 80's touring bikes to purchase. I went and looked at a 1989 Yamaha Venture Royale yesterday, was wondering if there is anything I should be looking for or maybe staying away from. The bike I looked at has been sitting since August (small mom and pop dealer). When first started it was poping/backfiring on the right side exhaust. When warmed up it went away (I think it could be attributed to bad gas). It looks like the air suspension system is partially disabled, the compressor and valve unit assembly was in the rear trunk. Bike has 66000 miles on it. Radio works. Engine looks dry and doesn't smoke. It also has a utopia backrest upholstered to match the seat. I was wondering how parts availability is? Like, if I need to put a top end on it in the future can I still get piston rings and gasket set? They want $2499 for the bike and it looks complete. Any help would be appreciated.