justfer tourin

You guys are keeping me sane. Thanks. First and foremost, you have clarified what can and cannot be termed a characteristic of the Venture in terms of whining noises and that they don't ALL have to sound like that. I really like this bike (when I have my earplugs in) and now I know that I don't have to settle for it screaming like that. I would be forced to sell it (at considerable loss to me) and try something else. My other bike is an '86 Harley FLT refitted to look like an early sixty's Electraglide. Its got WAY over 100,000 miles with a rebuilt top end (done less than 5000 mi ago). It was time to get something younger and more dependable because I'm planning on doing a lot touring with my better half. So, here's where we are........ I brought the bike back to the dealer (2 hrs.away) and the Service Manager said they will address my concerns (New "I" basket, fix the Cruise Control, Horn etc.) but he looked a little less confident about being able to fix the surging and loss of power that I reported although he did say that he would adjust and balance the carbs. He asked about whether I had run a few tanks through it and when he found out that I had been buying Premium gas, he said that it might be a problem because it is a very low compression engine . This took me by complete surprise as I always "knew" that high compression engines required higher octane and that it wouldn't do anything to help a low compression engine except for the fact that it might be a more quality, cleaner product but mostly a waste of money in a regular compression engine. Never thought it could have a negative effect on performance in a regular or low compression engine. He described improper ignition due to running Premium because the ful isn't designed for low compression. Perhaps the engine is VERY low compression and there is some kind of effect ? The manual says regular gasoline so I guess Premium is not needed. What are you guys running ? Do any of you notice a difference in performance due to actually putting premium in a Venture ? A couple of side questions: Is the passenger volume control supposed to affect the rear speakers or is this control only for the passenger's headset ? On my bike it doesn't change the volume of the rear speakers and I'm wondering whether it is supposed to. I've looked through the Owner's Manual specifically for information on the air suspension but can't find anything. Am I missing it ? BTW I looked for the Passenger Volume Control in the manual also- its there....labeled and everything (but it doesn't mention a word about what its supposed to do). Thanks Folks.

Thank you all very much for your help......Its been a tough few days for me...... I've read all of your comments and appreciate everyone's input. The bike will be brought back to the dealer and he promises to put in the "I" basket and fix my other complaints including inoperable horn, broken cruise control and cracked tail light lens. I'm a bit worried about the outcome on the cruise control but hoping for the best. To complicate matters, I also have a problem with the power which seems fuel related.At first I thought it was the old gas from sitting. But at this point I've been through a couple of tankfuls of good premium but the bike still seems weak. To clarify, sometimes, I will feel a surge when I gun it and it hints at the bike's true capability but it fades out and returns to its more sluggish state. I understand about the power band being at the higher revs and I run the bike accordingly. Going up hill with a passenger, at 80 mph in 4 th gear, the bike cannot accelerate. It just stays at a steady 80 mph (with the throttle fully pinned). Should I be going down to third gear in order to get power at 80 mph ? Another way to put it - it feels like I have a passenger when I don't and when I have a passenger, it feels like I have two passengers..........

Thanks for your Reply. The factory warranty is good until November 2012 but there's nothing to fix if the dealer says its normal. That's one of the sticky issues with this problem. All Ventures whine somewhat but at what point is it unacceptable/ something other than normal. BTW - its a 2007 - did I post in the wrong area ? Should I be in Second Generation Venture Tech Talk ? Is there a way to remedy this ?

Hi Folks: Before I get started, this is a post about the whining noise but not a request for information on how to fix it , as I have read about the clutch basket, the "I" basket and square cut gears. I'm new to this site and also new to the Venture motorcycle (owned one for two days). I love the bike in every way except for the unacceptably loud whining noise. I bought m bike used from a Yamaha dealer and I'm confused by the fact that they sold it to me without mentioning this problem and they won't take it back. I just bought a 2007 Royal Star Venture (two days ago !) from a Yamaha Dealer in Connecticut (I live in NY state). I found the bike on the internet and went over there to buy it. I was told by the salesman(who was bearing the same last name as that of the dealership) that it was "the oldest Yamaha dealer in the United States, still family owned for four generations". I wanted one of these bikes for touring, having ridden one only once, a year ago. I read many reviews on the bike and many comments from owners but never ran across anyone mentioning that one of the characteristics of the bike is an annoying whining sound at highway speeds, which can be termed unbearable. In fact, the one I rode a year ago didn't do this as I would have surely noticed. I didn't notice this noise when when I test rode the bike I just bought because its most noticeable at highway speed and the salesman coerced me into NOT taking the bike on I95 because "its a zoo out there at this time of day". It was only on the way home, after buying it that this unacceptable noise became apparent. The dealer represented the bike as a one owner bike which was in perfect running condition that had been ridden for 17,000 miles - the "cherry" that we are all always looking for. I got no great deal on the bike and basically paid top dollar for it because it was coming from a genuine Yamaha dealer who said he knew the owner and was purporting that the bike was a great bike. I had no problem paying that much for a bike in such great condition. Now, the dealer is telling me that this unbearable whine is a characteristic of the bike, like "they all do that". The one I rode last year didn't do this. In all of the rave reviews I read, not one of them mention that the bike has a characteristic annoying whine, so I don't think they all do it. But, probably, many of them do - but the ones that do are broken and need the "I" clutch basket. I was able to find out that SOME Ventures do this and the problem is fixable under warranty and there is loads of information about this problem going on for many years. Either the dealer knew about this or they aren't very good at being a dealer.I threw caution to the wind as I figured IF a Yamaha dealer was willing to sell me this bike (rather than dump it out the back door to a wholesaler), then it must be as good mechanically as it looks cosmetically (the bike is basically flawless in appearance and looks like new. I complained right away to the dealer and he told me that it is a characteristic of the bike. I told him that I understand that these bikes have an inherent whine but this bike is very loud and in the unacceptable range (unsolicited, my wife asked what the annoying noise was very soon into her first ride on the bike. Its bad. The dealer told me to bring it in on Monday (2 hours away) and he will have his mechanic look at it. I've got the feeling that this isn't going to lead me anywhere and I'm going to be told it is normal. The dealer says "He can't take the bike back because its been registered " I feel that this is a load of bull because he could buy it back for a dollar - he buys bikes all of the time. I feel that he either knowingly deceived me or has made a blunder that he should make good on. What are your thoughts ? Do you think, with all that is known about this problem, that a dealer could consider a bike that exhibits this noise to be sold as "perfect - just ridden for 17,000 miles " ? If the dealer doesn't make me smile on Monday, do I have a case to bring to Yamaha Corporation ? Your thoughts, advice and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.