Ventureless

I will be a voice of reason here. I actually sold my Venture thinking I wanted something more modern. Well here it is roughly 5 months later and I end up with a 2006 RSTD with only 19K miles. I realized I loved the motor and ride of the Royal Star. But I didn't like the fairing on the Venture because it was a pain in the a^^ to take off to do any maintenance on the front end. I also took the trunk off my Venture because I never used it. So the RSTD was the clear choice for me. I will put an aftermarket fairing that is easier to remove than the Venture fairing because I do like the wind protection and stereo. And I can always add a trunk if needed. So in my mind if your RSTD is in good condition, it is much cheaper to just add the extras you would want in the Venture versus buying a new to you bike.

It is Royal Star. Pretty much the same as a 2nd gen Venture with no fairing or trunk.

Yep already a member at Stromtroopers and love the ride of the Strom. Compared to the big tourers, it feels like a kid's bicycle!!!!!!!!!!

Same question as Rutman. I am going with Reckless with a few of the added options.

Pics as promised. Not a very good photographer, but the bike is in just about as perfect shape as when it left the showroom.

It should have been Confused over the last few months trying to figure out what to buy. I am liking Tour De Strom!!!!!!!!!!!!

7 AM tomorrow I will be picking up my new to me toy. I sold my Venture in July to buy an adventure bike. My wife was not happy about that so I started looking for another cruiser/touring bike that was more modern that she would enjoy. I tried Victories (and almost bought one) and some Harleys. Really liked both and more recently decided to bit the bullet and just get a new or newer Road Glide and get the loan. Glad I didn't. Just hate to have that payment when I owe nothing to anybody but for the mortgage on my house. And now that is how it will stay. I really liked how the Venture rode, fit me, and the reliabilty. So tomorrow I pick up a one owner 2006 RSTD with only 19K miles. It looks brand new and runs perfectly. $4500. This leaves me enough to buy an aftermarket fairing, Hagon Shock, and some other goodies (Baron 424 Nasty Boys, Mustang seat) from a member here. It also leaves me enough cash to buy a newer ABS equipped Vstrom 650 adventure bike. I will start accessorizing the RSTD as soon as tomorrow and will start shopping for my Vstrom around Xmas when I have a couple weeks off work. And I know nothing really happened without pics so I will have some posted before lunch tomorrow.

I must still be young. Sold my Venture and now looking at an RSTD. Already have a friend with some RK pipes for me, but I have also been looking at other aftermarket as well for a louder, deeper rumble. I really like the Baron Nasties. So if any of you old farts:backinmyday: get tired of your aftermarket pipes, looks me up and PM me. I might take them off your hands

Well you stole my response!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am loving it as well. I sold my Venture back in July and am now getting ready to purchase an RSTD. I knew I would change out the RSTD bars because for some reason they feel to short and uncomfortable for me (I am 6'4"). Now that I have seen your pics, I know that I want taller bars on the RSTD. I could probably go with the same 12" or maybe even 10" with no risers. Looks good.

Yeah the newer V6 has as much HP as the older 8s. It is amazing what they do to get power from smaller motors now. And not to mention much more efficient as well. Soon they won't be putting anything but turbo 4s in everything!!

Just wait another month before anybody plans something. I need to get another bike first!!!! Maybe we can bring the thread back on track. Tell us more about the new ride. Is it the 6 or 8? My brother in law found a found a good deal on one just like yours but baby blueish. He likes it but is unsure of the V6 in it. I have driven one and think it is plenty of power. Especially the newer 6s. Hell I would love to have one of the new 2.3L 4cylinders.

Yep but we usually go when they have the $5 burgers. With 2 young kids I don't get out at night much anymore unless it is a kid friendly house party.

Hey living in Warrenton is good too. And closer to work in Chantilly!!

Wife, kids and I were out that way a few weeks ago and stopped by for the first time. The owners are great people. My son is allergic to eggs and is 8 and has never had a donut in his life. Well low and behold, they had eggless donuts. He didn't like the flavors they had and the owner asked what he wanted and said it would take 10 minutes to make one for him. When she came to the table, she was carrying a box. We paid for one and she gave him 6 or 8 because he was so excited. Before we left, my son was so happy, he ran to the back and gave her a big hug and thank you.

The new ride is nice, but the big question is did you stop at Naughty Girls Donuts while you were there?!!!!!

Tisunac is spot on with his description of the demo day at the Harley dealer. I was there on Sunday as well to ride a few bikes as I am searching for the next one. I too am not a Harley person (I have owned one but not a fair comparison since it was an AMF 1974 model Sportster). So I wanted to see if I was blown away by a new Road Glide and if it might be worth the money. To me it did not wow me enough to make the switch. But everyone was friendly even when I was asked what I thought about the CVO Road Glide I rode. I told the sales guy that I would honestly spend much less and get another new left over or used Venture and have all that extra cash left. Granted the RG had more goodies (even the non CVO). Instead of snubbing his nose, he talked with me for a couple minutes about the Venture and what I thought was lacking from the RG that kept me from buying. All in a very friendly positive way the entire time. Let me also say that I am not putting down the bikes in any way either. Fine bike in my mind, but just not for me to spend $24K for one.

Don you definitely don't want to start on insulin. It sucks. Mine is bad enough that I am on an insulin pump. I fought it for a long time, but it is the only way that I have been able to keep my sugar in check. So 24 hours a day I wear the pump. And while I am fat and need to drop some weight, mine is caused by a non working pancreas. My pancreas does not produce enough (for the most part none) insulin on it's own. So while most normal people have some insulin being released into their body constantly, I have none. So even losing 100 pounds would not help me. And there is no way to exclude all sugars and carbs from my diet. So I guess I will be on the pump forever, but I still have perfect vision and no other diabetes related ailments.

If they come out with a new Venture based on the newer Vmax motor before Xmas, it will likely be at the top of my list. But I am not holding my breath!!

Maybe some wires routed in the way. Wouldn't take much of a lump of wiring to keep the seat from going all the way down.

One other thing I will add is that we have a limited amount of dealerships within a couple hour ride. One is the dealership where Sinisa went for the demo. I just changed this. I guess Tisunac did say the employees at the dealership were ok. The next dealership thinks it is high and mighty and will not work with customers at all whether it be service or sales. So I imagine any warranty type work would be a nightmare there. The third and last Vic dealer that I know of within 2 hours has barely any bikes and a small service department from what I see. Now while they may be knowledgable, I have no idea because they don't sell many Vics. At least from what I have read and heard from local biking community. So that is another reason for me to shy away from Victory. And trust me as Tisunac said, I was sold on Victory. In my mind there was no other bike for me. So I am in no way bashing the bikes themselves. I love the ride and the looks (yes even the Vision is a good looking bike to me). Just everything that happens with or around the bike as far as maintenance and sales. Big Lenny - While I understand not dismissing a certain brand because of one dealership, you had the luxury of another dealership an hour away. I have 3 crappy Vic dealers within 2 hours away so how far am I going to go just to own that bike. I can't find that one good dealer 3 or 4 hours away for that bike. With 2 young kids and lots of extra curricular activities along with work and volunteering 3 days a week at the school, I don't have the time to go 3 or 4 hours away anytime I need something for the bike. Now on the other hand, I have a Honda/Yamaha dealer 6 miles from my house that is willing to bend over backwards to satisfy the customer and keep them coming back whether it be service or sales. If i needed something done, they would order parts and they would be here next day free of shipping charges. And if they did any work (unusual as I do my own unless it is under warranty) I would drop it off on my way to the kid's 9AM soccer game and I would stop and pick it up at 2PM after the last soccer game. There is also a Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawasaki dealer that offers the same level of service 35 miles or so from my house. I just would not have that with Victory.

I did not rule out completely a Victory. But I have read lots of stuff about how bad the warranty process is and how unavailable parts are. So that tells me that if I do buy one and it breaks down, I might be sitting a while waiting for back ordered parts to get back on teh road. That is what concerns me. Also the fact that I do not see to many Vics with high mileage. So does that mean they aren't as reliable yet or maybe they just don't get ridden much. I am not bashing the bikes at all either, but for my money, I want the most reliable that I can get.

I am one that has talked with Sinisa about his experience. I was looking at Victories and really like the room and handling of them. But I have read some horror stories about the Vic customer service even on the Vic forums. SO in my mind now, I would hate to spend that much on a bike and then be stuck without riding if anything did happen. So for me, I am going back to looking for another used reliable Venture or Tour Deluxe and a new or used Vstrom for solo riding. Or possibly a Goldwing F6B if I find the right deal. Sinisa I am trying to make the Waugh demo ride this weekend and meet up with you. Who knows maybe I will come away with a new Road Glide!!!!

Yep your post was what got me thinking. Like I said, I had no worries on my Venture at all. So I guess unless I find a good deal on a yellow and black F6B Goldwing, I will be looking for another good used Venture or Tour Deluxe. More than likely teh Tour Deluxe to be able to add my own quick release fairing.

Ok I think my question was answered. I never had a problem with my Venture, my old Concours, or the Vstar 1100. All carbed. I just happen to read that other thread and saw the 31K mile thing and just got worried about another maintenance issue in the future.