Thinking of buying a Star Venture, but wondering what happens when you drop it.

[wsantosf]

Currently riding an Indian Scout, wife doesn't like it on longer rides. Amazingly, the Star Venture fits better than other Indian tourers, and we can reach the ground and benefit from reverse gear too. What i was wondering is what happens when you drop it. Are there 'sliders' or some other built-in protection so the expensive bits don't get damaged? Couldn't find any crash bars for sale.

[bpate4home]

I personally don't have experience in this but I have read several threads.  Under the Bags is a protective area and the engine guards both help from a straight drop. I gotta say though at ~950lbs I have seen posts where help was needed. I have dropped an '06 in the past and was able to stand it up on my own. 

[ChiefGunner]

4 hours ago, wsantosf said:

Currently riding an Indian Scout, wife doesn't like it on longer rides. Amazingly, the Star Venture fits better than other Indian tourers, and we can reach the ground and benefit from reverse gear too. What i was wondering is what happens when you drop it. Are there 'sliders' or some other built-in protection so the expensive bits don't get damaged? Couldn't find any crash bars for sale.

Well @wsantosf, Let me answer your question from personal experience which I shared here a long time ago.

I was working on my bike before I had a lift doing an oil change. To help level the bike I placed a 2x4 under the kickstand putting the bike much more level. I guess I didn’t realize how close to the “balance point” it was. As I was putting on the left side side cover I gently pushed on it to seat it in the rubber grommets, and that’s all she wrote! I couldn’t stop it and watched in HORROR as my baby made an unimpeded fall to the concrete on the right side.

It was then I realized the engineering genius of Yamaha as the bike went over to about 47-48 degrees and stopped. It seems the main bar the floorboards are mounted to (floorboards included) are what stop the bike and prevent further rollover. Also, the black plastic saddlebag lowers are what support and cushion the saddlebags!

I set the bike upright and examined for any damage.... NOTHING.  And I mean not so much as a scrape!

That being said, trust me when I say, it has protection already built in by design. You just can’t see it. Kudos to Yamaha on design!

Edited November 4, 2020 by ChiefGunner
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[dragonstorm]

I unfortunately have experience in this . . . this is the first big bike I have owned and it killed me to drop it but I was able to get it back up by myself and I'm no muscle bound behemoth, but I also think it is about how mad you are when you dropped it that gives you the strength, lol . . . they are correct there is a strip along the bottom of the bags that is replaceable for such moments and the guards up front help as well.   

[VentureDog]

Dropped my SVTC in a parking lot.  Not a scratch.  The bike only goes over about 45 degrees and rests on the floorboards and the plastic strip under the bags, so was easily able to pick it up. The only damage was to my ego.