New Yamaha Star Venture

[pepesm]

How will this new model effect pricing on the FJR and Super Tenere?

Umm, FJR and SuperTenere are very different bikes. This new Venture is ideal for pot-bellied-short-legs dude.

 

[mrmarklin]

The Roadmaster is that good huh?

I'm probably going for an Ultra Limited later this year. What makes the Indian the better pick?

Both these bikes are great IMHO. The difference for me is always the dealer network. Which Harley has and Indian....not so much.

This is paramount on the road where anything can happen and does. I'm not necessarily talking reliability, but things like flat tires, service or damage.

 

[Surj]

The Roadmaster is that good huh?

I'm probably going for an Ultra Limited later this year. What makes the Indian the better pick?

From a personal perspective, I just liked it better. It's still a big, heavy bike, but I felt more comfortable on it. We got on a Roadmaster and an Ultra Limited after doing a Saddle Sore 1000 the previous day, and the Roadmaster just felt right to me, and I did another 500-ish miles on it that day with zero complaints.

I'm about 5'10" and the wind protection worked better for me. The electronically adjustable shield and worked well to provide good coverage but was easy to get out of the way when I didn't want it. Maybe the Ultra has a better shield now—this was two years ago. The ergos were good for me, the floorboards were well-placed, bars were good, etc.

I liked the engine better, too—although H-D has their new engine now, and I haven't ridden one of those yet. But I did ride a bunch of miles on a Chieftain, essentially a "stripped down" Roadmaster, over the last few weeks, and it did nothing if not reaffirm by love for the Roadmaster.

Wasn't there a model of the Venture that used the V-Max V4?

Yes. The Venture Royale I linked to on the first page is that bike.

 

[FreeRyde]

I love big bikes.

But air cooled 1900cc? Uh, no thanks. I like my leg meat unroasted.

 

[TheRobSJ]

I'm about 5'10" and the wind protection worked better for me. The electronically adjustable shield and worked well to provide good coverage but was easy to get out of the way when I didn't want it. Maybe the Ultra has a better shield now—this was two years ago.

The shields have all been unchanged since the Rushmore revamp to the FL bikes. Being a touch over 6'3" I will most certainly put a taller shield on whatever bike I get. Though I do very much like the electric bit of getting it out of the way when you want.

I think a year ago, the Indian would be better because they had the better engine. Though H-D had better electronics and slightly better fit and finish. Now Harley has the M8 which seems to have leveled the playing field on that front. But Indian went ahead and redid the infotainment setup. Gotta love competition! Gonna be a tough decision when I go shopping later this year I think.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Hmmm - 1.9L air cooled engine. It's going to need some pretty substantial air flow to keep things cool, especially when you're not moving at interstate speeds...

 

[bergmen]

Hmmm - 1.9L air cooled engine. It's going to need some pretty substantial air flow to keep things cool, especially when you're not moving at interstate speeds...

I very often find myself stuck in stop-n-go traffic on the FJR with the fan coming on repeatedly. With liquid cooling the engine stays happy, with air cooling it suffers.

Dan

 

[NeverSayDie]

Umm, FJR and SuperTenere are very different bikes. This new Venture is ideal for pot-bellied-short-legs dude.

True, but both are made by Yamaha in the general touring category and I want an excuse to buy one if they discount these models

 

[NeverSayDie]

Did Yam keep the air-cooled engine as a nod to Harley owners who think that's the only way to go? You'd think a bike with this much technology and electronics would just go the extra step with a radiator. Seems they want to shoot themselves in the foot in order to garner the Hardley bucks.

 

[bergmen]

This is interesting (off the Yamaha site):

New Yamaha Sure-Park System

"With Star Venture’s Sure-Park™ System, parking maneuvers are a breeze, even fully loaded. Controlled from the handlebar, an electric motor provides forward and reverse drive to assist during tricky parking situations, especially on rough or poor traction surfaces."

Dan

 

[WWWobble]

This is interesting (off the Yamaha site):

New Yamaha Sure-Park System

"With Star Venture’s Sure-Park™ System, parking maneuvers are a breeze, even fully loaded. Controlled from the handlebar, an electric motor provides forward and reverse drive to assist during tricky parking situations, especially on rough or poor traction surfaces."

Dan

Not impressed until they incorporate an "AutoPickUp" system.

Surj says BIG bikes handle well at speed, and I believe him. But when you etch close to 1000 lbs, I need a road report that includes pushing it around in your garage, fuel stops at New Mexco gas station pads made slippery from blown, fine, red dust, parking on sketchy, off camber surfaces like when you might want to stop somewhere and take a picture... That's where the weight effects me.