22nd Aug 2009, 00:07

Also, my 85's a two tone brown, and I find it very hard to find another one in this colour, even on the internet, so if anyone has one with pics,

send them to my email

c.j._umber@hotmail.com

6th Sep 2009, 21:00

The 1986 1300 Venture with the bad air suspension. I have a 1989 1300 and the same trouble with the fault codes for air suspension. The trouble was a crack in the solder under the cluster. Take the cluster out (power unit for sus) of the dash and take off the rear cover. I just applied a thin coat of solder and it works perfect. It looked in fine condition until you magnify it, then you will see the hair line cracks. Hope that helps.

14th Sep 2009, 14:21

I ride a V Star 650 classic now. I'm going to look at a 89 VR, 26,000 miles $3000.00. Very clean bike. After reading all these comments and how everyone loves these bikes, I think I have found a real gem. My wife and I want to upgrade to a nice touring bike, and from what I have read, I think we've found one. Thanks everyone.

6th Dec 2009, 17:40

I just bought a 1985 Royal. Love the bike, but it seems to be running rich. Anyone have an easy fix for this?

Thanks, Woodie.

17th Dec 2009, 14:26

My first tourer was a 1985 Honda GL1200 Goldwing, and at the time I was happy with it. Sold that to by a house in 1990.

Wanting to get back into a tour bike, I purchased an 1989 Venture and fell in love with it. It did circles around the Goldwing in every way. I then sold the bike to buy a Honda VTX1800. I still have that bike, but missed the Venture. I found and purchased another Venture with only 16000 miles on it. I am happy to be back home in the saddle again. Wish Yamaha would wake up and stop trying to copy Harley, and go back to its tourer roots.

30th Jan 2010, 12:58

I have a 1990 VR with 48000 miles on it, and I couldn't ask for a better bike. Aside from the plastic having cracking issues, it is in my opinion the best touring bike ever made.

I have done most of the normal upkeep and repairs that the other people here have done, and will probably be making many more in the future. This is to be expected of a 20 year+ motorcycle. I've had Harleys, Honda's, Kaws, and Suzuki's and they all needed major work at one time or another.

Anyone needing advice on the VR should pay a visit to Venturers.org. I am a member, and it has an outstanding forum on both the 1st and 2nd Generation VR's.

25th Feb 2010, 01:34

I agree with all of the folks that have comments about the Venture Royale.

I just bought my first VR, an 86, black and gold, I love this bike, this is to replace the 86 Suzuki 1400 Cavalcade I had to sell thanks to my ex wife.

Anyway, the first VR I rode was in 1986, it was an 83 VR 1200 that belonged to a friend of mine. At that time it was the biggest motorcycle I had ever ridden, man what a rush that was, I remember wondering why he was so far behind me, that is until I looked down at the speedo, I thought I was doing about 35 mph, but when I looked at the speedo, I was going over 60 mph..

My new wife told me to buy the 86 VR I just bought on 2-22-10, I so love riding this machine. Anyway, just wanted to share this with folks that like these bikes, please ride safe. Thanks.

28th Mar 2010, 23:44

I first rode a Venture Royale in the early 90's and fell in love with it. Not sure why I didn't buy it.

The last several years I have been riding a 81 GL1100 Interstate. Nice ride, but I wanted something else.

I finally found a 90 Venture Royale on craigslist with 37k miles on the clock. She has a few cracks in the fairing, but overall looks real good.

After putting a few miles on it, I am really warming up to the old girl. Runs great, gobs of power throughout the rpm range, handles real nice.

My air ride computer had the e4 error, which was easily fixed by re-soldering some pins on the circuit board.

My wife is more comfortable on the Venture as well, and that is a good thing. Great bike, a keeper.

4th Apr 2010, 21:26

I bought a 85 Royale to resell the day after Christmas. As I entered an on ramp to the freeway in first, I opened it up hard. I could feel the front tire lift, and I suddenly had thoughts of keeping it for awhile. I heard it once referred to as an 800 lb. crotch rocket and I have to agree it is fun. I was riding a V Star 1100 before that, and yet I find this one easier to get around on. I have 44k on it and it is a beautiful blue color. I am amazed at how much attention it draws. It has the holes in the side covers filled with aftermarket chrome plates that keep you legs cooler and lots of lights. I am still going to sell it, but I'm not in a hurry anymore. I have a Vmax also, so I have the best of both worlds.

I have gotten lots of info from venturerider.org. I even joined the group. Great guys! Vic Venture.

10th Apr 2010, 11:54

My first VR was a brown 85, which I purchased in 86. The best bike I ever owned. I had it for 12 years and only one major repair. Second gear went on me, and I found out later that it was of poor quality metal, and replaced it with a better quality, which Yamaha came out with in 86.

That was my "baby", and had it dressed just enough to capture everyone's eye, but not overkill on the accessories.

Well after getting second gear repaired, I decided to sell it and upgrade to an 87 VR, but never got it home. I was in an accident and memory of the accident is gone (which is a good thing). It took almost 4 years, but I finally got another bike. This time an 88 VR. The bike is in awesome condition, and have been out on it once so far trying to put the fear to rest.

My only problem now is finding accessories. I have the boards and heel toe shifter coming from my 87, as well as a trailer hitch. What I REALLY want now is a driver's back rest and rotor covers with the amber lights as I had on my 85 VR. If anyone has a clue where I can find a backrest or rotor covers, please email me at brb468@hotmail.com. I'm looking forward to riding again.