Re: Didn't find a Goldwing, But I did get a Venture

Posted by sgtslag on
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Didn-t-find-a-Goldwing-But-I-did-get-a-Venture-tp3611872p3673004.html

The Venture is built for touring, two-up, and she will perform that role, splendidly.  Fiona, on the other hand, is more of a fence straddler:  a bit large, and a little clumsy, in town; big enough to tour, two-up, on highways, but not powerful enough for Interstates.  I had a 1983 Kawasaki 440 LTD, which my wife, and one of my sons, learned to ride on.  I encouraged them strongly, to ride the 440 for their first year, before riding anything else.  They both thanked me, later, for insisting on the one year limited to the 440.  My son graduated to a Yamaha 600 rocket, and my wife graduated to our CB750K.  Both of them did well, but each of the bikes handled very differently.

The 440 was amazingly nimble, and agile, in town, but a bit scary at 68-70 MPH, its max., wide open in 6th gear.  The CB750K rode much nicer, heavier, far more power, more stable, but nowhere near as nimble.  Then we bought the Voyager touring machine (the poor man's Gold Wing -- no, not really, but it sold for thousands less, and it performed exceptionally well in its class).  Our Voyager has tremendous power, wonderful comfort, roominess, and storage, all beyond what the CB750K had, but it is much heavier, and more of a handful in town -- not bad, but not as easy as the other bikes.

Each bike has its own niche.  Each performs well within its niche.  Sold the 440 because it never got street time anymore -- sold it to a High School Senior, as his first bike.  Perfect deal for everyone.  The CB750K is now sitting, being largely ignored, as we ride two-up, 95% of the time, and then we nearly always hit the highways, for 2+ hours, usually day trips, or weekend trips, with a couple of longer tours each season.  We wear chaps, armored jackets, neck balaclava's, gloves, earplugs, and modular helmets, every ride.  That means we are loathe to ride to the store, or for an errand, or any other short trip:  takes 5-10 minutes to gear up/down, not worth the hassle for short trips.  I've gone down three separate times, and my gear saved me each time -- riding without gear is not an option for me.

Enjoy each bike for its intended purpose.  The Venture is a sweet touring machine.  You will both find great pleasure with it.  Touring is our greatest pastime.  Tour riders seem to attract a lot of attention, loads of folks seem to want to talk with you, when they see you pull up.  I think most folks who approach us on tours, secretly wish they could tour themselves (and I encourage them to do so, when I can).  Touring offers the greatest experience of "freedom" that we have found yet.  Welcome to the ranks!  Cheers!