2008 Yamaha Royal Star Venture S

Getting to 5 years old now. New battery last spring, another oil change, and still cruising like a dream.

I made a review about this so called quality motorcycle back in May 1 2009 as (Our Pride & Joy) & again as (Best Ride Yet)in 6/4/09.Later did I find out the quality wasn't there but also nether was that so called 5 year warranty. Cracking cowling & windshield getting very lose was not covered any ... more after replacing cowling 3 times according what dealer said Yamaha told them, but didn't know why it was cracking & breaking out,but won't going to warranty any more,can you believe that ,I had a bit over 2 years warranty left so I thought.The very noisy gear box was a head-ache itself, but I learned to live with that after dealer said that was the way it was. My solution was getting rid of it, & that was exactly what I did at a huge loss. but would have been a bigger loss if I had kept it. I thank Goodness it's Gone & it's not my worry any more.

Got my new Venture 1 year ago. Had 2 small warranty fixes on it right away, but got it repaired right away. Since that have had nothing but joy riding all over the state. Has plenty of power for even 2 lane passing with both of us riding. Real fine piece of machinery.

I graduated from a Road Star to the 2008 RSV S at the end of October 2008. I absolutely love riding this bike and it handles beautifully. I have almost 4000 miles on the bike and have just completed a 1500 mile cross country trip. Bike handles and sounds great. Seat and comfort level are excellent. ... Audio system crapped out after 3500 miles. Bike was poorly manufactured in terms of ensuring that all fasteners were in place and tight. Lost (or discovered they had never been installed) numerous fasteners (but none relating to the engine, drive train or suspension)in the first 2000 miles. Dealer has always made good and replaced them at no charge. Dealer is now rechecking every single fastener on the bike while attempting to repair the audio system and performing the 4000 mile service. I love the bike but not the approximate 10 visits to the dealer in the 6 months since I bought the bike new.

I purchased a 2005 RSV and set about touring the western US. While a little top heavy and challanging at slow speed I grew to enjoy the ride, comfortable, powerful and reliable. Gradually a noise from the trans grew to an ear piercing whine that could only be controlled by packing my ears with ... tissue paper ... regular plugs failed. Yamaha changed the clutch basket to no avail and then became unavailable even at the corporate level. No amount of begging and threatening moved them. After one last tour through PA, NY and Canada in disgust I threw in the towel ... my hearing returned to close to normal in about (2) weeks. I grew to hate the bike and traded it where I bought it. I now ride and love a Honda VTX 1300. I find it incredulous that such a fine ride could be coupled to such a junk trans.

C. Thomas

We purchased our new Venture S in June of 2008 after comparing it to an 08 red Gold Wing. While the Wing is a great bike, it did not fit our needs as well as the Venture. We at first thought that the Wing would be a move up from our 2007 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe,which we loved, but the ... Wing did not provide me enough knee room nor was there as much room in the back for the boss. When she got on the Venture, it was love at first sight! She said immediately that she did not even want to look at the Wing again. So we made the trade and started the 600-mile break in so we could start our cross-country trip.

On the third day after we purchased the Venture, we headed for North Carolina. The bike, as expected, performed perfectly. While some reviewers have worried about the size of the bike, it has never been a problem. From North Carolina, we headed northwest to Wisconsin to see our grandchildren. The electronic cruise control performed flawlessly and we averaged 42 miles per gallon. The five-year warranty and roadside protection helped us enjoy the ride even more but, again, we had no need for them.

After thoroughly spoiling our grandkids for a few days, we headed back toward Oklahoma. As luck would have it, the only rain we encountered during the entire 3000+ mile trip was in traffic in St. Louis, late in the evening on the next to last day of our trip. Some reviewers have worried about rain with the large windshield that is too high to see over. While it was not pleasant to deal with in traffic and rain, it was not a big deal. Wipers on my helmet shield and the windshield would have been great though. It rained throughout the night so the bike and road was wet as we headed out on the final leg of our trip home. Again, the bike performed perfectly. With our rain suits on, we felt neither the cold nor the wet and the bike never wondered on the rain groves or caused undue concern on the wet roads.

After a good wash job upon arriving home, both we and the Venture were ready to go again. This is my third Royal Star based bike and my eighth bike overall, it is by far the best bike we have owned. We have, in less than six months ridden just under 8000 miles on this often over-looked bike. If you want a true luxury-touring rig, this bike deserves consideration. Why Yamaha does such a poor job of promoting it is beyond us. The V-4 engine is rock solid, the seating is the best now available, and its luggage area allows room for a multiple-day trip without major sacrifice.

I was reluctant at first buying this bike, going from a sport touring type bike. But have not been sorry from day one. The comfort level is simply outstanding and as far as my wife (passenger cockpit queen) is concerned, she absolutely loves it.