10 or 11 Venture GT or TF? Shopping advice requested

Stephfg

Stephfg

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hi everyone,

Just joining the 4 stroke side today. I've been a member of the 2 stroke side for a while and now have 27,000 kms on my 01 SRX with Expert X rear suspension, Ohlins shock extensions, seat riser and handlebar riser. While I still love my SRX, it's time to get a new sled.

I'm expecting to purchase a brand new 2010 or 2011 Venture GT or TF this week. I'm wondering if any of you have tried both the GT and TF and have any impressions when comparing the 2 - bump bridging, cornering, etc. I'd like the longer track, but right now I'm leaning towards the GT because of the clicker shocks. My riding style is long distance groomed trail in Northern Ontario, and despite getting a Venture, will be one up 80% of the time.

I don't believe there are any differences between the 2010 and 2011 Ventures. Is that correct? I know the spec sheets are the same but I'm wondering about calibrations, etc.

Is it possible to mount a shorter windshield on it and keep the mirrors?

Is there an electronic version of the service manual available from anyone here? If not I'll be buying one.

I searched "venture GT or TF" and 2,000 results were returned! I plan to keep searching but I'd appreciate some feedback.

thanks
 
it looks like the GT is the model I'll get. There are more available and the TF might be too long for trail use. I've also found my answer to the windshield question in another post.

RnR, thanks for posting about your new GT and the price at Irwin. I'm hoping Troy's price will help the dealers around here sharpen their pencils.

Is there any technical reason why I should pay more to get the 2011? Right now I'm leaning towards the 2010.
 
I thought of resale value. My thinking is that I'm going to keep it long enough that it probably won't make much difference in the end. I think I'll end up saving more an a 10 vs 11 now than I'd get back from an 11 vs 10 later, if that makes any sense.

I'm waiting to hear back from a couple dealers.
 
I just bought a 2011 Venture GT and have put 1200 miles on it in the last month. I really like it. (after changing the suspension set up to that of HONDO's recs). I believe the 10 and 11's are the same, the 12's now have EPS, ie power steering.

My purchase ended up being easier than I thought. I found a bunch of low dollar dealers on line but when I got the out the door price with the 4 year YES my local dealer, RJ's in Duluth MN, was with in 200 bucks. I would have spent allot of that on fuel for the drive to the other dealers.


In USA in late January the Venture GT's where 10800. Hope that helps.

Got 20 mpg today for the first time ever in any sled. I usually get 18 with the Venture but my wife rode some of these miles, she is lighter and much lighter on the throttle.

Yamadoo
 
well I'm picking up a 2010 Venture GT in black tomorrow afternoon. I'd been waiting for a dealer in Hearst to call me back with an adjusted price based on the quote I got from Cornwall. The closest at that point was $11,400 plus $300. He was supposed to call me back Monday afternoon. I called him Tuesday morning and he was getting right on it and would call before noon. I called him at 3 and left a message. Still no call this morning. So I called a dealer in Earlton just for fun. He had one for $11,700. I said thanks but had 2 lower prices. He said ok. He called back 10 minutes later with a price of $11,200. I can't drive to Cornwall for $200, plus I didn't want the red one. I'm wondering if the guy in Hearst will call me.

So I'm planning to ride it back, which should be approx. 280 kms. My question is (after all that, yes I do have a question!) how fast does the sled move when it's revving 6,000 rpm? what about 8,000 rpm? I know it'll be a long ride and I'm trying to estimate it.

thanks
 
Excellent, congratulations! LaLaLa

6000rpm will get you at least 80kph. Sorry, I haven't paid more attention to give you a definitive answer. Maybe someone else will chime in. The dealer can also move on YPP pricing if that is something you are considering. First thing I'd do before leaving the dealership ... adjust the throttle. Mine was rotated way too high in it's stock setting. An easy trail side adjustment if necessary. I didn't check the tool kit yet, but it must have a phillips in it.

Enjoy. ;)! Look forward to hearing your impressions.
 
thanks RnR. I was expecting 50 km/h, so it looks like it won't take me as long to get home as I thought.

re the throttle, I'll check it out. I usually have mine set fairly high, but I always leave it a bit loose. It doesn't move when I ride unless I hit an unexpected bump (and I'd rather have it move than break). On long rides or depending on conditions, I can just turn it up or down to adjust it.
 
Trust me you're going to love this machine. I bought a 2009 demo last April at a steal of a deal. It is a fantastic, smooth, comfortable, efficient sled. Regular gas too!

Some thoughts. Get the dealer to really do a decent pre-delivery. Learn how to correctly check the oil correctly, find out where the fuse box is hidden, get him/her to show you how to remove the belt AND THEN DO IT IN THE SHOP WITH THEM WATCHING. I really like the position of the helmet plug-in and the direct to battery cables for boosting/charging the battery. Make sure you know where they are placed.

The Yamaha back rack specifically made for this machine is fantastic. It allows access to the huge compartment under the seat and hold tons of stuff. Nice made-in-Canada product..... get it at a discount when the deal is still hot.

Keep the big windshield. It works.

Good luck.
 
I love the windshield, who needs a visor? Would never buy a sled again without a huge windshield, I dont at all miss my apex rtx, the venture gt is a way better machine.
 
picked up my Venture yesterday. My uncle drove my Dad and I down so that my Dad could ride back with me on his 04 Venture. We rode 300 kms starting at 4 pm, following the max rpm break in procedure. Dara, I've seen 4 strokes that weren't broken in properly spray oil out the exhaust on start up, so I'm following the procedure. RnR, the throttle lever was set too high as you predicted. Don't know how I missed that when I was mounting my SPOT and GPS brackets, but I had to stop to adjust it. The sled was dusty from sitting in the warehouse since last year (you know how rubberized parts hold dust?) and I guess they didn't use a lot of water when cleaning the cab and back plastics, so there are small scratches all over. I will wax those out. I tried to buy a spare belt but they didn't have any - that was a surprise!

For the first 25-30 kms, I had a tough time with it. It pushed in corners, was a bit tippy, engine braking (although improved over the Apex I've ridden) was annoying, couldn't figure out the handwarners on the fly, found the seat a little short. As the evening progressed and the sled started to loosen up a bit and I got more comfortable with it, I really started to enjoy riding it. It's fun and very torquey, great suspension, headlights are very bright. I don't find the seat too short anymore (I'm 5'6"), just shorter than what I'm used to.

After 6 hours of virtually non stop riding, my right hand was tired from the vibration, probably caused by the track. I'm not overly concerned as I don't normally ride that much without stopping or ride at a relatively low/constant speed like during break in. Plus, it was less noticeable than when I ride my street bike for a shorter period of time.

The windshield (or picture window!) and wind deflectors work very well. I thought I'd be looking through it which I didn't want, but I'm looking over it. from the cockpit, it doesn't look so high, especially with my SPOT and GPS mounted on the bars. My only concern was that it was fogged most of the way, but I think that was due to the snow and warm weather. Is it normal to get a glare/reflection from your headlights behind the windshield?

I'll be putting another 800 kms on it this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. I'll change the oil next week. From what I've read, it's easier on the Venture than on an Apex so that's good.

Georgian Bay Guy, I've been looking at the back rack and might get it. I'd like to find a way to use my existing saddle and trunk bags on this sled. I want to get the windshield bag and handlebar bag for small stuff.

Still no call from the dealer in Hearst with my price.
 
Stephfg said:
picked up my Venture yesterday. My uncle drove my Dad and I down so that my Dad could ride back with me on his 04 Venture. We rode 300 kms starting at 4 pm, following the max rpm break in procedure. Dara, I've seen 4 strokes that weren't broken in properly spray oil out the exhaust on start up, so I'm following the procedure. RnR, the throttle lever was set too high as you predicted. Don't know how I missed that when I was mounting my SPOT and GPS brackets, but I had to stop to adjust it. The sled was dusty from sitting in the warehouse since last year (you know how rubberized parts hold dust?) and I guess they didn't use a lot of water when cleaning the cab and back plastics, so there are small scratches all over. I will wax those out. I tried to buy a spare belt but they didn't have any - that was a surprise!

For the first 25-30 kms, I had a tough time with it. It pushed in corners, was a bit tippy, engine braking (although improved over the Apex I've ridden) was annoying, couldn't figure out the handwarners on the fly, found the seat a little short. As the evening progressed and the sled started to loosen up a bit and I got more comfortable with it, I really started to enjoy riding it. It's fun and very torquey, great suspension, headlights are very bright. I don't find the seat too short anymore (I'm 5'6"), just shorter than what I'm used to.

After 6 hours of virtually non stop riding, my right hand was tired from the vibration, probably caused by the track. I'm not overly concerned as I don't normally ride that much without stopping or ride at a relatively low/constant speed like during break in. Plus, it was less noticeable than when I ride my street bike for a shorter period of time.

The windshield (or picture window!) and wind deflectors work very well. I thought I'd be looking through it which I didn't want, but I'm looking over it. from the cockpit, it doesn't look so high, especially with my SPOT and GPS mounted on the bars. My only concern was that it was fogged most of the way, but I think that was due to the snow and warm weather. Is it normal to get a glare/reflection from your headlights behind the windshield?

I'll be putting another 800 kms on it this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. I'll change the oil next week. From what I've read, it's easier on the Venture than on an Apex so that's good.

Georgian Bay Guy, I've been looking at the back rack and might get it. I'd like to find a way to use my existing saddle and trunk bags on this sled. I want to get the windshield bag and handlebar bag for small stuff.

Still no call from the dealer in Hearst with my price.
Click to expand...
just reading this,did you buy it in earlton from ag nor,that's my dealer in my hometown,service is very good,i bought all my yammi's there
 
Glad to hear to made it. Are you going to do the oil change yourself? I never did spend much time trying to dial in the suspension. Unfortunately the riding season here is done. I'll have to wait for next season. But either it loosens up after some mileage or it's just a matter of getting used to it ... but on my last ride I wasn't in a hurry to change anything on the setup. Do think I'll look at some skis with better floatation - curve xs or Yamaha mountain. The Venture's are quite a bit narrower than my AC skis and need to carry more weight.

Keep us posted on any further observations. I love reading this stuff.
 
Pat, yes that's where I got it. I was happy with the service I got from Ken and I met Mélanie the service manager. I was just surprised that I couldn't get a belt. Yamahas have had the same belt for years. Anyway, if I need warranty work, I'll go to the local dealer, but I'll call Ag Nor again when I buy something else.

RnR, I'm planning to do the oil change myself... at least try :-) There's an access plate below the filter in the belly pan. I checked at the dealer here to see how much it would cost and it's $150 with oil and filter. I just bought oil and filter and it cost me close to $80 so I'm guessing it takes them less than an hour to do it. I know it will take me longer, but I don't like taking my toys back to the dealer. Plus I do it on my Grizzly and FZ6, although it's fairly easy on those 2.

I took my wife out for a ride tonight. The back end hardly goes down even with 2 on the sled. Rides very smooth. It seemed to dart more 2 up, which doesn't make much sense. it should be the other way around. Anyway, she drove for a while and noticed it too. So I took advantage of opportunity to mention that new skis would fix that!
 
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