First impressions of the 2009 RS Venture GT

[yamadoo]

Hondo

Thanks again, l love your reports. I am thinking of a two up in our future, when the grand kids come it is a DONE DEAL Not to soon I suspect.

Thanks again, you always give honest, logical reports that have a real sense to them.

I look forward to seeing your pics and description of the 34 to 50,000 mile report. IF you can peal yourself away from the new one.

Yamadoo

 

[hondo]

Thanks Yamadoo,

I do like the Venture GT, however I think the 2005 RS Venture would get jealous...LOL...

Don't know what the future will bring.

For certain, I will be "pondering" for a while.

I appreciate the acknowledgement, and all the positive energy.

All the best!

 

[ljgomes]

Hitch or Rack?

Hi Hondo,
I also have a 2005 Venture with about 5k miles on it and I really like the sled except for the track howl. I have a factory hitch on it and also a rack behind the rear seat rest and I use both options fairly often. Did Yamaha say anything about these options on the 2009 Venture?
Thanks,
Larry

 

[hondo]

Hi Larry.

A rack will be available and will mount behind the trunk. Not sure about the hitch. I don't see why they wouldn't offer a hitch.

Hope this helps!

 

[venture2]

2009 RS Venture report

I posted on the same subject, twice by accident.

 

[MadMax]

Thanks Hondo as I sold my 06 Venture and just order a 09 Venture GT for the family

You lucky "DOG"......... Enjoy........ MM.

 

[MrSled]

Thanks

 

[venture2]

2009 RS Venture test ride

I took a ride on the new Venture gt at the Flatrock INN, Tug Hill, NY. I currently own a 06 rs Venture. The test ride was on a rough trail, a few miles long with 3 turns; so take it for what it's worth.

First of all, I rode an Apex and Vector down the same trail and without doubt, the Venture was more comfortable, maybe not as agile as the first two though.
The rider forward position helps the driver but probably more for the passenger because they are now more centered on the machine. The older Ventures have the passenger right at the rear and very high on the seat which resulted in a lot of tossing and heaving of the passenger and making the whole machine feel a little unstable on rough trails.
The machine seemed to steer easier, especially at slow speeds and the engine was very smooth on take off.

The storage compartment is very large and easy to get at. The suspension is new and has two shocks, one forward and one rearward which should help everything, including stability.

The seat is a lot shorter than the older Ventures, mostly affecting the driver. I'm 5' 6" and a few times I felt my lower back up against the slope that separates driver and passenger.

As far as track howl, I hate it on my 06 (it's my biggest complaint) but on the new machine I didn't notice it. "But--it was a short ride" and we were going fast; above the speeds where the howl presented itself on my current machine, so I'm not convinced yet. I asked the factory rep. if they did something for the track howl on the new machine and he said no. But as Hondo said, maybe some changes have had a positive affect on the noise on the new machine even if that wasn't the intent-just my opinion.

I want to do another test ride before I buy but can say without doubt, the 2009 is a huge improvement over my 2006.

Don

 

[hondo]

Re: 2009 RS Venture test ride

As far as track howl, I hate it on my 06 (it's my biggest complaint) but on the new machine I didn't notice it. "But--it was a short ride" and we were going fast; above the speeds where the howl presented itself on my current machine, so I'm not convinced yet. I asked the factory rep. if they did something for the track howl on the new machine and he said no. But as Hondo said, maybe some changes have had a positive affect on the noise on the new machine even if that wasn't the intent-just my opinion.

Don

Track howl was a function of many things: Motor firing sequence (every 120 degrees) which causes harmonic resonance (vibration), through the primary clutch which effects nearly every compoment of the machine.

Crank shown is from some guy's Vector who forgot to hook up his breather correctly, and ran himself out of oil.

The breathers have also been redesigned.

The crank clearly shows firing sequence.

Here are my clutch weights after 6,700 miles. Harmonics at 6,000 and 7,000 rpms repsectively. (My Canada cruise control habit)

The entire Venture GT is new:

* The Venture GT is built on a Delta Box II Chassis

* The detuned motor should do several things, change the torque band to support the primary usage range, change the harmonic resonnance (vibrations) throughout the sled at the lower torque ranges and to also allow a more comfortable ride.

If you notice the passenger hand grips were foam the old RS Venture. The addition of foam hand grips was largely to reduce passenger numbing hand vibrations due to harmonic resonnance. The foam served it's purpose, but also created another problem, by not transfering sufficient hand grip heat to the passenger.

Notice the passenger grips on the new Venture GT. They are rubber coated similar to the riders hand grips. This tells me that the engineers have gotten better in harnessing the harmonic resonnance issues that have plagued the previous RS models.

* The GT also has a new clutch similar to the Apex.

Although the trained Cypress, CA Customer Rep response was; "It's the first we have heard of the problem". The engineers on the other hand, were well aware of the problem.

Hopefully after 4 years they have come up with a solution. i.e. a new sled with all the features have been asking for.

Side note: The 09 demo sleds should be in our area Houlton, Caribou, and Saint Agatha, around April 9, 10, 11. Don't quote me, the schedule is still in work. When the demo sleds get here, I will ride the machine again and make a video with sound, as appropriate.

I hope someone finds a track howl before we all buy a new machine...If so,...

All the more reason to stay on my current little red pony, and ride it to 50K.

Just trying to help shed some light on this annoying track howl issue.

 

[venture2]

Track Howl on RS ventures

Hey Hondo-
I do hope the engineers have resolved the issue of track howl on the new 09 Venture Gt because I really like the overall package too. You are right about the default response from their customer service people when a complaint was made because I heard it plenty of times; that is, "this is the first we've heard about any track noise". Maybe you have some inside scoop on that matter because your explaination of the changes that were made on the 09's seems to make sense and goes a lot further into the matter than most of us would know. I just wish someone from Yamaha would step up and say "we acknowledge the previous problem, we worked on it and it has been resolved on the 2009 Venture gt". Then the guessing game would end and people would be more likely to go out and buy one. If I could do 50 miles on one I could answer the question myself-ha-ha.
As for the oil vent line on the Vector you mentioned, I struggled with that hose myself, on the Venture and Vector that I own and glad to hear it's been resolved. Actually if it's the same hose I'm thinking of, (on the bottom of the air box, behind the brake section) a Longer hose would be one solution.

Don

 

[aVenture]

We have been blaming the vibration at the PTO level on the motor itself but this could well be the soft coupling between the crank & PTO shaft. I looked at the part # and its at rev 02 already, still the 08er are still reporting positive.

Track howl will be reduced a bit IMO, as the 09 tunnel has way less volume inside, a contributing factor.... but all the rest still is. With a new 09 demo with brand new hyfax, it will pass throught it. Things like 1" track with "quiet track" relief would have shown a desire for improovment.

 

[hondo]

I agree Venture2,

I hope they have figured it out as well.

I believe that they have.

It won't hurt to take a couple more demo rides and be able to make the best decision possible.

I haven't bought a GT yet, so I'll keep doing my own due diligence to determine what is the best sled for our application.

There are many layers to the company, probably for numerous reasons.

I do know there is a lot of information that is "stove piped" and not disseminated "laterally". It's just the way many corporations operate.

Having said that.... Reliability, Dependability, and Durabilty, Yamaha motors are second to none.

 

[baggs66]

got to try the gt today atpeak&peak in findleylake n.y. the seating is much tighterbut not crowded, i rode two up with my dad and were both well over 200.lbs. i like to be closer to the driver for the warmth my dads 05 you sit so far apart it feels like almost to much. didn't get on the trail just up and down the ski hill but i think the handling is much better and i love the rear suspension i wish my apex g.t. rode this well. good power should be real nice sled, i like it better than my dads 05 for handleing,fuel injection,and more storage. two new sleds got wrecked by a idiot that was drunk , he walked past the yamaha guys jumped on a sled and took off with no helmet before anyone could stop him he ended up t-boneing another rider on a test ride. lucky no one was hurt but wrecked two new sleds. by the way yamaha dominated the competition on the snow cross track nice show.

 

[asphaltkitty]

Ok I'll add my two cents,from a fellow fourstroker , I ridden the gt venture 09" in the trails, tight, twisty , straights nice motor 126+ more power low to mid than a z1, handled bumps very well , suspension needs to be set up per rider as would any sled , much improvement . chassis is not quite as forward as a apex in my opinion bars are nice , windsheild warm, back rest is nice, If you are tradeing up from a old style rs , may take a little time too get use to the new chassis, in the long end your body will thank you , especially for those long 200 + days .

 

[hondo]

Good ride report T.J.,

Clear, concise and to the point.

When you were riding the GT did you notice any track howl???