The Shadow, as some of you know, belongs to my Wife. So today, my Venture Royale is in the shop getting some needed maintenance, and I needed a
"ride" fix. The wife was away on a short trip and with her permission, I took her '98 on a 40 mile ride. Longest ride since I drove it home on
a cold windy day several months ago, before the wife got her "m" on her license again.
The bike really surprised me. We have added some options to make it nicer for long distances, and changed out some fluids, done some maintenance. This is a REALLY nice bike. Yes, I miss the tunes, air suspension and full fairing of the Royale, but this was a fun ride. I did the windshield mod where a couple 1" links tip it forward, and it really took the wind blast mostly off my head. My wife must be in a really calm pocket because she sits a lot lower than I do.
The throttle lock and forward pegs also make for nice riding. But I didn't remember the bike being that smooth at 60+ mph. At steady throttle, it is almost sewing machine smooth. No wonder she smiles when she finishes a long ride with me. I seemed to remember more vibration. And lots of power. Now that I am more at ease with the Shadow, I get on it a little more and really like the V twin power pulses under acceleration. Maybe there is something to all those Harley's after all?
Anyway, I liked the bike before, but really like it now. Will keep my Royale, but borrow her bike more often!
The bike really surprised me. We have added some options to make it nicer for long distances, and changed out some fluids, done some maintenance. This is a REALLY nice bike. Yes, I miss the tunes, air suspension and full fairing of the Royale, but this was a fun ride. I did the windshield mod where a couple 1" links tip it forward, and it really took the wind blast mostly off my head. My wife must be in a really calm pocket because she sits a lot lower than I do.
The throttle lock and forward pegs also make for nice riding. But I didn't remember the bike being that smooth at 60+ mph. At steady throttle, it is almost sewing machine smooth. No wonder she smiles when she finishes a long ride with me. I seemed to remember more vibration. And lots of power. Now that I am more at ease with the Shadow, I get on it a little more and really like the V twin power pulses under acceleration. Maybe there is something to all those Harley's after all?
Anyway, I liked the bike before, but really like it now. Will keep my Royale, but borrow her bike more often!
