Hey GabrielB, saw your post on the Ventureriders. 2 NICE bikes!

In addition to my '06 Roadie I also have an '07 Venture. I like them both and can't pick a favorite.

To clear up a few things...

A Royal only feels sluggish if you try to ride it like a Road Star and lug it. If you get the RPM's up they have plenty of power. A '97 doesn't have the power of the '99 & up Royals but it's hard to tell it. Any Royal will still outrun a R*.
Yep, 4 carbs and syncing them is an easy 10 minute job with a $100 tool. I made my own tool for $8 but it takes an extra 5-10 minutes. LoL
Engine life... there are 200k mile R*'s and 200k mile Royals.
Clutch whinne... some have it bad, some hardly have any. My '07 has a little only at an rpm where I'm always either above or below.
As far as gearing... I don't shift out of 4th unless I'm above 65mph and even then I really should stay in 4th till 75mph. In fact, if you try to hit the limiter in each gear then you'll be past 90 before shifting to 4th.

You'll be happy with the Royal if you do swap.

Good Luck!

My brother has a 97 Royal & loves it! He & his wife are headed to D.C. this weekend for the Ride To The Wall. This will be their 3rd trip up there on that bike. I think you'll really like the Royal. If it's anything like his, they are really dependable bikes although the sound takes a little getting used to.

Really love the look of both bikes, but IMHO I would pay more for your road* then his RY*, but that just me.

Both are great bikes. Thinking of picking up a RSV sometime myself. But I will keep the R*. Between both sites you should get some good info.

Both bikes are nice and whatever you chose to ride go for it BUT I also prefer your R* and would also expect to pay more for it

Traded my 03 R* for a 03 Venture. The Royal star is more of a touring bike straight up. Its not a torque monster as the Road* is but you can ride it all day with less wear and tear. It is smoother and at made for longer trips. If you do not mind the higher revs you will be shocked at how fast these engines are. The air shocks are a plus. Again to each his own. If you ride longer rides and want a more plush ride you can not beat the royal star. If most of your trips are limited to a day or less I would stay with the Road*.

i would never trade my roadie for a rstd. high rpms from other guys talking on this thread sounds like my old 650 star (shaft and high rpms) i couldnt take the high rpms, dang thing sounded like the rubber band would snap at any second on the freeway. and then you got more fluids to change, antifreeze and gear oil in the diff. no sir. not for me. but again thats just my ramblings and my opinion, dont mean nothing to noboby but me.

Totally different than a 650 which I also owned. You do not notice the Higher RPM unless you have louder pipes which I do. The tone is higher pitched closer to a inline 4. It is balanced engine and smooth as a baby's butt. I thought on the 650 the rear piston would blast through the seat and rob me of my man hood... Again all depends on what you want out of a bike. Both are great bikes just different rididng styles. I do miss the Road* for some of its character, but for a touring bike there is no comparison. You can ride both long distances but you will be more tired on the road*.

Jreed wrote:
Totally different than a 650 which I also owned. You do not notice the Higher RPM unless you have louder pipes which I do. The tone is higher pitched closer to a inline 4. It is balanced engine and smooth as a baby's butt. I thought on the 650 the rear piston would blast through the seat and rob me of my man hood... Again all depends on what you want out of a bike. Both are great bikes just different rididng styles. I do miss the Road* for some of its character, but for a touring bike there is no comparison. You can ride both long distances but you will be more tired on the road*.

gotya, yea the 650 for me i had the stock pipes and all i heard was whinning from the motors rpms. after i put the v&h cruzers on i didnt hear the motor as much but still didnt sound all that much better too me im thinking its just the super high rpms all together for me. what makes the royal star make you less tired after a long haul anyhow??

Less vibration at Highway speeds. More passing power at 70 plus MPH. Air shocks for a more adjustment for loads. I have only test rode a Royal Star , but the venture has good wind protection so I really can't comment on that aspect. I just know I can ride the venture 10-12 hours 500-600 miles and not be as tired. Its just a different animal for a different style of riding. If I could afford two bikes I would own both...lol.