2020 Venom Ghost 250 1,000 mile review

[JerryHawk250]

Well we finally got some decent riding weather here and finally past the 1,000 mile mark. Saturday was a total wash out but Sunday was perfect. Temps in the low 70's and lots of sunshine. Getting the bike in October made it hard to get out and ride between the cold, rain and freezing temperatures. I ended up putting about 95 miles of non-stop riding on her yesterday. That ride took me from the northern part of our parish through the twisty roads through the swamps all the way to the most southern part of our parish again through the twisty roads through the marsh. I think the engine has finally broke in and she is running so smooth and effortlessly through the gears. All vibration at high rpms are just about gone. Bike easily cruised 55-65 mph with an occasional 70-75. You know you have to make sure the throttle twist all the way every once and a while. Even after riding for a little over 2 hours non stop i could f road longer. The bike is very comfortable for long rides unlike my Hawk. Comparing this bike to the X22R, the X22R handles the twisties and higher speeds much better but the Ghost has a more relaxed riding position for the long rides. The wind shield came in handy. Lots of bugs gave up there lives just so I could ride. The bike has ran flawlessly form day one. My only mods to this bike are tuning the carb, removing the cat, oil cooler and the rear sprocket change which I think is a must do. I really like this bike.

[Jeshmont]

Excellent report on the 1k miles Jerry! Looking forward to following in your foot steps on my Venom Ghost (when I actually get it) I'm guessing since you finally broke it in you're plotting for some performance mods now matching the X22R?

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Jeshmont

Excellent report on the 1k miles Jerry! Looking forward to following in your foot steps on my Venom Ghost (when I actually get it) I'm guessing since you finally broke it in you're plotting for some performance mods now matching the X22R?

Thanks. I sure will. Right now my biggest issue is finding the time. I have a 4 degree timing key that's been sitting on my work bench waiting to be installed for months. It would probably take me less than an hour to install. I'll probably do it with my next oil change since I have to drain the oil anyway. I have a head already ported. I just need to order the cam.

[Jeshmont]

Pardon my french but what the hell is that! Hopefully you will be doing a video on it? I have very little experience working on small engine motorcycles this will be my first so I usually just follow videos/instructions some things I will probably not even attempt maybe I'll pay someone to do it for me if I can find someone willing like porting the heads and the performance piston/cams like you did on the X22R

[JerryHawk250]

I have videos on the X22R for the 4 degree timing key and Porting the head, piston and cam swap.
I did my own porting but you can buy ported head, cam, piston and 4 degree timing key from Joe Henner.
You can contact him through his FB group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/8880...55205134967398

[JerryHawk250]

Despite all the rain we've been having for the pass few months i some how managed to put 1400 miles. We had something like 38 inches of rain in the last two months. Road the bike into work yesterday and this morning. What a beautiful sunrise. Made me want to ride right past the office and keep on riding.

I had my 1st issue with the bike yesterday morning. Nothing major. One of the rear LED turn signals stopped working. When i got home from work i did a little trouble shooting. I thought it would be something simple as maybe a connector loose or smashed or broken wire. The turn signal is made up of 5 or 6 LED lights so didn't think it was burnt. Well once i removed the lens it did turn out to be a burnt chip on the board. I just happened to have the LED signals i took of my X22R that were a different shape so replaced both rear signals so they would match. I think i'll find some smaller LED signals and replace the all. The ones that came on the bike are a little bulky and rub up against my saddle bags. Other than that she just keeps purring along.

[JerryHawk250]

No real update. After my bike has been sitting for a couple of months i was surprise she kick right up. I was expecting the battery to be dead but it was actually stayed well charged. I took her out for a 2 hour ride but that was cut short by the extreme heat. Heat index was in the 110's. I do have just over 1500 mile on it and still runs and rides great. Sure felt good to get out a ride again.

[herbie]

Glad you’re 2 wheeling again Jerry! The Ghost sounds like its been a good bike for you , it sure looks nice

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by herbie

Glad you’re 2 wheeling again Jerry! The Ghost sounds like its been a good bike for you , it sure looks nice

Yeah, now that I'm able to start riding again, the rain has come back for the week.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Yeah, now that I'm able to start riding again, the rain has come back for the week.

Just put on that windshield you have for the bike.

[herbie]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Yeah, now that I'm able to start riding again, the rain has come back for the week.

Yeah that figures, that’s my kind of luck! Rain is always a good time to tinker on the toys though!

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by herbie

Yeah that figures, that’s my kind of luck! Rain is always a good time to tinker on the toys though!

Now we got some kind of tropical system heading our way for the weekend. Eh, What's' New?

[JerryHawk250]

This Thursday will be a year that I've owned the Ghost. Though I didn't put a ton of miles on the bike, the times i have ridden it have been fun. It's been a horrible year for weather here with lots of rain and one bad azz hurricane. To top it off, having Covid killed my riding for about a month. Even with all that i manage to put right at 1,700 mile on her. The bike has ran flawless. The weather has been perfect lately so I've been able to put some miles on her just in the past few weeks. I've only had two minor issues with the bike. One was a broken weld on one of the brackets on the side covers. It look like it was just a bad tack weld. Easy fix with my mig welder. The 2nd issue was a burnt out LED turn signal. The stock turn signal was rubbing on my saddle bag and was planning on replacing them anyway. I had LED turn signals the i removed from my X22R which worked out perfect and they cleared the saddle bags. The Ghost is a good little cruiser for around town and back roads.

[TyGuy]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

This Thursday will be a year that I've owned the Ghost. Though I didn't put a ton of miles on the bike, the times i have ridden it have been fun. It's been a horrible year for weather here with lots of rain and one bad azz hurricane. To top it off, having Covid killed my riding for about a month. Even with all that i manage to put right at 1,700 mile on her. The bike has ran flawless. The weather has been perfect lately so I've been able to put some miles on her just in the past few weeks. I've only had two minor issues with the bike. One was a broken weld on one of the brackets on the side covers. It look like it was just a bad tack weld. Easy fix with my mig welder. The 2nd issue was a burnt out LED turn signal. The stock turn signal was rubbing on my saddle bag and was planning on replacing them anyway. I had LED turn signals the i removed from my X22R which worked out perfect and they cleared the saddle bags. The Ghost is a good little cruiser for around town and back roads.

Glad the bike is treating you well, Jerry. Love hearing things like this where people are happy with riding.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by TyGuy

Glad the bike is treating you well, Jerry. Love hearing things like this where people are happy with riding.

I'm always happy when I'm ridding. Even if i get caught in the rain.