I just picked up my Eluder 1-1/2 months ago and only have a little over 600 miles on it. I went from a Vstar 1300 to a Roadstar 1700, both 2007's and I still have those bikes. The Eluder by far is a my favorite bike and think if your getting anywhere close to the deal I got ($14,999 out the door) with no setup or destination charges, you can't go wrong. This is a much refined version of the Roadstar motor that came out in 1999 with the air cooled V-twin, 4 valve per cylinder motor. Even though I've seen people say it's the same motor as the Strat or Roadliner, it's not, it is a new design. As far as comparing to a Vstar 1300, there's no comparison. The Vstar 1300 may have a couple of advantages, like less weight to move in parking lots, water cooled so less heat from motor to deal with, and is higher revving (6k rev limiter) but really nothing else. If you are more like a sport bike rider and like running your rpm's up from every stoplight, you may like the Vstar 1300 better, but the Eluder just doesn't need that. I've read that some people think the Eluder redline could of been a little higher, but it doesn't bother me a bit. The original Roadstar 1600 was a little to low at 4200 redline, but the upped that on the 1700 through 2007 to 4750. There's so much more torque, you don't need to rev it to redline in my opinion.
Handling while moving is great, way better than my Roadstar, and probably on par with the much lighter Vstar 1300. The the static weight to move in a parking lot can be a little bit of a choir, depending on grade and surface of parking area.
One thing I've read for comparison to the Harley, is most of the bigger Yamaha's V-twins, Venture/Eluder included, have a about a 3" longer wheelbase, so they may be more comfortable for a taller riders to stretch out.
Your the first I haven't heard of any electrical gremlins.
The original navigation on my bike Rev xx11.xx seems to work ok, but I haven't got the headsets, or tried bluetooth or CB, I think that what is affected the most. You can do 2 upgrades, 1st one free, second one you have to upgrade the Maps of $100. But yes, they change the software supplier on the 2019/2020 Ventures that's not compatible with the 2018. Not a deal breaker for me, I don't think I'd ever use the CB and my wife doesn't ride with me so the intercom doesn't matter either.
Don't know about fuel problems.
I've been averaging ~40mpg combination highway and stop and go, haven't done a full tank on the highway.
I have no idea yet of tire mileage yet.
My bike seems to be quit warm compared to the Roadstar. I've hear that it gets cooler as engine breaks in. Dealer I bought it from said to buy the lower wind deflectors, that will help a lot while moving. I ordered some but they seem to be on back order. I hope this isn't any indication that the few accessories that Yamaha has for the Eluder won't be supported from the not so good sales numbers. Maybe more Covid related hopefully.
I haven't ridden in the rain, but the bags have a nice rubber seal that I think should be water tight. My Roadstar Silverado hardbags don't have any seal and they are water tight.
Hope this helps a little. If these bikes are built anywhere close to the Roadstar mechanical reliability, they should last over 200K miles.
