Just got my Venom GPV-1 from Horizon Hobby and within the first hour the Radio's LCD screen went dead, The grub screw came loose on the spur gear (big gear) and that messed up the gear mesh and chain tension. I fixed that and put in my 1/10 scale 2.4ghz RX trimed the steering and off I go. The next day the right front shock lower sleeve unscrewed it's self and let out all the oil and the lower body started to rub against the spur gear. I fixed the shock and cut out the offending section on the body so it would not rub anymore and off I go again. I am getting really good at driving it and then the rear sproket breaks! ***! I know its plastic but come on!

I also own a Kyosho HOR and I would have to say it is better built (because I built it) and I have had less problems with it. At least the HOR has a hardend plastic sprocket and not some cheap junk like Venoms.

The GPV handle quite well but there are some weak points like the wheels, sprocket, front brake kit. I had seen a few local guys broke these parts already. Especially if you use a brushless motor setup. For the sprocket you can change to ZH aluminum sprocket with hub, but you need to change to ZH aluminum rims too. They are very durable and comes in a lot of different colours too. For the front as the hex for the brake disk on the ZH rims are larger than the Venom one I don't think the ZH one would fit. I am thinking of changing to complete ZH front fork and brake kit on my Venom. Which is a lot more durable as everything was made by aluminum. Will try to fit it these few days and see if it is possible.

Thanks for the heads up. Lets hope they make a metal sproket for the GPV-1

After going through the whole bike I was able to get the bike to run a lot better. I am amazed at how poorly the bike was built by Venom. After adjusting the servo horn, adjusting the springs on the steering return to center, and adjusting the shocks the bike runs 100% better. I didnt like the look of the bike with all of the stickers and what not so I took them all off, masked the body and gave it a two tone paint job. It looks a lot better and a little bit more scale.

After lot's of tweaking the GPV-1 I now have it dialed in and it drives like a champ! This is turning out to be a great RC!