 Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 130
Adjunct
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 130 |
Got a friend getting ready to buy his first bike. Hard as I've tried haven't been able to convince him to buy Triumph yet. He found a 2001 Vstar for short $$ on craigslist and wants me to look at it with him. Anything special I should look for? Anybody ridden one of these things? I'm not big into "yamaharleys" so I don't know much about it.
Thanks,
Brian
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 988
3/4 Throttle
|
|
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 988 |
I have always heard that they were underpowered but I never road one. I know a guy that had one but he didn't keep it very long so not alot of help here. 
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
i have a friend that has the 1100 and his wife rides the 650 and i have ridden both. the 650 is underpowered for sure but i think its because its a heavy bike. they have never had any problems with either bike and they are both early 2000's i think his might be 02 and hers 03/04?? i know he rides a lot more than her so i am sure he has several more miles. other than being heavy and underpowered its not a bad bike. their whole family rides yamaha there are a couple ventures, stratoloungers,and v-stars in just about everybodies garages in that family and i really dont recall anybody having any serious issues with any of them. one of the ventures had an electrical glich that got solved after a number of times in the shop but thats abnout all i recall. 
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
|
|
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22 |
Its an outstanding first bike. They are dependable, parts are readily available, dealer network it there. It accelerates very slowly so won't run away from him.
I suggest he buy. It should be pretty cheap as they drop in value almost as badly as our bikes.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 226
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 226 |
good solid bike,n i think west eagle do a good selection of after market parts for em,make a nice bobber. 
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep, good solid bike, alright. And, as newt and Ron pointed out, a bit underpowered. (...however, the good part of ownership might be that they're also a reasonably nondescript motorcycle, and so the likelihood is very very low of any geezers walkin' up to him and wantin' to bend your friend's ear about that old Yamaha the geezer had back in the day!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I know a few people with Vstar 1100s and they seem to be happy with them. One of them is all hotrodded and billetized with a killer 2-into-1 pipe that sounds pretty cool.
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 17
Complete Newb
|
|
Complete Newb
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 17 |
Just a note...the clutch is hydraulic, so when you let it out it's almost completely released before the gear engages...feels a bit strange because you keep waiting for the bike to start pulling and it doesn't. It can't be adjusted, so you just have to get used to it, but once you do it's not a problem.
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
very good , basic, motorcycle......looks to be bigger than a 650 but I guess that is part of the draw.......
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 130
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 130 |
Thanks for the input. I'll have to keep that clutch thing in mind when I test ride it for him. Wondering about the whole underpowered thing. Neither of us is svelte. 
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
When I was shopping for my bike nearly 10 years ago all my buddies said don't go under 750cc if you want to leave town on the thing. Whew! Just got under the wire with 40cc to spare...
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
|
|
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
My OL had one for about a year. Put maybe 35 miles on it in that time because it couldn't keep up with an ice cream truck and handled worse than a '50 Buick. It had the most bazaar intake system I ever saw and you have to disassemble half the bike to change the rear tire.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
|
|
Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
I had one. The are a brilliant first bike. Highly recommended. Easy to ride because of a low centre of gravity (compared to the BA). Less power than the BA but enough power to get you out of trouble and for overtaking. I weigh 200lb. It will struggle if you want to cruise faster than about 80mph. I could adjust the clutch on mine so I don't understand the criticism there. The engine is as solid as a rock and will never quit. Easy to work on. The air intake is restricted and convoluted but I simply removed it, put K&N pods on (under the tank), re-jetted and gutted the stock exhausts. There is an economical kit (Gonzo from memory) for this. I got significant more HP as a result. I think Greybeard is a little harsh here. IMO they handle quite well - certainly not a dog - and with a bit less clearance than the BA I was scraping the pegs quite frequently. The driveshaft/diff has pros and cons (as do chains). Pros: virtually maintenance free - use Honda Moly past smeared (not packed) on the drive shaft then forget. Cons: The diffs have been known to implode - mine did under warranty - but the 2nd one was good and I did about 20,000kms on it and was still sweet. The diff also sucks up more HP than a chain. IMPORTANT: Check the play in the drive shaft. Parked on side-stand in gear the driveshaft should only rotate with about 1/8" play. Any more play and it will probably be costing you money in the near future. The V-star650 forum on Delphi forums is a very good, active and helpful forum - nearly as good as this one. Hope this helps.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 81
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 81 |
I owned one, put 7000 miles on before trading up. Great bike, not as underpowered as posted. Open up the exhaust and change filters. It helps. Is it a classic or custom? I also put a mustang seat on mine. Spendy but worth it.
Good luck and be safe!
Old Guys Rule!!!
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 109
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 109 |
Quote:
... and so the likelihood is very very low of any geezers walkin' up to him and wantin' to bend your friend's ear about that old Yamaha the geezer had back in the day!)
This geezer's first experience on PTWs began back at Xmas, 1958 with a French Motobécane which was soon traded for a Lambretta (I wanted a Rumi, but they weren't available thru purchase at the Military Exchange, so Dad said NO). I doubt I'd ever see any of these here in the states, but they would be worth bending somebody's ear if they had one. 
BTW, I was on the verge of buying a brand new 650 Yami cruiser, but saw a picture of a red Speedmaster and it was love at first sight.
Last edited by LA_Geezer; 07/03/2011 7:23 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 130
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 130 |
Well he bought it. It's a 2001 Vstar 650 classic. In good shape for being a 2001. No blemishes to speak of on the body. The motor and shaft drive appeared to be in relatively good shape as well. Nice looking bike. Sounds good due to Vance & Hines pipes. I test drove it for him and rode it home as well. A little small for me. Even though we're both 6'1", I'm all legs, he's got short legs and a long torso so he felt good on it. Clutch takes some getting used too, almost all the way out before it starts to grab. Stalled it a couple times in the first couple miles where there were a bunch of traffic lights. Found out the hard way that it will only start in neutral. Won't start in first with the clutch pulled in like ours will. Makes stalling a bit more of a PITA because you can't just pull in the clutch and hit the button. Once I got the hang of it was a decent ride. Handles easily, seemed to pull fairly strong, and the brakes worked. Got it up to 70/75 for a bit with no issues. Does vibrate quite a bit more than my America. Had a good time riding it home and was glad to help a good friend take his first steps to getting in the wind. It also made me appreciate how great a bike my America is! 
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048 |
Quote:
Well he bought it. It's a 2001 Vstar 650 classic. In good shape for being a 2001. No blemishes to speak of on the body. The motor and shaft drive appeared to be in relatively good shape as well. Nice looking bike. Sounds good due to Vance & Hines pipes. I test drove it for him and rode it home as well. A little small for me. Even though we're both 6'1", I'm all legs, he's got short legs and a long torso so he felt good on it.
Clutch takes some getting used too, almost all the way out before it starts to grab. Stalled it a couple times in the first couple miles where there were a bunch of traffic lights. Found out the hard way that it will only start in neutral. Won't start in first with the clutch pulled in like ours will. Makes stalling a bit more of a PITA because you can't just pull in the clutch and hit the button.
Once I got the hang of it was a decent ride. Handles easily, seemed to pull fairly strong, and the brakes worked. Got it up to 70/75 for a bit with no issues. Does vibrate quite a bit more than my America.
Had a good time riding it home and was glad to help a good friend take his first steps to getting in the wind. It also made me appreciate how great a bike my America is!
My wife rides one and I like it too! No style compared to the Triumphs. I think it has good power and rides well. There are several ways to compensate for the clutch lever. GO HERE:
http://www.650ccnd.com/
and here:
http://www.yamahamotorcycleforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3
Last edited by frijoli; 07/05/2011 10:23 PM.
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I don't know if this relates at all, but I just rode the 1100Vstar I mentioned before and I can't comment on the power of the 650 but if it handles like the 1100 but maybe a little lighter it should be alright. That 1100 felt really heavy compared to my TBA.
|
|
|
Re: Anybody have experience with a Vstar 650
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048 |
Quote:
I don't know if this relates at all, but I just rode the 1100Vstar I mentioned before and I can't comment on the power of the 650 but if it handles like the 1100 but maybe a little lighter it should be alright. That 1100 felt really heavy compared to my TBA.
The 650 custom, feels like a bicycle when compared to my speedmaster.
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
|
|
|
|
|
