Yamaha v star 650

[bikerjohn]

getting ready to help my 17 yr old buy a v star 650 any words on problems I should know about

 

Thanks

[yamagrl]

Had an 06 Vstar Classic. It was a great motorcycle. Gas mileage was mostly in the mid 50s. It was also amazingly stable on the interstate at 75. There is a couple of great forums.

http://www.650ccnd.com/

 

http://forums.delphiforums.com/sgmfa/start

 

 

Here is a link for the Factory service manual

http://650ccnd.com/webslinger/Mods/Manuals/VSTAR_650_Service_MAN.pdf

Edited September 10, 2015 by yamagrl

[billmac]

I had one. no problems. great bike.

[videoarizona]

I had one as well...Classic. Put Vance and Hines mufflers to blow the neighbors away and impress my Harley friends.

Loved it. Sold it for more than I paid for it two years later. A little buzzy on feet and hands at 75mph, but she would do it all day.

 

Treat her like a Venture...lube the shaft drive splines and enjoy!

No problems with mine at all.

 

Suggest a Mustang seat or let Mr. Butler take a whack at the original. Stock seat isn't that good.

David

Edited September 10, 2015 by videoarizona

[Hummingbird]

I had one for a short time but it was a fun bike while I had it. I found out it wasn't designed for 2 up so within a month I upgraded to a 1100, plenty of power

[CaptainJoe]

Make sure the splines on the end of the final drive are good. Was not lubricated enough from factory.

Many reported failures including mine. I had to replace.

Otherwise the bikes bullet proof...

[cowpuc]

Never owned one John but always loved the way they sound,, kind of a mini Harley tater sound.. All the best in the adventure with your son there my Texas Hero!!

 

On another note,, make sure you tell that young man howdy for me and ask him to PLEASE - take his scoot down to a parking lot somewhere and practice practice practice before heading down the road on it if he is a new rider!!

And don't forget those 's,,, lots and lots of 's!!

[Stache]

My son has one, my wife has another. Both solid and reliable. Only issue I found was that the stock clutch friction zone is very narrow, which impacts slow speed maneuvering. There's a replacement clutch lever called a "clevver" http://theclevver.com/ that changes the geometry and increases the friction zone.

 

Fine machines, capable, fun to ride.

[SapperMedic]

Son has a purple one now and loves it, Thanks Stache for the Clutch lever site, we already put a spring mod on it to get rid of the freeplay in the lever and that would help lengthen that sweet spot for low speed maneuvers

[mcgwire723]

My wife rides a 2001, the only issue we have had is the pick up went out. An inexpensive and fairly easy fix.

[bj66]

Son rides one, he's about 145 pounds. Bike is a good fit for him. We rode together at Sturgis in 14, he was a little nervous with all the commotion but he did well. Bike was big enough for interstate and all the traffic etc. I would say good choice....

[beastwood]

I had my 2001 650 for seven years. Absolutely loved it. Just sold it two months ago to a friend. I commuted to work daily with it, it is very reliable. It handled better on Metzlers than on the stock Dunlops.

[bikerjohn]

Found a 2013 v star for Blake - nice first bike

[Beau-Kat]

Make sure the splines on the end of the final drive are good. Was not lubricated enough from factory.

Many reported failures including mine. I had to replace.

Otherwise the bikes bullet proof...

 

Yup. Same problems here. I had mine for 10 years. Pinion teeth stripped at 11000 miles ($500 for new rear diff w/o labor).

Maintained it well and put about 16000 total miles on it then sold it to a friend and told him I'd still maintain it for him.

He rode only 700 miles and the pickup coil went out. He bought the part and I replaced it for him.

We moved so I haven't been in contact since. He has my number, and hasn't called, so I guess all is well.

 

On the bright side, the carbs are very easy to service while still on the bike.

[Beau-Kat]

P.S.

Be careful changing the oil. Easy to strip the bolts.

Luckily, I never stripped mine.

And, buy a spoke wrench and check your spokes occasionally.