10 Reason to buy a V-Star XVS 650

It's been around for 25 years, I love the V-Star 650 and so do many other riders. I add up the feedback from the internet and my own experience to give you the top ten reasons to buy one.

[SanchezArep]

I bought this bike in 2004 and love it. It has been stored for 10 years now. I put it in the shop for a rebuild to new. I can't wait to get back on it. I had shoulder issues and couldn't ride for years. Then the mice ate some wires and the carbs then fouled up. I am 67 and can't wait to ride my Yamaha.

[skoorbyrret]

I bought a brand new "650 Dragstar" {the UK version of the 650 V-Star} back in 2000 ....it's the best bike I have owned in over 55years of motorcycling.
Other bikes have come & gone, but even now {at 73yo} my Dragstar {V-Star} is my "keeper for life" ...handling it & riding it still as easy & enjoyable as it ever was.

[kenwittlief]

Nicely done!

Power: a lot of people get this bike and think since it looks like a HD it should sound and run like one.

Its not, the engine is a square throw design, it red lines at over 7200 rpm, and the rev limiter kicks in around 7200.

So people get on the bike, expect it to sound like a HD, and shift it like a HD at 10, 20, 30, 40 mph... Ive seen people doing it in videos of the bike, you can see the speedo when they are shifting, then they complain the bike has no power and it needs a 6th gear. There are comments about lack of 6th gear on your video too.

the 5th gear is already an overdrive ratio
the bike will hit 103mph before the rev limiter kicks in
if there was a 6th gear the bike would not be able to hit 80mph, because the engine would never reach the peak of its HP curve - its perfect just the way it is.

the rev limiter points for all the gears:

1st = 59 km/h = 37MPH
2nd = 84 km/h = 53MPH
3rd = 110 km/h = 69MPH
4th = 137 km/h = 86MPH
5th = 165 km/h = 103MPH

yes the engine will be reving fast doing 65 in 3rd gear, its designed for it, more like a sports bike than a long throw HD potato potato cruiser. You can ride this bike all day at 85mph in 5th gear. If you think it sounds too loud, get earplugs.

Mine is totally stock. I love the way the engine GROWLES in 3rd, thru the air intake, WFO at 65mph just as you shift into 4th, and it does it again when you shift into 5th at about 80.
It has a rev limiter - you cant hurt it unless you down shift too soon (going to fast) and mechanically redline the engine (ie DONT kick it down into 3rd at 85mph!)

The other thing: the idle spec is 1200 rpm. People want it to sound like a HD so they turn the idle adjustment way down
the oil pump is not spinning fast enough to push oil to the top of the heads below 1200 rpm, running it that way will run your bearings dry

Like you said, if you get one of these with low miles, that has been well maintained, esp if its still factory stock, you can expect to ride it until the odo reaches 100, 000 miles easily
and if you are not fanning the clutch all the time, it can last the life of the bike too

even though many were made over 20 years, it can take a while to find a good one that has not been trash-modified and abused
People who bought them new, and take care of them, tend to keep them til the doctor says "you cant ride anymore"... or their estate is selling it., because it literally lasted for the rest of their life...

[sidneylove]

Exactly. Not only are parts very available, but they are also very good parts new and used at a very low price. I have a 2009 vstar 650 Silverado classic, which is the fully dressed model. It's not fast and it's low geared but it is comfortable and very well made. These bikes have a real frame and with shaft drive rare gear oil changes is all the drive train ever requires. They sound good. They look great and they ride smooth for their size. They are great for back roads and state highway, US highway lower speed cruises. They get good gas mileage at open road 5th gear about 50 miles an hour. If they are accepted for what they are, they are very dependable and practical. They will do interstate but at a very tached up rpm. I use mine for no hurry back roads and state highways, US highway riding and go about 50, 55 mph and just enjoy the cows and horses, antique cars, bales of hay, and general backroads country scenery . I've had mine for 6 years. I have another more powerful and faster motorcycle, but I enjoy my vstar. They are well made and very dependable.

[tabithamartin]

I got my first Bike in 2010. It was a brand new 2009 Yamaha Vstar 650 Silverado. It was cerulean and silver, and absolutely gorgeous bike. Her name was Claire. I literally got my license the day before I bought her, she cost $8000. I put enough miles on her in just a few days to require her first maintenance. At the end of her second week I rode her solo from Seattle Washington to Staunton Virginia. Got her second servicing in Harrisonburg Virginia that same week...

I think it was safe to say, I was bitten by the bug so to speak. Sadly, Claire met her fate after only 14 months, when I was Tboned by a dodge ram pick up. Thankfully I was wearing full gear at the time.

I have had 4 yamaha Vstars. 3 of them including my current one, were all 650's, and one of them was an 1100. I prefer the 650 for the reasons mentioned above. I also love how it handles. You can steer to turn, or you can lean to turn, or a combination of both. I like that versatility.

With stock pipes, they are a quiet ride, which I like. loud pipes save lives is just an excuse to sit at a light and try to look impressive revving your bikes. Oh btw. its NOT impressive...

though, admittedly, I find 2 flaws with this bike.
1. checking the oil is difficult because the sight glass is practically on the underside of the bike.
2. No hazzard lights. Hazzard lights at a stop light or in stopped traffic works wonders to make the drivers coming up behind you, notice you. These should be STANDARD on ALL bikes.

However, I love my Vstars, and dont see me even looking for something else anytime soon.

[davidji]

Just pick up my 2006 vstar yesterday as my first bike, I’m absolutely loving it

[jetranger]

I sold my last bike almost 30 years ago... an '81 CB 750F Supersport.

In a vain attempt to regain my wasted youth I recently bought another bike... a Vstar 650 (I didn't want the recklessness of my youth back).

You echoed everything I was thinking.

Well said!

[kirstiebroadfield]

Thank you for this video! Im doing my test this weekend and am thinking of getting one of these!

[terencemeehan]

I bought mine new in 2000. Half a dozen other bikes have come and gone but I still have my vStar and ride it regularly. Now I have an Indian Chief and the vStar which is my old standby, keep it clean and happy and it will always make me happy, I’ll never get rid of it!!

[JackHuddo]

I just bought my first ever road bike and that being a 2005 VStart classic. I absolutely love it and completely agree with the video. Solid coverage man!

[robertcrawford]

I had one, purchased circa 2002. It was the "classic" which had slightly different styling, however essentially the same bike. I was using it as my sole transportation through grad school. I will mention one known maintenance reliability issue, that while I read about it in the forums, I did not really understand the issue until it happened to me.

The problem is the rear pinion gear. It is not properly lubricated from the factory. It needs to be pulled (not a big job, but set aside a Saturday) and have molybdenum grease put in. Molybdenum grease is essential for this application due to its properties. Frankly, I didn't do it, and the pinion wore to the point that I released the clutch at a stoplight and experienced no forward movement.

I tore it down, as I said, it isn't a really big job, and found that the excessive wear had resulted in no contact between the pinion and the ring gears. Here is the problem, not all of the parts were available, Yamaha simply did not offer them as replacement parts. I replaced the parts I was able to, and continued to use the worn parts where I had to, applied the proper grease, and it was enough to allow me to continue using it to finish grad school. I later sold it for parts.

I think it confuses people when they are sold a running, ridable bike, and told it is only for parts. However, I could not, in good conscience, pretend that I was selling a serviceable motorcycle. That said, I was entirely aware that the buyer weekend rode it for several years after that, telling me that my partial fix was a fairly good one.

In all, I liked it. I did discover that I didn't like the cruiser riding position, but that is something that has to be tried to make a good decision. My current Moto Guzzi is a better bike in nearly every way, however, it is also a more expensive bike. As I said, other than the pinion gear grease issue, it was a good bike with, as you have observed, a lot of good qualities.

[leonlazarevic]

After not riding for 20 years I got me 2007 v star 650 for $2400 to get back into it and I'm loving it. Will keep it for sure no matter what I upgrade to.

[kurokubushi]

Just got an '05 classic as my fjrst bike. Im super excited to begin my motorcycle journey.

[domanater]

Great review mate, I actually never really liked the look of harleys etc and never understood the appeal untill my dad bought one recently and wow they are awesome. I think this would be the best learner cruiser for me!

[_NoBuddyCares]

I’ve had my classic for almost 4 years now. Done a handful of work to it and I’m still obsessed with the bike.

[alancroley]

i love your blogs and the bike .i own a xvs650 dragstar 97 custom for 18yrs now 80, 000mls on the clock here in england uk

[chappy]

Amazing video matey, appreciate the hard work....Great bike too, 40 mpg (US gallon), top speed with windscreen 92mph, Bulletproof air cooled engine, EZ oil changes, and rear wheel removal, classic styling that seems to have disappeared off the market, i enjoyed a cup O tea and a marmite toastie whilst watching your video. Cheers

[DeanosMotoVlog]

Great video, I have the 650 classic. I love it!

[jlrutube]

I had one of these v-star 650s and I rode it for about a year then upgraded. It's a very fun and enjoyable bike. I had the classic version with the fuller fenders. The engine runs best between 60 to 70 mph but much over 70 and it feels like you need to shift to 6th gear pretty bad but there isn't a 6th gear. That is the only real drawback to the bike. However, if you don't mind traveling on the smaller secondary 65 mph highways it is just fine. But if you live in America and spend a lot of time on the interstates where everyone goes 80 mph you will be very disappointed with the little v-star. In a pinch you can reach 90 mph on it but it isn't happy going that speed or even 80 to my way of thinking. Other than that one complaint you just can't get a better bike for the money.

[vadersfather]

Haven’t ridden in twenty years and looking at one of these to get back on the road 8 grand with a couple thousand on the clock even though you are from nsw after your thoughts going to get it and I’m actually looking forward to riding again