Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic - 2007 Motorcycle Review

I wasn't "really" going to buy a bike at the time. I just stopped in the local dealer with a friend who had a problem with her 4 wheeler. To pass the time I went into the show room to view all the eye candy. After checking out all of the bigger bikes, I saw a line of bikes along the other wall with substantially lower tags. I thought "That can't be right!" and went to investigate further. I thought these were 1100's. Turns out they were 650's. 3 V-Star Classics and a Custom, along with a Silverado. These things are pretty well tricked out. Rider floorboards, heel-toe shifters, nice low seat, scads of chrome, and a great classic look. Alas, it was time to go. With a few backward glances I left the showroom.

 I was back in a couple of days, after doing some online investigation. I really liked the look of that V-Star 650 Classic! The price tag wasn't bad either. ;-) I checked out some of the used cruisers they had as well, and the 1100's and 1300's but I kept migrating back to that red 650. I thought "I gotta get outta here before I spend a buncha money!"

 I was back the next week. This time for real, and I took her home with me. This was in August of '06. I spent a lot of time on the road for the next couple months. I also spent more cash on extras: low profile windshield, passenger back rest and floorboards, case guards, passing lamps, etc. I still haven't sprung for the Vance & Hines Cruzer pipes, but that is definitely on my to-do list, along with a driver back rest! I've met a few other guys with VS650s and the V&H pipes and those bikes sound excellent! You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the V-Star 40 and a Harley 80.

 So, it's been nearly 2 years since I fell in love. A lot of times the "in love" part wears off and you just tolerate each other. Not with this girl! I'm still there! I had to buy a house so that I could put her in a garage where she could be protected from the weather. (I was gonna buy one anyway!) My new neighbor from across the street wandered over as I was out front waiting for a load of furniture and during the conversation he said "Nice Harley ya got there!" and gestured to my V-Star. He, of course, had a Harley of his own, which he admitted that he never rode anymore. He didn't seem too convinced when I first told him it was a 650, so he had to check it out for himself.

 I ride practically every day during the summer, and most sunny days in the spring and fall. Even during the winter, when the roads down here in the flatlands are clear, I'll take her out. Since the mountains are only a short 20 miles west, I go up that way quite a bit, searching out the twisty-turny back roads and 2 lane highways and by-ways.

The bike handles great at all speeds. The handle bars are swept back just enough for comfort. The only thing I would change, if I were to change anything, would be to add a 6th gear. She feels like she really wants to shift again about 60 MPH and at first I found myself trying to find that extra gear. I've had her up over 90, so I know it isn't that big of a deal, it just felt like it should be there. All in all though, an excellent ride for the money, base price under $6200. Well, that's all I've got. Now it's time to ride!