Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic - 2008 Motorcycle Review

Overall 5.00 of 5 view all 2 reviews

add to my favorites email to a friend view more Motorcycle Reviews

Publisher's Circle

kid-kansas
Clearwater, KS

add kid-kansas to my friends list

She called out to me and I could not resist her!

value conscious, love to travel, impressed with this product

Pros

Good M.P.G., Big bike looks w/o the price, Great throttle response, 4.23 Gallon gas tank

APR

2008

I have been on the lookout for a motorcycle since September of last year, I had one before i got hurt in 94 but was afraid I could no longer ride. That all changed in September when I rode a 1200 Harley Sportster for a week while visiting my daughter. I wanted a motorcycle that I could easily handle but still have the ability to make long trips in a comfortable manner. I researched many bikes and narrowed it down between a Honda VT1100 Shadow and a Harley 1200 Sportster. That is until a friend here at Viewpoints reviewed The 2007 Yamaha V Star 650 Classic. ( Thanks George!!) Now I had another choice and I did my research and went looking in person at these Yamaha Cruisers.

2008 Yamaha V Star 650 Classic

As soon as I sat on one of these beauties I knew I was getting hooked real quick. Not just the Big Bike looks but the BLING on these is unreal. There is plenty of chrome to grab your attention and it grabbed me real hard. With a seat height of 27.9 inches it is very comfortable for my 6' 2" frame, even a shorter person would feel right at home on this low riding seat. The handle bars are swept back and very comfortable and allows me to sit in a comfortable position. Some features only found on much larger bikes are standard on this V Star Classic, rider floor boards instead of pegs makes riding a dream and keeps fatigue down considerably. She wanted me to take her home and I just couldn't resist her!

Side by side with a 1100cc or even a 1300cc motorcycle it is very hard to tell this is only a 650cc motorcycle. The styling is fabulous and gives the illusion of being a much bigger motorcycle than it is. With its big looks it handles like a smaller bike and feels great through the corners and at highway speeds. Above 55mph it has a little vibration to it but it is a soothing one, I love the seat in the pants feel of this motorcycle.

Another standard addition to this cruiser is the self canceling turn signals that you normally find on much more expensive motorcycles. They will self cancel after you have traveled 490 feet and 15 seconds. They won't cancel when you're sitting still at a light ready to turn. So no more remembering to cancel your signal and looking like an idiot going down the road with it on. The one feature missing that I would like to have is a 4-way signal option, I will find one if they make it....lol

It also has a 4.23 gallon gas tank, which is the same as the Honda VT1100 Shadow. They also differ in weight even though the are the same size, A Shadow weighs 556lbs. where as a V Star weighs 505lbs. Wheelbase differs by 1 inch with the V Star being a tad shorter between the wheels, not much of a difference. The V Star also has a shorter and fatter front tire giving it a lower overall height and better stability.

Gas mileage is a big plus on a lighter bike as well, with the V Star getting on average MPG ratings of 45mpg in ideal conditions. One guy I spoke with claimed he got 57mpg on the highway with after market exhaust on his. That means I can visit my Grandkids much more often now and too me that is a big plus!!

The stock exhaust although with a little sound is not quite what I want so new pipes are in the works. I want to hear it going down the road and I want others to know I am there, so maybe they might think twice about changing lanes into the side of me!

My V Star is Galaxy Blue but in the sunlight is has a purple hue to it and looks real good sitting in my garage. It looks even better with me on it going down the highway....lol I got mine bare bones to save on financing any goodies for 48 months. I have already installed a passenger backrest on it. There will be more to come as I find what I want to add to it!!

Bottom Line

I have the BIG BIKE Looks without the BIG BIKE Price attached! It handles like a small bike but is as comfortable as its bigger cousins out there. The basic warranty on this bike is 1 year parts and labor, but I didn't settle for that. Nope I did some research and also talked to other Yamaha owners and opted for an extended warranty. I will review that in detail later and I think I got a great deal on it!

Last edited on Jul 28, 2008

Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic - 2008 Motorcycle is recommended by kid-kansas

Review inappropriate? Copyright violation?

Comments about kid-kansas’s Review

kid-kansas wrote on Aug 2, 2008 at 10:44PM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to seekholiness's comment from Aug 2, 2008 at 9:35PM:

The V Star 650 Classic is a perfect starter bike and works for veteran riders as well. It is nimble yet has the big bike look and feel. I think a Corbin Fairing would be a good addition but it is a matter of preference, I enjoy the open wind in the face feeling myself. Take a test ride and I think you will be pleasantly surprised...;)

seekholiness wrote on Aug 2, 2008 at 9:35PM

Inappropriate? Reply

Considering the v650 for my first bike. I also saw a Corbin fairing that might fit. What do you think...in terms of a first?

kid-kansas wrote on Jul 31, 2008 at 5:21PM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to DUISparky's comment from Jul 31, 2008 at 4:51PM:

Yeah I hit it at the wrong time (April) I guess but they looked good and being installed by the dealer gave me a edge of protecting my warranty.....good luck with your pipes...;)

DUISparky wrote on Jul 31, 2008 at 4:51PM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Jul 31, 2008 at 3:05PM:

I wonder which V&H pipes those were. The Cruzers for the VS650 list at $379, but Motorcycle Pro Shops website has them priced at $312 and the Cobra Slip Ons are $333. Check out www.motorcycleproshop.com. I'll most likely grab a set of those Cruzers and a jet kit for a little wintertime project since I'm not really happy with the current sound.

kid-kansas wrote on Jul 31, 2008 at 3:05PM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to DUISparky's comment from Jul 31, 2008 at 2:52PM:

Wish they were here!!! I got mine where I bought my bike and they listed the comparable V&H slashes at $599 and my Cobra's were $399. The V&H's sound much closer to a Harley Sportster but my Cobra's are not bad at all...;)

DUISparky wrote on Jul 31, 2008 at 2:52PM

Inappropriate? Reply

Those are the 2164SC's? Everywhere I've looked they're about $20 more than the V&H Cruzers.

kid-kansas wrote on Jul 31, 2008 at 2:00PM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to DUISparky's comment from Jul 30, 2008 at 9:36AM:

Yeah I heard a few stock setups that were modded and didn't like them at all. I liked the sound of the Vance and Hines better but they were also $200 more than my Cobra's. Now that I am getting more miles on them they are getting a little deeper in sound and I like them! ;)

DUISparky wrote on Jul 30, 2008 at 9:36AM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Jul 26, 2008 at 8:51PM:

Those Cobras look pretty slick. I've been looking into ways of modding the stock pipes and found a few excellent ideas. For now, I just drilled 4 3/8" holes through the rear baffles, but it doesn't give me the sound I really want. I have a friend who is a machinist and I'll probably try and talk him into doing the slash cut mod I found at http://650ccnd.com/slash.htm. It doesn't look hard and will give me something to do this winter when I won't be riding as much!

kid-kansas wrote on Jul 26, 2008 at 8:51PM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to DUISparky's comment from Jul 26, 2008 at 4:22PM:

Thanks!.....Yeah I get double takes when they find out Lil' Blue is only a 650 and not an 1100....lol Especially with my Cobra slash cuts barking down the road...;)

DUISparky wrote on Jul 26, 2008 at 4:22PM

Inappropriate? Reply

That sure is a purty blue bike! Met up with a guy on a red HD Softail Deluxe cruisin down highway 85 this afternoon and we cruised a few miles before he turned off for Commerce City. He did a bit of a double take when we first met up, then grinned n gave us the thumbs-up.

kid-kansas wrote on Jul 13, 2008 at 11:12AM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to ShellBell79's comment from Jul 13, 2008 at 8:29AM:

Well other then the stock seat being hard on the backlside on long rides it is a sturdy bike even at Interstate speeds.....)

ShellBell79 wrote on Jul 13, 2008 at 8:29AM

Inappropriate? Reply

I am seriously considering purchasing the V-Star 650... I am a woman only 4'11" in hieght and sitting on this motorcycle, I still sat flat footed and comfortable. I am hoping this is the bike for me!

kid-kansas wrote on Jun 11, 2008 at 3:44PM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to MissMossy's comment from May 23, 2008 at 3:43PM:

Ride one and you'll be hooked the rest of the way ;)

MissMossy wrote on May 23, 2008 at 3:43PM

Inappropriate? Reply

Great.... I'm almost hooked!!! Actually looked at the V Star years ago and it's only getting better!

kid-kansas wrote on Apr 17, 2008 at 12:49PM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to PattyTherre's comment from Apr 17, 2008 at 2:56AM:

Thank You!! I did too, at first I hadn't even considered one until George wrote his review, then I learned a lot and fell in love with the V Star...;)

PattyTherre wrote on Apr 17, 2008 at 2:56AM

Inappropriate? Reply

Love the title. And I even learned a thing or two about Yamahas!

kid-kansas wrote on Apr 11, 2008 at 8:15PM

Inappropriate? Reply

In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Apr 11, 2008 at 7:43PM:

Thanks George! Not a problem, if not for your review I may not have considered the V Star line...I am glad you did though because it not only looks great but these old knees can handle it real good! ;)

GeorgeChabot wrote on Apr 11, 2008 at 7:43PM

Inappropriate? Reply

I'm glad you got that bad boy - it sounds terrific! Congratulations, Ron. Thanks for the mention. ;>

More Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic - 2008 Motorcycle reviews

Other reviews by kid-kansas

add kid-kansas to my friends list

Fresh or Butcher Shop Buffalo Review - "Bison/Buffalo is the other Red...

Witless Protection Review - "Larry the Cable Guy just didn't do much for...

Scherer Labs Chiggerex Plus 1.75oz. Review - "A soothing ointment that...

Garnier Fructis fortifying Shampoo Anti Dandruff Review - "Great smell...

view more reviews by kid-kansas »

Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic - 2008 Motorcycle Review

Top Rated Cruising Bike

Other Yamaha Reviews