Yamaha Vstar 650 custom or not ?

pints11 · 08-06-2008, 11:25 AM

Hey everyone im getting my 1st bike and im wondering if a vstar 650 is good enough. Many people are telling me since im about 200lbs that its not adequate for me specialy if i take the wife for a ride she is about 120lbs, however many others are telling me the opposite......what to do????

thanks to all the replies!!

BAT · 08-06-2008, 11:54 AM

I can't say for sure since I've never had a 650. I do however have the 1100 Custom. I asked similar questions as all sounds similar (I'm pushing 200 lbs. and the wife is in the 120-130 lb area. Most of my riding is solo but from time to time she'll join me. I was told I would be fine with a 650 for just me however I might enjoy the added power of the 1100 riding 2 up. I've also heard you can beef up the 650 but I wanted something "out of the box" and ready to go.

chipps61 · 08-06-2008, 12:40 PM

The weight limit on my 650 VStar Silverado is in the mid-400 range. I'm just over 300 and it gets me around with no issues. It won't set any land speed records with about 35hp to the rear wheel, but it has ample torque and I haven't felt lacking on it at all, power wise.

It is geared relatively low, you will be pulling some RPM's at highway speeds. Top speed is just over 90mph, supposedly. Mine has not been over 65 by choice thus far... right now its in the shop for it's break in service - gotta get 'er back!

Hawnted · 08-06-2008, 01:19 PM

I just got a 650 Classic 2002 with 10k miles. I am enjoying riding, I am a bit disappointed though. The bike has quite a bit of whine to it at anything above 60-65 and my feet vibrate off the floorboards past 65. I took it in for 2 check ups and both of the places told me the same thing, that is normal for this bike. I am 5'10 180. Its a blast to cruise around town, just not good for my 65 mile a day commute. Get the clutch adjustment kit if you get one, the friction zone is a mile out.

pints11 · 08-06-2008, 01:21 PM

see im thinking i will do much more city then highway miles....so maybe it wont be such a factor....however i love all the opinions....keep it coming lol. whish i knew how to post a picture of the bike...you guys will see why i want to buy it, its a beauty lol

Hawnted · 08-06-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pints11

see im thinking i will do much more city then highway miles....so maybe it wont be such a factor....however i love all the opinions....keep it coming lol. whish i knew how to post a picture of the bike...you guys will see why i want to buy it, its a beauty lol

Around town, short Sunday rides, or anything shorter than roughly 15ish mile commute and I would highly reccommend this bike. Its really a great starter bike thats why I am waiting til next season to upgrade, but what I need it for, it probably falls a little short. Would have been happier with the C50.

Cruzrat · 08-06-2008, 07:09 PM

My wife rides a 650 custom and I rode an 1100 custom before moving up. The 650 is a great bike for backroads ,around town and in my opinion, 1 up riding.
It is capable of 2 up, but comfort and power wize I would recommend the 1100.
The 1100 is as easy to handle as the 650 and only weighs 100 lbs more. The extra hp will be appreciated when you ride 2 up and you highway speeds are a lot better than that of the 650.

Don't get me wrong, my wife luvs her 650 and I can't talk her into moving up. So go sit on both and see how they feel ..... It think you'll go for the 1100

Rat

Hogrider · 08-06-2008, 11:25 PM

The V-Star 650 is an awesome entry level cruiser and the price is right for sure. The bike is no doubt best suited for the single rider and it tops out at roughly 87mph with a 200 pound rider in the saddle. A friend of mine in SoCal has had one since 2003 and the bike has been very reliable as he rides it from Redlands up over the top of Onyx Summit (8,500ft) to Big Bear every day (weather permitting due to ice and snow in the winter) He weighs right at 200 and the misses and I used to ride together with he and his wife who I would say is like 130 pounds. Going up the mountain 2 up slowed him down a bit but the bike seemed to be ok. I thought the bike was well balance and very comfortable.

pints11 · 08-07-2008, 08:18 AM

thanks guys i think that as a first bike i will be fine as well, i will keep it for a few years and if i dont like it then i can up to an 1100.

Cheers to all!

Robbo · 08-08-2008, 12:23 PM

First of all, welcome to the world of riding. Secondly, sure a V-Star would be a good entry level cruiser, if you feel comfortable on it. Make sure you can touch with both feet, check your riding position for comfort- brake and shifter not too far away/too close, handle bar reach not too far away, etc. I believe that you would be able to control a V-Star. I work with a lady who has her permit and rides a V-Star 650 Custom, and she loves it. She had no previous experience, and this is her first bike. She is about 5'6" and well over 200 pounds. She does just fine on it. I'm 5'3" and under 200, and I took her bike for a test ride, and was easily able to control it. Now, as far as going 2 up, I would hold off on that for a good long while. In my opinion, you should not try 2up until you are licensed for a while, on the road running solo for at least a year or more to build up skills, and comfortable enough with the bike that you feel you can haul a passenger. I think if you are in a hurry to have a passenger, I HIGHLY suggest that you take the advanced rider course through the MSF that trains you with your bike how to properly ride with a passenger on board. But, that is just my opinion.

pints11 · 08-08-2008, 12:31 PM

im starting to get the feel that this is a womens bike lol oh well i will like it specialy that this one doesnt look like a vstar at all its been customed and it looks hot. I guess if its to slow next year or 2 i will buy another.
As for 2up that wont happen for a while and thats for sure, i want to feel 100% for sure before anyone rides with me

pints11 · 08-08-2008, 12:32 PM

i heard lots of good things of the vstars and how they are good so im trusting all i read

thanks to all!

Goliath616 · 08-08-2008, 08:46 PM

Don't take it to heart of people start ragging you about it being a "womens" bike, just ignore them. I say if YOU like it, then ride it for all its worth.

Hogrider · 08-09-2008, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goliath616

Don't take it to heart of people start ragging you about it being a "womens" bike, just ignore them. I say if YOU like it, then ride it for all its worth.

Woman's bike? Try owning a few Sportsters and you get used to that kind of comment real quick....

dougfarrar · 08-09-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogrider

Woman's bike? Try owning a few Sportsters and you get used to that kind of comment real quick....

LOL

I was looking for a smaller cruiser for commuting. I really like the HD Sportster 883, but the ignorant comments from nearly all HD riders really turned me off from their "community." I decided on the V Star instead. I want to buy a bike....not a bunch of friends.

aaronrkelly · 08-10-2008, 04:01 AM

Im 6ft3in and weight 315.....have no problems on my VStar 650. My wife adds another 160 when we ride 2 up. The bike WILL do it....but you can tell its working it a bit. With just me it scoots around just fine, kinda peppy.

pints11 · 08-12-2008, 11:25 AM

im not concerned about anyones comments....this one is very nice and i will post a pic of it soon....

08-06-2008, 11:25 AM	#1
pints11 Master At Arms Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 65	Yamaha Vstar 650 custom or not ? Hey everyone im getting my 1st bike and im wondering if a vstar 650 is good enough. Many people are telling me since im about 200lbs that its not adequate for me specialy if i take the wife for a ride she is about 120lbs, however many others are telling me the opposite......what to do???? thanks to all the replies!!

08-06-2008, 07:09 PM	#7
Cruzrat no title needed Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Harrison,Ar. Posts: 508	My wife rides a 650 custom and I rode an 1100 custom before moving up. The 650 is a great bike for backroads ,around town and in my opinion, 1 up riding. It is capable of 2 up, but comfort and power wize I would recommend the 1100. The 1100 is as easy to handle as the 650 and only weighs 100 lbs more. The extra hp will be appreciated when you ride 2 up and you highway speeds are a lot better than that of the 650. Don't get me wrong, my wife luvs her 650 and I can't talk her into moving up. So go sit on both and see how they feel ..... It think you'll go for the 1100 Rat __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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08-06-2008, 11:54 AM	#2
BAT Bean counter on two wheels Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 50	I can't say for sure since I've never had a 650. I do however have the 1100 Custom. I asked similar questions as all sounds similar (I'm pushing 200 lbs. and the wife is in the 120-130 lb area. Most of my riding is solo but from time to time she'll join me. I was told I would be fine with a 650 for just me however I might enjoy the added power of the 1100 riding 2 up. I've also heard you can beef up the 650 but I wanted something "out of the box" and ready to go.

08-06-2008, 12:40 PM	#3
chipps61 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Zelienople, PA Posts: 173	The weight limit on my 650 VStar Silverado is in the mid-400 range. I'm just over 300 and it gets me around with no issues. It won't set any land speed records with about 35hp to the rear wheel, but it has ample torque and I haven't felt lacking on it at all, power wise. It is geared relatively low, you will be pulling some RPM's at highway speeds. Top speed is just over 90mph, supposedly. Mine has not been over 65 by choice thus far... right now its in the shop for it's break in service - gotta get 'er back!

08-06-2008, 01:19 PM	#4
Hawnted V Star 1300 Tourer Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 89	I just got a 650 Classic 2002 with 10k miles. I am enjoying riding, I am a bit disappointed though. The bike has quite a bit of whine to it at anything above 60-65 and my feet vibrate off the floorboards past 65. I took it in for 2 check ups and both of the places told me the same thing, that is normal for this bike. I am 5'10 180. Its a blast to cruise around town, just not good for my 65 mile a day commute. Get the clutch adjustment kit if you get one, the friction zone is a mile out.

08-06-2008, 01:21 PM	#5
pints11 Master At Arms Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 65	see im thinking i will do much more city then highway miles....so maybe it wont be such a factor....however i love all the opinions....keep it coming lol. whish i knew how to post a picture of the bike...you guys will see why i want to buy it, its a beauty lol

08-06-2008, 11:25 PM	#8
Hogrider Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the Wildcat State Posts: 919	The V-Star 650 is an awesome entry level cruiser and the price is right for sure. The bike is no doubt best suited for the single rider and it tops out at roughly 87mph with a 200 pound rider in the saddle. A friend of mine in SoCal has had one since 2003 and the bike has been very reliable as he rides it from Redlands up over the top of Onyx Summit (8,500ft) to Big Bear every day (weather permitting due to ice and snow in the winter) He weighs right at 200 and the misses and I used to ride together with he and his wife who I would say is like 130 pounds. Going up the mountain 2 up slowed him down a bit but the bike seemed to be ok. I thought the bike was well balance and very comfortable.

08-07-2008, 08:18 AM	#9
pints11 Master At Arms Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 65	thanks guys i think that as a first bike i will be fine as well, i will keep it for a few years and if i dont like it then i can up to an 1100. Cheers to all!

08-08-2008, 12:23 PM	#10
Robbo Verified Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 54	First of all, welcome to the world of riding. Secondly, sure a V-Star would be a good entry level cruiser, if you feel comfortable on it. Make sure you can touch with both feet, check your riding position for comfort- brake and shifter not too far away/too close, handle bar reach not too far away, etc. I believe that you would be able to control a V-Star. I work with a lady who has her permit and rides a V-Star 650 Custom, and she loves it. She had no previous experience, and this is her first bike. She is about 5'6" and well over 200 pounds. She does just fine on it. I'm 5'3" and under 200, and I took her bike for a test ride, and was easily able to control it. Now, as far as going 2 up, I would hold off on that for a good long while. In my opinion, you should not try 2up until you are licensed for a while, on the road running solo for at least a year or more to build up skills, and comfortable enough with the bike that you feel you can haul a passenger. I think if you are in a hurry to have a passenger, I HIGHLY suggest that you take the advanced rider course through the MSF that trains you with your bike how to properly ride with a passenger on board. But, that is just my opinion.

08-08-2008, 12:31 PM	#11
pints11 Master At Arms Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 65	im starting to get the feel that this is a womens bike lol oh well i will like it specialy that this one doesnt look like a vstar at all its been customed and it looks hot. I guess if its to slow next year or 2 i will buy another. As for 2up that wont happen for a while and thats for sure, i want to feel 100% for sure before anyone rides with me

08-08-2008, 12:32 PM	#12
pints11 Master At Arms Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 65	i heard lots of good things of the vstars and how they are good so im trusting all i read thanks to all!

08-08-2008, 08:46 PM	#13
Goliath616 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Over here Posts: 4,189	Don't take it to heart of people start ragging you about it being a "womens" bike, just ignore them. I say if YOU like it, then ride it for all its worth.

08-10-2008, 04:01 AM	#16
aaronrkelly Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: southern Iowa Posts: 2,435	Im 6ft3in and weight 315.....have no problems on my VStar 650. My wife adds another 160 when we ride 2 up. The bike WILL do it....but you can tell its working it a bit. With just me it scoots around just fine, kinda peppy.

08-12-2008, 11:25 AM	#17
pints11 Master At Arms Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 65	im not concerned about anyones comments....this one is very nice and i will post a pic of it soon....