2008 V-Star 650 Custom

[MAJ Todd]

My best friend's wife wants to ride with him is the above bike reliable?

https://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/produc.../1/0/image.aspx

 

[smokeFJR06]

My best friend's wife wants to ride with him is the above bike reliable?https://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/produc.../1/0/image.aspx

I used to have an 03 1100 VStar Classic before coming to the FJR. They are VERY dependable bikes for sure. I'll tell you one thing though to consider. I have a friend and his wife had a VStar 650 Custom and she traded it for an 1100. The problem was keeping up with her husbands Road Star. So, if your buddies wife can manage it, I would advise getting the 1100 rather than the 650.

The only complaint I had with my 1100 was changing the oil. You should never have to remove part of the exhaust to change the oil on a bike. That's rediculous. I don't know if they've changed that or not since I had mine, hopefully so. Otherwise, they are a great bike!

 

[night*sky]

I've got an '06 V-Star 650 Classic, and you still have to remove part of the exhaust for an oil change on it.

I'm female, and I LOVE my 650. I bought it May 30, 2006 and put 17,000+ miles on it the first year. I've never had any problems with it other than the tires wear out. :lol:

Be aware that the stator only puts out 280 watts, I killed two batteries trying to run my Gerbings before I found an aftermarket high-output stator, hopefully that will take care of that problem. Gas mileage at interstate speed sucks, I get somewhere around 23-25 mpg on interstate, but about 45 mpg at highway speeds (55-60). Also, I don't know if it was just my bike that ended up with a clunker, but the stock headlight was the dimmest thing I'd ever seen, the low beams MAYBE lit up 15 feet of road.

I've had absolutely no mechanical issues or problems other than the stator and headlight, and it's super easy to ride, although I'd recommend an AirHawk or something if you do a lot of long distance riding.

 

[Vstar2FJR]

A Vstar 650 Custom was my first bike, three months and 4000 miles later I traded it on a Vstar 1100 Custom. I agree with smoke on the 1100, it would still be a great bike for a lady and much better than a 650. Don't stop there, have her throw a leg over the newer Vstar 1300's. A lady friend of mine bought one and loves it. She finally traded in her old Virago 1100, the predecesor to the VStar.

John

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I owned an '04 VSTAR 1100 and agree with the above posts. The engine is based on the old Virago mills with better carbs. Rock solid but hefty, and a little much at parking lot speeds for a woman if she is petite (IMHO). But the Star line is affordable, has aftermarket support, isn't going anywhere soon, etc. I think anybody will get bored with a 650 twin fast. Even with the 1100, I swapped the airbox for a hyperpro, changed exhausts, put in new needles, etc. to get more oomph. And it was fun putting $4000 in chrome on it too........ but mechanically they are sound. +1 on the ridiculous oil changes, but there is an aftermarket kit to reposition the oil filter to make it easier. Anything is possible with money :dribble:

 

[gr8eyes]

A 99 650 custom was my first bike. I traded it in the next year for a Road Star, due to lack of power. I think it topped out at 75 against a 25 mph headwind, which we get a lot of here in OK. But, mechanically it was perfect. For a fist time bike, thats relatively light and functionally sound, its a great bike.

Glenn

 

[FZ/FJR Mike]

I've worked @ several Yammie dealers in parts depts & very little negative feedback from lady riders on the 650's, either model. BTW, you can buy an oil filter re-location kit which saves the hassle of dropping one of the exhaust pipes for a filter change. Star line of accessories were very popular, great fit & finish.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Go with the 1100. Not much difference in the weight, a little more power (though still underpowered IMHO).

Don't know about the 1300 haven't paid attention to cruisers since I sold the star and bought the feejer. :clapping:

:jester:

 

[drew231506]

Had the Classic...great bike but the 650 is sloooow. I remember I used to see FJRs on the road and I always wanted to catch up and talk to them about the bike. But uhhhh that wasnt happenin', and they didnt even know they were out running me.

So of course everyone says get the 1100 but the 1100 is more expensive...soooooo

 

[keithaba]

I had an 04 silverado 1100. Easy to move around, I could actually flat foot it (5'7").

It is the slowest of the 1000 cc cruisers, but I think it looks great.

Just go for a used 1100 over the new 650. You'll save yourself a ton of money. I sold my 04 Silverado a year ago with 9000 miles for $5400.