Getting Close to purchasing V Star 1300 Tourer

[AStar]

I am thinking of purchasing an addition to my Garage. V Star 1300 Tourer, I am liking what I see at the Dealer. I was first thinking of the Royal Star Deluxe but have been leaning more toward the 1300 Tourer due to price and it will not be my number one bike. It will be my other bike for the occasional slow tour ride with my slower friends. I was looking to see if there are alot of bad experiences or good experiences with this particular machine.

 

[leedavis]

Sorry, no first hand experience with the V-Star 1300, but:

I think your 1st choice is more correct. Cruiser engines don't like to be wound up and unless they're large don't do torque either. Keep in mind the V-Star 1300 is only going to make around 60hp. For tight formation cruiser rides you want something that can lumber along at 3000rpm and still have enough torque to negotiate hills and such...especially if you have any 2-up intentions. I wouldn't want to do it with less than 1500cc.

If you haven't already you might take your FJR on a couple of cruiser rides to make sure you really want to do. I've done - with a cruiser - that riding style and it makes me so impatient I want to scream. The whole time I'm muttering into my helmet, "Just go, dammit!".

 

[cota95]

I am thinking of purchasing an addition to my Garage. V Star 1300 Tourer, I am liking what I see at the Dealer. I was first thinking of the Royal Star Deluxe but have been leaning more toward the 1300 Tourer due to price and it will not be my number one bike. It will be my other bike for the occasional slow tour ride with my slower friends. I was looking to see if there are alot of bad experiences or good experiences with this particular machine.

My wife has a V Star 1100 and it has been a great bike. Not the same motor as yours but same configuration. The only thing I hate about it is that changing the oil filter requires you to drop the front pipe-real PIA.

 

[brewsky]

The V Star 1300 is the best medium size cruiser out there in my opinion. It handles really well for a cruiser, is smooth and will out run most of the 1500, 1600 or 1700 cruisers (77 HP and 82 Lbs torque at the crank).

 

[Ford68xl]

The 1300 is an all new engine and design over the 1100. It is belt driven vs. shaft and it puts out a lot of HP for a 1300. My brother bought the touring edition and it is a very impressive bike. Rides much better and stronger than the Honda VTX 1300. Nicely balanced and the quality seems very good. The bags are nicely shaped and hold a fair amout of stuff. I like the 2 to 1 exhaust better than the usual 2 pipe configuration that most cruisers have. He is very please with the bike and it absolutely walks away from my other brother's 04 Kawi Nomad.

 

[DaSpyda]

Buy an external oil filter kit and you'll be able to change the filter yourself, plus it cools down the oil nicely, too.

I had an 1100 for about two years before the FJR and it was well-balanced, maintenance-free, and uses any type of Regular fuel.

IIRC, the new Stars are fuel-injected, too...

 

[AStar]

Thanks for the input. I was pleased to see all the positive response, I am leaning hard to purchasing the 1300. In the next month or so when the dealer will really be ready to cut some prices.

 

[krashdragon]

Thanks for the input. I was pleased to see all the positive response, I am leaning hard to purchasing the 1300. In the next month or so when the dealer will really be ready to cut some prices.

I bought a new 02 V* 1100 after 15 years of not riding... Was nice, no problems, but even with a Corbin seat and and different risers, I could not get comfortable. I traded it for a Harley that was physically a bit smaller. Nothing wrong with the Vstar, only me...<G> It was a great looking and riding bike, just did not fit me.

I also bought my son a "used" 03 VTX 1300... He loved that bike. Had 78 miles on it, someone traded it for a Harley. I think the power scared the guy that owned it...<G> Unfortunately, my son had to pull a get out of the way maneuver, and slid into a car, totaled the VTX. (

different types of bikes, the Star was smoother. The VTX was way faster....

Mary

 

[FlyingLow]

Sorry, no first hand experience with the V-Star 1300, but:
I think your 1st choice is more correct. Cruiser engines don't like to be wound up and unless they're large don't do torque either. Keep in mind the V-Star 1300 is only going to make around 60hp. For tight formation cruiser rides you want something that can lumber along at 3000rpm and still have enough torque to negotiate hills and such...especially if you have any 2-up intentions. I wouldn't want to do it with less than 1500cc.

If you haven't already you might take your FJR on a couple of cruiser rides to make sure you really want to do. I've done - with a cruiser - that riding style and it makes me so impatient I want to scream. The whole time I'm muttering into my helmet, "Just go, dammit!".

Yup, what he said

I think we all here have "Just go, dammit!" personalities and that's why we ride FJR1300s.

Running slow in tight squad formation just ain't for everyone.

 

[Dusty]

I have a Road Star as well as the FJR, but am planning to sell the cruiser in the Spring. Our local Yamaha dealer has a "demo day" each year and I had the opportunity to take the new 1300 for a half hour spin and let me tell you - the engine is very sweet! :clapping: From low speeds in high gear the engine simply refused to lug when called to accelerate. It had MORE than enough power for cruising.