General Comments:

It has to be the ethanol blended fuels that's causing engine/carburettor problems.

I'm a very happy owner of a 2006 V Star custom these last four months and have had no trouble with it at all. That said, here in Australia, ethanol blended fuels aren't that big. Before I bought the bike I did some research and Yamaha do not recommend the use of ethanol based fuels on the V Star. I personally use a 98 Octane fuel which works fine for me.

I have no trouble starting the bike, I use the choke for about 3 minutes and the engine is warm enough.

Quite simply, the bike is a joy to ride, has plenty of grunt to get me out of a tight situation, and looks great.