Faults:

The only problem I have had with the bike, based on its factory parts, was with the light bar. I was getting wire shorts, and kept blowing my light fuse. This was due to the wires rubbing on the light bar housing. It was a simple fix.

I did have backfire problems with the bike, due to incorrectly installed jets in the carbs, when the previous owner installed a Hypercharger and aftermarket exhaust.

General Comments:

Smooth handling and plenty of low end torque.

Stock saddlebags on the Silverado are nice looking, but not nearly as nice functionally. The opening doesn't allow for much to enter the bag. I switched to Hard bags for travelling.

Could have used a 6th gear.

Installed an oil filter relocation kit, and can't understand why Yamaha never made this change on their own.

It has great looks with a very comfortable riding position.

I love the rider's saddle, but the passenger seat is very uncomfortable, and had to have it reshaped and re-padded to make it so my wife could spend a few hours at a time on it.

I love the fact they kept this bike old school. Carbureted and air cooled. If you understand carburetors, you know there is very little that can go wrong with them.

Faults:

I have not had a single issue with this bike since new. I rode it across Canada; 12500 kms in some of the worst weather possible (record rainfalls, hurricane), and this bike never missed a beat, always starts right away. I have more confidence in it than my car.

General Comments:

Power was iffy, but I installed a Maxair kit and Cobra pipes; the difference was amazing, it really wakes this bike up.

Brakes are amazing, and the low seat height instills confidence.

Oil filter is a pass, and checking the oil level with the sight glass is almost a two man job, but the good looks and reliability make it all worth while.

Faults:

No problems yet, just regular maintenance.

General Comments:

Put in a new battery, new tires, brake pads.

Had a 4200 kms trip this summer with no problems, just wish I had gotten the Roadstar. A lot more power & comfort for 2 up riding.

As for solo riding, no problems, it's a lot different bike than my old 1981 Midnight Maxim.

Faults:

Hard starting. Many times the bike was very hard to start.

General Comments:

I fell in love with the looks of this motorcycle, but the the love affair ended quickly. I found that the bike seriously needed a sixth gear, as it proved to be pain full to drive on the highway unless you like a screaming engine that has more than its share of vibration at only 100 Kilometers per hour. It certainly is not a highway cruiser. I constantly found myself lifting my left toe always looking for another top gear and disappointed every time not to find it there.

Also, a weird pain in my back. I am six feet tall and the way the seat is designed gave me a special kind of pain in my lower back after about thirty minutes of riding. I could not imagine taking this bike on a long road trip, although it's a good bike for short trips in and around the city.

I searched on the Internet before I purchased this bike, and the reviews I read at the time were good. Nobody had mentioned at the time these little shortfalls I have pointed out here. I only owned this motorcycle for one summer and I am simply giving you my honest opinion of what I thought of it. I don't miss the V-Star.

Faults:

Left turn signal bulb replaced. New battery this year.

General Comments:

Love this bike. It's the most reliable, easy riding/handling motorcycle I've ever owned.

Corners like a dream - I find that I want to lay her down even farther than I can, but because the floorboards scrape if I go too low, super tight, 20mph hairpins have to be taken at 40mph. Laying her lower and farther isn't a good thing.

Wish it had a bit more power for climbing hills. Keeps up a reasonable speed (60-70mph), but my Gold Wing buddies just laugh and power past. I kill 'em on the corners tho.

I haven't ever had a moments problem with this bike. Looks great, still runs like a dream.