29th Sep 2007, 01:34

The problem is the ethanol in the gas. If the bike sits for as little as 2 weeks, it will turn into a gel in the lower carb. The dealer does not think of this as an in warranty problem. They consider it maintenance. This is a new issue in the past year. All gas has ethanol added. One solution is to drain the carbs. Try that and stabilize the gas. I think it should be under warranty as well. Good luck.

Larry.

1st Nov 2007, 15:06

2007 Vstar classic, bike only has 130 plus miles...

I am having the same issue... rough idle; stumbles when giving it gas from a stop... dealer gave the same line about bad gas...

Bike sat for only a week... sounds like a BS... just ran the tank dry, added fresh fuel and stab-il additive... plan to get some miles on it this weekend; praying that it will clear up..

When you went to dealer to fix, did they clean the carbs? etc

10th Nov 2007, 21:47

I purchased my '07 V-Star Custom in August. It was used with 5k miles on it. Within two weeks, I put about 700 miles on the bike, and now have another 300 or so miles on it.

The bike is great! Rides and handles great! I'm 57 years old and had not ridden for the past 20 years. I'm very satisfied with this bike. Starts right up and runs great.

I spoke with the original owner and he verified the bike was great also. He traded it for a bigger bike 'cause his better-half really enjoyed riding with him. I have no trouble keeping up with the big Harleys and Hondas.

Again, a great bike!

1st Jan 2008, 21:42

I have a 2001 650 V star, I am really happy with it and never had any problems with it. I think it is one of the best medium size bikes out there. I would recommend this bike to anyone!

And the price is very affordable.

10th Jan 2008, 20:39

I bought mine brand new July 07. It has been many years since I have owned and operated a bike. This bike is excellent, handles well great power. I am 50 it pulls myself and my wife with no problem. Great bike, I recommend it to anyone.

25th Jan 2008, 16:23

I have a 2006 V Star Custom and love it. I've had it since July 2007 and have put 6000 miles on it. I ride with Harleys and Suzukis, and any other bikes, and have no trouble staying with the pack.. I recommend this bike to anyone..

1st Feb 2008, 22:38

I got my 650 Classic in October. It's my first motorcycle so I really don't have anything to compare it to. But I like it because it looks really good and is easy to handle. I think it is a commuter and short trip bike though.

I do have trouble with it stalling out, but I think it might be my inexperience.

I agree that it takes a long time to warm up at full choke.

17th Feb 2008, 13:29

I bought a brand new 2002 V-Star 650 Custom and rode the tread off the tires! I was 50 at the time, and it had been 30 years since I had owned a motorcycle. I’m 5’4”, 200 lbs, the V-Star is a fine fit, has excellent balance and handles easily. The side covers do not press against my inner thigh like so many of the other bikes, so it is comfortable to stand at a stop.

When I first got it there were some problems with the carburetor. It revved high, lurched when the clutch engaged, then died when I rolled the throttle. The young maintenance guys at the dealership worked with me to set it to operate in a trustworthy and consistent manner – we have been on the road ever since.

It is a little hesitant to start when the weather cools, once warmed up it runs like it enjoys it.

I have kept in a partly heated garage during Illinois winters, did not add fuel stabilizer not did I empty the fuel tank. In spring it took a bit to get it to start, then it ran like always. I have kept up the maintenance. It is in storage this year. I shut the fuel off, left the engine running to burn the fuel out of the lines and took the battery out this winter.

My husband, son and friends have Harleys and invite me to ride with them. They open them up and the V-Star stays with them. No I don’t run 100+ like they do, the V-Star could probably keep up, it is nothing I want to do. Plus it is toting my load. Great motorcycle! I recommend it to nearly every one.

I hear others say this is a ‘Starter Bike’. The V-Star 650 Custom does everything I want it to do. I’ll put it in my will for my grand daughter!

19th Feb 2008, 09:37

Seafoam is your friend, try it. It should clear most of those problems up.

8th Mar 2008, 18:48

I purchased a 2007 650 Silverado in October, and now have 4875 miles on it. Before that a 650 Burgman.

If you do not ride and the tank is not full, you will get condensation in your tank; that's water. Put in 1 3/4 oz of stabilizer. Very few thousand miles 1 3/4oz stabilizer and 1/4 oz carb cleaner; this will get rid of any gunk from the ethanol.

charles.dunitz@gmail.com

17th Mar 2008, 11:52

I love my V-Star 650! Before this bike, I started on a 250. This V-Star has plenty of power and even with my wife on the back, I never have to drop the gear to go up a hill. It will keep up with any other bike on the road... unless they're going over 100 mph, which I don't care to go that fast.

Great bike, great value and excellent gas mileage! I would recommend this bike to anyone, not just a beginner.

20th Mar 2008, 11:22

I bought this bike 1 week ago so I don't have too much time on it yet. I have gotten it to right under 300 miles.

I have no problems with it starting. It does need a lengthy warm up period. Average temperaturess here in the past week are around 50-60 degrees. I need about 30 seconds of full choke, 2 maybe 3 minutes of half choke and it's ready to go.

Response is great; gets up in speed very nicely. I weigh 280 lbs and I am 6-6. It's big enough for me and it carries my weight quite nicely.

I don't know if the ethanol gunk buildup is gonna be an issue; well I'll just have to see. So far no problems, I'm very satisfied.

21st Mar 2008, 00:36

My odometer just turned to 1000 miles today. I purchased my 2007 V Star 650 Classic last month and have enjoyed every minute I'm riding it. Some of the miles are commuting to work miles, but most of them are pleasure riding miles. I have not ridden a motorcycle for almost 20 years, and even though the 650 is considered small for a cruiser, it seemed large compared to anything I had ridden before.

In the first few hundred miles, it shifted a little clunky. By the time I took it to the dealer for the 600 mile service, it was shifting smooth and still continues to improve. The engine also runs smoother, and I have never had it stall or run rough once it was warmed up.

I replaced the stock seats with Mustang Touring Saddles when I realized riding more than 50 miles at a time was a little harsh on the back side. My longest ride since then has been 125 miles with no discomfort. I also added a wind screen, which I recommend to anyone who rides over 50 mph for long periods.

My only complaint is that I wish it had a 6th gear. It has no problem doing 70 or 80 on the interstate, but the engine sounds like it's really winding up.