5th Jun 2009, 00:10

Yep. use premium and stay away from any station advertising ethanol use. Definitely use stabil and carb cleaner occasionally.

9th Jun 2009, 01:03

I have an 03 had to replace the stator and regulator twice. The first time was at 20000 miles, then the aftermarket one I purchased burned up in less than 8000 miles (it had a defective plug-in). I purchased one from denniskirk.com and replaced the clutch, and while I had her open, put in an EBC heavy duty with Vesrah heavy duty springs, all the while she sat for a month with the fuel on and started right up with no hesitation.

Just took her out for a nice 145 mile test ride, and she did fantastic. Do watch your laces, they tend to loosen up.

One of my friends has an 02 and now has 100,000 on his, and the only problem was the stator and his laces. He says he would not trade for anything else.

If you ever do have any type of charging system problems, replace it all at the same time as these bikes do not have a very strong factory charging system; even LEDs can cause a system failure. However you can upgrade to a better stator at the above web site.

6th Apr 2010, 13:25

I bought my bike on September 13, 2007. No mileage on the bike, and I am having trouble starting my bike in the spring. I have had it in the shop twice for the same issue. The dealer told us about the gas as well, my husband and I do not agree with the dealer on this gas issue. If this is the case, then all bikes should be having the same problem.

We have discovered that Yamaha had changed the carbs for this year of bike. They changed the needle valves from stainless steel to brass. I live in Michigan and we shut our bikes down in the winter, we run stable through the engine and shut the gas off, so there's no gas in in the carbs through the winter months.

Every spring my bike will not run, go and start up in the spring, and gas is shooting out through the overflow because the valve's are gummed up. Yamaha will not replace or fix this issue. I will not recommend this product to anyone. I will be putting my bike into the lemon law. I am tired of having to pay and have this issue fixed every spring when I should not have to.

Upset in Michigan.

26th Apr 2010, 15:31

Purchased a 2000 V Star Custom, a little over 1 year ago. When purchased it, it had 7,500 miles. To-date it has roughly about 13,500. Haven't had a days trouble out of the mechanics of the bike. Run's very well (even above 100); yes, believe it!!!

This bike is awesome. Beginner or experienced. Looks as good and keeps up the the Harley's, Honda's and such... Best bike for the price... 10 years old and runs like a TOP!!!

J.G. Smith

Houston.

15th May 2010, 22:38

I am in Australia, and I purchased a 2010 650cc custom VStar in March this year. I am a new rider and thought all the stalling at stops and on hill starts was my inexperience. Lucky for me, I live with someone who has been riding American import Intruders for 34 years and knew more about the Vstar than the dealer that sold it.

Turns out the standard fuel air mixture screw was set at 1 and 1 half as a standard setting. He has changed the setting to 2 and 1 half turns out. This has made a world of difference to all the problems mentioned here.

It can be turned out up to 3 turns, but the idle speed knob must be dropped. He says for a v twin, 1100 rpm idle speed is far too much and can destroy first gear synchromesh. If stalling etc is a problem, take the rear spark plug out and check if it is the colour white and the base of the thread is scorched as we discovered after only 415kms (approx 200 miles).

Do you have ordinary unleaded petrol/gasoline in the USA? Or is it all ethanol mixture? It does help to put 10-15ml of two stroke oil into the fuel tank which: 1. Prolongs the life of the tank and 2. Lubricates valve stems, which helps with compression.

Dealers seem to be happy with any excuse so long as they do not have to do anything and most seem not to know what they are talking about.

I am extremely happy with the bike now.

Hope this helps and saves your engine and wallet.

9th Jun 2010, 20:06

I have a 2006 Yamaha 650 V-Star Classic that has about 17,000 miles on it. I cut the baffles out to give it that big bike sound. But now I'm having problems with the acceleration. It will not accelerate smoothly past 70 mph. It fouls out and sounds like the fuel filter is clogged, but I changed the filter and it is still doing the same thing. I'm not sure if it's running too lean or rich. I love my bike and it's the only ride I have right now.

OH! And I noticed that gas is leaking from the side of the carb. Can anyone help me save my bike and tell me how to adjust the carbs, and where to look to find the adjusting screws?

10th Jul 2010, 18:42

I am looking for a replacement for my BMW F650GS. I haven't ridden it much since I got it a year ago, but don't like the single cylinder thumping. Rode an 07 V-Star 650 Custom today and loved virtually everything about it except the vibration of a twin. The bike was exceptionally comfortable and the ergonomics of all the controls was excellent; everything in just the right place with just the right feel. If it weren't for the vibration, I think this would be the bike for me; I really liked it! Can someone recommend a bike like this that may not have the same amount of vibration? Maybe my 95 750 Nighthawk just has me spoiled, as it is as smooth as a sewing machine and I'll never be satisfied with a V-twin. Would love to have this bike though if not for the vibration. Great job by Yamaha!

P.S. Dealer told me the bike is a little cold natured and needs to warm up, which it did in short order; no problems.

Signed;

Lonely in Texas for a smooth twin.

31st Jul 2010, 05:54

I have been researching bikes for past couple months to buy a bike, and since I live in Australia, and after riding five years overseas now, I have to get P License, therefore I can only ride bikes under 660 cc.

I have decided to narrow down to two bikes; V Star 650 Classic or Honda VT400.

Could anyone suggest which one better for me? I am 95 kg, 180cm and 51 years old.

Or is there any other cruiser for under 660cc?

The other option is to wait for one year to get my full license and buy bigger bike; what do you think?