VStar 650 a good starter bike?

[CycleNewb]

DONE!

I just put down a deposit on a Vulcan 900 classic. It is a leftover 06, so I got it for the same as the 07 M50.

[DivideOverflow]

Congrats!

[Koss]

Schweet! Im sure you will enjoy your new bike more than you can imagine! I would have gone for the same choice too.

[IBJanky]

I just got my motorcycle license about a month ago and decided to get a V-Star 650 Classic for my first bike. Ended up buying a 99' model from a local seller for $2800 cash. I bought used because I did not want to spend a lot of money for my first bike. So even if I drop the bike, I won't cry as much

Overall, I am very pleased with the bike. It looks like a "big" bike without the big bike price. I'm 6'0" tall 200 lbs, and the bike feels very comfortable to me.

It has plenty of power for riding around town, and adequate power for freeway riding. Just don't expect to go that fast in the freeway with the 650cc motor

I'll be keeping the bike until the second half of next year, then I'll probably sell it and get a brand new Suzuki M109R. I'll probably be able to sell the V-Star for the same amount of money (maybe even more) that I paid for it

[blues2cruise]

I just got my motorcycle license about a month ago and decided to get a V-Star 650 Classic for my first bike. Ended up buying a 99' model from a local seller for $2800 cash. I bought used because I did not want to spend a lot of money for my first bike. So even if I drop the bike, I won't cry as much

Overall, I am very pleased with the bike. It looks like a "big" bike without the big bike price. I'm 6'0" tall 200 lbs, and the bike feels very comfortable to me.

It has plenty of power for riding around town, and adequate power for freeway riding. Just don't expect to go that fast in the freeway with the 650cc motor

I'll be keeping the bike until the second half of next year, then I'll probably sell it and get a brand new Suzuki M109R. I'll probably be able to sell the V-Star for the same amount of money (maybe even more) that I paid for it

The 650 handles freeway speeds just fine.

[CycleNewb]

Ya Know, I really liked the Vstar 650. I think it's aesthetics are fantastic, except for the smog controls. I sat on it and the C50 and 900, as my dealer had them all lined up, and for the $600 difference in price, I had to go with the 900.

Those stars sure are fine lookin' bikes, with tons of accessories for customizing.

[MotoF150]

I ride with a guy that owns a V Star 650 Classic and everywhere we stop his bike is the center of attention, everybody thinks its a HD! Honest we are at a gas station and strangers walk up to him and say "Nice Harley" but nobody even looks at my bike or my other riding buddies bike, a VTX1800, all the attention is the V Star! When we are doing a long distance ride my back, my arms and hands hurt and I need to stop for a break, but the guy riding the V Star never wants to stop, he's comfortable on the V Star. I rode his V Star and its a beautiful handling bike, smooth and easy to ride, my M50 can out accelerate him from a dead stop but he can match my top speed. I would highly reccomend the V Star 650 to any beginner or any experienced rider anywhere, anytime.

[WyoRider]

Congrats on your new Vulcan! That 900 Classic is a beautiful bike and for someone just starting out, I think it is the right bike.
I started out on a Shadow Aero 750 (the wife's bike) and since then I have got used to the amount of power it puts out. It is a nice handling bike but I wanted more power. I should have started with the 900.

Recently I found a used '02 V-Star 1100 Classic and fell in love with it. It is super clean, low miles (8900) and garage kept on carpet. The current owner is real fussy. His wife want's a Gold Wing. Something not as loud and with a wider seat on the back.
When I first saw it I thought it was a Harley because the V-Star emblems have been removed from the tank and some flames added.
I was also looking at the Vulcan 900 Classic but after checking out the V-Star, I am going to get it. I am giving a grand less for it than the cost of a new 900 Vulcan and it has four grand in accessories already bolted on. I took it for a cruise and has plenty of power for me and I love the sound of those after market straight pipes

[Rydr]

My girlfriend got back into riding this last spring after being away from it for 12 years. She took a refresher course and bought a 1994 Virago 750. By the end of the summer she was looking for a bigger displacement bike that had a little more power and ended up buying a V-Star 1100 custom. She loves the new bike.

The V-Star 650 and the 1100 use the same frame with only minor differences. The V-Star 1100 is a little heavier but not much. If you buy the 650 you will probably want to move up to a bigger displacement bike before your first riding season is finished. If you can afford it I would recommend buying a V-Star 1100.

Happy Riding.

[MotoF150]

The Vulcan 900 was a great choice, I looked at one, the only thing I didn't like is the belt drive, im not sold on the belt drive yet cause I don't believe anybody can make any rubber belt thats reliable. The belt will transfer more power to the rear wheel than shaft drive. Its just me but I wouldn't feel secure riding any belt drive far from home, if it was me I would carry an extra belt and the tools with me or change the belt every 6 months as a regular maintance item.