How to choose the one that fits your needs?

[CC Ryder]

I am thinking about getting a new bike. Right now I am riding a 750 Honda Shadow. I rode to Prince George last summer and when the semi trucks were breathing down my neck I felt that a little more power would have made a difference. I have been tried out the new 950 Vstar and like the extra power. It handles great on the freeway and I don't feel that I have to go all out to keep up to traffic. I have also been riding the 1100 Vstar. It is nice to ride as well. Handle bar positions are an issue for me because when I ride my Honda I find my hands going numb. The physio said that I need to be more upright so that is another consideration that I must address. The new 950 Vstar's handles are very wide. The 1100 Vstar is better but I still need them to come back a bit so that I can sit upright. I haven't tried any that had risers so that is a possibility. Do any of you have issues with numbness in your hands when riding and if so what do you do?

[Granpooba]

Just took delivery of a new V-Star 950 last week.
And the only problem I had with numbness in my hands was after celebrating my new ride by drinking a bottle of tequila !

[XB08]

Here are some things to think about before you buy.

1. how much can you spend???
2. what kind of riding do you want to do.
3. the bike you want dose it fit you, are you short , tall . strong , or weak.
4. where are you going to keep it. if you have to push it to put it to bed for night , you do not want a 800 lb bike.
5. this is the biggie, How long or how much riding have you done. Nomatter what people say, Hp dose not matter but a heavy bike will. Most new riders will never use the power of a high HP bike . but you will have to deal with the heavy bike in slow turns.

[Granpooba]

Here are some things to think about before you buy.

1. how much can you spend???
2. what kind of riding do you want to do.
3. the bike you want dose it fit you, are you short , tall . strong , or weak.
4. where are you going to keep it. if you have to push it to put it to bed for night , you do not want a 800 lb bike.
5. this is the biggie, How long or how much riding have you done. Nomatter what people say, Hp dose not matter but a heavy bike will. Most new riders will never use the power of a high HP bike . but you will have to deal with the heavy bike in slow turns.

I agree with all that was said here. I just went from a Honda Gold Wing to the V-Star 950 Cruiser. For many of the reasons listed here. My riding habits have changed, the new one fit me perfectly, new one much lighter by about 300 pounds, easy to push, easy to move around, so many reasons for my changing of models.

[CC Ryder]

Well, after a few months searching, and today's showdown between the 950 and 1100 Vstar I decided on the 950 Vstar touring bike. It is customized for me. A different seat, detachable windshield, risers for the handlebars, saddlebags, back seat rest, and It's Blue! My new bike will be ready in about 2 weeks. One of the things that were important for me was the ease of the clutch and the throttle. I have registered for the AMA Women's conference just outside of Denver and am looking to get some serious riding time in before the middle of August so that I will have time to break my new bike in.

[dr_bar]

I can imagine the grin on your face, did anyone ask what it was all about? LOL

I just know you'll have a blast on that new baby of yours...

[Granpooba]

Well, after a few months searching, and today's showdown between the 950 and 1100 Vstar I decided on the 950 Vstar touring bike. It is customized for me. A different seat, detachable windshield, risers for the handlebars, saddlebags, back seat rest, and It's Blue! My new bike will be ready in about 2 weeks. One of the things that were important for me was the ease of the clutch and the throttle. I have registered for the AMA Women's conference just outside of Denver and am looking to get some serious riding time in before the middle of August so that I will have time to break my new bike in.

Congrats on your new " BLUE " V-Star 950. I really liked that shade of blue with the silver trim, but that shade of blue did not match the color of my eyes, so I chose the RED !! Naw, just kidding and red usually does match the color of my blood shot eyes.

I am not decking mine out with lots of accessories as I don't feel that the bike needs them. Presently my only plans for the V-Star is the Leather Tool Fork Bag, a SPORTECH CRUISE SERIES windshield and possibly passenger floor boards. Other than that, I don't feel that it needs anything else, except maybe a sound system.

Good luck with the Star. I am sure that you will enjoy !

[CC Ryder]

Talking about sound systems for your bike, what is available? Is it an after market product or does Yamaha make one?

[Granpooba]

Talking about sound systems for your bike, what is available? Is it an after market product or does Yamaha make one?

I do believe that Honda makes a sound system for their Cruisers. But do you want a Honda system on your new Yamaha ? It might cause it to shake, rattle and roll !

Check out " CHROME GLOW " , " DWG Motorcycle Speakers " , " Kuryakyn " and " Cycle Sounds ". You will find sound systems at all of these sites. They work with " I Pods " , " MP3 " players, etc.

They are not exactly inexpensive, as I have seen them advertised ranging up to $500.00 and then you still would have to pay for the installation.

I personally have not seen or heard one on any bikes. And before I would purchase one, I would like to see, touch, feel and hear one. I have read some reviews and most people speak very highly of them.

I live 4 miles from Lake George, NY and AMERICADE will be going on here the first week in June, thus I am sure that I will get to see and hear most of these sound systems.

You may also want to check out the following site.

http://cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cf ... _inch_bars

[dean owens]

congrats. looking around at bikes i sat on the 950. that's a nice bike. it was actually one of the only cruisers that seemed to fit me. but sadly i have to look in the used market. so no go for me on that bike.

about a sound system. there was a review of one that looked pretty good in a mag i got last month (i think "bike"). i'll look it up later and see if i can find an online link for you to look at.

again, congrats on the new bike.