2009 V Star 950 any opinions ?

[CC Ryder]

The Service schedule states that on my new 950 Vstar I must service the bike at 1,000 klms. Cost around $400. Then at 6,000 klms. then at 12,000klms. each costing $400. is that normal to have that kind of service on a new bike? Is that just to brake the bike in?

[Wrider]

Yep that's normal for every new bike. Bikes are much higher performance vehicles than cars are relative to displacement and need more adjustment and precision than most car engines do.

[CC Ryder]

Well, to tell the truth, I can not really offer up much of a review right now. I have only put about 80 miles on the bike since I bought it.

I am happy with it in many respects, but it is no Honda Gold Wing as that is what I have had for the past 18 years. But the V-Star is and will be what I expected. I basically purchased it for short solo rides and very little two up riding. It starts very easily, runs great and handles beautifully. Handling, starting , stopping just about every aspect is easier than my Gold Wing was.

As for side covers / Air Intake, they do no bother me at all. I had to get used to a somewhat different seating / sitting position on the Star. Usually on the Wing my legs and feet were mostly straight up and down.
On the V-Star they are moved slightly forward and the covers have no interference with my knees/legs at all.

Only thing I do want to check into is the adjustment of the rear shock for my size and weight. You might want to do the same. While riding up to a friends house, I went over a couple of bumps which seemed pretty harsh.
I thought perhaps I need a softer adjustment on the rear shock.

I did put a small windshield on the Star. Just to break up the air flow on my chest. And the only thing that I may want to mention and for you to look for is throttle response. This bike has excellent throttle response, so be ready for it.

One thing that I need to mention for all V-Star 950 owners and that is, do NOT order the Yamaha " Fork Bag " out of the Yamaha catalog for this bike. I did and had to return it, because if you mount the bag under the head light, you have only about 1/2 inch clearance between the bag and the front fender. Well, if you are out riding and the front forks compress, the bag and front fender will come in contact with each other. This could causing a handling problem, especially if you are in a turn. Seems like the Yamaha engineers missed the boat on this accessory. It even says in the mounting instructions, not to mount this bag on a Royal Star as it could cause handling problems. WELL ! It should also make the same statement about the V-Star 950 and even the dealer agrees ! Also with the bag making contact, it will ruin the paint finish on your fender.

That is my review for today. Maybe I will have another one, once I start putting some miles on the Yammie.

Have fun and enjoy.

Thanks for the review. Enjoy your new bike!

[XB08]

I got to test ride one. If I was going to buy some thing like this . it would be the one to buy, It looks big, but dose not feel big riding it. handles good for this type of motorcycle. Has good power, Could use a better seat. I like the way the handlebars felt. Bike felt small for my 6ft body but was ok. Paint was good . good starting point to make it your custom.

[CC Ryder]

Tomorrow is the day...I get my New Blue 950 Custom Vstar!
It has been a frustrating experience working with the dealer to get things right.
Started off that they scratched the rear fender. They had to send it out to get painted. When the seat that I ordered came in was not what was in the box. They did locate 1 but could not confirm that I would be the one receiving it. The rear rack was too small and they weren't sure if it was a wrong numbered part or what, and the quick release backrest wasn't working properly.
Supposedly everything is fixed! I am picking it up at 11am tomorrow...

[Granpooba]

Tomorrow is the day...I get my New Blue 950 Custom Vstar!
It has been a frustrating experience working with the dealer to get things right.
Started off that they scratched the rear fender. They had to send it out to get painted. When the seat that I ordered came in was not what was in the box. They did locate 1 but could not confirm that I would be the one receiving it. The rear rack was too small and they weren't sure if it was a wrong numbered part or what, and the quick release backrest wasn't working properly.
Supposedly everything is fixed! I am picking it up at 11am tomorrow...

What you get from the factory is not always dealer / customer satisfaction.
Being the way that I am, if I was purchasing a new bike / car/ boat, anything and the dealership scratched it, well believe me when I say, either give me a new vehicle or NO deal. None of this send it out and get painted. Somewhere/ sometime down the road in time, that painted area will stand out.

V-Star is still a new model and not many suppliers are offering after market parts for it yet and that also includes Yamaha. Looking through their catalog, they really do not offer that much for it. I ordered a chrome brake pad for mine and its on back order. I will give them a few more days and if it does not show, they will get a cancellation order.

I believe the KURYAKN offers some after market parts for the V-Star 950. But I will know more in a couple of weeks, when AMERICADE rolls into town.

Presently I am waiting for my second windshield. Originally went with a 15 inch Sportech. But after being on the highway, I was getting way to much head buffeting and noise. So, I went out and ordered a 20 inch Sportech.

Anybody shorter than me, what to buy a 15 inch, tinted, Sportech windshield that has no scratches or mars on it, with only about 120 miles logged on it ? I'll give you a real good deal .................

[CC Ryder]

It's finally here! My new bike, all the extras....it sure rides nice! Windshield is a little small, and I will probably need some risers.

[blues2cruise]

[Granpooba]

It's finally here! My new bike, all the extras....it sure rides nice! Windshield is a little small, and I will probably need some risers.

Well presently I am already on my second windshield. First one is a 15 inch SPORTECH that I felt would suffice. It protected the chest area fairly well from wind blast, but I was getting a lot of buffeting around the head area.

Now I am on my second windshield, which is also a SPORTECH, but this one is the 20 inch model. It is a little higher/wider and after testing it on a short ride, the head buffeting seems to be gone. But I still do get a little wind around on the chest area. Seems like I will never be totally happy with a windshield on this bike. Or I had gotten so used to my Gold Wing that nobody else will have a windshield that can make me happy.

Not sure I will be staying with the stock seat either. Have hit a couple of bumps that rattled my butt. I talked to the dealership about adjusting the rear shock, to make it softer. But they told me to put about 500 to 600 miles on the bike first as it takes about that many miles for the rear shock to break in an loosen up. Never heard of such a thing, but maybe they know something that I don't.

But other than swapping out big buck windshields and thinking about a big buck seat, the V-Star is a very nice ride.

[CC Ryder]

One thing I wasn't expecting was how much heat comes off my new bike,especially in slow traffic. Having gone from a 750 Honda Shadow that was liquid cooled was a real shock! Is that something that you have to live with? Or is there something that you can do that cools the engine?