2005 Yamaha 1100 V Star Classic

[rgsp1]

I am looking at purchasing my first bike (at age 49), I rode friends bike when younger. I am looking at the 2005 Yamaha 1100 V Star Classic. I live in a rural area (without much traffic or cities) and would like to use it for crusing 1 to 6 hours days. I am 6-foot 2-inches and 230 lbs. If you have rode this bike for awhile, how do you like it? Does it ride well/smooth and how does it handle? Thank you.

[Kal]

Welocme to the club, looks like we might not have any dragstar poeple on site at the moment.

I beleive that the V-star you are talking about is almost the same model a friend of ours has. I know he wouldnt be parted with it for the world.

After market mods are pretty good and parts seem to be easily available.

However, you've not mentioned why you need such a big bike or how much experience you got on your friends bike.

I dont want to be a drag but, I'd suggest you pull something a little smaller for your first bike, even the 750 would be a handful for a first bike - I know Shaun waited a couple of years and a few thousand miles before he splashed out on his Dragstar. He still ditched it not long after getting it...

I'd also suggest you get soemthign a little older - something you arent going to be so gutted by if you have to ditch - and even the best riders in the world have to ditch it from time to time, its all part of the joy!

Anyways welcome...

[Lion_Lady]

Thats a LOT of bike for a rider with no serious street experience.

Older 'returning' riders are one of the fastest growing groups of seriously injured/dead riders. You don't realize how much you DON'T remember, in addition to the more efficient braking and other systems on new bikes.

Take the MSF Basic Riders Course or the HD Rider's Edge course. In the mean time, consider MUCH smaller displacement - used machines to start out on.

It is a lot easier and smarter to learn to ride a small bike well and fast than have to take it easy on a big bike. You won't regret it.

P

[old-n-slow]

Quote: That’s a LOT of bike for a rider with no serious street experience. Unquote

Well that that might be true if you were the ripe old age of 18. However if you possess the maturity that goes with 49 years of living, and realize that the first 50 hours you put in on a bike are very likely the most dangerous hours, you should do fine. It is large enough that you should be comfortable with your long legs/torso, has plenty of power etc. You might find that a bike in the 750 cc range would seem a tad small and uncomfortable.

I recall buying a 535 cc Virago when I got back into riding after several years of absence and soon realizing that it was far to small for comfort. I traded it for a Vulcan 750 and that bike was ok for size but then I am only 6 feet tall.

[Sev]

I've got a 1 thumping anemic ls650 and it's got enough spunk to snap my passengers head back if they aren't paying attention.

I've been on my Aunt's V-star 1100, and that's like mounting a mouse with a rocket up it's... It'll go, and hard, but it's HEAVY and tough to control at slow speeds. She's dumped it a couple times, though never at speed thank god.

Up to you, remember those shiny bits are CRAZY expensive to replace!

[rgsp1]

First I want to thank all for their input! I respect all of the concerns with a bike being too big, powerful, and new for a new rider. I do not want to sound cocky or macho about my ability. I have done a number of things in my vocations and past which are dangerous, and have become a person that has a lot of respect for hazards, and my (and others) limitations. I took the MSF course last fall and am repeating it again before I purchase the bike. One thing I have been told is that you don’t want to get a too small of a bike. I have no intentions to do 90 mph (if I want a lot of speed, I would still be flying). I do respect the fact that a heavy bike is more difficult to handle at slow speeds for one without much experience. Again I am 49, and hope to live a long life without banging myself up! Thanks again.

[Doggy Boy]

Howdy.

I was in about the same situation as you. I am 53. I did not get on a motorcycle since well a looong time.

I took the class. I passed. I bought a bike. VStar 1100.

I looked at the 650 vstar. Suz c50, vstrom 650 but went with the vstar.

It of course has power, but it all depends on how you use it.

I have not dropped it, well just on to the foot rest - stalled in a turn - thats it. It rides smooth. I think it is very manueverable at slow speed for a big bike. It has really good brakes and has bling power.

The first couple times I rode it I thought wow, this bike must be too big everyone said go smaller. Hey, I am still taking it easy with the thing, but it in no way feels big to me now after 6mo. of riding it.

I think i could definitely handle a bigger one. ok not for awhile.

I figure you can get just as banged up goin 35 on a moped as you can on a big bike, just have to moderate the speed with the skill and conditions.

Go for it.

There are a couple of issues with the bike itself. You need to take off the lower/front exhaust to change the oil and the valves need to adj. every 4k according to manual. Stock seat is not all that comfy after a couple hrs. check out this site 1100 vstar riders -delphi forums - i think that is roughly it

good luck - get the blue one.

[Sev]

The thing is, we aren't trying to tell you that you don't have respect for the hazards, we are not trying to tell you that you're going to do something stupid and get yourself killed.

What we are trying to say here, is that this bike is going to cost you A LOT of money, and it's going to weigh A LOT. Have you ever ridden for an extended period of time? I'm going to guess no. Have you got any idea how much force one of these bikes can put on your leg when you come to a stop?

You have a long wheel base, a 600lb(I could be wrong) body on two wheels. You're going to make SLOW WIDE turns, at low speeds you'll be ungainly, and, and... you're going to drop it, it's a fact of life. Would you rather drop a $2000 machine or a $20000 one?

My second day of my MSF course, I dumped the training bike. I was headed towards the curb a little fast, with my front wheel turned a little. I panicked and grabbed the front brake. Next thing I knew, I was on the ground. This was at MAYBE 5km/h I could have walked faster. I was riding a kawasaki intruder (125cc). Imagine what would have happened if I was sitting on a 600 lb v-star. My sprained ankle would have been a broken foot.

But we aren't going to talk you out of this are we? You've got money to spare, confidence in yourself, and the god-given knowledge that you can handle anything.

[Doggy Boy]

you're going to drop it, it's a fact of life

Maybe. Maybe not.

I would be more worried about other people i.e. in Cars!!

[gsJack]

you're going to drop it, it's a fact of life

Maybe. Maybe not.

I would be more worried about other people i.e. in Cars!!

On 7-19-03 I was making a right turn off of a highway onto a side road and was clipped in the rear by a kid in a S-10 pickup. I highsided of to the left, flew across the road, landed my 240# on my left shoulder and rolled a couple times. Broke my left collar bone and partially tore the rotator cuff in my left shoulder. I was 70 yrs old at the time. Was riding again 2 weeks later. It took them 19 years and over 300k miles to get me. If it's another 19 before they get me again, that will probably be long enough. Might quit then.

First time I went down was in the mid 90's when I slipped on gravel in a slow turn and lowsided. Hurt my right hip a bit and still have a little bone chip loose in my right elbow.

Second time was just after I got the 97 GS500 in the spring of 99. As I approached a corner at about 35 mph, a car started to jump out in front of me and I locked the brakes and low sided again. No personal injury and only minor damage to bike.

So I guess I could have said "Maybe. Maybe not." myself for about 10-12 years about going down. If you want to ride, learn to ride defensively and ride as many miles as you can. Every mile you ride is practice for the next one. Don't worry too much about what could happen, I still don't.

PS- Got your message and thought I'd answer here.