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I agree that the V-Star 650 would be fine for those 120-200 mile trips. It's not going to be as comfortable as a Gold Wing or a liter plus cruiser, but it'll be much more noob friendly. I think the V-star strikes a nice balance between utility and user friendliness.

In the same vein, any of the middle-weight cruisers like the Shadow or the Vulcan should work too.

interesting, two people for the v star 650 on the freeway.

The v star 650 on the freeway genuinely scared me. I'm not an easily scared person in general, but several times on my way to work I thought I'd take the freeway and then immediately got off at the next exit.

There was one time I was running late for an appointment so I took the freeway the entire way home (about 25 miles), after that I basically said to myself never again on the freeway.

Now the v star was my first bike ever on the freeway. The miles of biking before the v star that I did were 100% on back roads. But why would it feel so scary? Just something to get used to when you own a non-windshielded cruiser?

And my SV on the freeway is beautiful. It's not even in the same league of experience. It's like going from a rusted out pinto with no floor to a brand new Mercedes. And the two bikes cost the same to boot.

Different [four] strokes for different folks.

Haa haa, I crack myself up.

Man I take my Virago 535 on the interstate every morning. I average 65-70 mph.

It accelerates faster than my car. I'm not sure why it's supposed to be scary, but it's not.

the vstar only has 40hp?????? my honda shadow Deluxe VLX has 45 HP and thats only a 600 CC bike wtf.

Interesting, according to the CW comparo I linked above the VLX has 30.7 HP, V* 650 has 35.3 HP, Vulcan 500 has 39.5 HP, Ninja 500 has 52.4 HP, and GS500 has 40.7 HP. All dyno measured at the rear wheel I would assume.

I have no problems riding my 650 VStar on the highway. Plenty of power left for passing and all I have for wind protection is a full faced helment. I usually have my wife on the back also. Its not a liter sport bike or heavyweight cruser, Its a 650cc Bike. Listening to people here is like listening to a corvette owner telling a V6 Camaro owner, "I don't know how you take that on the highway!" My little 650 cruser is quicker than a V6 Camaro or V6 Mustang.

Is the Yamaha V-Star 650 a good starter bike that will also handle the highways, or does it insetad fail to be either small enough to start on or big enough for I-87?

I am on the gear bandwagon, 650 is plenty powerful for what you are planning to use it for, however the sixth gear is a definate neccesity on the long haul. I had a 750 shadow spirit that was great but really needed that sixth gear. As for wind etc. ther are plenty of options for that type of bike, windshields in every shape size or color! And more importantly, Full face helmet! Full protection and a built in windshield! Also comfortable bars and grips as well as seat height and controls mid or forward can make a big difference, and highway pegs and a throttle rocker!
Now i think I talked myself into another bike! Just kidding!
Hope I was of help!
Steve

gsJack wrote:Interesting, according to the CW comparo I linked above the VLX has 30.7 HP, V* 650 has 35.3 HP, Vulcan 500 has 39.5 HP, Ninja 500 has 52.4 HP, and GS500 has 40.7 HP. All dyno measured at the rear wheel I would assume.

well the manual for my bike says mine has 45hp.

A wealth of information and advice! I strolled by a dealership yesterday afternoon (left the office for a "meeting" - hah!) to sit on a few of the bikes the you all recommended. The Yamahas actually felt awkward, but the Suzuki Blvd and Honda Shadow Aero felt really natural. Haven't yet checked out the Vulcan 500, but will this weekend.

gsJack's comment about preferring a naked bike are interesting. Anyone have recs on a naked in this same general range?