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Please clear up a few misconceptions I have read bout the V Stars

1. Oil changes require the removal of pipe on 1100's only ALL years or a $300 aftermarket kit must be installed.

2. Need dealer valve adjustments every 2000 miles at hefty cost (anything not costly at bike dealerships?)

3. Rear cylinder does not get same cooling as front and may be an issue.


Anyone who knows and can correct this information or mis-information would be appreciated as I have eliminated the Stars from my search because of the above issues.

The 650 is NOT a choice for me . I am more concerned wth the 1100's


Thanks for your input.

Yes, oil changes due require that you remove the exhaust...stock and aftermarket. Barons makes and oil filter relocation kit that utilizes the Yamaha spin on oil filter. If you get this kit, make sure you retap all the threads, because it will leak oil if you don't.
Yes, a valve adjustment is required at every service. But the interval is 4000 miles, not 2000.
No, have not witnessed any cooling issues on the rear cylinder. The front and rear carbs have different main jets to adjust for heat.

Same comments as above. For the money, you do get a pretty good package. But note: Most people get a new seat right away. The stock one is junk. Keep in mind that likely cost as well. These engines are also made to be easily modified. Tinker as you like; numerous people have been dynoed at & with:

Bone Stock: 50-52hp.
Max Air kit, new pipes and rejet: 60-65hp.
Add to that mid cams and ignition kit: 70-72hp.

I've just got a hypercharger and aftermarket pipes, and it's got plenty of low end torque, but mind the higher speeds. It hums at 110kms, sings at 120kms, and screams at 140kms.

Still, decent for the bucks.

Thanks that answers my question. Don't want to have to buy a $500 seat out the door nor do I want to have to pay a dealer $400-$700 every 4k miles and/or wrench the bike to do what should be a simple oil change. Modifications aside.

Scratch that one off the list. LOW maintinence is the key for me.

Nice bikes though.

An 1100 only makes 50hp stock?

Sometimes I see guys stress out and get carried away about changing the motor oil on their bikes, I know some guys that change it once a month with less than 600 miles. I think changing the oil too soon will do more damage to ur engine, plus ur wasting ur time and money, and the way the old oil looks means nothing, when oil does look black and dirty that means the oil is doing its job by keeping the inside of the engine clean. I would suggest change the oil on a new bike between the first 600 to 1000 miles, then every 5000 miles or once a year.

MotoF150 wrote:Sometimes I see guys stress out and get carried away about changing the motor oil on their bikes, I know some guys that change it once a month with less than 600 miles. I think changing the oil too soon will do more damage to ur engine, plus ur wasting ur time and money, and the way the old oil looks means nothing, when oil does look black and dirty that means the oil is doing its job by keeping the inside of the engine clean. I would suggest change the oil on a new bike between the first 600 to 1000 miles, then every 5000 miles or once a year.

.....

Hey CORSCO, think of all the time you've wasted changing perfectly good black sludge!

I don't care if you guys wanta waste ur time and money plus do more harm to ur engine by changing ur oil every 500 miles than do it,,,, I don't care, ever notice? its always the oil manufactures the people that get rich selling oil are the ones telling you you should change ur oil more. if you guys wanta fall for it and believe it go ahead.

I know with cars you are told to change the oil every 3000 miles, but it's actually closer to 5000 (with conventional oil). But the thing is, people (at least average, non-motorhead people) don't change their oil on a regular basis, so telling them to change it more frequently then they actually need to ends up balancing out.