Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey everyone I'm "Chromie" or you can call me by my name, Louisa. Either one is fine.

I just purchased a Vstar 1100 and will be picking it up in a couple weeks.
It's been sitting for a few months in a garage in FL. I want to do a tune-up before running her. Couple questions......
Which type of battery is better, the standard acid battery, or the gel battery and why do you feel that way? Is there a particular website you go to-, to purchase batteries? I'm finding it hard to find one at any automotive parts retailer such as Auto Zone, Napa, etc. Our local Yami dealer will sell me a gel battery for $120. $150. will give me a "Batteries for Life" for the life of the bike as long as I own it. But I have seen different maintenance free batteries online for $50 - $75.

Secondly, I want to run synthetic oil in it. Are there any special instructions besides completely draining it and changing the oil filter?

Lastly, I've even had problems finding plugs for this bike. How hard is it to find NGK or any other plugs for it? I never had problems finding plugs for my other bike........ *sigh*

Thanks for your replies!

Chromie wrote:Hey everyone I'm "Chromie" or you can call me by my name, Louisa. Either one is fine.

I just purchased a Vstar 1100 and will be picking it up in a couple weeks.
It's been sitting for a few months in a garage in FL. I want to do a tune-up before running her. Couple questions......
Which type of battery is better, the standard acid battery, or the gel battery and why do you feel that way? Is there a particular website you go to-, to purchase batteries? I'm finding it hard to find one at any automotive parts retailer such as Auto Zone, Napa, etc. Our local Yami dealer will sell me a gel battery for $120. $150. will give me a "Batteries for Life" for the life of the bike as long as I own it. But I have seen different maintenance free batteries online for $50 - $75.

Secondly, I want to run synthetic oil in it. Are there any special instructions besides completely draining it and changing the oil filter?

Lastly, I've even had problems finding plugs for this bike. How hard is it to find NGK or any other plugs for it? I never had problems finding plugs for my other bike........ *sigh*

Thanks for your replies!

Congratulations on the new beast. I've got the 05 1100 custom and love it, except for a couple issues: I find it is not an easy bike to handle at slow speeds, and screams like a banshee once over 130km/hr. But for the money, you can't go wrong.

As for the battery -- geez. . .I dunno. . .but go to www.delphiforums.com and search for forums that have to do with v stars -- I know there's one called "v-star 1100 riders". They'll have more to say on it.

I've really never had problems getting plugs for it. It's one of the biggest selling cruisers in Canada, so all dealers pretty much stock them. But if you're going to a generic auto shop for bike stuff, you'll be frustrated.

As far as synthetic goes, the jury's out on that with the vstars. Go to that delphi forum and serch under the 'technical' headings. I'm sure you'll find more on it. I can't remember what I read last year about running synthetic, but it was enough to convince me not to.

Good luck, enjoy, and if you ever want to talk vstars, pm!

Congrats on the new bike. I ride an 06 vstar. As for the battery gel batteries are generally better than acid batteries. It is up to you personally if it is worth the cost though. Gel batteries won't leak like an acid, they last longer, they have no water to worry about, and they hold a charge longer.

As for the spark plugs I can't help you because I haven't had to change mine yet.

The oil issue will be debated until the end of time. From everything I have read if you use regular oil and change it often you should have no problems. Personally I have always used synthetic, so that's what I use in my bike. The specific brand and weight is also heavily debated. I use Shell Rotella 15-40. It seemed to have positive reviews everywhere I read, but there are also other great brands. As far as I know changing the oil and filter should be the only thing you need to do.

What canuckerjay said. Good Site for 1100 VStars:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/yamaha1100/start