Vstar 650 Classic

[rickyh]

Can this bike handle two up at 55-65 mph ?

[Sev]

yes,
I'd advise getting a couple thousand km under your belt before you start two-upping though.

[JustJames]

two up and 55-65 mph is very easy.

[rnr262]

I've been riding my V-Star to work on the interstate this week. It handles highway speeds easily and I have enough power to get by folks if I need to. I've had it to 75 with no problems, then backed it back down to 65. (realized I was scaring myself)

[blues2cruise]

I have a different question regarding this same bike.

When I am approaching a stop light I shift into first. Or so I think. Then when the light turns green and I try to go, it seems as if the bike has popped into neutral.
Even though it feels like it went into first and I heard the click into first, suddenly it's not.
Is it the bike or is the way I'm doing something?

[Gadjet]

you're probably actually only clicking it into neutral, as it is between 1st and 2nd. A slightly 'heavier' click down should get you past neutral and into first. You should also have a neutral light on your bike that will light up when you are in neutral, so if you are ever in doubt, just have a glance at that.

[Sev]

When you pull up to stop light generally speaking you should be downshifting into first. And then while still coasting to a stop (with the clutch in) tap down on the shifter as many times as you can. I mean pump that little stick as often as possible. Even if you KNOW you are in first, just do it.

It's a good practise, and part of the emergency braking procedure. This will ensure that you're actually in first gear in case you need to take off again in a hurry.

Try doing this at every stop.

[blues2cruise]

I mean pump that little stick as often as possible. Even if you KNOW you are in first, just do it.

It's a good practise, and part of the emergency braking procedure. This will ensure that you're actually in first gear in case you need to take off again in a hurry.

Try doing this at every stop.

Thank you both. Now that you mention it, I do remember hearing about pumping extra times to ensure you really are in first. I guess when a person first learns, there is information overload and you just forget the odd thing.

I will get into the practice of checking to make sure the neutral light is not on when I come to a stop and I will give that extra "push" to be sure I am in first. Maybe I just don't push hard enough once in awhile and it does just get to neutral. Today it didn't cause me any problems at all.

It's kind of like when I first got the bike and I stalled it a lot. It was because I was too gentle on the throttle. The instructor paid some attention to see what I was doing wrong and he realized I needed to be more assertive with the throttle. Now it's great. The difference for getting around a corner also....way better handling with a bit more gas.

Again, thanks for your input.

[stock28]

I had the same problems when starting on my Star. The friction zone is very small and takes some getting use to. A little more throttle generaly helps smooth it out.

[DivideOverflow]

Can this bike handle two up at 55-65 mph ?

My Alphasport 250 handles 55 with 2-up....lol.