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

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

two up and 55-65 mph is very easy.

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)

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?

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.

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.

Sevulturus wrote: 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.

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.

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

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