V-star 650/Honda 750?

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acritzer · #1 Unread post by **acritzer** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:13 am

These seem to be on my list as potential first bikes. Used of course, somewhere in the 3K range (might be tough). After reading a bunch of posts I starting to get the feeling that opinions vary quite a bit regarding the V-star. Anyone care to give me some pros/cons between these two selections?

-Curly- · #2 Unread post by **-Curly-** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:41 am

Go to a yamaha and honda dealer and sit on them both. Pick the one that fits you best. Both are reliable bikes so its 6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other.

acritzer · #3 Unread post by **acritzer** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:20 am

Nothing really to add regarding the 650? I've read from several posts that it doesn't handle the highway too well.

-Curly- · #4 Unread post by **-Curly-** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:10 pm

Mine does fine 2 up at 70 - 75 mph.

Marilee · #5 Unread post by **Marilee** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:25 pm

I have to say it... love my shadow...

Mean KaNean · Thu Sep 06, 2007 12:22 am

I have a Honda Shadow 750. It's a nice bike that was easy enough to learn on. It also has plenty of power so you won't get bored to quickly. But as Curly said, go to the dealer and spend some time with each one to see which one you like the best.

xsyamahadg · Thu Sep 06, 2007 12:28 am

I owned a V-Star 650 for 4 years, and had no problems, all the bike ever needed was an oil and filter change. It will do highway speeds no problem, you have to keep in mind that it's not a bullet. Don't know anything about the Shadow, but both bikes have been on the market long enough to have the bugs worked out. Grab the one you like the best and enjoy.

BaldBudoka · Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:20 pm

I was in the same spot as you about a month ago, except I was considering the V-Star, the Shadow, and the new Vulcan 900. I ultimatly decided on the 650, and here are my thoughts so far...

Great bike to learn on. It's been forgiving of some of my newbie mistakes. Some complain of power issues, but there is really no big problem. It pulls steadily to 70-80 mph...not as fast or with as much torque as bigger bikes, of course, but plenty for the normal rider. Especially a new rider. I have a little over six hundred miles at this point, but none on the interstate. Normal highway cruising is fine, but I can see how the lack of roll on power above 70mph might bother some people on the interstate. Others have complained about being blown around on the road by trucks, etc., but I have not found this to be the case. And I don't think I am a particularly brave new rider I (hence the no interstate.)

I sat on on the Shadow...it feels great to me and is beautiful to my eye. But after haggling with both dealers the better deal was the V-Star, and I have been happy with that choice. If this bike is going to be the bike you ride for years, I might lean towards the extra 100cc of the shadow. For myself...I will ride it for a year or so. If I like biking (which I am) i will then buy a bike more in line with what I truely want (I'm thinkin I like that new nightster.) With that in mind I went with the cheaper bike. Plus, the 650 is easy to get rid of on the used market since it has such a good reputation as a beginner bike. But the same is probably true of the Shadow.

Just my thoughts...any other questions about the V-Star, just ask. I'll do my best to answer.

acritzer · #9 Unread post by **acritzer** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:18 am

Thanks Baldy, since this post my friend's brother has decided to sell a 99 V-star. I'm picking it up for 2K. He's riding it over Wed. night. For the price and ease of knowing the previous owner I couldn't pass it up. Can't wait to take it out.

-Curly- · #10 Unread post by **-Curly-** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:17 am

Stop by http://650ccnd.com/ for all your VStar 650 needs.