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Ok, I have posted before, but am ready to buy ( I think). Does anybody have an opinion as to the best choice between a Yamaha 650 V-Star Classic and a Honda Shadow Aero 750. They are the same price for a 07 or 08 from two different dealers. Insurance is about $70 dollars more a year for the 750.

I have heard the positives about the V-star in a earlier post, but compared together, any ideas?

Thanks

Whichever feels better when you sit on it. When you sit on it think about how the weight feels, the position of your legs, back, shoulders and wrists. How comfortable you are can be changed with aftermarket products as well, but it's always good to make sure it's as comfortable as possible from the get go. I also think that most folks will agree that either bike is a great first bike.

+ 1 on the fit and comfort first and foremost.

Yamaha Air cooled
Honda Liquid cooled

Honda has more HP.

In terms of quality, I'm willing to bet they are pretty much equal. I've never heard anything bad about the V-Star or a Honda Aero. I see from your other posts that this will be your second bike. The Aero is a bit large as a first bike, but fine as a second.

You say the price is pretty much identical too.

In that case, sit on each at the dealer and just look at your reflection in a dark window and figure out which one makes you look more badass. Then get that one.

I bought a V-star 650 Classic as a first bike last year. Good for a first bike, but for a second bike I'd be looking for something bigger than the V-star 650 or the Honda 750.

For a little more money you could get a Kawasaki Vulcan 900, V-star 1100, Honda Shadow 1100. The Kawasaki would have the advantage of being fuel injected, and a little less expensive the the 1100s. If you're considering the Honda 750, you should at least give the Suzuki C50 or M50 a serious look. They have an 800cc engine, but are also fuel injected, and are closer in price to the V-star 650 than the others.

NewGuy wrote:For a little more money you could get a Kawasaki Vulcan 900, V-star 1100, Honda Shadow 1100. The Kawasaki would have the advantage of being fuel injected, and a little less expensive the the 1100s. If you're considering the Honda 750, you should at least give the Suzuki C50 or M50 a serious look. They have an 800cc engine, but are also fuel injected, and are closer in price to the V-star 650 than the others.

Shhh, don't tell anyone, but the Suzuki 800 motor puts out as much as, if not more than the V-star 1100, and the Vulcan 900...
Wrider

NewGuy wrote:...For a little more money you could get a Kawasaki Vulcan 900...

Vulcan 900 Classic LT is a great bike. Dressed out for under $9000 in '07. Not sure about '08.

--Dave

safety-boy wrote:

NewGuy wrote:...For a little more money you could get a Kawasaki Vulcan 900...

Vulcan 900 Classic LT is a great bike. Dressed out for under $9000 in '07. Not sure about '08.

--Dave

Well that price is misleading. First off '08 MSRP is $8649 for the Classic LT, but that assumes that someone wants a bagger. Comparing the LT version to V-star or Aero is a bit unfair. A comparison with the V-star Silverado would be a more fair comparison. Second, MSRP on the Classic and Custom are $7349 and $7399 respectively.

Finally, no one should EVER pay MSRP, especially in the current market. Sales are down due to decreased demand, which means you should expect to get a much better deal than in the past.

3bears wrote:Ok, I have posted before, but am ready to buy ( I think). Does anybody have an opinion as to the best choice between a Yamaha 650 V-Star Classic and a Honda Shadow Aero 750. They are the same price for a 07 or 08 from two different dealers. Insurance is about $70 dollars more a year for the 750.

I have heard the positives about the V-star in a earlier post, but compared together, any ideas?

Thanks

If I only had these two bikes to choose from, I would go with Honda.
BUT, the reason I choose the HONDA is exactly the reason you may go with the Yamaha...and the reason is comfort.

I've sat on both bikes and the Honda Aero 750 just fit ME better. I agree with others here recommending that you choose the bike based on COMFORT AND FIT first, because all the other issues are secondary.

You are not likely to have reliability issues with either bike, so I wouldn't worry about that.