Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I'm scheduled to take the MSF course soon and will be looking for a bike after (hopefully) successfully completing the course. I'm considering a number of bikes and have a question regarding the Yamaha/Star cruisers.

I've seen a number of people claim that the clutch on the Yamaha bikes has a very short friction zone, making it more difficult to shift gears or feather the clutch, especially for new riders.

Any comments?

This is true to some extent. An ex-significant other had a V-Star 650 and the "shallowness" of the friction zone could potentially make clutch modulation more challenging for a new rider.

This can be overcome with lots of static practice and practice with starting/stopping and basic motorcycle operation in a controlled, closed course environment before heading out to traffic.

My first bike after the MSF course was (is) a vstar 1100 custom. I had no trouble at all with friction zoning at all. You would need to practice a little bit on any bike youhave but I had no trouble at all.

I think the Yamaha does have a shorter friction zone but that doesn't make them unridable. One simple learns how one's bike works. No different then the friction zone differences fro one manual car to another. I think he bikes is almost easier to feel becuase you are using your hands.

Thanks to those that responded: I appreciate your input. Obviously, the only way to see if it seems to be a problem for me would be to take one for a ride.

I'm eagerly anticipating the MSF class and looking for my first bike!

You know.... I have the perfect noob bike for sale.

RhadamYgg

Jim...

I do have a recommendation: Complete the course BEFORE buying the bike. Your idea about what is a good bike now, and your idea about what is a good bike after the course may be different. It happens often.

Once the course is complete, go check bikes. The second exercise in the MSF BAsic RIder course introduces friction zone. You'll spend the entire exercise learning what it is, and where it is. You'll reinforce this throughout the course (Hint: Friction Zone is THE fundamental skill the course is built on. Focus on it!).

After the course you will not be nearly as concerned about the friction zone on the Vstar or any other bike.

For what its worth, the Yamaha Vstar 650's are great bikes but a bit heavy for that 650 cc engine. The Suzuki C50 series, and the Honda 750's are similar, but offer a larger engine with a little more engine. Its not a huge concern.....

NNYrider -

I hear you about not buying a bike before completing the course. I told myself I wouldn't even look at bikes until I passed the course, much less buy one. However, one bright, sunny day the wife and I just happened to find ourselves driving by a couple of motorcycle dealers and the car just kind of veered into the parking lots all by itself! I swear!!

Since I was already there, I couldn't help sitting on a few to see how they felt, but there is no way I would buy one before passing the MSF class. For now, I'll keep myself busy checking the forums for information, re-reading "Proficient Motorcycling" by Hough and studying the Florida Motorcycle Operator Manual, upon which the written test is based.

Funny how cars do that sometimes... completely by their own will...

i have a yamaha V Star 650 classic and yes, cpmpared to most other bikes, the friction zone is shorter, but dont let that scare you.
I think its designed to help out beginners get use to the clutch and not ride it so much.
All bikes will have different friction zones and within an hour of riding, you get used to it.
I also have a triumph and they seem night and day, though i am used to the V Star, so the triumph friction zone feels strange to me.
good luck