2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom review from United States of America

Nothing.

Cannot find a thing wrong with this bike - I love it!

I have been out of the bike riding business for about 23 years. All of the bikes I have owned before were enduro's from a 50 Suzuki, 90 Suzuki, 125 Yamaha, 250 Yamaha, to a 400 Suzuki. I guess I could throw in a KE 100 Kawasaki that I bought my son. But I wanted something for me to drive.

My wife took me to a dealer last year for my birthday, "48", just to look because I have been wanting to get back in the saddle again. But being a Dad took up all of my time till now. All of my kids are adults now, so I guess she thought that I deserved a bike.

Let me tell you about this bike - I'm a big guy 300# and I didn't plan on taking more than 120 mile jaunts. I have done nothing but add stuff to this bike to make it mine - K & N air filter (which by the way added several horses to the engine), saddle bags, windshield bag, luggage rack, passenger back rest, 19" windsheild, chrome driveshaft cover, chrome horn cover, chrome front fender tip, light bar, back off brake light blinker, engine guards, cruisin' pegs. That's all for now, more I'm sure will come because there are so many aftermarket parts I can't stop.

I love this bike. I have never had anything but great feedback on this bike. It is beautiful it cruises at highway and above speeds. The ride is soft yet firm. It has great take off (I mean it's not a crotch rocket), but it moves from a stop light faster than a car.

I haven't had any stalls or any problem with the clutch, but this isn't the first bike I've ever owned either. I love the feel of the clutch.

I've heard of some folks not liking the speedometer on the tank, because you have to take your eyes off of the road to look at it! I really only look at it if I'm on the open road, and no one is around anyway. When I'm in traffic I just go with the flow and feel of the traffic.

This bike, for no more than I initally spent on it, is perfect! It's big enough to do even a longer trip if I wanted to. But I bought it to just cruise around on, and to drive to the different lakes around the state, and do a little fishing and enjoy the freedom of the open road on a bike.

This bike really looks bigger than it is. Every single person that looks at it, when I'm out in public, always asks if it's a 1100. I'm always proud to be honest and tell them it looks big doesn't it, but no it's just a 650. They go "it really does look bigger".

Will I ever out grow this bike! Maybe, but I don't see when. I guess when I wear it out in about 50,000 or 60,000 miles. I may go and get another 650 Custom, as it does all I need. I can't see getting something bigger just because the status quo says to.