Faults:

Oil filter is hard to get to.

Oil level is hard to see, sometimes can't see it.

General Comments:

The bike looks much bigger than it is.

You sit with both feet on the ground. The bike sits low.

I get lots of compliments on the bike.

It runs plenty fast. You can only run what the law allows.

I keep up with the big boys. My weight is 190.

I love my bike.

Faults:

Kickstand interlock switch failed at 43,000 miles. Turned it around to bypass the interlock.

General Comments:

This has been an extremely user friendly bike. It fits me (5'-8", 170lbs) perfectly. The seat is extremely comfortable, and I have ridden as far as 620 miles in a day with no problems.

I commute frequently and take week-end rides at least twice a month. I have also taken it on long cross country rides, with the last one being a 3,000 mile round trip.

It is easy to ride, with an very light clutch pull. I have no trouble keeping up with the $20,000 cruisers for a fraction of the price.

I am trying to wear it out so I can justify buying an 1100 Classic, but it just keeps going as I approach 50K miles, and still doesn't use a drop of oil.

I would say it has been well worth the $4500 I paid for it, and I certainly have gotten my money's worth.

Faults:

None yet.

General Comments:

I chose the 2000 Yamaha V-Star Classic for its classic lines, traditional air-cooled v-twin, drive shaft, and great after market support (after all, I am a mechanic and love to tinker).

I learnt to ride on my mother's (yes, my mom rides) 1997 Suzuki Savage 650, and when the time came to get my bike, I wanted something with a bit more oomph while keeping the cc down to afford to insure the bike (I'm under 25 and a new rider). I wanted something that was great in the twisty country roads, but was still comfy enough on the highway. I wanted a bike that would achieve 250+kms to a tank (I like to go past at least a few gas stations without needing to stop). And lastly, but definitely not least, I wanted a bike that was comfortable to ride and just plain fun.

The V-Star gave me all of those and then some. It has great low end grunt to it and pulls strong through. It has no troubles hitting 150km/hr, although she's definitely screaming anywhere near that. I did not buy my bike for speed, I bought it to cruise the country a little more freely than in my big old pickup.

I find its seat and controls perfect, and very comfy for even a big guy like myself at 6ft 270lbs, but after about 3 hours I'm ready for a coffee stop. The bike is incredibly smooth, and is great in the turns and very stable, and offers a lot of confidence (already hitting the pegs). The appearance is exactly what I was looking for, and I love the red and burgundy two tone paint.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the bike and feel I will keep this one for some time to come (of course with some goodies along the way).