Comments: 1-15, 16-19
My odometer just turned to 1000 miles today. I purchased my 2007 V Star 650 Classic last month and have enjoyed every minute I'm riding it. Some of the miles are commuting to work miles, but most of them are pleasure riding miles. I have not ridden a motorcycle for almost 20 years, and even though the 650 is considered small for a cruiser, it seemed large compared to anything I had ridden before.
In the first few hundred miles, it shifted a little clunky. By the time I took it to the dealer for the 600 mile service, it was shifting smooth and still continues to improve. The engine also runs smoother, and I have never had it stall or run rough once it was warmed up.
I replaced the stock seats with Mustang Touring Saddles when I realized riding more than 50 miles at a time was a little harsh on the back side. My longest ride since then has been 125 miles with no discomfort. I also added a wind screen, which I recommend to anyone who rides over 50 mph for long periods.
My only complaint is that I wish it had a 6th gear. It has no problem doing 70 or 80 on the interstate, but the engine sounds like it's really winding up.
My wife's bike had the EXACT same problems. The dealer also said to use stabil and dirty carbs. I know bikes and took the thing apart myself. The main jet is a 91.3 mikuni and is way too small. I changed the main to a 110 mikuni, shimmed the pilot needles with 1 number 4 size washer from Radioshack, and set the mixture screw to 3 turns after being fully seated. Put the bike back together and balanced the carbs with a homemade manometer. The bike warms up now in about 45 seconds and is no longer jerky at any speed, and you don't need to use hardly any clutch for 1st gear. NO DYING AT STOP SIGNS anymore!!!
I purchased a 2007 650 Custom and have not experienced any of the problems that I have read about. The bike is fast for its size, very responsive, and yes, I thought a 6th gear would be great as my bike sounds like it is wound up tight.
A Mustang seat would be great, but I can't afford it right now.
Gas mileage is great, and I do not use fuel with ethanol.
Great bike so far.
My 2007 V-star 650 sat in the dealers for about 8 weeks before I purchased it. Bike fired up straight away. Now because of 24/7 shift work, it might only get ridden once a fortnight. Pull the choke, start the bike, push choke in, put helmet & gloves on, good to ride. Hardly any warm up period required.
Great bike. Getting better all the time with more mileage. Only faults are short clutch friction zone, which takes getting used to. Also scraping pegs on corners; need to ease off on the bends.
Very good value for money.
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