2007 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom from United States of America - Comments

I've owned 2 Harley's - an old Sportster and a 07 street bob. I'm 53.

The bob was so unbalanced I never was comfortable at stops.

I rode Honda's and Yamaha's when I was young. This 08 classic is what I was missing. I don't care what HD people say - this is a better built bike for a third the bucks. Sweet ride, all the power I need and I'm happy to cruse at 60-65.

The bob motor sounded like an old sewing machine - this 650 doesn't crackle when it's hot at the end of ride - super balance - I could go on and on.

95% of Harley's are still on the road - the other 5% made it home.

I enjoy reading all of the comments about fuel, choking, and the stalls. I bought my 2007 V-Star custom last week with 1430 miles on it. I am a new rider also. I thought it was just my inexperience that was causing it to stall a lot. I'm thinking it is a combination of all of the above. I was really frustrated this morning when it stalled on me three times at a stop sign.

The dealer I bought it from used said that he thinks the clutch should be adjusted too. Does anyone else have any problems with the clutch? I like the ride when it runs but I'm having some big time seconds thoughts on my purchase. A little positive re-assurance would be great. Thanks.

MD in PA.

MD in PA update:

I had my Harley ridin' friend take it out for a spin to see if it was the bike or me. He did not stall it once. So I'm guessing the stalling issue is my inexperience. I also called the gas station to see if the fuel has ethanol in it. No to that.

I won a clutch kit on eBay, and should have that installed this week sometime. I'm letting it warm up a bit longer as the manual says to. I've been riding to work, about 7 miles and it's running great. I just need to practice pulling out. Later.

MD in PA.

I have an '07 V-Star 650. Great looking bike, but the carb sucks.

I've had it overhauled 3x in a year now. It's been the same thing every time, the carb gets gunked up, and only after it sits for about a week.

The dealer told me the same thing that the others have posted - it's the crappy gas they sell now with the ethanol and additives... that it's killing carburetors.

All gasoline is required to have 10% ethanol by law (at least in my area). Therefore, I have no choice.

It still seems absolutely crazy to me that you can't let a bike sit for a week without requiring a carb overhaul.

The last bike I had was over 20 years ago, a carbureted Yamaha. I let that thing sit for months without draining anything and never had the problem.

Is it really the gas or a crappy carb design?

I bought a 2003 V-star Custom just this year. It's my first time buying and riding a road-bike, and I've gotta say THIS IS ONE GREAT BIKE! I can let it sit in the garage for a week or two and it will fire right up (pull in choke to warm up) and runs great and rides great!

Handles real well on side roads and big roads. I'm GLAD I BOUGHT THIS BIKE!

Stalls are caused by the bike not being warmed up and clutch adjustment. One other thing I have learned is the valves on the factory bikes are set to a richer setting, and need to be leaned out.

My wife has a 2004 Yamaha V-star Classic with less than 2000 miles. We love the bike but have experienced the problem with it running unevenly at low throttle and stalling out easily when starting from a stop. We had the carburetors taken off and cleaned, and it ran beautifully for about two weeks. Now we are having the same problem with it. We are also being told the problem is with the ethanol in the gas, but gas preservative does not seem to help. This is a popular bike. Has anyone heard of a solution from Yamaha?

Jim in Galesville, MD.

Get the clutch adjustment kit sold by Seritec on Ebay. Makes all the difference in the world.

I bought my 2007 V-star 650 brand new. A week after I bought it I broke my shoulder and couldn't ride for about 6 months. When I returned to riding, I found it took forever to warm up (full choke for 5 minutes, then 1/2 for 5). It was also stalling at stops and just after acceleration. I had most of the other symptoms I read on this post as well (pops, etc).

I read this post and decided to try Sea Foam. I noticed the difference immediately! No more stalling on acceleration, no more stalling at stop signs/red lights. I'm not sure about the cold start yet.

I don't think I can get gas without ethanol here, but at least I can treat it with Sea Foam and Sta-bil. I am also going to shut off my fuel line and let it run out if I'm not going to ride it again in a few days.

Thanks for the recommendations!

I have a 2007 Custom V Star, and have had all the problems with warming up and cutting out, etc. Took it to the dealer and they finally had to drill out the pilots bigger in the carb. I am not sure what this means, but it has helped a lot. It does still take a long time to warm up though.

I have a 2005 V-Star and had the same problems as the above back in 2006 after the bike sat for about two weeks. Took it to the dealer and was told the same thing that the fuel was the problem. After cleaning the carbs the bike ran great. I always have used carb cleaner or stabilizer when I filled the tank. I did let the bike sit for a week this year without any type of gas treatment and the problem has returned. Had a coworker with a carb Suzuki and he had the same problem with his bike and was told the same thing by his dealer.