Here we are three years later, and I have put 15,000 km on my 2004 V-Star 1100 Classic, bought new in '05. I have also spent about $6,000 CDN on bling - 4" risers, crash bars, hiway pegs, custom exhaust, windscreen, K&N filter, visors, passing lamps, Kuryakyn grips. It is, without question, a looker.
It also sounds great. Even my H-D-owning neighbours thought I bought a Softail. But as it has been said, it's only fault is that is is not a Harley. Harley's have the single crank-pin potato-potato sound that gives great feedback to the throb of the Big Twin. But the custom-exhaust V-Star is close, oh so close. In some ways it is outright remarkable:
I had it track day and the brakes never faded over five hard-run laps of ther 2.5 mile (former F-1) track at Mosport International Receway in Ontario, Canada. Cornering is limited, but the bike handles well, with excellent feedback and competent road manners. The weight (just over 600 pounds accessoried and wet) of this mid-size works for you on th highway, yet not so much against you in the parking lot., though in my view, Harleys - even though they are from 70 - 200 pounds heavier- handle better than any other cruiser at low speeds.
So, what conclusions can I draw after the three years I have ridden my V-Star? I say: great purchasde, got me back into riding and first-time into crusing from a Honda 550-Four last ridden in 1983. A terrific looking ride (especially in black with the straight chrome pipes and the driving lamps), and pretty good power- the upgrades (exhaust, air) have lifted my BHP to over 70 (respectable), and gave it more mid-range grunt than was available in stock form.
This is a cruiser that can work for a competent beginner (though it's still better to start with something lighter for the inevitable front-brake-while-turning crash) right through to a veteran rider such as myself. The bike now seems perhaps one class below whwre I plan to end up as a middle-aged cruiser, and that will probably be the 96 c.i. H-D. But no regrets. Nor would I part with this beautiful V-Star, which has been worth every cent I have put into it.
Dec 19th, 2007
(Dec 18th, 2007)
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