Yamaha V Star Custom > Reviews > V-star - aka DragStar 650

Author's product rating:   

Comfort	Good
Handling	Satisfactory
Looks	Excellent
Features	Satisfactory
Fuel consumption	Satisfactory

Advantages:	Nice styling .  Best 'Harley' lookalike for the money .
Disadvantages:	Poor build quality and spec .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Bought mine new in 1997. Loved it from the word go apart from its tendency to stall as you pull away on a part warm engine. Very reliable but for battery.
As I used it more I felt the brakes were inadequate (only 1 disc on front and drum rear - and it is a heavy bike) so upgraded to harder pads (HH) and a braided S/S brake line. Better but no cigar.
The headlight is too small and feeble for anything other than casual night time use. Uprated bulb made a bit of difference but really not a lot.
Battery life is poor am now on 3rd battery. This may be due to little usage and my alarm system dragging the charge down. Standard fit Yamaha batteries are way too expensive at over £80!
Paint is thin. Chrome is poor. Corrosion is too easy. Front mudgurad needs to be longer to keep water off electrics (bought FenderExtender from M&P). Yamaha accessories are exhorbitantly expensive and again poorly chromed.
For a 650 cruiser it goes OK. 100mph on a good day is achievable, but the fuel consumption increases noticeably if you keep it wide open up the motorway. Pillion passengers complain of seat being uncomfortable. Not an issue to sole pilot.
Having said all of this, I have enjoyed the bike and it does get attention. Comfortable in use and you don't have to dress like a Moto GP hero to ride one.
Would I buy another? Not the 650. But would seriously consider an 1100 with the bigger headlight and 3 disc brakes (!) and nicer shaped mirrors but only if I had a garage to keep the worst of the weather off.