Yamaha Vstar 1100 custom for a new rider?

[Vegas Dan]

I have never owned a bike but always wanted one. Never found a bike i liked until the Yamaha 1100 Vstar custom. I live in Vegas and am concerned on how air cooling is going to do in the desert.

I would be riding the bike 3-4 days a week, about 20-50 miles a day. I would prefer to buy used.

Any feedback on bike recommendations for a new rider or input on if the air cooling is going to work out here will be appreciated! Thanks

[frostbitevinnie]

Pretty large bike for a newbie. The general recommendation is under 800cc, no R bikes (any bike with "R" means racing and lots of hp), and preferably used. If you dump it who cares. Take the MSF course!!!

As far as cooling that all depends on how long you are sitting idle. Normal riding with regular maintenance will help eliminate any problems you may have. Others will probably chime in soon with more recommendations.

[henc90t]

I came back after more than 30 years. I started on an 800 and was happy I did. After a year I went to the 1500 (C90).
The smaller bike is easy to handle and,depending on your situation, mabye all you will need. I changed because mama wanted to go with me.
Oh, and yes take the MSF course.

[4dtvman]

I've ridden my friends vstar 1100 and it's not that big, sit's a little lower than C50 and a little longer.

As long as you don't sit in one place too long the air cool engine will be alright. It gets a little hot under your legs. I got stuck in Boston high way traffic and my legs were hot.

[4dtvman]

Originally Posted by 4dtvman

I've ridden my friends vsatr 1100 and it's not that big, sit's a little lower than C50 and a little longer.

As long as you don't sit in one place too long the air cool engine will be alright. It gets a little hot under your legs. I got stuck in Boston high way traffic and my legs were hot.

[Vegas Dan]

so is that the consensus then? that this bike is too big for a new rider? i am a big guy already... the 800c bikes look like something my daughter would ride.

[omegajim]

vegasdan, you forgot to mention the essentials.

How tall and heavy are you?

If you're 6 5 and 275, a(n) 1100 would be a good fit, even as a starter bike.

If you are more like me, (6 1, 230) a(n) 800 such as the old suzuki 800, or the newer c50 would be a better starter bike.

Additionally, as you don't plan to drive the bike a lot (300 miles a week more or less) a larger bike will be more of a "bulky" bike to drive on shorter trips. A 750 - 800 cc bike won't have that bulky feel to it, especially when you are backing it out of a parking space.

Lugging it out of a parking space, rather.

That is not to say after a year or two of driving you won't want something different, people usually do.

[Vegas Dan]

6'4" 220ish.

[frostbitevinnie]

Engine displacement can have very little to do with bike "size". The C50 is very close in OAL to the C90. It is a bit lighter, which is a good thing for a newbie and a few less hp, which is also a good thing for a newbie. There are experience riders on this forum riding small displacement bikes.

One of my riding buddies is 6' 330 and he does just fine on his 800. Obviously he is a big guy but does that mean he should ride a boss hoss due to his size? A very large newbie would probably die shortly on such a bike. Or maybe a Hyaubusa. Very dead very quickly.

Displacement and hp should not outweigh your skill as a rider. Larger bikes can be more comfortable for larger riders but not in all cases.

[4dtvman]

I find a larger CC engine (to me) is easy to ride withe the lower RPM. And the Vstar is not that big of a bike. Yes more HP and less RPM's

[frostbitevinnie]

Put me on my MT 250 and a newbie on my C90T in a very basic obstacle course. I think I would kick ass every time. Correction, I know I would kick ass every time!! It's all about skill and handling. Bigger bikes take more skill to handle than most newbies possess. Recommending smaller displacement bikes for a newbie is not a punishment but a courtesy warning. I just don't like to see my fellow riders hurt or worse, that's all. I understand the desire for a large displacement bike. I rode smaller bikes for years, less than 850cc and I always wanted a larger bike but my 850 was also a screamer. I know in twisties, flat out from a stop, HP, and maneuvering the 850 was superior but I just had to have that monster machine. I have been riding for 38 years so I guess I felt I was unnecessarily ready for it.

[artistic_gore]

I've been riding for 15 years and have yet to ride anything over 750cc's. To each there own but if you're riding to ride the displacement isn't really a factor. When does the speed limit go over 70? (although it is fun from time to time)

[omegajim]

I had to ask the obvious, and my answer is thus.

A c50 (or equivalent 750 ish bike) would be a good starter.

Avoiding the crotch rockets, but at 6 4" they'll be too uncomfortable to sit on very long anyway.

[frostbitevinnie]

Originally Posted by artistic_gore

I've been riding for 15 years and have yet to ride anything over 750cc's. To each there own but if you're riding to ride the displacement isn't really a factor. When does the speed limit go over 70? (although it is fun from time to time)

If I had the money and space, mostly space, no mostly money. Ahhhh, you know what I mean. Anyway, I would want a large corral of bikes and mostly smaller bikes. A dirt only bike would be nice. I wouldn't mind having another RD400 and my old Honda 160. Those bikes were great for around town and I actually drove the 160 on the freeway quite a bit. The speed limit was 55 at the time but I think it may have been capable of 70. Never could wheelie that succor!! I bought the 90 for the basic reason of "just cuz" That old man wanting to be a youngin' again and the chrome is cool. I probably would have been just as happy with a 50 but then I will not know for a few years.

Some of the bikes I have owned, not actual pics.
1978 RM250, 1978 Yamaha RD400, 67' honda 160, my first ride 1965 Honda 90, 1977 Honda CB750four

[omegajim]

see, I had the '80 honda cb 750, with the styled seat.

Didn't ride much better though.

[artistic_gore]

Originally Posted by omegajim

see, I had the '80 honda cb 750, with the styled seat.

Didn't ride much better though.

I had an '82 (I think) CB750. It was a pig and turned me off of large bikes. I still drool over the night star though.

[frostbitevinnie]

I guess for me going from the 160 to the 750 was a huge jump so I was in heaven!!

[omegajim]

I had an '82 (I think) CB750. It was a pig and turned me off of large bikes. I still drool over the night star though.

They weren't the best handling bikes.

The bike was built with the best engine technology of the time and they slapped a frame and suspension around it.

If you had an '82, then you had front forks that you could adjust the pressure on.

Which reminds me of something; I took a 86 something or other honda for a test drive (I want to say Magna, but who knows) and mentioned something about the squishy handling to the owner.

He said "I don't know what can be adjusted."

Much to his chagrin, I reached over to the plastic fork cap, and exposed a nice std pneumatic fitting. Needless to say, I didn't buy the bike.

[GSV8]

Hi friends.

Well, as some may know, I'm one of the guys that has NEVER ridden a motorcycle in his life (passenger ONLY twice) !

I had to make a decision from just sitting on a few in the showroom and taking a guess at what may be a good bike to start with. So, I chose the 2007 S50 over the M50. From some fine people here on the forum that own this bike, I am encouraged that this was a VERY good choice and a model that is light with plenty of acceleration (a chart sent to me showed it turned a 13.3 - 1/4 mile ET !!)

Its still waiting at the dealer for me to pay in full and take delivery, going for learner's permit next week.

The avatar shows the actual bike at the dealer's warehouse.

Just my $.02

.........Gary

[4dtvman]

Originally Posted by GSV8

Hi friends.

Well, as some may know, I'm one of the guys that has NEVER ridden a motorcycle in his life (passenger ONLY twice) !

I had to make a decision from just sitting on a few in the showroom and taking a guess at what may be a good bike to start with. So, I chose the 2007 S50 over the M50. From some fine people here on the forum that own this bike, I am encouraged that this was a VERY good choice and a model that is light with plenty of acceleration (a chart sent to me showed it turned a 13.3 - 1/4 mile ET !!)

Its still waiting at the dealer for me to pay in full and take delivery, going for learner's permit next week.

The avatar shows the actual bike at the dealer's warehouse.

Just my $.02

.........Gary

So Gary where do you live. I live in Tiverton RI right next to Fall River ma.