Buying a Bike

[Safejohn]

I just Completed the MSP course (Oct 15,2006) and want to buy a bike. I am looking at a Yahama 2003 V-Star Custom. Would this be a good bike for a newbee. I am an older man and put safety first.

Is the V-Star custome a decent starter bike. Is it a dependable bike. I sat on one and it seemed very balanced for me and easy to handle standing still. I know it does not have a lot of power, but it should be enough for me. I weigh 165 and I am on the short side (5' 6""). My feet easily touch the ground on this bike.

Would someone with experience recommmend this bike to a newbee like me.

[Rockhead]

If you’re talking about the 650cc its nice bike in all but it lacks in fun. Keep your mind open; if that’s the style you like maybe you would like the C50 Suzuki. It has the same power plant as my m50 (805cc) not over powering but a real fun ride. Also it comes with EFI vs. carb, start her up and your ready to go at a reasonable price.

What ever you decide welcome to the community and please let us know a little more about you by filling out your profile.

[Texcowboy9]

Try a VStar 1100 Custom, I am real happy with mine. See my other post.

[kstateskier]

I just bought the 650 Classic and while I haven't put a lot of miles on her yet it appears to be a FANTASTIC bike! Fit and finish is top notch and fun to ride! I wanted to start on a smaller CC bike and work my way up to something larger. Good bike at a great price! WELCOME!

[Robley]

Originally Posted by kstateskier

I just bought the 650 Classic and while I haven't put a lot of miles on her yet it appears to be a FANTASTIC bike! Fit and finish is top notch and fun to ride! I wanted to start on a smaller CC bike and work my way up to something larger. Good bike at a great price! WELCOME!

I bought a 2005 650 V-Star classic in the fall of 2004 and put about 13000 miles on it and love every aspect of that bike(Expecially for a new rider) like I was too. They are very easy to handle and the weight dist. is very well balanced I cant see where you would be going wrong in any aspect.

[scrimmer]

to the forum, safejohn. I'm biased of course, and I'm w/Rockhead, take a look at the C50 or the M50. That bit of extra power in the 805cc engine over the 650 will come in handy as your riding skills progress and if you ever plan to ride 2 up.
Just my $.02

[rscwboy]

i cheated when it came to the bikes, we were shopping around (wife and I) and we liked the hondas but theyre too heavy to be lifted after a drop. happened to stop by the yamaha dealership on the way home and wife practilly loved the 650 classic they had. it was there demo with 88 miles on it and they knocked off 200 bucks so we took it from them, nice colors two-tone and all. great starter for her and she rides it every now and then. the we stopped by the other dealership that sells most of the foreign bikes and she loved the led taillight of the m50, i liked the bigger engine, call it overconfidence or cockiness but i was too used to the 650. i ride hers once a month to keep everything moving internally and mine as often as i can, 1k miles on mine and 500 on hers so i would go with the m50 unless you wanna make a full dresser out of the bike.

[Firedog1300]

I agree with scrimmer, if you just want to learn and turn around a sell the bike after your experienced, (which may happen in a month or so of regular riding) for something that can handle the highway or riding 2 up. Just remember, you've got to be the one who lives with the bike, they're all potentially hazderous if saftey isn't a concern.