V-Star 950!

[Rob175]

I'm just wondering if there is anyone out there that has bought a NEW model bike or a bike at the beginning of the model year that can give me a clue as to what would represent a "good deal", in terms of purchase price?

With the NEW 950's coming out next month ata list of about $9,000 what's a "good deal"......I think the current economic woes may be in a buyers favor since financing may be hard to get for some and I'm assuming dealers may also have dificulty financing their inventory on the floor. I'd be a cash buyer so the financing wouldn't matter.

So any help that I can get would be appreciated....I mean is %5 off list good?, or 10%....or am I likely to get 0% off list??? (one other note that winter will soon be upon us here in Chicago and that too may play in my favore.....)

RW

[Vstar09LosAngeles]

I was originally going to get a 950 buy after careful consideration of the mpg (i ride to work everyday) I decided to go with the 650 classic. If you are going to ride at 80 mph and over constantly on the freeway... I think the 950 is a good choice... But if youre only gonna be driving within city limits... you may want to consider something smaller... I guess it depends on what youre after....

[Rob175]

I did give the 650 some initial consideration. But after comparing the specs of the 650 vs the 950 the choice was clear. I prefer the larger brakes, the belt drive over the shaft drive and most importantly the fuel injection over a carburator.

The cost difference between the two are minor (in my opinion) if it means that I won't "out-grow" it anytime soon. I'm the type of buyer that doesn't jump from bike to bike. Instead I try to make the right choice for me and stick with it for a number of years. To me the 950 seems like a ride that will run well on the highway occasionally yet still be a good city/urban ride.

One other thought.....from the scuttle-but that I'm hearing, there's a good chance that the 650 (and possibly the 1100 also) may be eliminated after 2009. Not that the support for the 650 will be affected but I still prefer the idea of a new model with all of the latest advances, rather than a model that has been around and unchanged for years.

RW

[ColoJeeper]

I went from a "03 650 VStar Custom to a "07" VStar 1300 and only lost 1 or 2 mpg on city driving and mileage actually went up on highway riding, so I'm not sure that there is enough of a savings to use that for a reason to buy the smaller bike. Haven't regretted my decision to upgrade at all, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

[Rob175]

ColoJeeper:

I'm just curious, did you feel that a move from your 650 to the 1100 wouldn't have given you enough of an increase in weight/power/comfort???

Also......did you buy your 1300 new? If so, I'm trying to get a "feel" for what kind of a deal can be had on a new bike from a dealer. I have no idea what type of mark up they have or what would represent a "good deal" to strive for....5%, 7%, 10%, or more off list.

Thanks,
RW

[B. Porter]

I'm wondering when Yamaha is going to update the V-Star 650 and 1100. Any rumors out there? I'm hoping they'll do a makeover soon to upgrade and make the whole V-star line fuel injected and belt driven. They could also add a 6th gear to the 650 (or just make it a 750 like the old Virago) to help smooth out the highway driving - that would make it the perfect entry cruiser.

[Rob175]

Well.....from my discussions with 4 local dealers ALL say that they (Yamaha) are almost 100% sure that this is the last year for the 650. It appears to them that the new 950 series will be it's replacement. In addition, from a reading of the Yamaha produced writings they appear to be positioning the 950 as they entry model that many women will also like (due to the low seat ht.)

In addition those same dealers don't see much of a future for the 1100 either. They talk of the line basically starting with the 950 then 1300 and up from there.

RW

[ColoJeeper]

Actually the reason I went with the 1300 instead of the 1100 was the fuel injection and belt drive. My riding area consists of anywhere from 4000 to 12,000 feet above sea level and I felt that fuel injection woudl be much more amenable to that range of altitude.

I bought mine new in April of this year, but was last years model so got a screaming deal on it, as well as a trade in on the 650 that was only 400 less than what I paid for it the previous April.

Don

Originally Posted by Rob175

ColoJeeper:

I'm just curious, did you feel that a move from your 650 to the 1100 wouldn't have given you enough of an increase in weight/power/comfort???

Also......did you buy your 1300 new? If so, I'm trying to get a "feel" for what kind of a deal can be had on a new bike from a dealer. I have no idea what type of mark up they have or what would represent a "good deal" to strive for....5%, 7%, 10%, or more off list.

Thanks,
RW

[Rob175]

Is there a "jump" in insurance rates when one goes over the 1000 cc size?

[omegajim]

that's more for the performance bikes; and even then the cutoff is usually 600 cc.

[Rob175]

I was disapointed today to learn that the "stocK" windshield that comes with the new 950 Tourer is the SMALLEST of the 3 sizes (16" from cut out to top)........ Greater minds would have thought that they would use to middle size (20").....except that I'm cynically assuming that they want to sell windshields for another $150 bucks.

I'm only 5'8" tall but I'm guessing that the small stock windshield will be well below my chin.......(most, as I, prefer it to come up to the bridge of the nose)......

It's just a bummer to have to pay an extra $150 on a brand new bike after just plunking down $9,000.....kinda feel like Yamaha is jamming it to me......but having said that I like the bike enough to probably bite the bullet..........dam them!........lol

[MCMARK]

That Is A Great Looking Bike. But I Agree I Would Be Less Than Comfortable Buying Anything That Was First Year Production.

[BudTheGrey]

Originally Posted by Rob175

I was disappointed today to learn that the "stocK" windshield that comes with the new 950 Tourer is the SMALLEST of the 3 sizes (16" from cut out to top)

It could be that because it's all you need -- remember that the seat height is very low, so the relative height of the w/s might be OK. My wife's Shadow Aero has a 17" Memphis fats, and that works Ok. i can't remember if y C50 has a 17" or 19"

Weekend before last, I took a 600 mile round trip on my C50. To be honest, I'm not sure I want to trade. With the Corbin seat, I've got the C50 set up just the way I like it. I might just try to get another couple years out of it.

Especially if I can figure out how to fix the dang 'CHEC' indicator going off and on in real hot weather.

[Rob175]

Thanks Bud....good point about actually sitting on the bike before deciding if the "small" windshield fits or doesn't. My assumption that it would not fit was from all of the pictures I've seen. (several are of a woman riding it and even she is taller than the windshield)....so we'll see.

Now all that's left is to actually see one in person!!

I'm in the Chicago area and nobody has one yet....most say wait till November.....darn it!

Rob

[MCMARK]

HERE IS WHAT MOTORCYCLE.COM HAD TO SAY

2009 Yamaha V-Star 950 Review - First Ride
Star's newest cruiser brings big bike feel for small bucks
By Kevin Duke, Oct. 15, 2008



Well, I just got through spending a whole day riding Star’s newest cruiser around the gorgeous backroads of north Georgia. In the process, I discovered that riders need not spend upwards of $15,000 to get a stylish and competent cruiser.

In fact, the ’09 V-Star 950 fulfills the requirements of most cruiser riders, combining a classy visage with decent performance and a considerable presence. To do all that with a retail price starting at just $7890 is impressive to say the least.

A cursory look at the V-Star gives no clues that this could be a “budget” bike. It looks like a sizeable piece, but that impression diminishes once aboard – it actually feels and handles quite nimbly. It’s quite dexterous at lower speeds, and its handling on the open road is amazingly neutral. A low, 26.6-inch seat height enables short riders to feel in control.

Power from the 942cc, 60-degree V-Twin is stout, if not arm-wrenching, and it provides a rumbly feel that belies its relatively small displacement. Strong thrust is readily available, offering what seems to be a bit punchier powerband than its obvious class competitor, the Kawasaki Vulcan 900. Clutch and shift effort is light and easy.

[Rob175]

Yep....and ALL of the other reviews I've read also say the stock 16" windshield is TOO small. Figures they want to sell better sized shields.....one report said that Yamaha was going for a price point and most buyers wind up buying another $1400 worth of accessories of which 60% of those are installed prior to delivery.

So...sounds like Yamaha struggled to meet their own price point....and perhaps thats why they would like most to buyt a more realistic sized shield..........very clever.

[ccopeland]

Every bike dealer will tell you If you buy the V Star 650 you'll love it for a year then you'll wont more power. I finshed Ga motorcycle in 06 I love my V Star clasic the ride the looks everything But like you I wont to go up. Now you have to deside the 950 ( I not sure why they built one unless ther doing away with the 650) or the 1100 only 50lb heaver more power better ride and only a few 100 more than the 950. If you not comfortiable on the road then you might wont the 650. I got a 03 1500 miles you can buy to learn on
ccopeland04@charter.net

[Rob175]

While what you say may be correct for the 650 I'm not sure if that can be said about the new 950. Most writers concede that the 650 will soon vanish and possibly the 1100 also....at least in their present states. The 950 has a nice low seat ht, FI, modern styling, and is very rider friendly.

Having said that most riders suffer from the same "condition" as boat owners...lol...."2 foot-itis"....going up in size with each move.....so I can only speak for myself on why I think the 950 is good for me. I ride mainly in the burbs of Chicago with only a few longer trips (<500 miles) each year. I seldom ride at night and almost never if the weather seems "iffy"....I guess I'm aabout a 2,000 mile/yr rider. I also don't want to spend over $10K yet I like buying new (somebody has to...lol).

R

[tweak89]

On the subject of getting a deal, I am planning on picking up a black 950 tomorrow afternoon. These things are selling quite well. After talking to just about every dealer with a 75 mile radius of Houston it's a sellers market, at least for this bike. I located one black non-touring model and am planning on buying it.

You have to take into consideration that bikes are selling very well right now based on the recent oil economy and due to the fact that many believe the current relaxed fuel prices won't last. Dealers know this, and are less likely to deal since they know there is plenty of demand.

I managed a whopping $100 off their "prep". I had no bargaining chips as no other dealers had them in stock. Can't play them off each other if you can't get a quote.

As far as the bike, it's quite impressive in person. Fit and finish is very nice. It feels much bigger than it is. And well, it's just a good looking ride.

The only complaint I have is the clear coated decals on the tanks of the red and blue non-tour versions. I wanted the blue, but did not care for the style of decal on the tank (the tribal style on the red was a little better, at least for me) so I went with the black.

I'll be making a few more calls to see if I can get a little competition going, but I don't think I will have much luck.

[tweak89]

Ok, change that. I was able to get a red 950 for the price of a black one, and then get an additional $100 off.

Of course, it's fresh from the crate so they are assembling it now. Should have it later today.