I would just like to get some feed back from owners that is not biased to sell-I am skeptical of on-line reveiws and am just looking to make an educated decision.thanks --The bike is a 2006 1100 Classic/Custom/Silverado or the 1300 Tourer
2006-12-17 12:12:44 · 7 answers · asked by I'm laughing WITH you 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
The V-Stars are good bikes, a bit behind the times...by design, but good bikes. Air cooling and external oil lines are not neccessarily a bad thing, but technology bypassed this a long time ago.
The 1100 is a strong bike for it's size, sits well and rides well. Although I find the frame geometry a bit...odd. At slow speeds the front end wants to 'flop' for lack of better words. You turn the handlebars so far and then all of a sudden it just 'flops' way over.
The Silverado package is a deal if you want those options. Good quality pieces that fit well. You can't buy those options seperately as cheap as you can buy the package on the bike. So if your thinking about eventually going to those options, go ahead and pony up for them to start with.
The 1300 V-4 is an impressive powerplant. The power characteristics remind me of an early Goldwing. Not much on the bottom, but let the motor breath and it's a real eye opener. The only drawback with the engine IMHO centers around the air intake system. At about 70 mph in high gear there is something about the way air is routed through the air cleaners and intake tubes that cause a definate 'whistle'.
The Royal Star, especially when decked out, is a good looking bike. But for my tastes the windshield is a bit funky, being narrow and tall, and the handlebars just don't suit me.
The Venture is a real sweetheart. Except for the whistling issue there isn't much not to like about the bike. My only snivel, and it's a personal thing, is the speedometer. It looks like something out of an early Ford pick up truck. But a lot of folks love it. Each to thier own I guess.
Either of the 1300 V4's respond real well to a set of Bub 'sleeper' slip on's. The sound will surprise you, and you can feel the engine begin to 'breath' sooner with them. I've tried 4 sets of Bub's complete exhaust system on both bikes and could never get the head pipes to line up. The rear pipes were about 1" out of line on both sides, on all 4 sets. Wierd.
Here again, IMHO, while both the 1100 and 1300 are great bikes, there are others on the market that appeal more to me and my tastes. But hey, that's why there are so many different bikes on the market. Each to thier own!
Happy riding!
2006-12-17 13:04:23 · answer #1 · answered by Nomad 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a VStar 1100 Classic and loved it. Great bike, very reliable in all weathers. I rode it in triple digit heat, and between twenty foot banks of snow (on a clean, dry road). Even with the stock seat, it was comfortable for 500+ mile days.
On the negative side, oil changes were a pain, since the pipes have to come off every time (unless you add a filter relocation kit). The floorboards will scrape easily in the twisties. The saddlebags are not waterproof, and hard to pack due to the tapered shape.
Very small criticisms, weighed against what a great bike this is. Plenty of options to customize, if that's your thing.
2006-12-19 08:05:09 · answer #2 · answered by Silver Penguin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE V-STAR 1100 IS A GOOD MODEL JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO REMOVE THE PIPES TO GET AT THE OIL FILTER EACH AND EVERY OIL CHANGE UNLESS YOU PURCHASE A RELOCATION KIT FROM JARDINE FOR AROUND 250 DOLLARS, OTHER THAN THAT THEY ARE A VERY RELIABLE BIKE. AND BY THE WAY I RUN A MOTORCYCLE CUSTOMIZING SHOP IN CLEVELAND SO THIS INFO COMES FROM EXPERIENCE.
2006-12-18 07:30:44 · answer #3 · answered by bcuda27 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i ride the warrior, but a few of my buddies ride the 1100 and they love them. as far as technology and r&d yamaha is way ahead of harley. harley has been using the same motor for way too long. not to mention they only have one motor size for most of their bikes. (off the soap box) yamaha makes a good stable bike that doesn't have too many problems. that's my two cents
2006-12-17 13:18:42 · answer #4 · answered by andrew c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll be watching this... I'm semi-in the same boat. I looked at some stars, they are my second pick behind HD Sportsters. I tend to think Japs make reliable stuff, so I'm torn.
2006-12-17 12:45:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOMAD SAID IT BEST POWER RELIABILTY LONG LASTING AND A REAL AWSOME COOOOL FACTOR HD IS COOL DONT GET ME WRONG BUT FOR THE DOLLAR IN THE LONG RUN YAMAHA OR OTHER IMORTS SO HAPPY RIDING MAKE THE BEST DECISION ON THE TYPE OF RIDING YOU DO
2006-12-17 18:12:55 · answer #6 · answered by THE WAR WRENCH 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'll be watching this also. have been contemplating the same
2006-12-17 16:54:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋