2006 Yamaha V Star 650 Classic on 2040-motos

Yamaha V Star description

Up for bid is a 2006 Yamaha V Star 650 Classic. My father was the original owner of this motorcycle before "handing" it over to me. He bought it brand new in 2007, and in all honesty never had a chance to ride it. He was diagnosed with a terminal illness shortly after purchasing this bike. As a result, was not able to ride. I got the bike from him in May 2009, and have had it ever since. I made sure to take care of the bike, consistently bringing it in for regular oil changes and services when needed. The odometer reads 5,845 miles as of 08/15/2013. I got out and rode this bike a little bit here and there, but don't get out as much as I'd like to. I would much rather someone else get better use out of it because it is a beautiful bike. 

The V Star 650 Classic is powered by a 649 cc (40 cubic inch) V-twin engine that is fed by two Mikuni 28mm carburetors.  Fuel comes from a 4.2 gallon tank which provides about as much range that most folks would find comfortable.  Sitting on top of the tank is the typical chrome bezel which houses the speedometer, trip meter and indicator lights (check engine, neutral indicator, high beam and turn signals). Power goes through a five speed gearbox and is sent to the rear wheel by shaft drive.  Tube-type tires roll on spoked rims while a single 298mm front disc and rear drum brakes provide the stopping power.  

The V Star 650 Classic is a great example of a bike that can fit many roles for a varied group of riders.  First off, it is simply a nice looking bike with lines and curves that are (in my opinion) some of the best in the business; there is no mistaking a V Star.  The bike’s extremely good balance and 545 pounds of dry weight make it an ideal choice for any type of rider.  The V Star 650 Classic has enough weight to it that it will demand proper riding technique while its good balance will make it docile enough for even the newest rider.  The added benefit is that it has enough power that a rider won’t grow tired of it in six months and then feel the need to trade up right away. Speaking of power, the bike doesn’t have gobs of whiplash-inducing power at its disposal, but it has enough to make it a good all around cruising and commuting machine.  It is a good candidate for and responds nicely to upgrades such as carburetor rejetting, exhaust upgrades and some changes to the air intake. 

I used to average about forty-eight to fifty miles per gallon on the highway and in the low forties around town, so one should conservatively plan on 130 to 165 mile trips before the engine starts to buck, letting you know that it’s time to select the reserve fuel.  That is not really a hardship, as one usually needs to dismount and move around by that point anyway. Another huge benefit is that most motorcycles, inlcuding the V Star 650 Classic, helps riders save good amounts of money on gas during peak riding seasons, with the V Star leading most bikes in fuel efficiency (the most I spent to fill the tank was around $12-$14 bucks).

Dimensionally, the V Star 650 Classic is set up well and the average person won’t find themselves stretching to reach the handlebars or to comfortably keep their feet on the floorboards.  The floorboards, not something found on all mid-sized cruisers, are a nice touch in terms of both comfort and aesthetics.  They definitely give the machine a “big bike” appearance and feel (again, in my opinion). 

As with most of the V Star line, there are more factory accessories than the average wallet can handle and the aftermarket industry is chock full of options to do just about anything a person’s imagination could come up with, whether it be function, appearance or performance.  The sky truly is the limit.With its wider stance, beefy forks, ample chrome and dual shotgun exhaust pipes, the V Star 650 Classic looks like a much bigger bike than it actually is.  In all of the time that I owned mine, I heard many folks say “No way!” when I told them it was only a 650cc bike, and were blown away by the low mileage and great condition it is in.