Road Star & V-Star
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I had a '01 - 1100 V-Star Custom, nice bike for the price ($8500.00 with pipes). Lowered the rear with a Barons Custom Kit, and installed a set of Bub Enterprises Big Willie's. Looked cool, sounded cool, defiantly turned a lot of heads. If I had to give up my FXST or V-Rod, I'd go back to the 1100 V-Star or the Road Warrior.
I currently own both an '03 Road King and an '02 VStar 1100 Classic. The VStar is a great bike. It's lighter than the Road King by over 100 lbs. (which is very noticeable) so it's a great around town bike.
Where the VStar is somewhat lacking is it's touring comfort/ability. Due to the high 5th gear it runs at about 3400-3500 rpm's at freeway speed (65-70) so you will sometimes find yourself trying to shift into "6th" gear. The engine was designed to be a higher rev'er than other cruisers so it's not big deal to run this bike at 4000 rpms all day. However, because of the higher rpms, the vibration is greater and can be somewhat numbing for some people. I have changed the handlebar mounts so I notice the vibration more in my rearend than anywhere else but it doesn't bother me. It's not an uncomfortable or bothersome vibration but it's enough to make you realize the VStar's strength is not in the high speed touring department. Otherwise, it's a great bike: good looking, runs great, best bike in it's price range (IMHO). A couple of things I don't like about it are its dual carbs and the need to adjust the valves. I may be nit picking here but less maintenance is more desireable to me.
When I purchased the VStar it was a decision between the Roadstar and the VStar. The Roadstar is a great touring bike but it's like driving a truck around town. It's over 700 lbs. but doesn't have the nimbleness of my Road King or VStar. It really comes down to the type of riding you want it for. It you want something for tooling around town then it's a no brainer; the VStar wins hands down. if you want a touring bike then it would have to be the Roadstar. When I purchased my Road King I was planning on keeping both bikes but the Road King not only does great on the open road (the VStar cannot even compare to it) it is also at least as good around town. As a result, it's looking very likely that I'll be selling the VStar.
If you have anymore specific questions about the VStar don't hesitate to ask me directly. I really enjoy it and I'm very familiar with it in and out mechanically (I do all the maintenance myself). Also, I have added $4K worth of accessories and I get a lot of compliments, even from Harley diehards.
Cheers!
Jeffrey Crumpacker
Portland OR
Where the VStar is somewhat lacking is it's touring comfort/ability. Due to the high 5th gear it runs at about 3400-3500 rpm's at freeway speed (65-70) so you will sometimes find yourself trying to shift into "6th" gear. The engine was designed to be a higher rev'er than other cruisers so it's not big deal to run this bike at 4000 rpms all day. However, because of the higher rpms, the vibration is greater and can be somewhat numbing for some people. I have changed the handlebar mounts so I notice the vibration more in my rearend than anywhere else but it doesn't bother me. It's not an uncomfortable or bothersome vibration but it's enough to make you realize the VStar's strength is not in the high speed touring department. Otherwise, it's a great bike: good looking, runs great, best bike in it's price range (IMHO). A couple of things I don't like about it are its dual carbs and the need to adjust the valves. I may be nit picking here but less maintenance is more desireable to me.
When I purchased the VStar it was a decision between the Roadstar and the VStar. The Roadstar is a great touring bike but it's like driving a truck around town. It's over 700 lbs. but doesn't have the nimbleness of my Road King or VStar. It really comes down to the type of riding you want it for. It you want something for tooling around town then it's a no brainer; the VStar wins hands down. if you want a touring bike then it would have to be the Roadstar. When I purchased my Road King I was planning on keeping both bikes but the Road King not only does great on the open road (the VStar cannot even compare to it) it is also at least as good around town. As a result, it's looking very likely that I'll be selling the VStar.
If you have anymore specific questions about the VStar don't hesitate to ask me directly. I really enjoy it and I'm very familiar with it in and out mechanically (I do all the maintenance myself). Also, I have added $4K worth of accessories and I get a lot of compliments, even from Harley diehards.
Cheers!
Jeffrey Crumpacker
Portland OR
Thanks for the replys. I just retired last year so I'm trying to
catch up on riding that I missed out on
while I was working. Most of my trips
are at least 30 to 40 miles minimum.
I don't ride much around town. Maybe a
quick trip to the bank and that's about it.
That's why I was asking about the RoadStar
also. I like the looks of the Silverado.
catch up on riding that I missed out on
while I was working. Most of my trips
are at least 30 to 40 miles minimum.
I don't ride much around town. Maybe a
quick trip to the bank and that's about it.
That's why I was asking about the RoadStar
also. I like the looks of the Silverado.
I have an '03 VStar 1100 Classic. Great bike for the buck. The stock seat totally sucks so I had to put a two-piece Mustang on it. I've also got the Yamaha engine guards, Yamaha low windshield, Yamaha passing lamps, Yamaha sissy bar (Mustang pad), and Yamaha luggage rack. Absolutely no problems with the bike so far. Runs great and is strong. A previous poster mentioned the lack of 6th gear and that is true. They should have added a 6th gear for the feeling if nothing else. Another drawback is the oil change procedure. An oil filter relocate kit is a must if you're going to be doing your own maintenance. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a cruiser though. Can't beat it for the money.
Joined
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87 Posts
Had RoadStar Silverado for about 2 yrs.Never had a lick of trouble from it and ran it like a dog. Put pipes, rejetted the card and did some other minor upgrades. Pretty good bike for the price, nice torque but no top end on the motor (reve limiter cuts out at about 4400 rpm) but you don;t really want to rev it anyway. just throb along your merry way! Have a good friend who has one and loves it.
John
John
Regarding the opinions expressed here on the Vstar 1100, in the dallas area you can get one for $7,500 (V-star custom). In contrast, the dallas area dealers want about $14,950 for the Dyna Super Glide Harley. I drove the Yamaha today and it moves like a dream...really smooth. I'll be driving a Harley later next week, but man, it's hard to justify the price difference, especially when the Harley dealer wants $2500 over retail, while the Yamaha dealer is willing to cut his retail by $400-500 (plus 15% off all accessories)! So I need advice....If I'm only going to have one bike, would you guys recommend the Harley FXD or the Yamaha V-star Custom? ([primary usage will be 1-2 hour trips, sometimes with a passenger on the back).
thanks in advance for the advice!
dh
thanks in advance for the advice!
dh
Joined
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3,415 Posts
If your decision is strictly a matter of price/initial dollars, the metric bike is a better choice. Will you be able to sell it in 5 years? Yes, but for nothing. You have to decide whether you can invest the bucks initially. You'll get most of those bucks back. You won't with the metric. BUT the initial metric costs are much less. You know what will work for you.
Had a Road Star for about a year and put 27,000 trouble free miles on it. I have an 03 Electra Glide now and I do have to say I miss the torque from the Yamaha (99ft/lbs stock). Harley has it beat on horsepower though. There are custom parts for them. I had PM wheels, brakes, and fwd controls which I loved. I got rid of it to buy a house or I might still have it.
Bill
Bill
Joined
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1,403 Posts
I know what you mean since I was in the same boat as you are about a year ago. I had almost decided on a new V-Star 1100 due to its lower price when all of a sudden I found a 10 year old FXR for almost the same price. My choice was pretty clear; Do I want to ride the original or the copy? I guess you can tell what my answer was
dan_h said:
tnroadgline
A friend has purchased a 1999 roadstar silverado. Can you tell me the pilot, main, and needle jet sizes that you have in your rejetted bike. His fuel mileage is poor and is popping out of the carb and stalling off idle. we are trying to rectify this but would like a starting point which is what your information would give us. Thanks in advance for your time and help.
A friend has purchased a 1999 roadstar silverado. Can you tell me the pilot, main, and needle jet sizes that you have in your rejetted bike. His fuel mileage is poor and is popping out of the carb and stalling off idle. we are trying to rectify this but would like a starting point which is what your information would give us. Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Sorry, I don't remember what the jet sizes were. What i ended going with was the Big Air Kit (BAK) from Baron's out of CA. He specializes in Road Star custom stuff. He can usually recommend the jet sizes based on what pipes you have on it. Let your friend know another good resource is Star Touring And Riding (STAR) which is a Yamaha cruiser club. WWW.startouring.org is their website.
Bill
Bill
Joined
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119 Posts
I had a 01 V Star Classic. Owned it for about 7 months and put about 3000 miles on it. Sold it in January and bought my lowrider. I liked the V Star, but the stock seat does have to go. Very uncomfortable one up and two up. I found the same issue with the RPMs too. But overall for the price, you can't really beat it.
Joined
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3 Posts
experience with the vstar1100
I would go with the 1100 vstar. The road star felt underpowered ( a friend had a 2002 road star). I have had my 110 since it was new and the only must do mods were a mustang seat and an oil filter relocation kit (stock you need to remove the front pipes) Other then that not a problem with the bike I am looking to add a tour pack so the girlfriend has something to lean on she hates the stock sissy bar.
The road star felt heavy around town but ok on hte hiway. The vstar is nimble probably handles better then my flh.
Regards,
Ron
I would go with the 1100 vstar. The road star felt underpowered ( a friend had a 2002 road star). I have had my 110 since it was new and the only must do mods were a mustang seat and an oil filter relocation kit (stock you need to remove the front pipes) Other then that not a problem with the bike I am looking to add a tour pack so the girlfriend has something to lean on she hates the stock sissy bar.
The road star felt heavy around town but ok on hte hiway. The vstar is nimble probably handles better then my flh.
Regards,
Ron
RoadStar Dream
I am A Road Star lover I purchased My Midnight Star in April of 2003 and I have road it like I stole it...lol... I did have a lil bit of trouble out of it but wouldnt take anything for it I still love it at 5000 mile I wiped out a cam & lifter but noone knows why. At about 10000 miles I had a recall on it with the tranny but it was one of those things the dealer knocked it out in 3 days because I order some 10 1/2:1 pistons for it & believe it or not it increased My gas milage about 8 MPG but on the other had it will suck it down if really get on it. Amazingly I didnt have to rejet with all My modification of that & pipes & rev limiter I am currently pushing around 85 hp looking to take it up to 120 hp in the next cpl years.
I am A Road Star lover I purchased My Midnight Star in April of 2003 and I have road it like I stole it...lol... I did have a lil bit of trouble out of it but wouldnt take anything for it I still love it at 5000 mile I wiped out a cam & lifter but noone knows why. At about 10000 miles I had a recall on it with the tranny but it was one of those things the dealer knocked it out in 3 days because I order some 10 1/2:1 pistons for it & believe it or not it increased My gas milage about 8 MPG but on the other had it will suck it down if really get on it. Amazingly I didnt have to rejet with all My modification of that & pipes & rev limiter I am currently pushing around 85 hp looking to take it up to 120 hp in the next cpl years.
A good friend of mine has a RoadStar.
Nice bike, but even after exhaust and stage 1 mods it has trouble keeping up with the rest of the group on the big twins and Sportsters. He is now looking for a big twin.
Mind you, this is at 80 mph and above. Below that, it does OK.
Ride Safe,
Vettster
Nice bike, but even after exhaust and stage 1 mods it has trouble keeping up with the rest of the group on the big twins and Sportsters. He is now looking for a big twin.
Mind you, this is at 80 mph and above. Below that, it does OK.
Ride Safe,
Vettster
I'd like to see Supermans dyno chart.I had a 2001 silverado with 1500 dollars worth of performance mods and had probably 70 to 75 horses.Those bikes come stock with only 59 horses.I had a roadstar warrior with a power commander pipes and air cleaner and was at about 80 horses.
I have a 2000 Fxdx with 2500 dollars worth of heads, gear driven cams, mikuni carb and ignition and would spank any roadstar. I use to hunt out harleys on my warrior to spank now its the other way around.
To answer the initial question of roadstar or v-star, roadstar gets more respect, but there is nothing like owning a harley.Get a good used harley for a little more than a new v-star.
I have a 2000 Fxdx with 2500 dollars worth of heads, gear driven cams, mikuni carb and ignition and would spank any roadstar. I use to hunt out harleys on my warrior to spank now its the other way around.
To answer the initial question of roadstar or v-star, roadstar gets more respect, but there is nothing like owning a harley.Get a good used harley for a little more than a new v-star.
RoadStar
I have both a RoadStar and a Road Glide. The RoadStar is a good solid bike. I've been riding it for about five years and no problems. In comparison the Road Glide (although heavier) feels a lot more nimble around town and when it comes to touring the Road Glide has it all over the RoadStar. Much more comfortable on the highway and the seat is a whole lot better. I intend to keep both. My Road Glide has been modified a little (95" motor, cam, etc) and although still smaller in cu inches it runs a little stronger. Two things you can't get out of the Yamaha when compared to the Harley is resale value and the sound of the Harley.
I have both a RoadStar and a Road Glide. The RoadStar is a good solid bike. I've been riding it for about five years and no problems. In comparison the Road Glide (although heavier) feels a lot more nimble around town and when it comes to touring the Road Glide has it all over the RoadStar. Much more comfortable on the highway and the seat is a whole lot better. I intend to keep both. My Road Glide has been modified a little (95" motor, cam, etc) and although still smaller in cu inches it runs a little stronger. Two things you can't get out of the Yamaha when compared to the Harley is resale value and the sound of the Harley.
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