moved up today

It wasn't a high priority for me to move up, but I traded in my blue 2003 gz250 for a a 2008 V Star 650 custom today (black is my new favorite color). The new bike had low miles and is spotless. Drove home the 20 miles from the dealer and of course it's more power, but not overwhelmingly so. Noticed more vibration than I anticipated and not so sure about a shaft drive, but I had it narrowed down to this bike, the Vulcan 500 or the Suzuki s50. I was going to move up sooner or later, and there are some great deals out there with dealers looking to move inventory.

It's funny, but I"m feeling some mixed emotions (just as I've heard a couple others on this list indicate). I'm excited about the new bike, but sad to to see the gz go. It's a great bike if you accept it for what it was meant to be.

Keith

[Sarris]

Congrats on the new bike. Shaft drives are usually very smooth. Tire issue perhaps?

Post photos when you get a chance.

:rawk:

[Water Warrior 2]

Keith, congrats on your new ride. The 650 is a pretty solid performer for a smaller V-twin. The shaft is a real bonus too. Yamaha designed the bike to work well at all legal speeds and still have ample power for passing and loads when needed. I am sure the bike will serve you well. Now get out and ride it.

[GZ250]

Congratulations and enjoy the more power, I also have an eye for V-Star 650. I like the design (style). Unfortunatley they do not have test drive possibilities for bikes. I just want to be sure how much power 650cc has (max speed we can comfortably go and if there are two on the bike). for GZ250 its 55mph (for single).

[bonehead]

I rode my buddies V-star on a ride and it will go faster than you will want to. I had bursts to 80 mph and it still had some more in it.

[Easy Rider]

Unfortunatley they do not have test drive possibilities for bikes.

I just want to be sure how much power 650cc has (max speed we can comfortably go and if there are two on the bike). for GZ250 its 55mph (for single).

For the "casual" shopper I'm sure there aren't test drives.

For those who come in on a bike, with the proper license and gear and indicate that they are really serioius about actually BUYING something.....maybe from another dealer.....you might be surprised how quickly a test ride DOES become available. Might.

How do you define "comfortably" ??

If you define it by engine speed, then you will be hard pressed to find ANYTHING that makes you "comfortable" above 60 mph or so. The V-star will be turning just as fast, or faster, than the GZ at a given speed; that's one way they get to advertise more HP.

I found the GZ to be quite capable and comfortable up to about 65 mph.....as I think most riders do. What makes you UNcomfortable above 55 ??

Unless you get a Concours or Road King or Goldwing, they are all gonna be kind of "buzzy" at speed. That's just kind of how riding a bike works.

Here's a couple of quick pictures of my new V Star Custom. Went 75 on the freeway yesterday and had plenty of power to spare (going 75 on the freeway without a windshield, I thought I might get blown off the bike).

I'll post better photos when I add the after market windshield and passenger backrest I ordered. I know it's early, but really happy so far.

Keith


http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy29/kmkindred/th_100_1440.jpg (http://s774.photobucket.com/albums/yy29/kmkindred/?action=view&current=100_1440.jpg)
http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy29/kmkindred/th_100_1441.jpg (http://s774.photobucket.com/albums/yy29/kmkindred/?action=view&current=100_1441.jpg)

[alanmcorcoran]

FWIW, my Yamaha product (belt drive) has no noticeable vibration at speed or at idle and at 75-80 is very smooth (like a purring kitty.) Much more comfortable at high speed than the GZ, and way more torque at low speed. The big bike handles as well as the GZ or better at all speeds except under 3mph. (It's a beast when you are not moving and a trial if you've got to back up [esp. uphill.]) (Mine has a large factory windshield on it.) I have yet to take it more than a few miles an hour over 80 (okay, maybe I did 90 once for a few seconds) but at 75 I'm just north of 3K and it redlines at around 6500.

The other day I was in the Suburban (hauling some sound gear) and I pulled up next to a Harley. It was a smaller bike than mine but I was surprised at how much the windshield, the fairing and the saddlebags were jumping all over the place when the guy wasn't even moving. I'm not sure how much of that you feel in seat, but it looked very uncomfortable. Perhaps he was in need of a tuneup?

[Easy Rider]

Perhaps he was in need of a tuneup?

Harley riders take their machines in for a "tune up" when they STOP shaking and making noise.
If a Hog is smooth and quiet there HAS to be something wrong !! :roll:

[Water Warrior 2]

Perhaps he was in need of a tuneup?

Harley riders take their machines in for a "tune up" when they STOP shaking and making noise.
If a Hog is smooth and quiet there HAS to be something wrong !! :roll:


Oh Oh, Sarris won't like that. Actually the real paint shaker H-Ds have probably been modified extensively. I have seen H-Ds that idle very smooth and are nice and quiet. They are a real treat compared to the Look at ME macho riders who are all so unique they appear to be cloned.

[Sarris]

My HD doesn't vibrate at road speed at all. Most vibration in the TC88 & TC96 motors is at an idle. And you are right that modded motors (bored, stroked, cammed, etc.) will beat you to death. I've had probably 30 or more bikes over the years (including some modded HD's) and my 2006 has been the best. The Twin Cam 88 ci motor (2006 was the last year) is purported to be the best recent HD motor made and I have left it pretty much stock only adding the K&N air filter kit, Screamin' Beagle ignition module, and Vance & Hines true dual exhaust. Mine makes about 90hp and 105 lb/ft of torque. More than enough.

I never really considered myself much of a Glide type of guy (kinda an old fart bike) but you damn sure get used to the fairing, full guages, cruise control, and AM/FM/CD/MP3 player very quickly. If you try one out, the first thing you notice is, you feel as though the m/c is painted on your ass. You don't sit on it, you sit in it. It feels wired directly to you. I have never been as comfortable riding a scoot as when I'm on my StreetGlide. It's definately changed my mind about HD. I have racked up about 36K miles since purchased new in August 2006.

I will tell you that getting a really smooth motor is kinda hit and miss. My pal has a 2007 StreetGlide TC96 w/ a 6 speed trans. and it is a miserable piece-o-shit. His motor vibrates at road speed so badly the mirrors blur, and in 5th gear (your around town gear), the new 6 speed transmission whines like a whore in church. So...... I guess you should always test drive before you buy.

If they won't let you, :fu: them, and go someplace else. I'll never buy another bike without a test drive, period!

Don't let the banter from the know-it-all Harley haters (most are pissed off that they don't have the money to buy one) influence your decision. All I ask from people is try one. You'll be hooked.


:skull: :) :skull:

[alanmcorcoran]

I followed another Harley into work today and watched the mirrors - this one was moving at about 50 - and it looked very smooth compared to the one the other day. I don't know the Harley models that well - this one had the very horizontally cut front fender with the chrome writing on it (perhaps that describes all of em?) The one I saw earlier this week probably was modded. And I was watching it at idle.

[GZ250]

"comfortably" - I mean the power in engine. yes I do go upto 65mph but thats the upper limit and if there is slight wind, i can feel that its enough for GZ. Obviously if the engine is small it wil make more noise at high speeds but that is a different issue. At 50-55mph there is enough power to pass someone and the ride is smooth. I like driving at that. That is why I asked about "comfy drive" :)

I assume V-twin and probably any 650cc can go 80mph for interstate rides (when two on the bike) and still has power left.