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V-Star 1100 classic opinions?
- Thread starter ldm314
- Start date
Sane_Man
Totally Tubular
Awesome bike.
I had a V-Star 650 Classic, and my wife rides a V-Star 650 Custom.
There are a few forums and rider groups for the Star bikes. around, as well as plenty of accessories and mod sites.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/star_riders/start
You can find a local chapter through this link.
http://www.startouring.org/
This site specializes in custom parts for Star bikes.
http://www.baronscustom.com/
I had a V-Star 650 Classic, and my wife rides a V-Star 650 Custom.
There are a few forums and rider groups for the Star bikes. around, as well as plenty of accessories and mod sites.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/star_riders/start
You can find a local chapter through this link.
http://www.startouring.org/
This site specializes in custom parts for Star bikes.
http://www.baronscustom.com/
Deeter
Use only as directed
I had a V-Star 650 Classic and Road Star 1600 -- loved them both. I never owned the 1100, but got to ride a few of them and they are defintely the noble middle path. 
http://forums.delphiforums.com/star_riders/start
Was my old stomping grounds. And FWIW, ISRA and STAR are two wholly separate organizations.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/star_riders/start
Was my old stomping grounds. And FWIW, ISRA and STAR are two wholly separate organizations.
How would you rate the long term comfort? My current bike is a bit cramped for anything over 50-60 miles or so. I would like to be able to ride for 200 or so miles without being sore and tired from the ride. I'm 6'0" and about 270 lbs, and would like something more comfortable than a CX500. It also helps that I love the looks of the V-Star classic, especially with the hard bags. I also would like to ride two-up occasionally (as soon as I can get my fiance over her fear of riding)
wackyiraqi
Towelhead extraordinaire.
Check out the various multi-bike shootouts on motorcycle.com.
I'm about your same build, and I have a Shadow 1100 that's extremely comfortable. Compared to a sportbike or standard, they're like a couch on wheels.
For long trips and 2-up riding, a big comfy cruiser is hard to beat.
I'm about your same build, and I have a Shadow 1100 that's extremely comfortable. Compared to a sportbike or standard, they're like a couch on wheels.
For long trips and 2-up riding, a big comfy cruiser is hard to beat.
Deeter
Use only as directed
You're probably asking the wrong guy -- I've done 500+ mile days on my R1 and had nothing but smiles one my face at the end of the day. 
Having said that, I would wager that the V-Star 1100 would be an adequate bike for the duty you described. Plus you can always add comfort modifications to it as you go along; thinks like pullback risers/bars, rider backrests, aftermarket seats, etc . . .
The 650 was comfy enough, aside from the fact that the engine gets pretty buzzy at freeway speeds. The 1100 is bigger, longer-stroke engine and doesn't work quite as hard at those same speeds.
The Roadie turned a comfortable 2,500 rpms at 75 mph. It was a thing of beauty to listen to it lope along on the highway.
Having said that, I would wager that the V-Star 1100 would be an adequate bike for the duty you described. Plus you can always add comfort modifications to it as you go along; thinks like pullback risers/bars, rider backrests, aftermarket seats, etc . . .
The 650 was comfy enough, aside from the fact that the engine gets pretty buzzy at freeway speeds. The 1100 is bigger, longer-stroke engine and doesn't work quite as hard at those same speeds.
The Roadie turned a comfortable 2,500 rpms at 75 mph. It was a thing of beauty to listen to it lope along on the highway.
Sane_Man
Totally Tubular
Most 1100 riders install either the Mustang or Corbin seat, and have sucessfully done extended rides.
There are hundreds, if not a few thousand Star riders in the Bay Area. You can search the forums I posted or ask your questions there.
It's a very reliable bike, and very low maintenance.
There are hundreds, if not a few thousand Star riders in the Bay Area. You can search the forums I posted or ask your questions there.
It's a very reliable bike, and very low maintenance.
Sane_Man
Totally Tubular
Welcome to the Star family.
Here is the website for the Santa Clara Star chapter. http://www.starchapter209.org/
You can checkout everyone's bike and get idea's for your first mod.
Here is the website for the Santa Clara Star chapter. http://www.starchapter209.org/
You can checkout everyone's bike and get idea's for your first mod.
Deeter
Use only as directed
Congrats on your purchase -- I'm sure you'll love it!
If you're going to do your own maintenance, might I suggest an oil filter relocation as your first modification? On the 1100s, you have to remove the lower exhaust pipe to get at the element-type oil filter cartridge housing. It's a PITA b/c you have to replace the exhaust gasket every time you take the pipe out.
If you're going to do your own maintenance, might I suggest an oil filter relocation as your first modification? On the 1100s, you have to remove the lower exhaust pipe to get at the element-type oil filter cartridge housing. It's a PITA b/c you have to replace the exhaust gasket every time you take the pipe out.
Deeter said:Congrats on your purchase -- I'm sure you'll love it!
If you're going to do your own maintenance, might I suggest an oil filter relocation as your first modification? On the 1100s, you have to remove the lower exhaust pipe to get at the element-type oil filter cartridge housing. It's a PITA b/c you have to replace the exhaust gasket every time you take the pipe out.
That sounds like a horrible design! Definitely going to go for that in the future. Rode 60 miles today, only complaint so far is that the seat is fairly uncomfortable. I think I will be getting a Mustang or a Corbin when I can afford it. Gotta recover from the down payment!
Deeter
Use only as directed
ldm314 said:
The design is fine -- the problem is that the design was for a previous motorcycle, the Virago 1100. The V-Star and Virago share the same engine . . . On the Virago, the placement of the oil filter was ideal, but when they put that same engine into the V-Star, they put the standard "traditional" looking pipes on it but failed to do anything different about the filter placement. Oh well, it's a minor wart on an otherwise fine motorcycle.