MOTORCYCLE Type
Make and model
Year
Top 10 Cruisers
Reviews
Stars Refinement
9 ratings and reviews
Voted most helpful review
Robert Helfrick
Victoria, British Columbia
Reviewed on July 31, 2001
Motorcycle reviewed 1998 Yamaha XVS650AK V-Star Classic
5.0
I owned lots of bikes various sizes and makes, Yamaha put out a fantastic V-twin here upgraded from the Virago. I owned a 81-XV750 Virago and the starter sucked but the new V-star 650 great start and great starter very snappy 0-60 faster than my 750 but then the top end of the 750 wins. Love the gas tan...
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I owned lots of bikes various sizes and makes, Yamaha put out a fantastic V-twin here upgraded from the Virago. I owned a 81-XV750 Virago and the starter sucked but the new V-star 650 great start and great starter very snappy 0-60 faster than my 750 but then the top end of the 750 wins. Love the gas tank size, I don't have to fill up every 5 blocks like the old 750.Gas mileage v-star 650 wins there amazing. Price of this machine unbelievably cheaper than a Honda Ace with a shaft drive .....screw the old chain system.....messy crap.......lots of chrome on the motor and pipes look out Harley the Yam is coming to chew you up, love the sound of the motor it so quite with stock pipes neighbor love that. So last call its a winner!!!!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Voted most helpful review
Dennis M. Sullivan
USA
Reviewed on July 20, 2001
Motorcycle reviewed 1998 Yamaha XVS650AK V-Star Classic
4.0
Having ridden for over 40 plus years but not owned a bike for several years it was difficult to know where to begin again. After searching at several dealers of most makes there was no question to going with the Yamaha. A great ride and feel, but a little short on the top end....
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Having ridden for over 40 plus years but not owned a bike for several years it was difficult to know where to begin again. After searching at several dealers of most makes there was no question to going with the Yamaha. A great ride and feel, but a little short on the top end.
Reliability
4.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Voted most helpful review
Wendell Morse
Newport News, Virginia
Reviewed on July 6, 2001
Motorcycle reviewed 1998 Yamaha VMX12K V-MAX 1200
5.0
I've riden a lot of bikes in the last 30 years,and my Vmax is one I'll never be without. My 98 has a stage 7 kit with K&N's and Supertrapp exhaust, that spells FUN. I never get tired of riding this rocket, it always puts a smile on my face every time I take it out. The torque is unreal! And its...
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I've riden a lot of bikes in the last 30 years,and my Vmax is one I'll never be without. My 98 has a stage 7 kit with K&N's and Supertrapp exhaust, that spells FUN. I never get tired of riding this rocket, it always puts a smile on my face every time I take it out. The torque is unreal! And its truly the hot rod of motorcycles. It has airbrushed flames on the fenders and hood, which makes it as pretty as it is fast.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Voted most helpful review
Wade Dixon
Spirit Lake, Iowa
Reviewed on April 10, 2001
Motorcycle reviewed 1998 Yamaha VMX12K V-MAX 1200
5.0
I've owned Harleys for the past nine years of my life, ever since I was 16. Loved the style, the comfort, the sound, but was lacking the power and speed I desired. I knew a guy who had one of the fastest, if not the fastest, bike in the area. We ended up trading bikes, a Harley for an '88 V-MaX (since he ha...
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I've owned Harleys for the past nine years of my life, ever since I was 16. Loved the style, the comfort, the sound, but was lacking the power and speed I desired. I knew a guy who had one of the fastest, if not the fastest, bike in the area. We ended up trading bikes, a Harley for an '88 V-MaX (since he had two anyway). It was repainted to resemble the '97 silver color, a stage 7 kit with 4 K&N air filters to cover the high mounted individaul Mikuni 35 mm carbs, which are easily diplayed by removing the pseudo-gas tank. A Kerker 4-2-1 pipe (louder than my Harley) that almost blows you over when you stand behind it. I definetly got the speed and power I wanted. The V-max is so fast it almost scares me to open it up. You want to a wheelie? no problem, by the time you touch down you're goin 90. You want to lay a 50 foot blackie? No problem, save your money for new tire though. I haven't had the balls to go top speed, yet. I haven't put it on a dyno but I think it would put out about 120 h.p.(over double of what my Harley had). I would suggest buying a nice used one since they haven't changed in the last 16 years, although the new carbon fiber look is pretty sweet.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Voted most helpful review
S.Iacovelli
Barnstable, Massachusetts
Reviewed on January 16, 2001
Motorcycle reviewed 1998 Yamaha XVS650AK V-Star Classic
5.0
I've owned a few motorcycles in my 30 years of riding, from 50cc up to 1200cc's, and let me tell you that this is the ONLY bike I would never consider selling. I have ridden this bike in sunshine, sleet, and downpours, without a hitch! It handles like a dream, and is the prettiest machine I've had the privi...
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I've owned a few motorcycles in my 30 years of riding, from 50cc up to 1200cc's, and let me tell you that this is the ONLY bike I would never consider selling. I have ridden this bike in sunshine, sleet, and downpours, without a hitch! It handles like a dream, and is the prettiest machine I've had the privilege of owning. With only Yamaha bolt-on accessories aboard, it has won first place in every contest it has been entered in. I cannot believe how many people, both motorcyclists and non-riders who are stumped by the brand and size of this machine, not to mention it's sheer beauty. As for reliability, the only problem I've encountered was that if you get a flat tire, the replacement tube for the rear tire is an odd size and not readily available. Overall, no complaints.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Voted most helpful review
Mark VanCamp
Edmond, Kansas
Reviewed on November 6, 2000
Motorcycle reviewed 1998 Yamaha VMX12K V-MAX 1200
4.0
Two years ago when I decided to retire my '83 CB1100F I went looking for a new bike. Maybe a Harleyna, didn't want a cruiser. Maybe a crotch rocketna, I didn't seem to balance out until about 90 m.p.h. I didn't care for the Bandit and the ZRX1100 was not available. So by default more than anything else I ...
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Two years ago when I decided to retire my '83 CB1100F I went looking for a new bike. Maybe a Harleyna, didn't want a cruiser. Maybe a crotch rocketna, I didn't seem to balance out until about 90 m.p.h. I didn't care for the Bandit and the ZRX1100 was not available. So by default more than anything else I figured I might as well try one of these V-Max things. After all, 80's technology had worked for me for the last 15 years ... why not the next 15? So went out and bought a new '98 VMX12. Babied it for about the first 600 miles. Started easing up the tach ever so carefully, another 1000 RPM with each 100 miles. At a 1000 miles I changed the oil and gave her HELL! Holy moly! What a motor! I mean this thing hauled butt like NOTHING I had ever ridden before! Unfortunately for me, that is about all it did. Now, two years later, I've added a backrest for my friends (keeps em from falling off), a Corbin seat for my butt, hindle exhaust for my ears and image, a superbike brace and progressive suspension pieces front and rear for the twisties. Now I can honestly say ... What A Bike!!! It truly is something special.
Reliability
4.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Voted most helpful review
anthony russo
New York
Reviewed on July 25, 2000
Motorcycle reviewed 1998 Yamaha XVS650AK V-Star Classic
5.0
This is the first bike I've owned and it has made a great impression on me. If I do move up to a bigger bike it will be the 1100 classic. You cannot beat the looks and ride on this machine and the accessories are endless, plus it gets a lot of attention....
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This is the first bike I've owned and it has made a great impression on me. If I do move up to a bigger bike it will be the 1100 classic. You cannot beat the looks and ride on this machine and the accessories are endless, plus it gets a lot of attention.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Voted most helpful review
Doug Berry
Wabash, Indiana
Reviewed on July 7, 2000
Motorcycle reviewed 1998 Yamaha VMX12K V-MAX 1200
5.0
I've had 5 bikes and this one is by far the most fun to ride! There's nothing like doing a 35-40 mph rolling burnie... It's comfortable and POWERFULL!!! Let's not forget V-Boost either. Let the tach hit 6000rpm and get ready to really hold on. I know I'm going to hold on to this bike for a good long while....
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I've had 5 bikes and this one is by far the most fun to ride! There's nothing like doing a 35-40 mph rolling burnie... It's comfortable and POWERFULL!!! Let's not forget V-Boost either. Let the tach hit 6000rpm and get ready to really hold on. I know I'm going to hold on to this bike for a good long while.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Voted most helpful review
D. Fairchild
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Reviewed on April 17, 2000
Motorcycle reviewed 1998 Yamaha VMX12K V-MAX 1200
4.0
It's a great overall bike. Not the best at cornering. But not as bad as they are made out to be, you just have to lean a little harder. A whole bunch of fun to ride....
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It's a great overall bike. Not the best at cornering. But not as bad as they are made out to be, you just have to lean a little harder. A whole bunch of fun to ride.
Reliability
4.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
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