2000 Yamaha Road Star XV1600

I bought this bike last summer(2006) for touring and as a daily driver. I seriously considered a BMW R100, a kawi KLR650 or Concourse, a Suzuki VStrom, Honda Hurricane and VRF800, and a few others before admitting what I really wanted (besides a $30,000 Kiwi Indian bobber with a leafspring front end or a Crocker...) was a Yammi Road Star. The first time I saw one, waiting at a stop light late at night in the summer of 2000, I didn't know what it was, even if it were foreign or domestic, but it was love at first sight. I saw the pushrod tubes and was trying to figure out what they were, guessing they couldn't really be for pushrods. It was a stripped down all white special edition millenium model (I later learned) with just a solo seat, so you could really see the lines. Right then I thought it was one of the most beautiful bikes I had ever seen, like a cross between of a '39 Chief and an early '50's Hydra-glide. When I got home I searched the internet, found out it was a new Yamaha 1600cc(!), and studied the reviews. As you all know the reviews were raves. This became my new (someday) must-have bike, but back then it was way out of my price range. For the next six years I rode my old beat-up R60/2, a Suzuki SV650 (which I didn't really like), and a Kawi W650, which was a blast and an excellent all-arounder, but I gradually realised what I really needed was a big tourer. After weighing the pros and cons of all the competition I decided, finally that "Yes, it is time. I must have my Road Star." I found this one at an affordable price because it had a few scratches and dings, a little rust, over 13,000 thousand miles, worn tires and a motivated seller. I didn't need a bike in mint condition or encrusted with bling because I planned on using it for basic transportation as year-round as possible and chaining it up at night behind my apartment building with a cover. Having now put on an additional ten thousand miles in about a year I can tell you I'm really lovin' it and am very happy with it. It's a great bike. Very easy to ride, handles effortlessly, all day comfort, low maintenance and it's torque-a-rific. Mine came with National Cycle hardbags, factory passing lights, factory engine guards, and the tall stock passenger back rest. The guy I bought it from also had his dealer install the standard medium sized Silverado windshield when he bought it new. I swapped the plexiglass last fall for the optional extra tall, extra wide windshield, along with a set of "Buck's" windshield lowers for added wind protection. I added a "FireHouse Customs" brand backrest which I highly recommend if you like lower back support. I also highly recommend a throttle rocker, a few cents worth of molded plastic that all but eliminates the "Grip of Death". I don't leave home without it. Last of all came the Mustang seat. Since I like a quiet bike I'm stickin' with stock pipes. I brought it in to the local dealer for a general tuneup, new tires and a brake job late last fall just in time for the new tranny recall so I got that out of the way while it was in the shop. From the top of East Rock Park, New Haven, Connecticut. You can see the harbor...UPDATE-Jan 2009 : Now I've put on over 30,000 miles. The Firehouse backrest broke off last summer in Maine so when I got back I found a good used Mustang seat with the built-in folding backrest, well worth the money. I tried the stock 2004 style seat and a leather Corbin but much prefer the Mustang, made right here in scenic Connecticut.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• yamaha
• road
• star
• roadstar
• 1600
• xv1600
• east
• rock
• park
• new
• haven
• connecticut

[crocostimpy]

Sorry y'all, my bike runs fine. A few months after this was shot I rode this bike just like this from Connecticut to Oregon, then back through Denver and home. No problems, nice and quite, everyone liked it...

[micstep]

Yup, An improved reasonably priced copy, one hard working american can afford.

[prima5driver]

turrrnn the idle down !

[fordv8man]

@wanderer1031 why did you watch the video then?

[wanderer1031]

@shegotlockjaw you need a mini van then. fucking watered down pussies these days....jesus fucking christ

[shegotlockjaw]

@wanderer1031 I love the wind in my lack there of hair, and in my face, but going fast and getting hit with a bug isnt a pleasent experience, ESP going 90 like u said u would have so many whelps and sores. So feed your lines of bullshit to someone on a moped..

[bluebearbank247]

reply to your 9months old post... a lot of Japanese bikes are high performance/sports bikes(I'm talking about inline-4 engines), that are near actual race engine. You know how long "racing engine" lasts... People keep Harleys in garage because it has myth that values stay or increase over the years while they let Hondas rot in backyards.

[bozo47p]

sounds like a paint shaker...or a sewing machine

[CUdetoom]

Croc, this is a great post here on Utube.

I really liked your "more info" story !

Thnx for posting M8

[watanabehefuml]

I'll do what the fuck i want. Don't need clever dicks like you tellin' me shit!

[wanderer1031]

FFS-fuck factory seats? have fun on riding on yer cops' bladder. i don't know why yer hollerin' at me, musta R.U.B.ed ya the wrong way.....

[watanabehefuml]

you can ride how you fuckin want. why conform to your way of riding? if i want to use a pigs bladder for a seat I'll do it. There's no wrong way or right way. FFS!