Suzuki M50 or Yamaha V Star - same cost, which is better? 800cc vs 1100cc

[gowings96]

I'm new here and hope to find this to be my new home. I left the Honda Shadow forums when I sold my 1983 VT750 a few weeks back. I now have an opportunity to buy a Suzuki M50 or a Yamaha V Star 1100 for the same money. Both bikes are in great condition with low miles. Given that my wife likes to ride too and the 750 seemed to lack power, is the 800 enough of a jump or is the 1100 the way to go? I'm lured in by the fuel injected liquid cooled M50 over the carburated air cooled V Star but I don't want to get a bike that won't pick up the pace where my 750 lacked. Neither one of us is big. I'm 160lbs and she's 120.
Advice is appreciated. Thanks all.
- Mark

[acecycleins]

The M50 is a great little bike that runs out of steam too early compared to the V-star. It handles well, has good breaks and is usually a good buy. However, the V-star has excellent manners, a motor that is nearly bullet proof and insanely long intervals between vavle adjustments. The V-Star will have a much larger selection aftermarket goodies and is easier to re-sell in the event you decide to move on to the next bike. Remember, you have entered the twilight zone when conversing with this crowd. We have more than our fair share of smarta$$es here, but it's all in good fun.

[sachiwilson]

An 1100 V-star, from reports I've gotten from people who had them, steers heavily. You'll need strength to handle the bike well. I don't know about the Suzuki.

[BrowningBAR]

You can also find reviews of the bikes here:

M50:
BMW 2003 Sales
(I don't know why the link title says it's for 2003 BMWs. It is for the M50)

V-Star 1100
http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs...100-15563.html

[gowings96]

I've found a ton of V Stars for sale. I had assumed either people didn't like them or they are so popular everyone has an extra. I've found very few M50's for sale so it seems like when I find one, I must be getting a deal.

So there's no concern over the whole air cooled thing?

Also, would you say a fuel injected 800 is near equivalent in power to a carbed 1100?

I've got both sellers standing by. I'm sure they would weigh in if they knew I was asking.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by gowings96

I've found a ton of V Stars for sale. I had assumed either people didn't like them or they are so popular everyone has an extra. I've found very few M50's for sale so it seems like when I find one, I must be getting a deal.

So there's no concern over the whole air cooled thing?

Also, would you say a fuel injected 800 is near equivalent in power to a carbed 1100?

I've got both sellers standing by. I'm sure they would weigh in if they knew I was asking.

Fuel injection has many attributes but it won't give you that much HP gain over well set up carbs. No way EFI is gonna make an 800 Vtwim equal to a 1100 Vtwin.

The Vstar isn't high enough output for air cooling to make much difference. At least you don't have to worry about coolant leaks and water pumps. The Japanese like to use technology for technology's sake sometimes, not because of any real needs for it. Witness overhead cams on Vtwins with 6000 rpm redlines... completely unecessary.

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by gowings96

I've found a ton of V Stars for sale. I had assumed either people didn't like them or they are so popular everyone has an extra. I've found very few M50's for sale so it seems like when I find one, I must be getting a deal.

So there's no concern over the whole air cooled thing?

Also, would you say a fuel injected 800 is near equivalent in power to a carbed 1100?

I've got both sellers standing by. I'm sure they would weigh in if they knew I was asking.

There are more VStars for sale because it was a much bigger seller than the M50.

Don't let the air-cooled thing deter you. On low RPM motors, liquid cooling and 4 valve heads don't mean squat. The AC motors look nicer anyway.

I'd go with the Yamaha but that's just me.

[acecycleins]

Originally Posted by gowings96

I've found a ton of V Stars for sale. I had assumed either people didn't like them or they are so popular everyone has an extra. I've found very few M50's for sale so it seems like when I find one, I must be getting a deal.

So there's no concern over the whole air cooled thing?

Also, would you say a fuel injected 800 is near equivalent in power to a carbed 1100?

I've got both sellers standing by. I'm sure they would weigh in if they knew I was asking.

Pretty simple really- Suzuki has only made the M50 since 2005. Yamaha has been building the V-stars since 1999- I think. The power output on the V-star and teh M50 should be similar but the torque on the V-Star wins the show. They've been making air-cooled bikes for 100+ years- Don't think for a minute that you should have problems out of the bike- unless you leave it sitting for an hour + idling.

The bikes depreciate at about the same rate so 2005 models are worth about $1300-1500 less than new retail. So, for me it goes back to which would be easier to sell in an emergency- my pick would be the Yamaha.

[BrowningBAR]

"So there's no concern over the whole air cooled thing?"

No, none. I had a 650 v-star in Arizona. And the summers there tend to get a little warm.

Not directed at you personally, but why do people always get concerned about air-cooled bikes? I've always found them to be less troublesome. Less to go wrong. That's not to say I don't like water cooled bikes. I don't really have a preference, but it was more in defense of the air cooled option.

[acecycleins]

Originally Posted by sachiwilson

An 1100 V-star, from reports I've gotten from people who had them, steers heavily. You'll need strength to handle the bike well. I don't know about the Suzuki.

Is there any cruiser that doesn't?