Motorcycle.com

Mid Sized Bagger is a Blast

After having not owned a bike in about 12 years, this spring I decided it was about time to get back into riding. My choice would be a mid sized cruiser - at 45 I realize that perhaps I am a bit past blasting around on crotch rockets, and besides, my wife has seen me on one and is not impressed. I... spent a short two weeks looking at Triumph, H-D, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki and ended up deciding on the Yamaha V Star 1300T.

When I picked her up from the dealer and started up the engine for the first time, I was pleasantly greeted with a nice low rumble from the exhaust. As I sat there with my feet firmly planted on the ground I checked the center of gravity. This bike has a fairly heavy curb weight but that weight is centered low enough that it takes no effort whatsoever to keep her up and balanced - even with one foot on the ground.

My next surprise came when I got out on the road and gave the throttle a slight twist in third gear. I shot forward with a huge grin on my face. For the first 1000 miles I took it easy on her but once I hit the magical 1000 mile mark it was time to get the throttle past the 1/2 way mark.

I moved onto the freeway and shifted into 5th gear. Even at 60 mph a slight twist of the throttle gives an amazing amount of pickup and cars begin to disappear quickly in the mirrors. I found that it didn't really matter how fast I was going, or what gear I was in, there was always plenty of power available when I needed it.

This is no sport bike however, it really doesn't take much to scrape the rider floorboards, but they make a great gauge for lean angle!

This bike looks great right off the dealer floor, but there are plenty of accessories to be found at your dealer and many places on line as well.

The 1300T comes with leather wrapped hard saddlebags, a passenger backrest and a fairly tall windscreen. I am 5'10" and my head sticks just a little bit above the windscreen giving me a fair amount of wind buffet that really is not all that annoying. The saddlebags have plenty of room for a long weekend ride, especially if you couple them with a suitcase which slips over the backrest.

One of the other things I love is the availability of three separate odometers, of course there is the main one, but then you have two trip meters as well. In addition, once the low fuel light comes on there is another trip meter which counts the miles since the light came on. Additionally, Yamaha rates this ride at 42mpg, yet I have consistently shown 45 to 47 mpg. This gives wonderful touring range with the 4.9 gallon tank. This gives good range but doesn't keep your backside on the seat to long to get overly uncomfortable. The riders seat is very well proportioned and I have not had any complaints from my passenger even after two hours on board.

Over all this is a great mid sized bagger and I would certainly recommend it to anyone. Read Full Review

Won over by a great sales pitch

Upon entering the dealership on my quest for a "pair" of bikes I was met by the sight of a beautiful looking bike. I had no idea what size it was. I pondered and walked away. After telling the salesman that I was looking for an 1100 Silverado for myself he told me a story about an owner... that had one and brought it in for his 1000k oil change. This owner was given the 1300 tourer to drive for the day and when he brought it back he immediately traded the 1100 in on the 1300. I bought my bike a week later. Since then i have had numerous opportunities to ride. To say the least I am ecstatic about having been convinced to get the 1300. All kinds of power and comfort. The passenger seat is bigger than a lot of others. I may have to find a shorter windshield as the tall one makes me look through the top 2-3 inches. Overall I am about the happiest man on earth right now. Each time I put my bike away after a ride i can't wait to get back out for another. This is after 12-13 years without a ride. Thanks to the salesman for his pitch and Yamaha for making such an awesome machine. Read Full Review

Well Made 2009 Vstar 1300 Tourer

I purchased the 2009 Yamaha Vstar Tourer just a few weeks ago and am thrilled. Just completed 1100 miles and it has been a joy to ride. Getting over 50 MPG makes it a blast when passing the gas pumps. Roll the throttle back and hang on. The seat is very conforting. No sore butt on long rides. I like... the leather covered hard bags that lock using the ignition key. I also like the tall windshield. The Vstar 1300 Tourer is great in the curves. I have yet to scrape the foot boards. If you want a mid size cruiser for around 10 grant then the Vstar 1300 Tourer is a great pick. Read Full Review

great bike NOT waterproof saddle bags

I love the bike. It is smooth and all the power I will need. The only complaint I have is the saddle bags. They look great but I have had a cover for the bike (which I would suggest) but I took it to work today and it rained. Not the leather is all warped and wrinkled. I'm not just a little tic...ked off, I'm livid. I've only had it for one month and teh saddle bags look like crap. I still love the bike. Read Full Review

Great bike

I recently purchased an 09 V Star 1300 and put about 700 miles on it so far. This is an outstanding bike in so many ways. I am very impressed with the power and smoothness of the liquid cooled, fuel injected engine. There's a muted rumble out of the stock exhaust which I think sounds good and isn...'t annoying. With the overdrive fifth gear, the vibration is kept to a minimum, especially at freeway speeds.

The seat is comfortably wide and flat and I have had no trouble on long rides. The bike is fairly nimble for a 700 pound cruiser. With its low center of gravity, it is very well balanced and extremely stable both around curves and pushing the speed limit on the freeway. I find the brakes to be completely adequate. I also really like the floorboards and heel-toe shifter.

The fit and finish on the bike is top quality. I like chrome and there could have been more of it. However, you can purchase any number of after-market chrome bits to dress things up if you want to. I appreciate the wide tires, which I've found to be very stable when riding over irregularities in the road surface. The styling is excellent and I've gotten numerous compliments on the bike in the short time I've owned it.

The only complaint I have (and its a minor ones) is that there's no tach or fuel gauge. I should think that this class of cruiser should have both standard. However, I ride by the seat of my pants and the bike likes to rev, so I do not feel hindered by not having a tach. As for the fuel gauge, a low fuel light comes on when there's about 1 gallon left in the tank. I have been getting anywhere from 42 to 49 miles per gallon.

The transmission produces a good clunk when shifting into first gear, but otherwise the tranny works smoothly. I understand that clunk is normal in Yamaha transmissions. There is a distinct whine from the drive train at lower speeds, but I also understand this is to be expected.

All in all, I highly recommend this motorcycle to anyone interested in a great mid-sized cruiser. Read Full Review