Yeah, he's depending on the rear breaks too much; need to just get used to using those front/rear breaks at the same time. I've gotten to where I depend on the front more then the rear, and I don't get any tire noise, otherwise you can lock that rear tire up real easy on a quick stop. I've gotten my 650 classic to 90mph (145kmh) no problem, so the power is there if you need it. The bikes is well balanced and corners well, also good maneuverability at low speeds, and I don't have a problem scraping the boards. Just some some extra info for this old vid if anyone really cares.

The XVS 650 engine is slightly stroked and was made to run happily at 70% of max rpm which in 5th gear gives you 70 mph at 4900 rpm. The engine can NOT support a 6th gear as it does not have the torque or horsepower to maintain hwy speeds with one. The engineers at Yamaha designed this bike very well. It is not a Harley. It is designed to rev high to keep the powerband where it needs to be to move the bike at the speed you want. The engine is bullet proof. If you have vibrations at any rpm, sync your carbs and/or balance your tires. These bikes do NOT vibrate at any rpm if they are correctly maintained. It is a very comfortable, affordable and dependable motorcycle.

I ride a Honda Shadow Aero 750 and I suddenly understand the "churp" I get sometimes - its gotta be changing down to 1st with the shaft drive. These bikes have got a strong engine brake as well. Its interesting how good these metric cruisers really are, such great bikes to learn on and give a really good riding feel.

Great video. Thank you. I recently bought a brand new Yamaha 650V Twin classic with V&H short shots and white wall tyres. Wow what a bike. It's a keeper cruiser for me for life. Had heaps of bikes of all styles but this cruiser with the wife on the back cruising the peninsula or commuting to work is all I need

Gday from Melbourne m8 picked up my 2014 classic two months ago and couldn’t be happier with it and with Vance Hines pipes it has a great note going down the road

A couple of years ago I found a very good price on a 2014 650 Custom. It's like the Toyota Camry of motorcycles; it's not very fast or exciting, but it gets the job done without a lot of fuss. If you want something flashy, want to go zoom, or want to cut tight corners you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you want a cruiser that is reliable and gets you to your destination without hassles, maybe this is the bike for you.

Great review...am looking at getting into the bike scene and I love the Classic. Am older (56...) and a first timer. I am not looking at speed...just comfort and a bit of style. Thanks again for this review...very helpful!

I bought this bike 2 years ago and passed my test last year. It is a real eye catcher and always draws attention. It looks great. It doesn't sound the greatest, so just today I have bought a K+N air filter, just to see if it makes it sound better. For what I paid for it, it is real value for money.

Interesting to see Bunbury, I used to live there around 1979-80

Yo dude i live around the corner from you. I always hear your bike going past. And also keep up the cool vids 😊😊😊

in '99 i bought one brand new. i rode it for a year, and put 8k miles on it. i traded it in on a 1500 intruder. the 99 had pegs instead of boards. i could lean it over surprisingly far for a cruiser. i thought it was a great bike for boppin around town or taking little valley cruises. i paid $5k for mine, iirc. i thought it was a good buy. i got a reliable, well designed, good looking bike. when i traded it in, they paid off what i owed, so i got good resale value.

Good bikes the XVS's, Strong, Reliable and Very 'use-able' imo. A buddy is In-Love with his, although he can ride bigger CC's, he refuses to part with it! TFS FF, Great review as always. RSOT >:)

Good work, dude :-) Probably one of the best reviews I've seen of the XVS 650 and it would be great to see your back-to-back with the Custom. LOL, my brother lives in Withers and I kept checking to see if you were going to ride past his place :-)

Im loving my xvs 1100. wish they still made them. what bare bones means is less to pay for if it goes wrong and easy to work on

Have just gotten my L's and I travel 70kms to work then 70kms home all highway driving. Would you recommend this big girl for the job?

Great view of the beach. That bike looks good, but I would need the screen.

Great review. I have one of these and I love it. I think that the bike needs a 6th gear and maybe a few more hp, then it would be perfect. I could modify the engine easy enough to make more power, but the gearing will be harder to change. Are you in Bunbury, Western Australia? Just wandering as the beach looks familiar.

GREAT BIKE! I have one.

Mate, you are on to something about the brakes. This is the 1st time I've heard it out loud. These really do brake much more from the rear. And its not just a matter of knowing how to brake, if you ride these enough, you find yourself relying on that rear one, very different from other bikes.

Great review as always! :P

I'm deciding between this bike and the rebel 500, the only reason preventing me from getting this is the lack of ABS, which I heard is pretty important safety feature for learner riders.

Dump the Police shirt into the nearest rubbish bin and buy yourself a proper leather jacket. If you come off only wearing that stupid shirt you are going to have a trip to the hospital. Really enjoyed the video that covers most points. I have a windscreen on mine and it just makes such a BIG difference that these motorcycles should come from the factory with one fitted, then you can take it off if you want to.

Thanks for the review.

It does 50 mph in 2nd gear how fast should a cruiser be 😂

I still need to try a cruiser. Maybe when I'm older or if someone is practically giving 1 away :)

Can this bike get you from Perth to Melbourne?

Mate I'm not seeing these Bikes anywhere for 3-5K second hand - they are generally priced at 6.5k all the way through to 12k ... and that's 2nd hand not new.

Great review..i have one and added lots of custom bits on it and i get heaps of positive comments..I wont part with mine ..

Whats the handle bar vibration like at 110kph? Truthfully now!.....

Hi Fullface have you got anymore 650 yamaha VSTAR blogs

Love it

Nice review, do you know what panniers those are?

Great reviews, I have watch the vs259 & this one. I'm 55 about 5ft 6 & 70 KGS. Do you think this bike would be to heavy for me.& should I start out in the 250. I'd value your opinion. Cheers Garry

How is it comfort wise??. no lower back pain or anything like that?

Any difference between a 2018 xvs650 and a 2013 xvs650?

Would you recommend this bike for offroading and beach riding? I seen a vid of cruiser off road one time.

just bought a 2018 650 custom in your comments you mentioned you could get windshield for the bike i am having trouble finding one the handlebars are 1 1/8 in dia.yamaha dont stock them anymore the ones u can get are all 1inch or 7/8 in dia can any one help me Terry just turned 80 yr old

can you get an after market fuel gauge?

How tall are u as I'm 6.2" and am having trouble finding something in lams that fits me

Mr face my xv 750 was way better than that one it had shotgun pipes and a $250 hd back tier on it got it up to 180 km belt drive wicked pulling power not bad for $2000 second hand and rebuild engine

Just a salesman trying to sell these motorcycles. Salesmen will say anything to sell there stuff real bullshit artists. Not a good review and there are plenty of better and more honest reviews on KZfaq. The Classic is a much better looking version of this motorcycle.

Why bother wearing gloves when you're wearing a T Shirt? Your elbows will go first.