Hello,
First timer on this forum. Today, I just bought a 2002 V-star 650 with only 159 original miles for $2,500. Yes, a 17 year old bike with only 159 miles, insane! NEW MINT condition (see photos). The original owner bought it new in 2002, and apparently got scared of riding it (which I could believe if he was a rookie and tried to navigate our freeways in CA with all the crazy drivers). He kept up the registration for 15 years, but died from a heart attack in 2018. I bought it from his wife who only knew that he kept it in the garage safely stored away in Sacramento, CA. About a month ago, apparently a neighbor drained the gas and put fresh gas and a new battery in it. The neighbor then started it and rode it around the block. Then the lady put it up for sale, and I jumped on it.
Comments/questions:
When I went to buy the bike, it started right up. I let it warm up and then drove around the block. Then bought it. Yes, I know, I should have taken it out on the highway. So after paying her, I drive it about 12 miles (on side streets and freeway) home. It ran just fine, except out on the freeway it seemed to struggle once in 4th and 5th gear. What I mean by struggle is, it took full throttle in 5th gear a bit just to get up to 60-65 mph. I did not hold it at full throttle, i just reached full throttle, then backed off then full again. Guess I was an idiot and forgot it was still in break-in period...plus the bike I just sold was a 750 Magna that had lots of power...no excuse for being an idiot though...
Got home, the bike idles smoothly, no really strange noises from engine, except just a faint knock, which could be all in my head, being paranoid that my stupid ass driving on the freeway could have done a lot of harm...or maybe it isn't anything out of normal...since I'm unfamiliar with Yamaha's. It starts and revs up just fine, etc.
Questions:
1) Do you all think I did any harm to the bike in driving it like I did with only 159 miles on it? i.e basically ignoring a break in period...like an idiot!!!
2) Whats your opinions on why it seemed so "wimpy" in 4th and 5th gears to get to 60+ mph? do you think it just needs to get broke in, or is it something worse???
3) If the carbs were bad, wouldn't it run bad at idle, etc.?
4) I don't want to have to remove carbs if I don't have to, but if that's the issue, then I will.
Any advice you can give will be appreciated! I've only owned liquid cooled Honda's so not familiar with air cooled Yamaha like this one.
Thanks!
First timer on this forum. Today, I just bought a 2002 V-star 650 with only 159 original miles for $2,500. Yes, a 17 year old bike with only 159 miles, insane! NEW MINT condition (see photos). The original owner bought it new in 2002, and apparently got scared of riding it (which I could believe if he was a rookie and tried to navigate our freeways in CA with all the crazy drivers). He kept up the registration for 15 years, but died from a heart attack in 2018. I bought it from his wife who only knew that he kept it in the garage safely stored away in Sacramento, CA. About a month ago, apparently a neighbor drained the gas and put fresh gas and a new battery in it. The neighbor then started it and rode it around the block. Then the lady put it up for sale, and I jumped on it.
Comments/questions:
When I went to buy the bike, it started right up. I let it warm up and then drove around the block. Then bought it. Yes, I know, I should have taken it out on the highway. So after paying her, I drive it about 12 miles (on side streets and freeway) home. It ran just fine, except out on the freeway it seemed to struggle once in 4th and 5th gear. What I mean by struggle is, it took full throttle in 5th gear a bit just to get up to 60-65 mph. I did not hold it at full throttle, i just reached full throttle, then backed off then full again. Guess I was an idiot and forgot it was still in break-in period...plus the bike I just sold was a 750 Magna that had lots of power...no excuse for being an idiot though...
Got home, the bike idles smoothly, no really strange noises from engine, except just a faint knock, which could be all in my head, being paranoid that my stupid ass driving on the freeway could have done a lot of harm...or maybe it isn't anything out of normal...since I'm unfamiliar with Yamaha's. It starts and revs up just fine, etc.
Questions:
1) Do you all think I did any harm to the bike in driving it like I did with only 159 miles on it? i.e basically ignoring a break in period...like an idiot!!!
2) Whats your opinions on why it seemed so "wimpy" in 4th and 5th gears to get to 60+ mph? do you think it just needs to get broke in, or is it something worse???
3) If the carbs were bad, wouldn't it run bad at idle, etc.?
4) I don't want to have to remove carbs if I don't have to, but if that's the issue, then I will.
Any advice you can give will be appreciated! I've only owned liquid cooled Honda's so not familiar with air cooled Yamaha like this one.
Thanks!