Is the Yamaha VSTAR 250 Big Enough for a New Rider?

Go with a smaller bike when you are just starting out or just get the motorcycle that you want? Everyone has an opinion on this topic and this video just gives you a few more things to consider. Of the smaller 250 cc cruisers, I do have a bit of a bias towards the Yamaha VStar. I have ridden this bike for hours at a time and stayed relatively comfortable. Take a small test ride with me and let me know what you think!
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[@CaledoniaKeys]

If you liked this video don’t forget to subscribe! tiny.cc/s8jtuz If you would like to support the channel while purchasing the best available oil and filters for your bike (at no additional cost to you), check out www.FiveStarEngineOil.com

[@clarson2916]

A V-Star 250 was my first bike. I was 65 years old, 6’2” and 220lbs. In the first year I owned it, I rode that bike over 18,000 miles all over the country. I sold the little Yamaha 250 when I purchased a Honda Shadow VLX 600. I miss the little Yamaha. The only thing I like better about the Honda, is that the seat is more comfortable. The little Yamaha 250 would do 65 - 70mph. I did do a fair amount of Interstate Highway riding, but that was certainly plenty fast for the secondary highways I still favor.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

It’s great to hear how much you enjoyed the V-Star! I found the seat pretty comfortable for a 250. When I looked at the Honda Rebel 250 it seemed to me that Yamaha had the better seat, but I never did any long distance riding on one to say for sure. No doubt the Shadow has a far more comfortable seat than the 250 Rebel. Thanks for sharing.

[@clarson2916]

@@CaledoniaKeys The Yamaha seat was fine for most of the first hour, then it was about every 30 - 40 minutes I wanted to get off for a couple of minutes. The Honda seat is better for a 5-7 hour day in the saddle, but in all honesty probably only marginally. It would probably help the most if I lost 40 pounds! The Honda isn’t a big bike and I have no complaints, but the Yamaha was more fun. I would have the little Yamaha singing to me, going through the gears and running at full throttle. It never missed a beat.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

@@clarson2916 Seat comfort is often something that we can’t determine on a short little test ride! Thanks again for sharing your experience!

[@Icanreadgood1]

I have this bike and its great, its not even my first bike but I wanted something small and light I could get back into the hobby with and build confidence. I've done some changes to the gearing and replaced the chain with a new o-ring chain, brand new tires, and air filter mod. Runs like a top now.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for sharing. It is a good, solid bike and these days you are definitely laughing all the way to the gas station. I bet the new tires made a world of difference as well!

[@barryjohnson1484]

Just found your channel and subscribed. I'm 52 and real close to getting my first ever street bike. I'm 5'7 200lbs. and think this motorcycle will suit me just fine. I have friends that tell me it will be to small, but every time I research motorcycles I always come back to this one. Your video has helped make up my mind. Thanks.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Hi Barry. No doubt there are a lot of opinions on this one which is why I wanted to do this video. The VSTAR is simple, reliable and relatively comfortable in my opinion. It is perfect for around town or some back country roads and a great way to get your skills up while keeping your insurance rates down. 😎 Welcome to the channel and all the best with your first bike!

[@barryjohnson1484]

Thank you for the reply. Look forward to more videos.

[@thomasquick3446]

Go for it dude. Remember, the man makes the bike. Not the other way around.

[@XV250]

I've been riding street bikes since April 1992. I've owned or rented a lot of motorcycles over the last 30 years. My current ride is a 2020 VStar 250, and I find it's a fun bike to ride. It's a lot easier to chuck a 320-lb motorcycle through the corners than a 500+ lb motorcycle.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

It is a fun bike to ride. Great for beginning riders but like you said not limited to that. More experienced riders can enjoy this option as well! Thanks for sharing.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

@Erik Westcott If you are putting down lots of miles on the freeway at over 100 km/hr you might want a larger displacement, but like you have suggested a bike like this one also has a lot of advantages. Ride safe!

[@ferchamp13]

Nice vid. Im planning to buy it this week. Cheers

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Congratulations and enjoy your new ride!

[@urbansherpa]

Hey! I grew up in Caledonia (if that’s where your name originated) and I love my VStar 250! Swapping cogs made a HUGE difference. I’ve also piped and rejetted mine. It is as reliable as the day it left the factory, and safely goes an honest (GPS confirmed) 138kph with my 170 lbs atop. Very stable at that speed. After about 37yrs of licenced riding, and many larger sport bikes, I can say that this is a great bike for beginners, or old farts. It’s light handling, and great gas mileage sold me. I pay $300/yr for FULL insurance, which makes me happy. (My previous XSR900 was $1200/yr) I smile every time I ride it. Nice review!

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for the added insights based on your experience. The bike is solid and has a lot going for it for sure!

[@Abraham523]

I was thinking about buying this for my first bike and you answer all of my beginner questions. Thank you! 😁

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Glad to be a help. Definitely sit on a few bikes to find the one you love and get those insurance quotes to make sure it will be affordable. Enjoy the ride!

[@KlingonCaptain]

Back to watch again after a year. A nice relaxing video before a long work day. 😊

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for checking back in!

[@thomasquick3446]

I own a 2014 V Star 250 and I've had much larger bikes over the years. I find that I can do anything I need to do with it. If you're a large person I would not recommend it. I'm about 5' 7" and 170 lbs. It serves me well and I have a lot of fun with it. I'm getting older and I really don't give a care about what people think. I just ride my bike and tell the world to kiss my rosy red arse.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

If you enjoy the ride that’s what matters. Thanks for sharing!

[@adamlanglois563]

I’m strongly thinking of picking one of these up as a second bike. 4 valves total and only one carb sounds like a good spot for someone to learn to maintain their own machine.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

It’s a solid and uncomplicated bike for sure and not likely to give you many issues. Thanks for commenting.

[@michaelb.42112]

Me too !!! As a third bike just because it's an around town bike !!!! 78 mpg !

[@kendemers8821]

Great review. I have a 2013 VStar 250 that I used to train and license my two sons on motorcycles. I bought the bike used in 2015 and it only had about 1100 miles on it. I have a large Harley Davidson Ultra Classic and I'm keeping the VStar for when I'm too old to ride that big beautiful Harley. In the meantime, I enjoy riding both bikes. Thanks for a fair and impartial review of the VStar 250.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for sharing. Definitely smaller bikes can be great for new and seasoned riders alike! You touch on another great point. As we get older a smaller, lighter bike may be another option (other than a trike) to extend our riding years. In the meantime enjoy the Harley Ultra Classic and ride on!

[@theymusthatetesla3186]

This is a BEAUTIFUL and reliable motor! I had one....had over 90000 miles on it!

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Definitely a testament for a 250 cc engine. Thanks for sharing. Ride on!

[@stevenjohnson7414]

Absolutely big enough unless fast accelleration or 70+ cruising is needed. With a sprocket upgrade of 17/f and 42/r or 40/r it will purr along easy at 60-65 (gps) without vibrating much. My 2009 has the taller cruiser bars which are super comfortable. Always gets 70 mpg or more. My only mod is a K&N air filter and sprockets which seemed to let it breath a little easier. I ride it every day to commute with the current gas prices. Great video!

[@stevenjohnson7414]

Clarification- I am referring to Miles per hour-- the video is using Kilometers.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

You gotta love dropping just a few dollars in the tank while the SUV next to you practically needs a loan to gas up! Glad you are enjoying the bike and thanks for the added tips for those looking at this one as an option.

[@landshark9603]

Great video mate! I was thinking about one of these for my wife, my 650 is too big for her right now.It also looks good for me to scoot around on as I’m about the same size as you. You got a new sub. Cheers

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for the sub. It definitely is a good little bike to scoot around on! Ride safe and ride on!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

A couple of years ago I picked up a 1967 BSA 250 Starfire single. It was all a $500 delivered. All original matching numbers 6000 original miles. Changed all the fluids put a battery in it new gas and it was good to go. There are still bargains out there on the used market that make buying used so much better than buying a new one.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Sounds like you know what to look for and got an awesome deal! Thanks for sharing!

[@chappy4944]

Great video mate, good wisdom, and that’s hard to come by these days in the CC ego bike world.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks Chappy. There is definitely a bias towards higher cc bikes (and I love those too!). It’s just that there is something to be said for a smaller cc bike and learning to ride it well. My dad used to ride across the province on a 250 and a 750 was considered the King of the road! 😎 Take care and ride on!

[@nabilboussag1195]

U took the words out of my mouth 😅

[@GeneralSirDouglasMcA]

As someone who started out with a larger bike (Kawasaki Vulcan 900) instead of a smaller bike for just starting out, looking back I wished I had gotten a smaller bike for about the first 6 months. Insanely enough, I never dropped the Vulcan (though I came close a few times), but I never did get extremely comfortable in regards to handling a motorcycle.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for sharing. I hope you haven’t given up on getting comfortable though! It may be a bit more to manage than a smaller bike but still doable. Ride on!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

In the old days triumph would advertise in the motorcycle magazines and they would promote your purchasing a smaller triumph like a tiger cub so you don't put so many miles on your big bike.

[@unionrdr]

I haven't ridden since I was a teen. A long time ago, in a lifetime far, far away. And this bike is looking better all the time as a first bike I actually own. Being a V-twin makes it smoother running in general. Used price should be good for a retiree like me to afford. Doesn't sound really loud either. I hate drag pipes on the bigger bikes. But the Harley Sportster is my first love in bikes...

[@CaledoniaKeys]

A used bike can definitely be more affordable if you buy it right. I often recommend having a bike shop go over it if you are buying privately. If you like the cruisers there are a few choices out there. If you can get a test ride in ahead of time that can be a huge help to make up your mind. Good luck and hope to see you on the road soon!

[@unionrdr]

@@CaledoniaKeys Gonna go look at it Saturday in WI.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

@@unionrdr Hope it checks all the boxes for you! Ride safe!

[@jupitercyclops6521]

@@unionrdr I've got a virago (same bike basically) and it's great. Not my first bike. In fact I had a 85 yamaha fz750 back in the day. & yeah, I miss the fz, but these little 250s are pretty sweet. I don't get mine on the interstate. It's just too light imo, but I ride back highways all the time. So glad I bought mine.

[@jupitercyclops6521]

@@unionrdr Everyone thinks it's at least a 650. Did a charity ride & even next to Harleys, no one guessed it was a 250! I told anyone that asked of course, but they don't look small. Lot of people impressed with it. My only complaint is it does seem too low geared. Feels like there should be a 6th gear

[@ronsindric4241]

Bought my V-STAR 250 NEW this year. My other bikes are a HARLEY STREET, TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE 900 EFI, and 2014 ZERO SR all-electric. Have owned a BMW K100, CB-750, KAW 750 2-stroke triple and a GOLD STAR . At 78 years old, 5'19" and 210 lbs, I have arthritis bad, going leg-over to mount a bike can be a challenge. Was impressed when my new ride kept up at 75 mph on INTERSTATE I-380. My girlfriend rides, races and wrenches on a S-1000 R

[@ronsindric4241]

Just needed to add that girlfriend's small smirk pre-ride turned to a small smile and nod of approval after her first ride of my V-SRAR 250 .

[@CaledoniaKeys]

That is impressive. Glad you are enjoying the new bike!

[@harryblackburn9556]

AT 71 and hadn't ridden since Okinawa early 80's a 2009 V Star 250 fit me just fine. Problem is at 6' and 250lbs it had a tendency to run the carb out of gas even on short rides. My fix? removed the stock petcock and vacuum pump and wired in an electric pump @2 psi from a Kawasaki mule and manual petcock. Problem solved. I ride it every chance I get and here in Florida no snow or ice to contend with. Can't go wrong with this bike.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Nice…I am extremely jealous of the warmer weather you have in Florida! I never had an issue like the one you described but I am impressed that you came up with such a creative solution. Glad you are loving the bike! Ride safe!

[@elsina79]

When i took the msf course last year. The instructors told us get the biggest bikes we can afford. They told us not to bother with smaller bikes. All instructors rode harleys, and this was not at a Harley dealership. It was in a college.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

@@elsina79 Respectfully that is the worst advice ever from a motorcycle instructor. It’s right up there with telling new pilots that they should start with a jet. You may not start on a 250 cc, but you need to improve your skills before taking on anything too big.

[@englejas]

One of those is what im thinking for first bike. The v-twin gives it a little more punch, but it is still small, light, and easy to maneuver.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

It has a pretty great sound for a 250 cc as well! Ride on!

[@bobross6802]

I like my 2009 with the old western bars on it and 17/38 gearing. Nice riding on #2 highway around Melbourne !!

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for checking in Bob…ride on!

[@packman3220]

I have three bikes including a big cruiser and I want one of these. It's a real treat to have a small quiet bike to run errands around town on. Compared to a Harley these feel like they weigh absolutely nothing.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

It’s nice to have a few options if you can. I know a number of experienced riders where the go to bike is not always the biggest.

[@packman3220]

@@CaledoniaKeys I have an XV1900 and an 1100 and my go-to bike is usually my TW200

[@CaledoniaKeys]

I love the TW. It is one of the bikes we teach on!

[@erwinerwin1245]

Best video I saw on this bike. I am a new rider as have never ridden before and for me this looks like the bike I should get. Now I am 77 and am sure that my Insurance at my age with zero bike insurance will probably be the killer that stops me from buying one . My guess is probably around 8K a year for Insurance and I am in Ontario Canada

[@CaledoniaKeys]

There are a lot of factors for insurance, but if you do your M1 Exit course in Ontario to get your license that will have a huge impact on your rate. A 250 cc cruiser bike like this one will also generally be less expensive to insure. Your age will be a factor, and older is again generally less expensive. Sometimes you can bundle your insurance with car and home insurance (again more discounts). If your insurance company seems expensive you can try a broker like Mitch Insurance. I would love to hear some quotes and if they are lower than you expected. All the best!

[@chrisbarbz9238]

Do you have aftermarket pipes on this video? Bike sounds good. I have this bike and never moved on. For me, the best advantage of smaller bikes is that you'll actually want to ride it anywhere and everywhere. I can even park it near business entrances and nobody bats an eye. This bike especially, has a special charm to it in my opinion. If I ever get another bike, I'll still probably keep this.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

I am not the first owner but as far as I know the bike has stock pipes and I am not aware of any modifications that were made (yes it does have a surprisingly nice sound to it). It has more of a rumble to it than my Triumph America 865 cc. I agree with you on the “special charm”; there is definitely a reason why Yamaha hasn’t really messed with this bike over the years.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I started writing in the mid-seventies with a Honda cm185 TwinStar which was the ancestor of the 250 rebel. In many countries where they have tiered licenses and insurance a 250 is a great commuter bike and big enough for two up writing like any of my BSA 250 Starfire singles. A small lightweight inexpensive Japanese motorcycle is the perfect motorcycle to learn how to ride on because you will drop it while you learn and you don't want to drop something that is super expensive. Of course I recommend crash bars on everything because that way if you do fall down you do not damage the bike is severely as if it has no crash bar at all. There is a video where a guy got a brand-new 650 Royal Enfield interceptor, he dropped it and one side of the bike looked like you took and industrial grinder to it.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Great points. I am definitely a fan of learning on an inexpensive and manageable used bike. Like you said, it hurts a lot less when you do drop the bike! Ride on!

[@nauroticdax]

I recently went from my zzr600 to a virago 250 (same bike just older) I've been riding for around 10 years and people at work keep asking me what the hell possessed me to do that so I'm gonna throw my 2 cents in here and say basically the same thing I tell them, when it comes to riding motorcycles it depends entirely on what you want to do if you want a sport bike or you want a dirt bike buy that and if you want to go fast get a fast bike. If what you want is a bike for getting to work or going out to the shops y'kno A to B is the important part the virago is (and has been so far) an absolutely fantastic choice because what you need in that case is easy to ride cheap to maintain good gas mileage and reliability, speed is not even a concern so it always makes me laugh when people say it's slow yes in comparison to a bike FOR speed sure but don't be fooled it is as fast as it needs to be no more no less. Now a few things that I want to address they aren't really pros or cons just things to consider, I have a love/hate for the rear brake it is a drum which turns a lot of people off (me included kinda) but being a drum it is very forgiving for slow speed manoeuvrers (u-turns and such) and it does its job but you have to push it a bit the combined weight is just on the edge of what it can handle, the front brake is...concerning it might just be mine (I do plan to overhaul the entire front brake system so if It makes a difference and I remember I'll update) but the lever is REALLY stiff and I find I have to slam on to get any kind of response out of it which did nearly get me rear ending a brake checker the other day. If I'm understanding correctly the virago has a single pot caliper where the vstar has dual so maybe that isn't an issue for the vstar. The front suspension is great there is no adjustment and honestly I cant imagine in what direction I'd want to adjust it but the rear is seriously lacking I'm 6ft 75kg and it's on the weakest setting which just makes it bounce around but any higher than that and you feel every bump, there are plenty of after market options but I think a softer seat would go a long way to smoothing it out a bit. The sound is...look everyone wants it to sound like a harley just know 2 things 1) if you lower the idle to get that sound the generator wont put out enough power to charge the battery at idle and 2) one of those exhausts is fake it's actually a 2 into 1 exhaust but the pipe for the rear cylinder is hidden now you can change that but you then may have to be weary of where the pipe sits and potentially burning your leg that said I've heard some pretty convincing after market pipes The last thing I want to mention is seriously look at changing the sprockets I hear a lot of people go to 17 40 (i'm going 17 42 soon again will update if I remember) and getting insane gas milage improvements plus at highway speed because the engine is at a lower rpm it will vibrate a lot less, as I understand it yamaha set the factory ratio (16 46) to be forgiving to new riders but it really is a disservice to the bike once you understand how setting off works going 1st 5mph 2nd 10mph 3rd 20mph 4th 30mph is just silly I mean the other day I climbed a 45 degree incline in 5th gear what the hell are the other gears even for. Thats about everything I can think of people get hung up on "it's for beginners" but again it's about what do you want as a rider do you want low gas consumption cheap insurance cheap maintenance easy to ride comfortable (ish) way to get around beginner or not I can't imagine NOT wanting that in general, if you want a go fast toy then yeah sure this aint it but that's not what it's for.

[@jamesstone1493]

Most of the older bikes before 2005, the little bikes were designed to be crash protected with metal bars to protect the engine from damage due to low speed tip overs!!!!

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Engine guards (crash bars) are still an option. Here is an affiliate link to some crash bars for the VSTAR here if you want to have a look: www.amazon.ca/Cobra-Freeway-2007-2012-Yamaha-V-Star/dp/B003125M1Q/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1CCM0413R9M4J&keywords=Yamaha+VStar+250+engine+guards&qid=1658574033&sprefix=yamaha+vstar+250+engine+guards%252Caps%252C110&sr=8-3&_encoding=UTF8&tag=caledoniakeys-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=46db354a4f0e45c61c6d6d3dd753c3f0&camp=15121&creative=330641

[@michaelb.42112]

That is a 250cc ???? WOW, I friggen' love it and would buy one in a heartbeat to ride locally. I SOOOOoooo want one now for FUN. I'm into bigger bikes, but this looks like NON STOP FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Definitely a great daily rider for around town or a commute to work. Ride on!

[@PoweredByRedstonecom]

is it big enough? Sure! Trouble is with the gearing being 16/45, first gear is a granny while 2nd is more like a true 1st. I rode it stock for ages, then swapped it to a 17 tooth front, and about a year later swapped the rear sprocket to a 40 and a 112 chain; it's like a whole new bike. ~19% gearing change overall. I would recommend it to anyone who's had one for more than a few months.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Interesting idea for those who are considering “upgrading” the bike. Maybe think about upgrading the gearing.

[@GaryLance-g4h]

I bought a 2023 v star 250 a month ago and i have very similiar views as most people that commented. I'm running into an issue with finding "the right" 17 tooth front sprocket. Can anyone provide a link for the part number? Thanks.

[@PoweredByRedstonecom]

@@GaryLance-g4h JT Sprockets JTF569.17

[@GaryLance-g4h]

@@PoweredByRedstonecom Thanks so much. I was able to get to a dealer close by and they were able to look it up and get it ordered at the end of this month. Cant wait for that to happen.

[@akshobiya7501]

I think I want this bike as a first time bike owner/rider.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

It is definitely a good contender. If you can take one out for a test ride that’s ideal. If you buy it right the bike will retain its value.

[@unionrdr]

They definitely hold their value. 60degree V-Twin with SOHC and 4 valves per cylinder. Torquey bike. I just got a black 2018 delivered last Friday. Gotta get the muscle memory back after 50 years...

[@CaledoniaKeys]

@@unionrdr Congratulations on the bike. I am sure that your skills will come back in no time!

[@colinbryan8265]

In my late 80/s. On my own now, got me a 250 virago, going to take me back to my younger days. I figure, just on fine days, like Sunday mornings to start with.

[@twopoint71]

The sales guy at the Harley dealer got me into a 650 Lbs 1300CC Honda for my first bike. Thankfully no problems, and these days, I find as the CC's go down, the fun goes up.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Definitely the smaller cc bikes are a lot of fun. Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@GunCollector007]

Very good video. Thanks

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks. Ride on!

[@bratcafe5632]

Have a 200cc endure and a Ninja 650. Really want one of these for quick trips out with difficult parking....

[@PaulLe-jk4uq]

Thanks bro, what you've said I learned some ! 👈👍

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for checking in on the channel. Ride on!

[@schneir5]

I just bought a 2006 Virago 250, and had to ride it home on the interstate here right away. I'm only 5'-8 and weigh about 120 lb so I'm pretty small and light. I think I got to about 85 mph.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Congratulations on the new bike! Ride on!

[@BrianWader]

Smaller bikes easier to push around if you get a problem. To me it's a waste to have a bigger engine on a motorcycle. Granted haven't rode one larger than 250cc, just I have a 1,500cc toyota yaris that gets 25-35mpg and most motorcycles get great mpg of at least 60-80mpg and 40-50mpg on a larger motorcycle, I might as well drive our old prius for 40mpg. Course owning and riding a motorcycle isn't all about gas mileage and they are fun to ride.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Smaller bikes are definitely easier to maneuver (and yes lighter to push around if you need to do so). If you aren’t planning on a lot of long distance freeway riding the VStar 250 will get it done.

[@tekstdoktorchristinecalver1730]

I haven't been on a bike for years. Considering an XV250 or XV535. Thanks for a great video! :-)

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Both good options. The XV535 was last made in 2004 and had a reputation for being a solid bike if kept close to the stock build. Also no chain maintenance as it is a shaft drive. Good luck with the search!

[@tekstdoktorchristinecalver1730]

@@CaledoniaKeys Thank you SO much! 😊😊

[@jimo2627]

Good advice about buying the bike. 👍

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for commenting. Ride on!

[@painterboy454]

Those are some nice roads around Aylmer.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

It is a nice area. Going for a nice leisurely ride by the lake is pretty relaxing as well.

[@KlingonCaptain]

I just got a 2014 Yamaha V Star 250 for $10. It needs a lot of work, and the fork seals have dry rot, but it runs. Yes, it is my first bike. I'm pretty sure that the previous owners dropped probably 50 times. There are dings all over it and the foot pegs are bent.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Wow! Sounds like it has had a hard life. If you can get it up and running (replace fork seals, etc.) that sounds great. Depending how much you know about bikes I would have a shop go over it and give me the numbers to fix it mechanically and make sure that it is safe. Either way, you would do better than $10 at a scrap yard so you definitely bought it right!

[@KlingonCaptain]

@@CaledoniaKeys I think that I'm that I'm going to learn how to fix it by rebuilding it. So far as I can tell it still runs really well. The person I got it from rode it on the highway the day I got it. He himself bought it in a lot of four V Stars from an auction, and the one I have was in the best shape out of the bunch. The clutch and break cables look brand new like someone had been working on it. The gas tanks has lots of dents and the gas cap is mangled by thousands of key marks like whoever owned it originally had very poor hand eye coordination. The front fender is perfect but the back fender is so dinged up that I'm just going to have to replace it all together. There's also rust on the swing arm so I'm going to have to strip and repaint it. I'm probably going to just fix the forks at first and practice enough to get my endorsement, then rebuild the whole bike after that.

[@jimthrower779]

@@KlingonCaptain I have nothing but respect for those who take on projects like yours! Good luck with the rebuild. I bet the ride is sweeter when you build it yourself!

[@jamesbraun7709]

I had V-STAR 1100 , great bike. A 250 V-STAR just might be inmy price range . I'm in the filippines so finding one may be a challenge .

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Definitely the V-STAR has been a long running success for Yamaha. Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@danielrickel8807]

Maybe I’m extreme but I would recommend a 150 or smaller to a new rider they usually weigh less and are far more forgiving when you make a mistake.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

I wouldn’t totally rule out an even smaller bike depending on the rider and intended use. They are as you say even easier to handle for a new rider and it would be interesting to compare insurance costs. That said, if your daily commute includes some highway riding the additional passing power that you sacrifice may actually add some risk to the rider. If you are a larger individual that may impact your top speed and torque as well. If you have a specific bike in mind I would love to hear about it.

[@SamInCanada]

I have just got my brand new 2022 V-Star 250 and it is such a beautiful bike, especially the V-twin! I am short (165cm) and light so this bike is designed for me! I now want to ride her anywhere as the gas expense is so much cheaper than driving my SUV! Many owners change the sprocket to rise the gear ratio to make it runs faster and save more on gas - sounds like a good idea... do you recommend that? By the way, I live in the GTA, too! :-)

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Congratulations on the new bike! Since the VSTAR 250 is already rated at 78 mpg, changing the gearing for the purpose of saving more gas may cost you more than it’s worth. But that’s just me and I often follow the “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” philosophy! Check with your local bike shop if you are keen to make the change. Enjoy the ride!

[@SamInCanada]

@@CaledoniaKeys thank you! I am not going to change it now… maybe do it after a few years lol… subscribed!

[@thorman1742]

@@SamInCanada I have the Suzuki GZ250 for >10 years now which is similar (4 valves, but only 1 cylinder) and also on 'my' forums lots of people are talking "larger sprocket" but essentially it drops your "available gears for accelleration" from five to four so I never did it.

[@SamInCanada]

@@thorman1742 did you mean that with the bigger sprocket the gear 5 will be very hard to do the acceleration? If this is the case, it won't be a great idea!

[@thorman1742]

@@SamInCanada Exactly.

[@Ner0blaz3r]

I had a 2020 Softail standard I had to let Go in a bankruptcy case. I really liked that bike especially all the stuff I had done to it. In a few months i can save up enough cash to pay for one of these. Kind of nervous to drop down to a 250 though.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Softail Standard. There is definitely something to be said for a bike and no payments. If you can test ride before you buy it, hopefully that will help you determine if this is your next bike. Going to a 250cc would definitely be an adjustment from what you had. Good luck and thanks for checking out the channel.

[@BrianWader]

I'm 6' 3" and 240 pounds and I prefer a 250. I got a suzuki gz250 and 65-70mph is all the faster I need to go. Got my bike in the shop get checked out and it's a 2005 and if repairs needed are more than what it's worth or I'm willing to spend, I'm looking into a vstar 250 or Honda rebel 300.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

The VStar 250 and the Honda Rebel are both solid bikes. The Rebel has a bit more technology built into it but I love the simplicity of the VStar. Let me know which way you! Ride on!

[@unionrdr]

Waiting on Pony Powersports to deliver it about 11:30AM! Gonna film it then.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Congratulations. Enjoy the first ride!

[@erwinerwin1245]

Thanks for all of your info. Now I have a perfect driving record as one mall speeding ticket in 50 years and that was 35 years ago. No claims,no accidents. As good really as one gets. If you do not mind me asking as to how much you an experienced biker pays for Insurance on that Yamaha V star 250. (Just so I have a rough idea what they could charge for an experienced biker.)

[@CaledoniaKeys]

A lot depends on your location as well so any amount I would throw out there would really be meaningless. I wouldn’t even mention that ticket (it won’t be on your record by this point).

[@erwinerwin1245]

@@CaledoniaKeys I have never mentioned the 35 year old ticket a they only go back 3 years. So far its not easy to get an on line quote because one has to fill out how many years one has Motorcycle Insurance and if you put down 0 it is red flagged as not an answer and one cannot proceed. I am just a guy that before I buy a bike like this one want to know what the Insurance cost will be. I do not want buy and then look around for Insurance. Thanks for all of your info and I assume one can easily cruise for hours at 80K per hour?

[@CaledoniaKeys]

@@erwinerwin1245 I have done a few hours at a time on the vstar 250 at 80 km plus for sure. For new riders your best bet may be to call for a quote. They should be able to give you a solid quote. I hope the number comes in much lower than you expect. You are wise to get the insurance premium before you buy.

[@erwinerwin1245]

@@CaledoniaKeys I never really got a quote for me and I had gone to Google and they showed average rates for certain ages and 2500.00 was the average rate in Ontario. Dumb question. When you brake do all 2 wheels brake simultaneously with the pull of one handle or is it like a bicycle where each wheel has a separate brake lever. To shift gears I assume one uses the left foot and moves a lever. Does one also have to engage another lever at the same time as the one at the left handle bar side.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

@@erwinerwin1245 If you check out this video here there is also a link to the MTO Motorcycle handbook which will go over the controls and other information you will need to know for your test: Getting Your Beginner's Motorcycle License In Ontario (M1) kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4fCo2OObdqiiLc There is a section in the table of contents called “Know Your Vehicle” that gives a complete run down on the controls.

[@cw6082]

I'm getting a bike in September for college in Ontario, how is city traffic? Is it hard to learn to drive In it?

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Ideally we generally advise new riders to take their bikes to a parking and practice a few drills taught in the licensing course until they feel confident and comfortable on a new bike. Ideally when you take to the road less traffic (back roads) are better to start. By the time you are in heavy city traffic you should be proficient with your skills. When drivers see that license plate on the back if your bike they expect you to be an expert rider and not stalling as a traffic light turns green! We do share some tips in the licensing course (M1 Exit) on traffic. Don’t forget to subscribe as I will also be adding some of these riding tops on this channel to help out with the learning curve. Enjoy the new bike when you get it and ride on!

[@Balithazzarr]

This bike sounds great

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Especially for a 250 cc right? 😎

[@Balithazzarr]

@@CaledoniaKeysyes I think it’s a great setup out of the box. Nothing needed.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

It has the power, the biggest problem as with most 250.s is the bike is physically small and if you are a tall guy they can become uncomfortable after a while.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

I can see that one bike doesn’t fit everyone. At 6’ tall felt okay to me but tall riders may want to look at some alternative options. Thanks for commenting.

[@emp2004]

i love that moto I have a kymco 500r maxiscooter and i am thinking make a change to virago 250...what you think about? i make a lot of routes in spain and france but usualy in secondary routes i need something like this one because is not heavy and is beautiful also, and the maxiscooter is too heavy 260kg!!! and the helth and the age is coming ...chears

[@CaledoniaKeys]

The VSTAR 250 is a relatively basic bike. Very light as you said but the riding style will be different and you may lose some displacement and technology from your maxiscooter. I tend to favour basic but solid reliable bikes though. If you get a chance to test ride one before you buy that might help with your decision.

[@Derpwulf214]

Thanks for the great vid! I am wanting to get into riding and am investigating some of the smaller cruiser bikes however I'm a bit anxious around the 250's as I live in an area with a lot of highway driving, usually at 110km, would you consider the Vstar to struggle on such highways or does it manage fine? What's been your experience with longer highway rides may I ask? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to work it all out, Cheers!

[@CaledoniaKeys]

I usually prefer the back roads over the highways when I can take them. The 250 will do highway speeds but you may want to bump up the displacement a bit if you are planning on longer highway trips. A mid sized cruiser would be better and although some do it, I don’t recommend going too big too soon for a new rider (no 800+ pound touring bikes). Also if you are brand new to riding, I would make sure to practice on the parking lot and some backroads until you are completely comfortable before getting into heavy traffic. There are a lot of things to consider. Keep in mind that you can always start with a smaller bike, get your skills up, and likely go bigger in a year or two if you are doing a lot if highway riding. If you buy it right you can pretty much get what you paid for it back and you benefit from lower insurance costs when they hurt the most. I apologize if I am going on too much of a tangent here. Some food for thought.

[@johngranato2673]

Nice video

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks John. I will try to do more of these.

[@KruellNationGaming]

Wonder how this compares to a KPM 200. sligvhtly more power? no electronic fuel injection?

[@CaledoniaKeys]

I have not ridden a KPM 200 as of yet to compare. There is no fuel injection on the VSTAR (it is an old school carbureted bike) but you can get fuel injected with a Honda Rebel. Admittedly I would lean towards a used version of a Japanese import that is a proven model over a brand new Chinese import with little history but that’s just me.

[@7Roeth]

Nothing wrong with 250's. They are enjoyable, get the job done.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Definitely a fun and relatively inexpensive bike too.

[@Curious_Skeptic]

First day of class today on a v star 250. Seems really good enough for my fat short arse! Didn't like how touchy the throttle was though! Glitchy from off to 1/8. No happy medium.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Hope you are enjoying the course. As you get the feel for the clutch and the throttle I am sure it will get easier for you. Thanks for stopping in!

[@banjoman1234]

Where did you get the saddlebags? looking for some for mine...

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Hi Jeff...these actually came with the bike when I bought it. If I was buying my own I would probably check out a nice set of hard bags as I generally like the option to lock them up. Online retailers like Fortnine or your local bike shop may have a few good options. Good luck and ride on!

[@keithhampton9700]

First version of these was called the Route 66. Look it up .

[@CaledoniaKeys]

1988-1990. Thanks for sharing!

[@Roderick2006studios]

Is this the cycle national paladin sissy bar and rack?

[@CaledoniaKeys]

To my knowledge the bike had a stock sissy bar and rack. I was not the first owner though so I wouldn’t want to bet on it 100%.

[@stevenjohnson7414]

It looks like it at the beginning of the video. I have a cheapo combo sissy bar/rack from Ebay on mine with the square bars. The one on this video has the rounded metal bars like National. Not alot of choices out there on the 250 that I could find. I don't know that they ever came out with one stock.

[@Kashar47]

New rider here. I am still not sure if I should buy this one, MT 03 or Z400. Can't decide. Although this is small bike but it looks big to me, I don't know why

[@CaledoniaKeys]

The best way to know is to take each one for a test ride and see what feels the best for you. The good news is that if you buy a good used entry level bike you can often sell it later when you want to change and not lose a lot of money on it. I actually rode this bike for a few years and then sold it for slightly more than I paid for it. Welcome to 2 wheels, and ride on!

[@Kashar47]

@@CaledoniaKeys thanks for advice, will try to do that. Tomorrow I am going to motorcycle show at Enercare Centre in Toronto. I can at at least get a chance to sit on these to feel them and that should be enough to decide. I have about 20 years riding experience but not in Canada and not on these bikes but much smaller 70cc to125cc bikes. Thanks again

[@Enrique-peralta]

I see 650's and 250 v star for almost the same price are they bad bikes? Whats the deal

[@CaledoniaKeys]

I have not personally owned a 650 cc VSTAR but as far as I know it is also a solid bike. Prices on used bikes can vary for a lot of reasons such as condition and how motivated the seller might be. The 650 will have a shaft drive and be a bit heavier. I would recommend trying to take both bikes out for a test ride and see what feels best to you.

[@Mr.Plaidman]

Ive owned both. Both great bikes. The 650 is considerably larger and heavier although still not really heavy. Sit on them both - youll get a good idea of what youre comfortable on. The 250 is great for around town and comfortably up to about 80-90 km. It will go faster but not really what its meant for. If you plan on highways a lot Id say eventually you will want the 650. Both are nice smooth bikes, great looking and if you get the 250 you can always sell it later if you want to. They arent hard to sell.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

@@Mr.Plaidman Thanks for sharing! Great points.

[@nilla003]

I'm a 5'4" male, 135 pounds. This would work for me.

[@Balithazzarr]

If I was that short I’d get the Honda.

[@twotone3471]

For a first rider? No. The V-Star 250 is fast enough, cruises at 65, and will do a bit over 80 MPH if you really ask it nicely. But that is about where it ends for what's good for a first rider. The brakes are 1960's bad. The Skinny front tire has all the traction for braking, and it just can't. Handling is equally not great, where the skinny front tire can wash out in a curve, lowsiding you. So if you want to take a Bike with Drum brakes 70 MPH+ Have it light enough that crosswinds are the bane of your existance, sure, its reliable, fast enough to get out of it's own way, and not bad looking at all for a 250. But for a first rider, it's too unforgiving. Some bikes are just not for beginners due to the likelihood of it biting you in the ass. This is one of those. And if you live where altitude changes are a issue? Double No.

[@CaledoniaKeys]

Thanks for the comment. I can appreciate that you listed some well thought out pros and cons for the bike and did not simply present your list of negatives. 😎 I agree that there is no real up to date technology, although there is a certain beauty that goes along with the simplicity of this motorcycle. You are not going to get ABS so you will have to learn to brake properly (smoothly and progressively). As taught in any MSF or motorcycle licensing course, most of your braking power is done with the front brake (hydraulic disc) so I don’t really see the drum brake on the rear as a major issue. If you are buying any used bike tires are always a major consideration and have a huge impact on your braking power and traction. I tend to replace them sooner rather than later (within 5 years) as tire age as well as wear impacts traction. I have not experienced any traction issues on this bike that would not be explainable due to poor maintenance. If you feel the need for more technology and ABS brakes you could opt for a bike like the Honda Rebel. That said, we teach students to ride all day long on bikes like these including emergency braking techniques. In fact the organization that I teach with just ordered a number of VStar 250s to update the fleet of training bikes. The VStar 250 is light which actually improves the ease of handling but you are right that the downside is that you will feel the crosswinds more. Again that is not specific to this particular bike and goes along with any smaller cc motorcycle. This is not the bike I would choose if my intention was mainly 70 mph (112 km/hr) riding. Thanks again for the well thought out comment you left. I appreciate it!

[@twotone3471]

@@CaledoniaKeys No Prob, bought this bike used 2 years ago, and swapped the Stock and Dry Rotted tires for Pirelli Route 66's They actually made things worse, in they are solely a summer tire. So if you ride in the rain, or below 60f (15c) they become progressively harder and less grippy. I do wish I could have gone to a MSF course, but the closest one was 240 miles away (388km). I watched plenty of instruction videos on KZbin (Twist of the Wrist & DanDan the Fireman) and bought a 125cc bike to learn on. I am definitely glad I learned on a 125 instead of a 250cc bike. I was a Mountain Biker, so had many of the habits of bicycling to adapt to motorcycling. For the Drum Brake being not a major concern, I did learn that the V-Star 250's chain does when it comes off the sprocket, due to the tight clearance, does sieze the rear tire. Because of that wider drum brake the chain gets trapped between the sprocket and frame. I was on a dirt road, and doing 20 MPH (30 KPH) when it locked up. I can attest to the toolset being useful because of that. But thanks to there being tens of thousands of the bike (probably hundreds of thousands of you count the mechanically similar Virago) parts were easy to acquire. So, there is that too, that even in post pandemic land, parts for that bike can still be found. For the handling, I stick to what I said, as if you ride only when its nearly perfect, chances are the V-Star will do fine for most riders. But compared to other bikes of its size, or even my Chinese 125 (Kymco K-Pipe) it just don't handle things like bumps in corners, emergency braking, or loose gravel in unexpected places as well as other bikes do. To learn emergency braking on a bike that can and will lock up the front tire without dumping a newbie over the handlebars, sure. But once that lesson of progressive braking is learned, even the right technique won't make up for the lack of a sizeable front contact patch. So to compare it to say the Rebel 300, or the BMW 310r for emergency handling, it's really bad. For a second bike, it's fine for me, though going from a fairly good handling bike to a fairly bad handling bike was a learning curve I struggled with. For around town, the V-Star is fine, but on the road, I actually rode longer rides on the 125, and more comfortably. The Pirelli Tires are partly at fault, as I commute year around on the bike, but there is more than traction as something that can foul up a new rider.

[@ironcast]

Or, is it small enough for a new rider?

[@CaledoniaKeys]

When I was teaching we actually ordered some if these in for the licensing course. In my opinion, these bikes are great bikes to learn on if you are looking for a cruiser.

[@FreedomRider1982]

💯💯👍👍👍👍

[@williamjonas4013]

THE WHEELS ARE TOO SMALL WHAT IS IT ? LOOKS LIKE A COMBINATION BETWEEN A MOTORCYCLE AND A SCOOTER . THE OLD BIKES HAD THE LOOKS TODAY'S NOT

[@philipfreeman72]

Less vibes than any single .

[@CaledoniaKeys]

I hadn’t really thought about that but yes…the twin would tend to be smoother than a single. Thanks for the added insight.