Yamaha XVS65 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
15,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 21 complaints (47.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 10 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Power Train: 10; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Power Train:Driveline: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 5; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10259882 · 2009-02-25 (February 25, 2009)
AT 750-1,000 MILES MAJOR CLUTCH SLIPPAGE WAS DETECTED. THIS PREVENTS ACCELERATION TO AVOID ACCIDENT ZONES OR RETREAT FROM ACCIDENT ZONE. AT 3,600 MILES FRONT BRAKE FAILURE WAS DETECTED. WHERE DEPRESSION OF BRAKE LEVER TOOK FOUR DEPRESSIONS TO RETURN PRESSURE. NO ACCIDENT IN EITHER CASE, HOWEVER NEAR COLLISIONS AND INTRUSION OF VEHICLES INTO ACCIDENT ZONES HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF CLUTCH FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10331306 · 2010-05-19 (May 19, 2010)
REAR BRAKE FAILURE AND TOTAL DESTRUCTION FROM A SINGLE MISSING BOLT. REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY LOST BOTTOM BOLT, ON BRAKING THIS RESULTED IN THE ENTIRE DRUM SPINNING AND BREAKING CONTROL ARM FROM DRUM AND WRAPPING LINKAGE ARM AROUND BRAKE DRUM. COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10331306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275890 · 2009-07-06 (July 6, 2009)
I PURCHASED A USED V-STAR MOTORCYCLE AND, AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS OF RIDING IT, THE PIECE THAT WAS USED TO SECURE MY PEDAL SHIFTER BROKE OFF. I WAS ON A BACK ROAD UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND HAD TO PUSH MY BIKE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR SAFETY. AFTER I FOUND THE PROBLEM I REALIZED THAT THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE IS WELDED AND NOT BOLTED ON. I HAD TO RIDE IT HOME IN SECOND GEAR AFTER ANOTHER BIKER HELPED ME POP IT IN GEAR. I TALKED WITH A YAMAHA REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY IS UP SO THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. …
Owner-reported narrative. 13,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10237442 · 2008-08-08 (August 8, 2008)
THE TRANSMISSION OF A 2007 YAMAHA 650 ROADSTAR MOTORCYCLE LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL TO ALSO LOCK AND SKID, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE FLIPPED OVER ON IT'S SIDE. THE LOCK UP OCCURRED AT APPROX. 20 MPH WHILE SHIFTING DOWN FROM THIRD TO SECOND GEAR WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237442 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563503 · 2014-02-08 (February 8, 2014)
AFTER A BRIEF WARM UP, ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. NO SPARK CONDITION. WILL RESTART WHEN COOL, THEN THE PROBLEM REPEATS. A CRASH WAS AVOIDED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 18,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10411971 · 2011-07-12 (July 12, 2011)
2004 YAMAHA V-STAR 650 MOTORCYCLE, RIDING AT 55 MPH WHEN GAS CAP FELL APART AND THE TOP OF THE CAP FLEW UP AND STRUCK RIDER IN THE CHEST. MILAGE ON THE MOTORCYCLE IS 5328 MILES. HAVE REMOVE PARTS FROM INTERIOR OF GAS TANK AND AM TRYING TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. LIGHT TRAFFIC, RIDER WAS VERY STARTLED, CAUSED BIKE TO SWERVE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 5,325 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411971 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1998: 2; 1999: 2; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 0; 2007: 0; 2009: 0