Yamaha XVS650 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
13,950 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 to 2010 model years. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Manual Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 41 complaints (24.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 22.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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:Manual Transmission | 10 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 2 |
| Seats:Motorcycle | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Power Train:Manual Transmission: 10; Power Train: 8; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 3; Wheels: 3; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 2; Seats:Motorcycle: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (20). 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2002: 3; 2003: 10; 2004: 11; 2005: 1; 2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Manual Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10066178 · 2004-04-14 (April 14, 2004)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SKIPS UP INTO NEUTRAL POSITION WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION
Owner-reported narrative. 6,531 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 761043 · 2002-04-22 (April 22, 2002)
ALSO, SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND IS ROUGH. GRINDING USUALLY OCCURS EVEN IF I TRY TO SHIFT IT SOFTLY. I KNOW DOZENS OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS BIKE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE INFERIOR TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A HAZARD BECAUSE MY BIKE CAN SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY, WHICH WILL CAUSE ME TO SLOW DOWN AND BE HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER MOTORIST. THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED PROBLEM. I HAVE MET MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL ON THE INTERNET WHO ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR BIKES. PLEASE HELP US ALL BY RECALLING THIS BIKE TO MAKE YAMA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 761043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091727 · 2004-09-09 (September 9, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND MOTORCYCLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10466666 · 2012-07-19 (July 19, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 YAMAHA XVS650 V STAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FINAL DRIVE WAS WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072323 · 2004-05-10 (May 10, 2004)
I WAS TRAVELING AT >30 MPH ON PAVED SURFACE ROAD. I HAD JUST MADE A LEFT TURN AND WAS GOING THROUGH GEARS TO ACCELERATE TO CRUISING SPEED. A DOG ENTERED THE ROADWAY AND I APPLIED BOTH BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. REAR BRAKE IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO A LOCKUP SITUATION AND WOULDN'T RELEASE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND THE BROKEN LEG I AM STILL FIGHTING. I HAVE RIDDEN MOTORCYCLES SINCE 1973 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013981 · 2002-07-16 (July 16, 2002)
HANDLE BAR IS DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAN BE TURNED TO EITHER SIDE, ENOUGH TO TOUCH FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK WAS DENTED DUE TO THIS. DEALER TOOK VEHICLE BACK.*AK IF GONE UNNOTICED, THE FUEL TANK COULD HAVE LEAKED GASOLINE ON HOT MOTOR CAUSING A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013981 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 |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2005: 0; 2009: 0; 2010: 0