Motorcycle Forum / General / Yamaha / November 2004

Am looking for a good set of crash bars for an '04 VStar 650.  Have seen
some advertised for the 1100.  My guess is they probably will fit but would
prefer a set made specifically for the smaller VStar.  If you have mounted a
set on your VStar, did you then add wind deflectors that can flip back and
forth to give you engine heat on your legs in winter or allow the air to hit
them freely in summer?
    One other thing.  I continue to experience rough shifting on my bike.
At first I was told it was just because the bike needed breaking in.  So I
remained patient.  But the problem persisted.  Then I was told I'd used the
wrong oil.  Switching to a good motorcycle did help, but the bike still
shifts roughly at least some of the time on every ride, usually when going
uphill
in stop and go riding after I've been riding for a good half hour to
forty-five minutes.  When I say shifts roughly,  I mean it becomes unusually
hard to move the shifter up with the toe of my boot or shoe, especially from
first to second and second to third, but to some degree through the entire
range of gears.  My plan is to change the oil one more time, and if the
problem doesn't go away, take the bike in while it's still on warranty and
insist that they open it up and find out what's wrong.  I suspect there may
be a part in the shifting linkage that is a bit bent, or something.
    Has anyone else with this bike experienced the same thing?