When this deopped i was just returning from a 1500 mile ride around lake michigan alongside my  buddies K1600B..
I had blast.  In hemet music was a nice treat.

Vstar650 is air cooled. Got one sitting in the garage. Good bike.

Actually, it's not a classic, it's a custom.I had this model in the six fifty and it was a great bike loved the shaft drive

I've always wondered why most metric cruisers don't provide a sixth gear.

For my very first motorcycle, it was between Yamaha Vstar 950 and Suzuki M50. I'm 6'2" and in tight, low speed turns, my knees kept bumping the handlebars. Went with the Suzuki.
This Vstar 950 shares its air-cooled engine,  5-speed transmission, and belt drive with the Bolt and SCR950 Scrambler.

It would certainly make a fine country cruiser.  Since around 2010 I changed out a lot of motorcycles.  I looked at these often, just never bought one.  I have owned 2 of its bigger brother.  A1300 touring and later a 1300 deluxe with the fairing and audio system.  Im sure this 950 would  be all you state TG.  Perhaps once my back recovers, I just sold my 800 pound Victory and Honda cruisers, and bought a Can Am Spyder F3 limited for wind therapy.  Actully these Can Ams are pretty good.  Anyway perhaps next spring I will add back a lighter weight motorcycle and re look at these 950s.  Such a shame Yamaha/Vstar discontinued these series of bikes in 2017.  I always enjoy your reviews TG.

I have a 2014 950. Same color scheme, including the headlight. I splurged on a Mustang seat with backrest.  Bought it to get back into riding after 20 years.

I love my 950 but I’m looking to upgrade to a 1300 for more Touring?

I really like the looks of these bikes.

Good looking machine, hope to find one when my C50 gets to long in the tooth.

The 650 was never water cooled.

I got mine used in 2017, love my 2012 & turn signals are self cancelling.

You must be reading my mind, I literally searched for you doing a review of a Vstar 950 yeaterday.

I ride my Vulcan S from NorCal to  Mazatlan Mexico twice a year. I bet this Yamaha would be a way more comfortable ride.

I rode an 1800 mile trip through the Southern Utah area on my 2013 950 and averaged over 200 miles between fill ups.

Hey if you ever want to review the Yamaha Road Star 1700, I live just two exits down from where you do your filming. It would be neat to see you review all of the modernish Yamaha cruisers.

I wear earplugs because my vance & Hines are loud.

Nice video,
@TGmotoRider what you think about a Honda 1100 spirit for a first bike ?

Can you review the vstar650?

650 is air cooled.