“My wild Star is a 2001 model and thus now 16 years old and I've had it for just one year. Typically for a big cruiser, it's obviously been a summer ride and has just over 12.5k on the clock, 2k done by me in the last year.
I was drawn to the bike for its retro classic cruiser styling. Yamaha finishing is superb with paint and chrome being is great condition for such an old bike.
In terms of reliability, as you'd expect for a Yamaha, its been impeccable really. I've experienced a bit of clutch slip at times but the Wild Star / Roadstar (US name) forums will tell you this is common - it's got a lot of torque to handle! A clutch overhaul with an uprated EBC spring is being done next week and is known to fix the issue.
Ride comfort and handling is great. Braking is positive smooth and effective; some Yamaha cruisers have been known to have weak front brakes; not this one. Clutch weight is super and very controllable. On the handling side, it is easy to scrape the foot boards on the corners if pushing hard, but that perhaps reflects the confidence in handling the bike inspires. It doesn't feel at all heavy as you might suspect for such a beast.
It had stock headers with straight through slip-ons when I bought it; the noise was horrendous. Although I fitted baffles / wadding, I succumbed to the lure of the ubiquitous Vance and Hines over the winter and removed the AIS (air injection system - google / check out the forums for info). It's easy to do and the improvement is amazing! The low speed running is so much smoother and the response difference is noticeable.
Maybe such bikes run the risk of being labelled a 'Harley Wannabe'. I've ridden Harleys (hired on hols in States / Mexico) and yes I love the classic models. But I can say this ride is equal to their big classics, equally refined as an engine and a lot cheaper to own. If like me your biking is a fair weather hobby with the pained indulgence of the wife, it's an affordable, fun, stylish serious classy cruiser which attracts admiring looks everywhere it goes. No plan to ride anything else in the near future - what would match up!?”
“Only a few hundred miles done by me on this 15 year old bike as I only bought in Jan. but with only 12,000 miles on the clock it runs like a dream. For a big heavy bike it doesn't feel at all like it once it's rolling. The clutch, brakes and throttle response make for a very balanced, stress free no surprised comfortable ride. SUPERB torque from this huge V twin make for great cruising. I'm 6 foot and 16 stone but the riding position is perfect for me. Absolutely love this beautifully made bike.”
“I bought my 1600 Wildstar in june 2002 it was 12 months old then with 3,000 miles on the clock. I have done 35,000 miles and travelled all over Europe. Fuel is very economical over 200 miles to the tank and the power is there when you need it for over taking with tent and wife on the back, pulls like a train. The only time that it has been to a dealership was for a recall for the Gearbox and that is the only time that the engine has been touched.I service it every 12 months Oil and Filters clean the plugs or renew them. It might be a heavy bike but handling is absolutely fantastic fast or slow.
I still use the Bridgestone Tyres and get about 7,000 miles on the Rear.
Putting it altogether its comfortable ,economical and fun to ride.”
