Iron 883 Vs Yamaha V star 650
Both Good Bikes
I just traded my 08 vstar 1100 in on a sporty. 12 / 1200c. The vstar was a nice bike, but like others have said, I couldnt stop wanting a Harley. Im happy with my choice, and would do it again. The Sporty has more power and responds quicker. Its not as comfortable as the vstar, but Im certain a sundowner will solve that. Ride both and see which one calls your name. Be advised that a lot of the chrome and both fenders on the vstars are plastic. This always bothered me.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 5
From: Puget Sound, WA
I've never heard the Iron described as chic, but it is popular enough to have spawned at least one foreign imitator.
I have an 883L, very similar to the Iron, and it has no difficulty on the freeway, at least at legal speeds.
I have an 883L, very similar to the Iron, and it has no difficulty on the freeway, at least at legal speeds.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: new york
how does the dyna compare to say a roadster?
Novice
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: NE
The yamaha 650 will be much smoother because it is a 70 degree motor instead of the harley 45 degree. Also the yamaha has a counterbalanced but the harley does not.
The yamaha will way less and have a lower center of gravity (lower tank, lower handle bars, etc) the frame of the bike stays lower at the from unlike the harley.
The maintenance will likely be lower on the yamaha and will cost less. Replacement parts and such will cost less as well.
The harley will likely be faster 883 versus 650.
The yamaha has a carburetor and all new harleys have efi.
The yamaha has a shaft drive that will produce torque steer (although it may not be much on a low power bike like this) but the harley has a belt drive, no torque steer.
The yamaha will have a much better suspension. It has way more rear suspension travel than the iron.
The yamaha may only require 87 octane but the harley requires at least 91 octane.
The yamaha will way less and have a lower center of gravity (lower tank, lower handle bars, etc) the frame of the bike stays lower at the from unlike the harley.
The maintenance will likely be lower on the yamaha and will cost less. Replacement parts and such will cost less as well.
The harley will likely be faster 883 versus 650.
The yamaha has a carburetor and all new harleys have efi.
The yamaha has a shaft drive that will produce torque steer (although it may not be much on a low power bike like this) but the harley has a belt drive, no torque steer.
The yamaha will have a much better suspension. It has way more rear suspension travel than the iron.
The yamaha may only require 87 octane but the harley requires at least 91 octane.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,418
Likes: 6,366
From: Honah Lee
??????The Yamaha has a shaft drive that will produce torque steer (although it may not be much on a low power bike like this) but the Harley has a belt drive, no torque steer.??????
There is no torque steer on a single wheel motorcycle. I think it takes two wheels with unequal angle and length drive shafts with a differential to fill that since my front wheel cars have it. A single wheel motorcycle has a worm drive or hypoid gear but no differential. I have owned a 650 and a 1200 and neither had any torque steer. Now letting off the fuel too fast does create a lot of engine braking as compared to a belt drive Harley. Not sure if that is the gear ratio or what since they are geared higher numerical. The 650 much higher.
There is no torque steer on a single wheel motorcycle. I think it takes two wheels with unequal angle and length drive shafts with a differential to fill that since my front wheel cars have it. A single wheel motorcycle has a worm drive or hypoid gear but no differential. I have owned a 650 and a 1200 and neither had any torque steer. Now letting off the fuel too fast does create a lot of engine braking as compared to a belt drive Harley. Not sure if that is the gear ratio or what since they are geared higher numerical. The 650 much higher.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 11:09 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor
One thing I do not like about a shaft driven bike is shaft effect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaft_effect
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaft_effect
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