Okay, so I finally got my hands on an XVS 1100, a Yamaha DragStar. Been wanting one of these for ages, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey. First thing, I spent weeks, maybe even months, just looking at listings. Gotta find the right one, you know? Price, condition, all that jazz.
Finally found one that seemed promising. Talked to the seller, seemed like a decent guy. Went to check it out. Gave it a good once-over, checked the engine, tires, everything. Started her up, listened to that rumble… oh man, that was sweet.
The Negotiation
Of course, there was the usual back-and-forth on the price. We haggled a bit, but eventually, we settled on a number that worked for both of us. Handed over the cash, got the title, and bam, she was mine!
First Ride & Impressions
- The Sound: Seriously, the stock exhaust sounds pretty good, but I’m already thinking about upgrades.
- The Ride: Comfortable. Really comfortable. Low seat height, easy to handle, even for a bigger bike.
- The Power: Plenty of torque. It’s not a sportbike, obviously, but it’s got enough get-up-and-go to make you grin.
- The Look: Classic cruiser. Chrome everywhere. I’m gonna be spending a lot of time polishing, I can already tell.
Things to work with
Now, I’ve had to adjust it a few times to make sure the idle is smooth and the engine responds well when I twist the throttle. No biggie, just part of getting to know the bike.
Next up, I tackled the * old pads were looking pretty worn, so I swapped them out for some new ones.
I’ve changed brake pads on my car before, so it wasn’t too intimidating.
I took my time, made sure everything was clean, and followed the instructions in the service manual (which I downloaded online, by the way).
It’s a pretty straightforward job, just need the right tools and a bit of patience.
After getting the new pads in and properly bedded in, the difference was night and day. Much more responsive braking, which is always a good thing!
So, that’s the story so far. Got the bike, did some basic maintenance, and I’m loving every minute of it. More updates to come as I put some more miles on her and start customizing!
