This is the Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom ($7900).
[img]http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/mcy/500/02vs1100cu_blk_3.jpg[/img]
I've been toying with the idea of buying one of these to build a Metric Custom. I was originally looking at Sport Bikes but I decided on a cruiser. Before anyone gives me shit for not getting a Harley, Victory, or any other American built bike, let me say that price is a [b][i]major[/i][/b] consideration. I can build this bike into a custom for less than the price of a stock Victory V92C ($13,500) or Harley FXST ($13,000) (which were the two I was looking at). I looked at American Ironhorse, Titan and Big Dog today and I can't bring myself to spend more for a custom bike than I have ever spent on a car.

Here are a couple of Metric Customs built from the Yamaha pictured above. I personally think they look [b][i]very[/i][/b] good.
This one was built by Scott Britt in NC.
[img]http://members-http-1.rwc1.sfba.home.net/jeff.hoeft/pics/Vstar1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://members-http-1.rwc1.sfba.home.net/jeff.hoeft/pics/Vstar2.jpg[/img]

Why?

Just buy a used Harley.  You'll be ostracized, and you'll always feel a bit foolish on a jap wannabe bike.

If you just have to have a jap bike, then get a sport bike.

I think you really might want to get one of these puppies: the Makarov of the bikes

[img]http://www.motorradmuseumb96.de/galerie/foto/ETZ250A.jpg[/img]

In East German military configuration, too!

[bounce]

There ain't nothin wrong with metric cruisers.  Harleys are nice, but the Yamaha is cheaper, better quality,and is more reliable than a hog.  If you are really go custom on it, i would go with what ya picked. There are tons of aftermarket parts for them.  Get some new pipes for it first, the stock ones sound kinda weak.

A Hyundai is cheaper and more reliable than a 1st gen Camaro.  Which one is cooler?  There are tons of aftermarket parts for all these little rice racers running around these days...I'll take my glass packs and centerlines over a ground effects package and a 5 inch exhaust outlet.  Even with all the times I've broken down, run out of money trying to keep gas in it, and tons of money I've spent on upkeep.

You gotta be cool, man.  It's hard to look cool on a big imitation Harley.  Get a used bike.

Incidentally, I'm not really into Harleys.  But why get something that only exists to copy the originator?  Why not get the real deal.

I just want a damn Norton.  Or maybe I'll go drag out that old BSA that's been sitting at my dad's place for 10 years.

See now that's cool.  I wonder how many times I'd break my ankle trying to get used to that left side kickstart.

Graves, you have missed the whole point of owning a bike.  It isn't what you ride that matters, its why you ride.  If you are spending 18K on a new harley just to be cool then you are probably the yuppy that bought one just to say that he has one in the garage.  I have a a Shadow Sabre and i never get ragged on by anyone about riding a jap bike.  If you loved to ride it doesn't matter what you are on as long as your ridin(a moped or a scooter are exceptions
to this rule).

Teach this little grasshopper the zen of riding.

When did I say anything about new? I said buy used.  Used in the 8k range means old.

I wouldn't pay 18 grand for any motorcycle.

I guess I'm the only "yuppie" who rides a scooter then.  Did I mention that I own a Vespa?  We should organize a ride, you on your imitation, me on my eye-talian scooter with the iron cross tailight and union jack sticker on the side.

By the way, that jap wannabe bike you ride was designed exclusively for yuppies.  I don't have a problem with jap bikes, but why buy an IMITATION when you could have the real thing for the same price?

Try this setup: Suzuki Intruder 1500LC

[url]http://www.intruderalert.com/bikes/1500/mark_hazdovac.htm[/url]

I have a 2001 V-star custom, and most of the people that look at it, think it's a Harley anyway. I too, could not bring myself to pay $18,000 for a bike, that is only better by resale value! True, there is not nearly as much custom goodies for a jap bike, but go over to Barons website, they have quite a bit. I think most of the people that give you crap for buying a jap bike over a Harley, don't even own a bike. All the guys I know with Harleys could care less what you ride, as long as you ride! Oh yeah, let your first option for that v-star be a Mustang seay, the stock one completely sucks!

The first thing I'll do is get pipes, Barons BAK, rejet, and lowering kit. My old boss has an 1100 classic with Cobra pipes and it sounds awesome.

Now, let's talk about Harley. I went to two dealerships looking at bikes and was very surprised to find that they sell all of their bikes for [b]3 to 4 thousand dollars over MSRP[/b]! They are selling the VRod for $27,000, and the MSRP is $17,000!

Did you hear the one about the guy that walks into a bar with an ostrich and a cat?  He steps up to the bar, Barkeep says what'cha havin'?   Guy says I'll take a beer and looks at the cat and the ostrich.  Ostrich says I'll have a beer, cat says, ya I want a beer too but, I ain't paying moneybags! So the bartender lines them up.  Awhile later the bartender comes back and asks the group if they wanted anything  The guy says I'll take a beer and looks down at the cat and the ostrich.  Ostrich says I'll have a beer, cat says, ya I want a beer too but, I ain't paying moneybags!  Well this goes on all night and finally the bartender asks the guy what's with the ostritch and the cat?  The guy says well I let this Jeanie out of a bottle and was granted 3 wishes.  The bartender said so what did you wish for?  Well I asked for a million dollars and a chick with long legs and a tight pussy.

I got my first bike this summer, a yellow Honda Shadow Spirit 750:

[img]http://www.hondamotorcycle.com/models/2002/images/cruiser/colors_bike_ShadowSpirit750_Yellow.gif[/img]

Looks good, sounds good, inexpensive, reliable.

Harleys are way cool. Harleys are way expensive. Even old ones. That V-Star Custom is a steal at $7900, and it looks great. And that red custom V-Star with white flames is even cooler. The rules about motorcycles:

1. Get what you like.
2. Ride safe.
3. Have fun.