I am trying to decide whether to buy an 07 Yamaha V-star 1100 or an '07 Suzuki boulevard c50. I really like the looks of the V-star better but it's $1500 more. I bought my a wife a V-star 650 and we both really like it but I need something a little larger. The Yamaha dealer really treats us great. I can get a super deal on each one and have narrowed it down to these two, but would like to hear from folks who have owned them.
Thanks,
GT300TD  

I have owned a 2000 vstar 1100 classic for five years. I LOVE THIS BIKE! I have rode it to Colorado 3 times and this year I rode to Yellowstone and the Tetons. It has never given me any trouble. I have even pulled a trailer behind it. It runs strong and with the shaft drive, I don't have to worry about my chain breaking. Yes this has happened to me. I am sure the newer models are just as good if not better. I do believe that they have changed one good thing. Putting the rectifier out in front of the engine to keep it cool. Moving it from the right side under a cover where it didn't get good air. I rigged mine so it gets good air now. I did have that go out on me. It was 3-4 years ago. I wasn't stranded. I did put a hypercharger and cobra low boy drags on it. It really opened it up and increased horsepower. For comfort a mustang seat with back rest for driver and passenger is a must. BUY THE VSTAR!  

Cruisingonavstar,
Thanks for the input. I was about 90% sure, you gave me the other 10%.
I bought the 1100 V-Star today. Even though it was $1500 more I think it is my best choice. The main thing that turned me off about the Suzuki was the big ugly rear fender, it really looked out of place. I've researched a good bit and the Yamana Star line seems to draw more praise and less criticism than any other.
Thanks again,

GT300TD  

I love the Yamaha Star line of Motorcycles, they have some awesome and classic styling, I think they have done a great job with the bikes, you cannot ask for any better, I have a 05 Roadstar 1700 and I love it, I have looked at them all and I fell in Love with the Yamaha Star Bikes. You cannot go wrong, you will Love it!  

To each is or her own, but I wound up buying a C50T
and just love it. Although I had not ridden in quite a few years when I bought the Suzuki, I found it a dream to handle with plenty of controllable power. I bought it new and have had it for 2 years and it has not given me the first of bit trouble. It looks great and with the exception of a "for short trips only seat" it's quite comfortable. My brother bought a gel cover for the seat on his C50T and I guess it helps,,,I don't understand why Suzuki refuses to put s decent seat on an otherwise outstnding machine.  

To each his or her own, but I wound up buying a C50T
and just love it. Although I had not ridden in quite a few years when I bought the Suzuki, I found it a dream to handle with plenty of controllable power. I bought it new and have had it for 2 years and it has not given me the first of bit trouble. It looks great and with the exception of a "for short trips only seat" it's quite comfortable. My brother bought a gel cover for the seat on his C50T and I guess it helps,,,I don't understand why Suzuki refuses to put s decent seat on an otherwise outstnding machine.  

I think you probably could have been happy with either bike, because they are both good bikes.  I have an '05 V-Star 1100 and my son has an '05 C-50.  I have ridden his bike and it handles very well.  I also had a Suzuki Intruder 800 (S-50) before I got the 1100.  It was a good bike, but as one of the previous folks said, the seats leave a lot to be desired.  Anyways, I think you will like the 1100 V-Star.  It has plenty of power and mine gets about 47-48 MPG. It is a good looking bike with a lot of accessories that you can get to make it look even better.  The Metzler 880 wide white-walls really give it the classic look.  Have fun on the new bike and be careful out there.    Steve  

I own an older Yamaha virago 1100c which is the forerunner to the vstar. Yamaha makes a good bike with little problems. I have not ridden the Suzuki boulevard so I can't really compare the bikes, but I can tell you that Yamaha is a "unique" brand. A lot of the bolts on my bike are reverse thread, which really means nothing, but when it comes to finding aftermarket parts, the choices are sometimes limited. Just consider that when making a choice.  

I am really glad you didnt go with the suzuki...I really like the yamaha's alot. The others are ok.....I just dont like the lines of the bike it just doesnt flow right...I bought my wife the yamaha and she loves it..I am gonna get her to upgrade to the tour package...1100 silverado..I have a friend who bought the boulivard and you could tell he just never seemed satisfied with it..he never said anything but ya could just tell...  

Working at a Yamaha/Suzuki dealership, I have to pipe up! I agree that the Stars are much better looking, especially at the rear of the fenders (Suzuki really needs to do something about that coal-shovel). Only the 250 from each is chain-drive so that's not an issue, but the big difference between the C50 and the VStars is fuel-injection vs carbs. The Suzukis have the best EFI out there, derived from the GSX-R sportbikes. To get EFI you need to jump to the VStar 1300. Plus the VStar 1100 has that stupid oil filter location that requires removal of the exhaust header to change it (yes, you read that right), although relocation kits can be had from Perf-form and Jardine that alleviate that stupidity for under $300 (I recommend the Perf-form - it lets you use Harley filters, whereas the Jardine requires proprietary ones). Performance-wise the 800 & 1100 are closer than you'd think; according to MCN, power to weight ratios are 1:14.74 for the VL800 and 1:13.51 for the XVS1100 Classic. Neither is a bad choice, and while we do sell more Suzukis than Yamahas at my dealership (usually based on a bang-for-buck comparison I'm told), the Yamaha Star Riders seem to be much more vocal supporting their brand! Come to think of it, does Suzuki even have a Boulevard Owner's Group?  

I bought the C50T in 05. I was tring to decide Yahama / Suzuki. The main reason I chose the C50 was the $$ differance. I road both and the C50 was very close to the 1100. The money saved was 2500.00 at the dealer here. I don't think you could have made a bad choice. Have fun riding your  1100.. there is a Owners Group for   Voluisa /C50...scruffy...    

Scorpio.  You work at a dealership.  I like the look of the M50 over the C50 due to the bobbed rear fender.  Are there any major differences between the two that would make one a more comfortable ride than the other?  Thanks.