Honda Vt600 Shadow Vlx vs Yamaha V-star 650
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Honda Vt600 Shadow Vlx
Yamaha V-star 650
Horsepower (hp)
44 hp
40 hp
Torque (Nm)
47 Nm
50 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
155 km/h
160 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
221 kg
228 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
44 hp @ 7,000 rpm
40 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
47 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
50 Nm @ 5,500 rpm
Top Speed
155 km/h
160 km/h (estimated, note: governed by gearing and aerodynamics)
Weight
221 kg (wet/curb weight)
228 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
3.5 L/100km or approximately 28.5 km/L
3.8 L/100km (approx. 26 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Honda Vt600 Shadow Vlx
8.0/10
"The most sensible used cruiser under $3,500, full stop."
Pros
+Near-indestructible Honda reliability
+Massive used parts availability
+Comfortable all-day ergonomics
Cons
−Carbs gunk up when stored
−Fork seals leak with age
−Underpowered for highway cruising
Yamaha V-star 650
7.5/10
"The most reliable cheap cruiser you can buy used today."
Pros
+Virtually unbreakable drivetrain
+Low accessible seat height
+Massive cheap aftermarket support
Cons
−Buzzy above 70mph
−Weak stock suspension
−Carb gums when neglected