AI Damage2000 Yamaha XVS650: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Yamaha XVS650 filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and equipment. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 63% of all complaints
- 2 Equipment 13% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 13% of all complaints
- 4 Wheels 13% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (63% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Wheels: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While I choose to wear a helmet while operating my motorcycle I dod not want to be told that I will wear one.
While riding my motorcycle in 5th gear, the motorcycle makes a higher pitch sound. I took it the local dealership and I was informed that my 5th gear is beginning to disintegrate. I know that there have been reports in the past by other owners of the 2000 vstar 650.
2000 yamaha v-star 650 classic; only 8,000 odometer miles. Noticed several cracks or fractures in the rear wheel hub, which would cause the rear hub's to eventually break-up and potentially serious injury and/or death due to rear wheel lockup and handling difficulties.
My year 2000 yamaha 650 v-star makes a whine when I shift into 5th gear. It has been related to me as a definite saftey issue as possibly causing the bike to lock up in 5th gear. I have called one dealer where I know the service manager to ask if there is a recall on this issue.
Starts with a horrible whine when in 5th gear. According to yamaha dealers, caused by improper heat treating at manufacturer.
Consumer is concerned that six spokes broke or fell off motorcycle rear while driving 40-50 mph. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,899 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the XVS650 has 5 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 8, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Yamaha XVS650?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, equipment, suspension. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 Yamaha XVS650?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2000 Yamaha XVS650 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2000 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.