Final drive failure (differential) while moving on a straight country road, locking up briefly at 38,000 miles on the odometer with regular maintenance. And pinion bearings failed at 30,000 miles. This appears to be a very common problem with 650 v-stars, some known to fail under 15,000 miles often causing rear end lock up at high speeds.
The worst 2004 Yamaha XVS65 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission3
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission3
- Fuel system1
Recalls 2
Seats: motorcycle
- What is wrong
- On certain motorcyles, the original replacement mounting hardware holding the passenger seat to the fender could break if the mounting hardware is over tightened.
- Risk
- If the hardware breaks, the passenger seat can fall off the rear fender. The passenger could lose balance and fall, causing serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners may already have received a letter from yamaha dated march 3, 2005, about this defect. In order to provide an improved remedy to the repair of the previous recall, yamaha is recalling certain motorcycles again. Dealers will replace the hardware holding the passenger seat to the fender with components of a different type that will not allow the seat to fall off. The recall began on june 15, 2005. Owners may contact yamaha at 1-800-88-yamaha.
Recall number 05V256000 · Recall details
Seats: motorcycle
- What is wrong
- On certain motorcycles, the mounting hardware holding the passenger seat to the fender could loosen due to the passenger's weight shifting on the seat.
- Risk
- If the mounting hardware becomes loose enough to fall off, the passenger seat can fall off the rear fender. A passenger on the motorcycle could lose balance and fall, causing serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the passenger seat's mounting hardware free of charge. The recall began on march 4, 2005. Owners may contact yamaha at 1‑800‑227‑5963.
Recall number 05V067000 · Recall details
What 2004 Yamaha XVS65 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Bike drive failed at 16000 miles removed tire and rear drive assembly to inspect drive shaft and coupling. Coupling and rear gear assembly were completely stripped and lacking any signs of having ever been lubed even at the factory.
As many have witnessed, a bearing in the housing of the final drive has basically disappeared due to the design flaw/incorrect bearing used. I leaked oil, thankfully, and noticed before the rear wheel seized up. Why is this item not on recall?!?!?!
2004 yamaha v-star 650 motorcycle, riding at 55 MPH when gas cap fell apart and the top of the cap flew up and struck rider in the chest. Milage on the motorcycle is 5328 miles. Have remove parts from interior of gas tank and am trying to have it repaired. Light traffic, rider was very startled, caused bike to swerve.
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Questions about the 2004 Yamaha XVS65
Is the 2004 Yamaha XVS65 reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2004 Yamaha XVS65, 1.3 times a typical XVS65 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Yamaha XVS65?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints. Next is fuel system (1).
How many recalls does the 2004 Yamaha XVS65 have?
2 recalls, covering seats.
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