2001 Yamaha Xvs650 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:manual Transmission (2) · Wheels:rim (1) · Wheels (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Yamaha Xvs650 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (2)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2001-08-16 · M2001020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
information regarding service manual correction - connecting rod installation for models 1997-2002 xvs650 nlm
Unknown Or Other 2001-08-07 · M2001017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
information regarding service manual corrections - exhaust valve clearance specs for models 1998-2001 xvs650 and 1999-2001 xvs1100. nlm
What owners report
2008-11-13 · Seats:motorcycle“consumer passenger seat came a loose and consumer fell off while traveling at 55 mph. *nj the consumer received a recall letter from yamaha on april 16, 2007 but the letter was dated march 3, 2005. the consumer was informed the recall was sent to the original owner. the consumer stated the bike was purchased from a yamaha dealer so their names sh…”
2006-05-15 · Wheels:rim · 7,000 mi“dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 mph the motorcycle started wobbling without warning. the vehicle was moved off the road and towed to an independent repair shop where it was determined the spokes were loose on the rear rim. the independent mechanic recommended taking the motorcycle to a service dealer for inspection, but no arrangements …”
2006-05-15 · Wheels“dt*: the contact stated while driving 55mph eighteen of the rear wheel spokes snapped. although, the vehicle wobbled it was driven safely from the road. the short spokes became loose prior to the incident and were tightened at an independent repair shop. after the incident the wheel was replaced by the mechanic. *ak…”
2004-10-30 · Structure · 20,000 mi“the front fender on my 2001 yamaha v-star classic [xvs650an(c)] started making a squeaking noise from the front fender area. when i started looking for the reason for the noise i noticed that the fender had developed a crack on the right side right behind the shock. i'm sure that the crack occurred because of the vibration of the front fender durin…”
2004-05-10 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 4,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was traveling at >30 mph on paved surface road. i had just made a left turn and was going through gears to accelerate to cruising speed. a dog entered the roadway and i applied both brakes to slow down. rear brake immediately went into a lockup situation and wouldn't release, resulting in loss of control of the motorcycle and the broken leg i …”
2003-11-28 · Power Train:axle Hubs · 29,000 mi · 💥 crash“rear axle hub broke off while driving approximately 5 to 10 mph, causing the motorcycle to hit the rear end of another vehicle. *ak…”
2003-09-19 · Power Train:manual Transmission · 30,000 mi“i have a 2001 yamaha v-star 650 classic motorcycle. over time i began to hear a "major" howl coming from the engine area. yamaha claimed they had no info. on any howl problem!! later, on the yamaha v-star forum, i learned that there was a batch of 5th gears for the transmission, that were not heat treated correctly. as the gears got older... the…”
2003-09-03 · Power Train:manual Transmission“fifth gear had to be replaced on my 2001 yamaha v star 650 classic motorcycle at 7000 miles. while cruising in fifth gear you would hear a loud chattering sound coming from beneath the bike. the dealer who did the repair stated that the gear and the drive gear were deformed as if something had ran through them. there was never an accident but the d…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.