Destino Custom Garage - 57 / Yamaha V-Star 650

    

" Just don't tell " Destino " being a learner shouldn't come with such street cred..."


As I first approached the Destino's 57 my mind became overwhelmed with so many questions...

Could this really be a learner legal bike ?
How will it feel and can it handle  ?
And most importantly, how will it make me feel out on the open road ?
 
At first sight you may struggle to pickup that once upon a time this custom bobber started it's life as a standard Yamaha V-Star 650.... I instantly know the photo's won't do the custom paintwork anything close to justice, so you'll have to trust me that the paint work is out of this world...Hats off to their in-house painter, only known as the " Stig "...
 
As I walk around the bike I am instantly taken back to my childhood,  watching such shows as " Happy Days " and all time cult movies like the ever so fashionable " Grease ". Images of the ultra cool Fonzie on his personally modified ride after spending endless hours in the garages tinkering, cleaning & polishing his dreams until his knuckles turned white, come rushing into my mind...
 
Once I sat on the 57, my initial thoughts lead to how comfortable and natural it feels. Although the V-Star 650 has the hard tail bobber appearance with it's custom leather seat, Yamaha have cleverly hidden a central rear shock tucked underneath the rider, which plays it's part well. No doubt this is a feature the Destino team have used to their advantage in their design of this bike, ensuring no visible rear shocks spoil the overall theme...
 
I should say I was pleasantly surprised this natural seating position held my 6ft frame so well, with no issues in reaching for the custom handle bars, as I concluded my initial set up of the bike. 

Getting to Know You
 
With all minor adjustments out of the way it was now time to fire up the engine that has served the V-Star 650 range of bikes so well.
 
As I fired her up, the bike gave a roar underneath me as if standing to attention. The powerful yet reassuring roar came courtesy of the twin after market pipes which the Destino's team has so gracefully wrapped. The one thing that is clear at this early stage is this bike really does seem the part, with every level of detail covered from the sublime 57 inspired paint work, the custom bars and mirrors, the leather bobber seat and right down to the color coordinated number plate ....Would white walls complete the picture ? Maybe if you were looking for a softer touch. 


As I take off, with my hands wrapped firmly around the shorter yet chunky custom bars, I am taken back by the power of this bike for what fits into the learner category.  Surely this can't be a learner bike.  Now the power figures may just be nudging 40hp for these v-twin 650's, but that doesn't tell the whole story as there is more than ample torque ( puling power ) from idle with a sweet spot in the mid range and this would be enough to keep an experience rider interested - let allow those newest to riding...

Once cruising, the riding position suited my frame perfectly, with my feet rested comfortably on the pegs, I felt as fresh as the moment I first prompted the start button, after many hours out on the open road. This would read the same for the women amongst us, with the seat height suited to all not playing in the NBL.

With the Yamaha's low center of gravity this bike handles extremely well, especially flowing through winding sections of your favourite road or around your local area for that matter and if your pegs are hitting the ground, well you just may be on the wrong style of bike for you.

For me, I did find that the speedometer being based on the large 16 litre fuel tank took some getting used to, however if you are accustomed to cruisers or this is your first bike, then this would be all within your game plan.

Finally I could not tell the difference riding this shaft driven bike verses riding one with a chain, however with no chain, the Destino / Yamaha V-Star 650 offers lower maintenance benefits, and importantly doesn't throw chain grease all over you and your pride and joy. 

Summary

All in all, Destino's 57, Yamaha V-Star 650 is a fantastic learner legal bike ( and then sum ), that will have you living your dreams without the price tag of a ground up build, yet has the quality of all things Japanese.

Truth be known, I couldn't get J-Mac to let go of the keys ( typically a sports bike rider ) and in the words of his wife
" this makes your bike's look like rubbish " Ouch ! 

Finally, don't be fooled into taking the V-Star 650 lightly, as there is no doubt it is more than the sum of it's parts and certainly punches well above it's weight. ( For those interested in the specifications of the V-Star 650 we've posted this at the foot of the page )
 

Trust me if you happen to let the team at the Destino Custom Garage loose, be warned you will be addicted to their workmanship and ideas they will instill on your customised ride.


Should you have any reviews that you would like T2W's to undertaken, or have a product you would like T2W's to review, please contact info.torquing2wheels@gmail.com , after all it is you that we are here for...  

        

 Yamaha V-Star 650




 Specifications

Dimensions

Chassis