2000 Yamaha XVS650 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 63%of 8 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,118miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2000 Yamaha XVS650, 63% of the 8 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,118 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. He called Yamaha for me and told me I was out of luck. I would like to go on record with this issue and hopefully seek some remedy as it has been widely documented on the isra forum. I am concerned for myself as well as my passengers. Please help.”
NHTSA complaint #10037010, filed 2003-09, 12,000 miles“2000 Yamaha v-star 650 motorcycle. 5th gear pitting, potential to break apart and cause catastrophic injury related to loss of gear and transmission lockup while riding. Starts with a horrible whine when in 5th gear. According to Yamaha dealers, caused by improper heat treating at manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #10036965, filed 2003-09, 8,000 miles“I have a 2000 650 v-star Yamaha motorcycle. The fifth gear in the transmission is deffective. Makes a very loud screaching and squeeling noise. Through other Yamaha 650 owners via the internet having the same problem, mine has been diagnosed.”
NHTSA complaint #10037166, filed 2003-09, 28,000 miles“Yamaha installed improperly heat treated 5th gears in the 1999/2000 Yamaha vstar motorcycles. These gears prematurely wear down and can cause the transmission to lock up and cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10036692, filed 2003-08, 24,235 miles“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. I am curious to know why, when there is such an obvious defect with a vehicle, there has been no investigation regarding this matter. The service advisor knew exactly what the problem was as soon as I told him it was 2000 year vstar. He took the motorcycle for a test ride and provided me with the same opinion. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162756, filed 2006-07Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2000 Yamaha XVS650
← All problems reported for the 2000 Yamaha XVS650
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology