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You're hitting 500lbs with the Vstar 650 (heaviest of any mentioned and ~175lbs heavier than the Vstar 250), and getting 35hp/39ft/lb torque. The Vulcan 500 has 40hp/30ft/lb of torque, and the Suzuki 650 has 33hp/36 torque. They're all the same class of bike, but the Suzuki should feel faster leaving from a dead stop (low weight, high torque) and the Kawasaki the fastest top speed (highest HP, middle ground on weight). But they're so close to the same that you could hop from one to another without noticing much difference in overall performance.
I rode a Honda Rebel for 5 years. Rode freeway to work often, 28 miles commute one way. I rode 65-75MPH and kept up with right lane traffic easily. Vstar 250 is very similar in performance, may have just a bit more ooomph than the Rebel from what I have heard.
My brother had a BMW F650. Very nice bike but service and parts are very expensive.
I have always lovd the vstar series of bikes though I have limited experience riding them. I know lots of people aren't crazy abou thtem say not that quick and don't handle that well compared to other comprable bikes. I like the style and they have a low seat heeight which I like being a little on the shorter side.
DOn't feel pinned down by starting on a smaller bike its really not necessary. I started out riding a Suzuki VS800 aka intruder so an 805cc bike and though it was maybe a bit big for starting on I had no problems and took my time learning on side streets and parking lots before venturing out onto the road.
My bike is 805cc but still really light like 440 pounds which is almost too light, ona windy day or next to trucks I really get whiped around and many times have wished for a heavier bike.
My bike is 805cc but still really light like 440 pounds which is almost too light, ona windy day or next to trucks I really get whiped around and many times have wished for a heavier bike.
What you're experiencing is a function of you, as the rider, not the bike. Typically it's from being stiff/clenched up (you know, a death grip on the bars, all your muscles in contraction, typical when afraid) and is easily mitigated by just relaxing and loosening up. You shouldn't be "gripping" the bars, simply resting your hands there. Similarly, if you can't "flap" your elbows up and down, your arms are too tight. Wind will move around all motorcycles, of all weights, with little difference between them (speaking as someone who has to test-ride a lot of bikes and who was born/raised/worked in Windoming... er, Wyoming). The biggest difference in is in center of gravity, cruisers tend to have them lower which leads to a feeling of stability (as a cost of maneuverability), standards and dual sports are fairly neutral and sporting vehicles have a high center of gravity which leads to their more nervous (but highly flick-able) nature.
Anyway, wind issues are better than 90% rider related with most of it falling into the "too tense" category and the remainder simply experiencing it so you stop thinking about it. It's like riding in the rain, do it enough and you simply adjust your riding to account for the loss of traction and carry on as you would on any other day.
Ride a small bike at 65-70 before buying one. This is just my experience. On two lane roads they are fine. On the interstate they are something quite different. The buffering can be unnerving at times. If you are going to do interstate riding IMO you are better off getting a bigger bike and just riding it easy.
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