My close friend has a V-Star I run about neck and neck with him on my 2001 Savage. Granted he has experience under his belt so I suppose that's what keeps him out in front for now.
Yeah his V-Twin runs smooth, yeah those pipes give it more of a Harley sound. But...
My bike has more of an angry growl than a wannabe Harley sound. Mine sputters, poofs, spits, pops, and downright refutes wanting to slowdown to let him keep up. First time for the day you take her over 60 and close the throttle she lets out a big kerpow to let you know she's getting excited. Through big rolling turns you can feel every power stroke of the 652 cc cylinder as she grits her teeth with discipline waiting for the point in the curve where she can tear off. And finally, her belt gives a satisfying and harmonizing whine as you work your way up through the gears. That is, if you can hear it over the V-Star laboring to carry its clunky not so cool shaft drive
Point is, I love how raw and simple this bike is. It vibrates, it backfires, and it snarls. It really lets you know it's an engine. but in the end, its all harnessed by the smoooth belt drive. Quite a package! Needless to say the look was priceless on my friend's face when we found that 652 cc stamp on my engine and he realized mine was bigger.