i have the sabre myself, it is a wonderful bike and if found myself taking turns as if i were on a race bike, it handles very well, from the factory the rear shocks are set on setting 2, turn em up to 4. i definatly recomend swapping out the seat thought. it sucks. and isnt very comfortable. the down side to the bike is that the after market world is more into the 1300 and 1800, hondas. you wont have that problem with the v star. and it does only get about 35 to 40 miles a gallon, my recomendation get the v star.