If you do go for an early model, shoot for 2000 and above, because they'd gotten most of the production bugs worked out by then. There's nothing glaringly wrong with the earlier models that really stands out over the later. I have a 99 and so far I have not felt like there was anything that the later bikes have that I wish I'd got.
Don't let the recall issue scare you away. Like someone mentioned, it's like getting a freshly rebuilt motor, because that's basically what they do. Do some digging around and you can find exactly what they replace. You can tell if a bikes recall service has been done by looking at the VIN stamped into the steering collar of the frame. [Not the sticker with the VIN... ] There will be a * stamped above the VIN if it's been done. You can also call Yamaha with the VIN and they'll tell you when it was done. If it hasn't been done, you are entitled to have the work performed for free.
As far as charging system, I've not had any issues with mine. But something to consider is, you can change pretty much *anything* on these bikes, so if you get an earlier one and want the later charging system or brakes, etc., it's easy enough to do.
My one big recommendation that I wish I'd considered is to get the best base bike you can find, i.e. don't take one with all the extras you want with higher mileage over a bare bones model that's newer or has lower mileage. You're going to change everything eventually, it's an affliction with owning a Roadstar,
so start with the best foundation.
The Roadstar is unlike any other bike I've owned in that you can't just leave it alone, you WILL make modifications to personalize it. That's one great thing about the Roadstar, they have many personalities, just look at the sig picts on this forum. So use Google and this site to get ideas and see what kind of Roadstar *you want* style wise, i.e. bagger, bobber, tourer, chopper, etc. and go from there.
All things being equal, if you find a good example mileage and age wise, then try and get one with as many of the bits you want already on it, i.e. pipes, bags etc. because individually, the cost of those does get expensive very quickly. So let someone else pay for it.
Most of all, have fun with the process. Cheers and welcome to the club!
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Stress disappears faster in my rearview mirrors than anything else. 
You mean mines not stock?
