Yamaha unveils new Bolt 950

[Hillbilly]

Yamaha have unveiled their new 2014 Bolt 950 which will be available in the US from April this year. The bike is obviously designed to compete directly against the Harley-Davidson Sportster 883, and has the same engine and belt drive used on the current V-Star 950. Here's a look at the new Bolt 950:

[MIXONE]

I really like the look of that.Wonder what price they will be?

[Monkfish]

I wonder what kind of power to weight this will have? looks nice and light for a 950cc bike.

[Paul in NZ]

I wish they would do an XR style....

[MIXONE]

I wish they would do an XR style....

+1 ... :drool:

[Hitcher]

Don't get excited. These won't be available in New Zealand. Well certainly not through Yamaha New Zealand's "distributor". I was going to add "network" after "distributor" but more than two outlets would be needed for that to be true.

[Monkfish]

Taking a look on the star website, they come with alot of options.
good looking bike, I hope they do make it here

[Glowerss]

Nice looking bike, I dig the minimal amount of fuss thing it has going on.

But holy hell is that exhaust system butt fucking ugly. Looks like they stole it from a ninja 250 :lol:

[ratusratus]

copy cats....design ya own bloody bikes!!!

[Ocean1]

I wish they would do an XR style....

MT01?


Nice looking bike, I dig the minimal amount of fuss thing it has going on.

But holy hell is that exhaust system butt fucking ugly. Looks like they stole it from a ninja 250 :lol:

Does look reasonably clean, other than the zorst, but anything obviously sheetmetal looks tacky.

[Banditbandit]

copy cats....design ya own bloody bikes!!!

Yeah ... it's not quite a straight Harley copy - it looks pretty much what I would do to a Harley Didntson sportster ... 'cept that giant can is just ugly ..

[nudemetalz]

Yeah ... it's not quite a straight Harley copy - it looks pretty much what I would do to a Harley Didntson sportster ... 'cept that giant can is just ugly ..

I bet most of the new owners will change them for something more "authorative"...
"Bolt" on pipe...?? :rolleyes:

[GrayWolf]

MT01?



Does look reasonably clean, other than the zorst, but anything obviously sheetmetal looks tacky.

trouble is the MT is expensive still even S/hand, and in very limited numbers. Performance is about the same as an XR, slightly quicker, but in reality they are 'equal' performers.... I've ridden with the XR's a few times now,,,, if this goes anything like an XR/ it deserves to be a good seller

[AllanB]

Like the front wheel.

The front down tubes with that bend are just not working for me - ruins the lines of the bike IMO.

[awa355]

I wonder if they will get into Australia? That's where our nearest Yamaha dealer is located is't it :(

[Ocean1]

trouble is the MT is expensive still even S/hand, and in very limited numbers. Performance is about the same as an XR, slightly quicker, but in reality they are 'equal' performers.... I've ridden with the XR's a few times now,,,, if this goes anything like an XR/ it deserves to be a good seller

Yeah, and for me the comparison's always against one of the XB Buells. Haven't ridden either MT or XR, in spite of both lurking on my "maybe buy" list at one stage. I'd expect the MT01 to handle better, and that much extra capacity must be somewhat more useful?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Meh, having seen the new Indian motor, I'm waiting for a 2015 Scout. (by which time I might be able to afford it. Or a picture of it)

[GrayWolf]

Yeah, and for me the comparison's always against one of the XB Buells. Haven't ridden either MT or XR, in spite of both lurking on my "maybe buy" list at one stage. I'd expect the MT01 to handle better, and that much extra capacity must be somewhat more useful?


Both around the same weight XR/MT... MT has 'better'? forks/rear set up, but then they left it 'soft',, DUH! Mine has Ohlins rear/KSS tuned forks, and is noticeably better than a standard MT. Not a lot of difference between them for handling IMHO. It's a difficult call on performance really. The MT has 2/3 of the rev's of the XR, about 10-12 bhp less, but around 30ft lbs more torque.... The XR, feels 'buzzier/revvier/more willing' when ridden hard, the MT is a typical low revving 'big block' and simply 'torque powers' up the road. Bit like riding the 'old' Guzzi's you can feel it 'thumping' slowly, but look down at the speedo and think, Hmmmmm that's going at a fair old rate of knots.

[Road kill]

I wonder what kind of power to weight this will have? looks nice and light for a 950cc bike.

Sportster Iron = US$7999
55 foot pounds of Torgue @3000rpm

Bolt = US$7990
59 foot pounds of Torque @3500rpm

At first I sort of liked it then I saw some real life pic's.
Fuck it's ugly.

[AllanB]

Sportster Iron = US$7999
55 foot pounds of Torgue @3000rpm

Bolt = US$7990
59 foot pounds of Torque @3500rpm



If that's correct then why buy the Yammy? HD will hold it's value better and as much as I hate saying it 'is the real thing'.

[Road kill]

If that's correct then why buy the Yammy? HD will hold it's value better and as much as I hate saying it 'is the real thing'.

That's the very question being asked on the forum I stole the stats from "the Triumph RAT forum":rolleyes:.
I think it will come down to the old cruiser thing where a lot of people like the style but don't like Harley due to their image problem.
Plus at the end of the day it's just another bike a most people today don't give a shit about that "real thing" thing.

[AllanB]

That's the very question being asked on the forum I stole the stats from "the Triumph RAT forum":rolleyes:.
I think it will come down to the old cruiser thing where a lot of people like the style but don't like Harley due to their image problem.
Plus at the end of the day it's just another bike a most people today don't give a shit about that "real thing" thing.

I'd beg to differ as if you do a direct comparison between a HD and say one of Yammy, Suzukis top line cruisers the jap one often comes out on top for build quality, handling etc. But, they are not a 'Harley'.

Ditto the Victory HD comparison.

How often do you meet someone new (who does not ride) who when finding out you ride askes 'do you have a harley?' Image and marketing done extremely well.

I'm still adament that the Japanese should develop their own style of cruiser - branch away from the HD clone imaging, get inspiration from the USA drag bikes or similar. And a csuiser does not need to be a V twin!

[GrayWolf]

I'd beg to differ as if you do a direct comparison between a HD and say one of Yammy, Suzukis top line cruisers the jap one often comes out on top for build quality, handling etc. But, they are not a 'Harley'.

Ditto the Victory HD comparison.

How often do you meet someone new (who does not ride) who when finding out you ride askes 'do you have a harley?' Image and marketing done extremely well.

I'm still adament that the Japanese should develop their own style of cruiser - branch away from the HD clone imaging, get inspiration from the USA drag bikes or similar. And a csuiser does not need to be a V twin!

They did just that in the 1980's
the V-max wasnt the only 'power/drag cruiser' made

Yamaha FZ750 fazer
Suzuki Madura
Honda Magna
and I owned a ZL1000 Eliminator, which I think was the prettiest of the lot
outside the USA apart from the Max, they just either never took off, or possibly they just didnt try to market them very well. The ruddy Virago and VT1100 out sold the other Max equivalents :(

[Road kill]

I'd beg to differ as if you do a direct comparison between a HD and say one of Yammy, Suzukis top line cruisers the jap one often comes out on top for build quality, handling etc. But, they are not a 'Harley'.

Ditto the Victory HD comparison.

How often do you meet someone new (who does not ride) who when finding out you ride askes 'do you have a harley?' Image and marketing done extremely well.

I'm still adament that the Japanese should develop their own style of cruiser - branch away from the HD clone imaging, get inspiration from the USA drag bikes or similar. And a csuiser does not need to be a V twin!

You beg to differ on what ?

Mate,,your talking/arguing with the wrong person,,,I don't care one way or the other.
All I said is some people like the style but don't like Harley,who the fuck said anything about quality ?

And your adament they should copy yet another idea of somebody elses,,,hell yeah that makes sense:lol:

How often do I get asked if I ride a Harley ?,,,never,,,but it's only been 40 years so there's still time.

[AllanB]

How often do I get asked if I ride a Harley ?,,,never,,,but it's only been 40 years so there's still time.

Seriously? - happens all the farking time to me. Must hang out with a different crowd.

[Kickaha]

Seriously? - happens all the farking time to me. Must hang out with a different crowd.

Frequently, last time it happened was Wednesday

[Subike]

Try dating, every bird you tell you ride a bike says, Oh a harley!!!
fuck, I want to get one just so dating new chic's dose not become a story on why I dont.
Aside from that, I think this little bike looks good.
Looking forward to seeing some performance tests.
As a side note, I was looking at a Yamaha Warrior this past week that somebody has just imported from usa.
A very nice piece of equipment indeed.

[leathel]

Try dating, every bird you tell you ride a bike says, Oh a harley!!!
fuck, I want to get one just so dating new chic's dose not become a story on why I dont.
Aside from that, I think this little bike looks good.
Looking forward to seeing some performance tests.
As a side note, I was looking at a Yamaha Warrior this past week that somebody has just imported from usa.
A very nice piece of equipment indeed.

Just tell them you ride a Harley....they wont know the difference most of the time..... Its a Yamaha or Honda or Suzuki model Harley :lol:

[Subike]

Just tell them you ride a Harley....they wont know the difference most of the time..... Its a Yamaha or Honda or Suzuki model Harley :lol:

Mate the girls that I associate with DO know the difference.

They are not the post adolesent bimbos from milk bars with beesting tits and shapless asses.

[GrayWolf]

Just tell them you ride a Harley....they wont know the difference most of the time..... Its a Yamaha or Honda or Suzuki model Harley :lol:


Mate the girls that I associate with DO know the difference.

They are not the post adolesent bimbos from milk bars with beesting tits and shapless asses.

Simple answer is, if they are the 'brainless' bimbo's (young or old) that have swallowed the marketing bullshit, hook line and sinker? Are they the ones you'd WANT to be dating, anyway?

[Berries]

It would depend on the size of her knockers wouldn't it? Not trying to be sexist or anything.

[Monkfish]

And a csuiser does not need to be a V twin!

Triumph T-Bird
Triumph T-Bird Storm
Triumph Rocket 3
Triumph America
Triumph speedmaster

Not a single v-twin.

I prefer Cruisers that are not HD copies, and there are many more examples of cruisers that are not v-twin

[Hillbilly]

Yamaha are definitely giving Harley-Davidson a "run for their money" with the release of the new 1900cc Raider SCL. Compare that to the 1800cc H-D CVO Breakout:

[Monkfish]

Yamaha are definitely giving Harley-Davidson a "run for their money" with the release of the new 1900cc Raider SCL. Compare that to the 1800cc H-D CVO Breakout:

Maybe :lol:

If it were me though, and I had the choice of two bikes that looked that similiar. I would take the "Original" HD every time. I doubt that, unless that yammy is half the price, it will make any difference at all to HD sales.

[Hillbilly]

2013 Yamaha Raider SCL - US MSRP Price: $19,990

2013 Harley-Davidson FXSBSE CVO Breakout - US MSRP Price: $26,499

[Monkfish]

2013 Yamaha Raider SCL - US MSRP Price: $19,990

2013 Harley-Davidson FXSBSE CVO Breakout - US MSRP Price: $26,499

:eek5: that does make things interesting.

[Paul in NZ]

Triumph T-Bird
Triumph T-Bird Storm
Triumph Rocket 3
Triumph America
Triumph speedmaster

Not a single v-twin.

I prefer Cruisers that are not HD copies, and there are many more examples of cruisers that are not v-twin

Triumph T-Bird
Triumph T-Bird Storm
Triumph America
Triumph speedmaster

All use 270 deg cranks to make the engine act like a V twin... hmmmmmm

[Monkfish]

Triumph T-Bird
Triumph T-Bird Storm
Triumph America
Triumph speedmaster

All use 270 deg cranks to make the engine more torquey.

Fixed for ya.

You see a cruiser relys on having lots of low end torque... tis the nature of the beast.

Triumph figured out that by increasing the firing order to 270 degs they could increase the Torque figures dramatically. They did this even though the 865cc speedmaster and america, actually lost almost 11HP. compared to the bonnie and thruxton, (same engine).
However this gives the preferred acceleration and "Low end" that the cruisers needed to deal with the extra weight........ Hmmmmmmm

The sound it made and the V-twin characteristics, were probably on their mind. but your suggestion is simply wrong. they didnt use the firing order with the 270 crank to simply mimick the V-twin. sorry just needed more torque.

[Paul in NZ]

Fixed for ya.

You see a cruiser relys on having lots of low end torque... tis the nature of the beast.

Triumph figured out that by increasing the firing order to 270 degs they could increase the Torque figures dramatically. They did this even though the 865cc speedmaster and america, actually lost almost 11HP. compared to the bonnie and thruxton, (same engine).
However this gives the preferred acceleration and "Low end" that the cruisers needed to deal with the extra weight........ Hmmmmmmm

The sound it made and the V-twin characteristics, were probably on their mind. but your suggestion is simply wrong. they didnt use the firing order with the 270 crank to simply mimick the V-twin. sorry just needed more torque.

No shit? Thanks - Wow - who woulda thought.........

[Monkfish]

No shit? Thanks - Wow - who woulda thought.........

Ummmm,

Triumph T-Bird
Triumph T-Bird Storm
Triumph America
Triumph speedmaster

All use 270 deg cranks to make the engine act like a V twin... hmmmmmm

obvioulsy not you.. :lol::lol::lol:


Sent from atop a stone bridge, laughing at the troll below.

[Tigadee]

However this gives the preferred acceleration and "Low end" that the cruisers needed to deal with the extra weight........ Hmmmmmmm

Something's being implied here, but I'm not 100% sure what....

:scratch: :nya:

[pzkpfw]

Something's being implied here, but I'm not 100% sure what....

:scratch: :nya:

Tassles and chaps are heavier than they look?

[Pickle]

Will have the new Bolt in shop in approx 2 weeks time, will have an R as the demo (In Canberra)

[laserracer]

Ok love the look of the bike..the only thing that spoils it for me..are the stupidly small header pipes looks like they came off a morris minor
if you are gonna make it look tuff why not give it some man sized header pipes

[george formby]

Fixed for ya.

You see a cruiser relys on having lots of low end torque... tis the nature of the beast.

Triumph figured out that by increasing the firing order to 270 degs they could increase the Torque figures dramatically. They did this even though the 865cc speedmaster and america, actually lost almost 11HP. compared to the bonnie and thruxton, (same engine).
However this gives the preferred acceleration and "Low end" that the cruisers needed to deal with the extra weight........ Hmmmmmmm

The sound it made and the V-twin characteristics, were probably on their mind. but your suggestion is simply wrong. they didnt use the firing order with the 270 crank to simply mimick the V-twin. sorry just needed more torque.

Yes um. The torque figures bear you out but, I just had a look see at the TDM's, well ahead of this game since the mid 90's. The MKI is renowned for it's bottom end & pull, the MKII & the 900 both, are a bit snatchy & possibly badly fueled as standard at the bottom end. Less tug as it were. The latter both 270 degree cranks. More to it I suspect.

Just musing, don't beat an ignorant man.

[ellipsis]

...looks cool...but it aint a Sportster, ever...and as a Sportster is pretty much the girls HD in many peoples eyes, which market is it aimed at I wonder?...

[Madness]

http://www.rolandsands.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/RSD-Yamaha-Bolt-9.jpg

[Madness]

http://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1377627_650625688301440_325473644_n.jpg

[Road kill]

That yellow one looks the biz.

New bike for Motu:clap:

[Pickle]

Well we got 2 of the new Bolt's in, standard & the R, R is the demo so had to take it for a quick ride this morning.
First impression - this thing is low even I can touch the ground both sides, riding position is good not laid back like a cruiser not lean forward like a sport bike, power is smooth building as the revs come up (this bike had 0 kms on it before I went for ride) should get better with more Kms, definetly not a sports bike in the handling dept but easier than a cruiser to corner on, didnt really give it heaps or pitch it into corners - that can wait for another ride.
Overall its a good bike, would I buy one - probably not I like to get into the corners more than this bike would allow & ground clearance would become an issue, maybe if I wanted to just cruise around then Yes

[ellipsis]

...how much do they retail for here?...

[Pickle]

The standard retails $13000 & the R $13500 on the road (Australia), not sure if NZ even got them yet

[Road kill]

Well we got 2 of the new Bolt's in, standard & the R, R is the demo so had to take it for a quick ride this morning.
First impression - this thing is low even I can touch the ground both sides, riding position is good not laid back like a cruiser not lean forward like a sport bike, power is smooth building as the revs come up (this bike had 0 kms on it before I went for ride) should get better with more Kms, definetly not a sports bike in the handling dept but easier than a cruiser to corner on, didnt really give it heaps or pitch it into corners - that can wait for another ride.
Overall its a good bike, would I buy one - probably not I like to get into the corners more than this bike would allow & ground clearance would become an issue, maybe if I wanted to just cruise around then Yes

Pretty much what I thought.
Good motor compromised by style.

Could be very nice but:scratch:

[Wayz]

Pffft no glory in making a straight copy of the HD Iron, and then there is the v(rod)max, c'mon Yamaha give it up!:tugger:

[Ender EnZed]

Pffft no glory in making a straight copy of the HD Iron, and then there is the v(rod)max, c'mon Yamaha give it up!:tugger:

The first V-Max came out in 1985. That's a fair bit before Harley made anything similar.

[Subike]

Pffft no glory in making a straight copy of the HD Iron, and then there is the v(rod)max, c'mon Yamaha give it up!:tugger:

In 79 the top Yammy was good for 11.12 sec quarter miles from the shop floor,
Where was the HARLEY? Almost bankrupt, almost just a legend....AMT?
Yamaha has lead the way in many areas of motorcycle improvements,
82, was the beginning of the Yamaha Vee twin attack, Harley have been playing catchup ever since.
Go take a MT-01 for a ride. Or a Warrior. Harleys are good bikes, its just Yamaha do it better..
And Yes I am Bias, having owned both, I know which one I prefer.

[Wayz]

My first bike was an old Yamaha TT when I was 14, always loved them....just not their latest copy cat designs and styling.

[GrayWolf]

My first bike was an old Yamaha TT when I was 14, always loved them....just not their latest copy cat designs and styling.

Just as a wee sidenote.. Yamaha did the FIRST 'factory custom' with the old XS650 special/heritage custom.... that was back in the 70's.
The 'other' factory custom was the (Vetter) Hurricane Triumph Trident, that wasn't originally a 'factory custom'.

[Madness]

And Yes I am Bias, having owned both, I know which one I prefer.

The Keeway, right? :facepalm:

[ellipsis]

...I think it is cool...being a motorcycle freak and not a brand freak makes life less angst ridden...the tracker versions that Madness posted pics of are extremely beautiful and I would easily slide one into my shed to hang with the Hondas and Suzukis and other shit I own...I can agree with the Yammy V-Twin sentiment that Subike raised...the XV750 that I raced in a dirt mode for years would have to be one of the toughest motors I have ever had the pleasure to try and fuck...I loved my DT400 also, but thats a different story...

[AllanB]

The irony with the whole cruiser thing and shouts of HD clones is that HD actually have not invented the cruiser - they just have not significantly changed their styling from the original 50's bikes. Nothing wrong with that but 'claiming' a 'look' that was just period correct in it's day is hardly on.

It would be like Honda saying that they pretty much globalised the IL4 layout so all others are a wannabe. (yeah yeah others had IL4's before but not to such success).

I know - did Honda invent the leak free motorcycle? - better claim that too.

[Road kill]

The irony with the whole cruiser thing and shouts of HD clones is that HD actually have not invented the cruiser - they just have not significantly changed their styling from the original 50's bikes. Nothing wrong with that but 'claiming' a 'look' that was just period correct in it's day is hardly on.

It would be like Honda saying that they pretty much globalised the IL4 layout so all others are a wannabe. (yeah yeah others had IL4's before but not to such success).

I know - did Honda invent the leak free motorcycle? - better claim that too.

Your spot on there.

The names cruiser,sportbike,adventure bike were all invented by the Japs for Jap bikes.

Bikes like HD,Ducati,motoguzzi,Triumph ect ect are simply what they always have been.

The Japs needed more acceptable names for their many clones of other bikes so they could claim,,,,,,something.

Fuck knows what.

[Theantidote]

if i had 13k to spend on a bike i'd probably go a good looking sporty but that's just cause i have some freakin romantic notions about harleys history that means jack shit today...but if the bolt were a couple of k less then it would b a no brainer for me...
i think the bolts styling is what it is, a factory style bobber with no end of options if you have the money...saves non mechanical/engineery peeps like me the hassle of cutting shit off and welding shit on to get what we want...no shame in that...

[Theantidote]

Your spot on there.

The names cruiser,sportbike,adventure bike were all invented by the Japs for Jap bikes.

Bikes like HD,Ducati,motoguzzi,Triumph ect ect are simply what they always have been.

The Japs needed more acceptable names for their many clones of other bikes so they could claim,,,,,,something.

Fuck knows what.

i always thought some of their cruiser names were some what gay...thinking the anal INTRUDER for one...and then the STEAD just sounds kinda like a village people name...there were others that i've lost in a haze of too many smokes...

[st00ji]

i wonder what the motorbike industry would look like today if the japanese had never gotten involved.

a lot leakier, rustier, and less reliable would be my guess.

[AllanB]

I'd propose the term 'sport bike' was in direct relationship to the Jap bikes - I don't remember it in use before the first 86 GSXR750 arrived and the flood of Japanese 'sport bikes' followed. Prior to that the japs built - well, naked jap bikes! Chucked a bikini fairing on to sport em up - think evolution from Z900 to Z1R.

The others were just as noted above - 'Ducati' (you could only buy a sporty Ducati) was a 'Ducati', Harley was (and still is) a 'Harley', Triumph was ...... on it's death bed ........ back from the grave now and laying claim to the first 'factory' Street Fighter.

I'm not big on 'names' despite owning a Hornet! in the states the Hornet name is trademarked to the car so they were a Honda 919 over there - (919cc) - I prefer that.

[Dangsta]

copy cats....design ya own bloody bikes!!!

Isn't that what Indian Motorcycles said about HD:devil2:

[AllanB]

Isn't that what Indian Motorcycles said about HD:devil2:

Ah now the 'new' (version 9?) Indian is a interesting one - fresh start but harking back to the 'glory days' - is it a HD copy given that company is Indians target market?

[Monkfish]

Anyone know what price they will be here, and when they arrive?

[Edbear]

Anyone know what price they will be here, and when they arrive?

Yamaha had a stand at HD last weekend and they are $14k. I think they are available, I didn't ask. I was very impressed with the Bolt after seing it in the metal. The only thing I would probably change would be the muffler, the rest looked great.

[Monkfish]

Yamaha had a stand at HD last weekend and they are $14k. I think they are available, I didn't ask. I was very impressed with the Bolt after seeing it in the metal. The only thing I would probably change would be the muffler, the rest looked great.

Nice, I wonder if they are targeting the "Hipster" crowd?
I know they're targeting the Sporster but that also puts it in direct price comparison with the Bonneville and other naked street bikes.

[ellipsis]

...saw it at HD last weekend also...kind of cool...my missus loves the pipe...she's a sportster rider like me...takes all sorts...

[Theantidote]

It seems to be here...the bolt is pure japanese factory bobber style...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-658918514.htm

I still think they look freaking cool...but the price guys come on...a bit over the top...at that price i'll wait a few years and pick 1 up 2nd hand for a more realistic price...

[AllanB]

I'd propose that it is a very competitive price significantly under the Harley Sporty, Bonneville, America and Moto Guzzi.

[Madness]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/157304-Yamaha-unveils-new-Bolt-950

Cheaper than I expected, I must say.

[pzkpfw]

The ugliest bits on a Harley (cheap joke about rider avoided) are the bits that hold up the rear mudguard, and the front down-pipe bits of the frame.

On this thing, they got both of those much better.


(Disclaimer: I don't know the whole HD range, and maybe there's one that's also got those bits right.)

[JafaSaffer]

Anyone know what price they will be here, and when they arrive?

Bayride has a demo one in stock: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=622425401134429&set=a.115896865120621.6778.115888418454799&type=1&theater

[Theantidote]

I'd propose that it is a very competitive price significantly under the Harley Sporty, Bonneville, America and Moto Guzzi.

saw hd sporty all blacked out alongside the bolt...hd was cheaper on the day and the finishing on the bolt was a bit shit really...still looked good but still to pricey for what it really is...