Yamaha XV 950

Yamaha have unveiled their new “custom bobber” duo, the 2014/15 XV950R and XV950, both of which get styling inspired by Yamaha bikes of the 1980s and a 942cc air-cooled fuel-injected 8-valve V-twin that produces 80Nm of torque at 3,000rpm. “Compact and stylish, with a low seat height, the XV950 models deliver a refined and agile ride. Yamaha’s unique flat line style and use of exposed metal components accentuates the bike’s pure simplicity while the V-twin motor provides both spirited performance and unquestioned reliability,”

. “Stripped back and stylish, the XV950 model provides a perfect entry into the world of customisation while the XV950R injects a further element of sporting ability with twin ‘piggy back’ shock absorbers, a buckskin-look seat cover and the use of a painted stripe along the fuel tank,” it adds.

While the Yamaha XV950 and XV950R certainly look a few decades old, they do get a few modern bits – LED rear lamp, anti-lock brakes, ceramic composite plating inside the cylinder, forged aluminium pistons, new 3D maps for the ignition timing and fuel-injection, LCD instrument panel and a 2-into-1 exhaust system that fully noise and emissions norms compliant. With its double-cradle steel frame, 41mm forks, adjustable twin rear shocks, 298mm brake discs (both front and rear), 19-inch (front) and 16-inch (rear) wheels, and a newly designed belt-drive system that uses a carbonfibre core for improved rigidity, the XV950 is an interesting mix of the old and the new. Also, a range of accessories being offered by Yamaha – Akrapovic slip-on exhaust, mini-fairing, stiletto seat, stainless steel brake lines, performance air cleaner cover, wire-spoke wheels, and springer seat and fork cover etc – will probably ensure that XV950 buyers will be able to customize their machines the way they want.

Review

Yamaha call this culture ‘Sports Heritage’ which concentrates on the traditional values of motorcycling but allows for customisation. It’s been a popular concept in recent time: provide something simple in a template form (hence the attractive price) and the customer can decide if they’d like to enhance it.

We rode a fairly basic-spec bike for a couple of weeks with the only upgrade being the lengthy Akrapovic slip-on muffler, designed especially for the XV950, at the end of its two-into-one exhaust system down the right-hand side of the bike.

 turned-up noses and disapproving looks. It’s just a bit mild for my liking and that goes for the Yamaha’s ride too – for those who don’t look for extravagant performance or superb handling and instead prefer the gentler ride then this is for you. It won’t blow your brains out but it does the basics well and cruises around with minimal fuss. At home in the city as it is on the B-roads so long as they’re not too bumpy – the rear suspension is fairly non-existent.

It’s a good looking, simple and sporty creature on sale with a reasonable £7,199 price tag and which offers plenty of customisability if that’s what you’re into. The 12.2 litre fuel tank should give you a range of around 100 miles and the 51bhp will cease to increase your speed at an estimated 110mph but because the XV950 is an easy-cruiser there’s no need to worry about top speed. The motor is smooth meaning there’s no heavy vibrations, the gearbox is very slick and the clutch is light which is made for town-riding. There’s no ABS on the standard model but it is fitted to the ‘R’ – the lack of ABS is noticeable but you know what, it kinda fits with what the XV950 is all about.

The ignition key is in a traditional for a bobber below-the-fuel tank location and the instrumentation is kept deliberately simple albeit the digital, circular speedo in front of the tank seems out of place on the retro-feel bike.

Even though the belt-driven, five-speed XV950 is described as a bobber, the low-seated riding position (690mm) still allows your hip-to-knee to be parallel with the ground and knee-bend angle of sub 90 degrees. This in turn means that your feet aren’t stretched out in front and the two-part saddle provides a suitable and comfortable position to reach to the bars and its thicker-than-usual grips. However, being a bobber-based machine means a lean angle of nowhere-close-to-Mr-Marquez is required before you’re scraping the pegs and shearing away at those hero bolts. Be careful around those roundabouts. 

Overall, the bike in its simplest format is an easy-cruiser which is attractively priced, has a unique look, offers a smooth and simple ride and an ideal template which can be customised, or 'chopped', as much or as little as you like.

Source Bennetts