Motorcycle specifications YamahaXV 950 R (Bolt) 2018 Need for nothing, desire for sensations
presentation of the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018
just as the Japanese conglomerate's range of custom bikes has shrunk. Gone are the big twins bursting at the seams with cm3, at least in Europe. Only medium-displacement bikes are still allowed to squeeze in between the imposing American models. The playing field is still active, almost playful. With its 950 Bolt... sorry, XV 950, Yamaha has created the little troublemaker that has been missing from the Japanese custom segment. Uncluttered, raw and inspired by dry pleasure, this bobber is aimed at the essentials, and the market for Harley's 883 Sportster.
The standard version has been discontinued, and it's the R version, adapted to Euro4 standards, that will defend Yam's stronghold in the sector. Far from adding a racing touch, it offers a number of additional features. The Bolt R is equipped with separate-cylinder shock absorbers, which significantly improve comfort, an imitation buckskin seat, a colored stripe on the fuel tank and ABS as standard.
it's hard to believe that this machine is related to the 950 Midnight Star. Yet it shares the same 942 cm3 twin, albeit tweaked for a more urban feel. Slightly less powerful, it delivers its 52 hp a little earlier than on the cruiser, and its maximum torque is a little stronger. However, the apostolate is enjoyed in a different way. The Bolt's emphasis is on feel and vibration. The engine, which has no balancer, is rigidly mounted in the new double-cradle steel frame. This means it can distribute a few vibrations to good effect. But there's still a long way to go before we're talking about American-style pulsation... There's still a long way to go, since Japanese machines have a solid reputation for erasing mechanical flaws in their quest for perfection. Let's not grumble, though: this promises to be a playful, rebellious machine, perfectly suited to getting even more wild with customization exercises.
M.B - Photos Yamaha France
and Yamaha USA
by Greg
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Key facts Yamaha XV 950 R (Bolt) (2018) : What you need to know before you buy
Highlights
- Improved comfort
- Custom rebelle
- Customization base
Weak points
- Dominance of the H-D 883
- Optional passenger seat
Prices
| Basic version | |
|---|---|
 France |
9,699€
|
Performance
- Max speed : approximately 170 km/h (105.60 mph)
Specifications Yamaha XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018
- Chassis
- Frame : Double tubular steel cradle
- Fuel capacity : 12 liters (3.17 US gallons)
- Seat height : 690 mm (27.17 in)
- Length : 2,290 mm (90.16 in)
- Width : 830 mm (32.68 in)
- Min height : 1,120 mm (44.09 in)
- Wheelbase : 1,570 mm (61.81 in)
- Weight when fully loaded : 251 kg (553 lb)
- Front axle
- Telescopic fork Ø 41 mm, Wheel travel : 120 mm (4.72 in)
- Braking 1 disc Ø 298 mm (11.73 in), 2-piston caliper
- Front tire : 100 / 90 - 19 → Order this type of tire
- Pressure : 2.25 bar
- Transmission
- 5 stage gearbox
- Secondary belt drive
- Rear axle
- 2 lateral shock absorbers, Wheel travel : 70 mm (2.76 in)
- Braking 1 disc Ø 298 mm (11.73 in), single-piston caliper
- Rear tire : 150 / 80 - 16 → Order this type of tire
- Pressure : 2.5 bar
- Motor
- two-cylinder en V , 4 strokes
- Injection
- Cooling system : by air
- 1 ACT per cylinder
- 2 valves per cylinder
- 942 cc
- 52 ch (51.30 hp) to 5,500 rpm
- 8.10 mkg to 3,000 rpm
- Power-to-weight ratio : approximately 4.68 kg/ch
- Weight / torque ratio : approximately 29.62 kg/mkg
- Compression : 9 : 1
- Standard equipment
- Brake assist : ABS as standard
- Practical information
Used
Compare the XV 950 R (Bolt) to its competitors
Fuel consumption
Range
Torque
Power
Power-to-Weight ratio
Torque-to-Weight ratio
Speed
FAQ Your frequently asked questions about the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018
- What is the power of the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018?
-
The XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018 develops a power of 52 ch (51.30 hp)
- What is the torque of the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018?
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The maximum torque of the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018 is 8.10 mkg to 3,000 rpm.
- What is the maximum speed of the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018?
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The XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018 is capable of reaching a top speed of approximately 170 km/h (105.60 mph) on the track.
- What is the weight of the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018?
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The XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018 has a a weight when fully loaded of 251 kg (553 lb).
- QWhat is the seat height of the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018?
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To ensure good accessibility, the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018 offers a minimum seat height of 690 mm (27.17 in).
- What is the price of the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018?
-
The price of the XV 950 R (Bolt) 2018 is 9,699€ in France
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Bikers' reviews Leave a review - 54 reviews
i fitted a 180 rear tire Rating : 5/5 Respond to gégé241
I am about 2 months with my bolt, always the 2 defects for me a little too hard and the seal hardly comfortable.
When we look at the finish little plastic very good quality far above my previous vulcan.
When driving, the original noise is already quite loud.
The engine is torquey and very smooth, a real good custom
Hi friends .
Marco .
Rating : 4/5 Respond to Marco
I have big problems with my FREE WHEEL and I think it's going to fail me.
At 12,000 km on a 2014 Bolt, I find this outrageous. I've already had this problem on my 2006 Dragstar 1100 and I see that Yamaha has not evolved at all, it's a shame.
If I go to a garage, it will cost me nearly 700â'¬ for parts and labor
HAS ANYONE HAD THIS KIND OF BREAKDOWN WITH SO FEW KM?
Thank you Rating : 1/5 Respond to MaBet64
The torque is great, and the exhaust sounds great.
I'd say the only fault is that it's a bit stiff and the seat isn't very comfortable.
I had a 1200 sporster and the yam's engine is much smoother.
Rating : 5/5 Respond to Marco
I bought a Bolt in March 2016. I have nothing to complain about. Arrived at 20000kms, I made the revision as planned. Since then, although the dealer has "not touched" anything concerning the settings, when I decelerate or use the engine brake downhill, it systematically farted. This can be a succession of 3 or 4 bursts in the pot. I've taken it to the dealer 3 times for adjustment, but to no avail Apparently everything is done with a damn computer, even the carburetion....Does anyone have any idea about this problem? Thanks in advance and have a nice trip! Patrick Rating : 4/5 Respond to The Rebel
i bought mine in September 2017, a 2016 model, without ABS. I've always had sports cars, but you have to calm down with age, lol. But no, it rocks, a real dragster when you start it up, good roadholding and braking to watch out for without ABS, it blocks easily, it whistled more than once from the front. I've already done 5500 km with it in all weathers. In the wet, be careful, it slips a bit, I haven't uncluttered it all the way yet, akro exhaust and I've opened the air intake a bit more, you just have to cut a little cover behind the air filter to enlarge it. Otherwise, very good bike, very pretty, nothing to complain about in terms of comfort. No regrets, very versatile, in town or on the road. A nice noise that makes everyone turn around, for those who like to be noticed no prob. 180 easy. sorry c\'est interdit, I mean meter second, mdr. Very good choice for me, good road to all. Rating : 5/5 Respond to jean
As I don't have a lap counter, I have trouble knowing when to shift. Also, my new pot doesn't help me visualize correctly when to shift.
Basically, I shift into 1st, up to 30km/h in 2nd, up to 50km/h in 3rd, up to 70km/h in 4th and then branch off into 5th to do the rest.
What do you think? Should I go higher up the revs? How high do you go in each gear?
Thanks in advance. Rating : 4/5 Respond to Tristan D
if you want more information on the other gears, I'll let you know. Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
I recently bought a 2014 950 Bolt and I'm really happy with it !
I'm looking for a site that offers parts to customize the bike.
Do you have an address for me?
Thank you
Bonne route ! Rating : 5/5 Respond to Nino 59
for rider and passenger, but given the price, you have to be sure of the result. Rating : 4/5 Respond to coco 13
I'm thinking of buying a new bike and I've got several models in mind, including the XV 950. Have any of you been able to test the Duo with it? Because it's one of my criteria for riding with my wife (who doesn't have a motorcycle license)
Thank you in advance for your answers !!! ( if there are answers of course )
Tchô V Rating : 4/5 Respond to Jotaro
i have just acquired a used bolt equipped with a pot vance and hines purchased at 2700 KM overhauled by yamaha
i notice a noise like a rattle in the engine when you rev it up
rattling is maybe not the right word, maybe it's normal, the noise of the pistons?
the faster I go, the less I hear it, and my pot probably hides the sound from me.
the problem is that i'm focusing on it and it's worrying me
can anyone help me?
thanks in advance Rating : 4/5 Respond to cyril
The store where I bought it tells me it's normal... Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
yes everything is normal for yamaha it is the design of the engine which is so unleaded 98 attenuates this noise
after with my pot vance i don't hear anything := Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
My BOLT r Yamaha 2016 Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
Rating : 5/5 Respond to xav
Thank you for your help. Rating : 3/5 Respond to Edaile
i've just bought a used but almost new twin slash stagerred line
did you do a mapping adjustment once the twin slash was installed?
personally, I find that it backfires a lot below 70 km/h.
thanks for your feedback
Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
Mine is currently being transo'd at Yamaha and I'll be taking delivery in the spring. If you're curious, just drop in for a look Rating : 4/5 Respond to le rémois
cdt
Dom Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
I'm curious if you have pictures of your modifications, I'm interested, I'm getting ready to buy one, thanks in advance.
Richard Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
Dom Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
cdt
Dom Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
I'm 1m85 tall and have very long legs
Is this bike modifiable to accept tall people?
Thank you in advance for your answers
David Rating : 5/5 Respond to jahdav
This bike is a joy Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
i've had my Bolt for a year now and I've done 15,000 km without any problems. I'm also in Equatorial Africa, so there's a lot of heat and humidity without any problems Rating : 5/5 Respond to gege
i've had 3 HDs: a 1200, a 1450 and the 883
by the way, has anyone unblocked the 2nd airbox hole and if so, how?
Rating : 5/5 Respond to patoche
Thank you,
Hervé Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
i'm about to buy this machine, and after having ridden a 125, I have to get the licence for the big one
Do you think I'll have problems slaloming with the Bolt? Or with a bit of practice, should it work?
Thanks a lot! Rating : 5/5 Respond to DAlex
I'm looking for a way to reduce the noise from my new V pot Rating : 5/5 Respond to michel788
\"V\" gérald. Rating : 5/5 Respond to gerald 06
Don't hesitate for a minute!!!
Bonne route ! Rating : 5/5 Respond to Cellube
883 to Bolt 950
Smooth and economical fuel injection
A lot of stretch on the Bolt! You don't shift gears every 10 m in cool mode!
Yamaha maintenance much cheaper than Harley
But the Harley sound will always be inimitable !!!!
We should keep both !!!!! Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
this test is quite objective, nevertheless the top speed is much higher than announced, it is about 170 and not 150, as specified, 247 kg for the basic version for a power of 52.1 hp at 5500 rpm, there is only to make the account and compare with the motorcycles of the same category.
Best regards.
Moto Exaltation. Rating : 5/5 Respond to Moto Exaltation
It will be my first motorcycle
What do you think?
Good choice for a very first? Rating : 5/5 Respond to Simonet
So I tried it again and again, then sold my CB1000R, which I liked, but which lacked character, my dear roadster. The Bolt is a little-known motorcycle that raises questions and makes people react, so discreet is its branding, with a tank mat concealing the brand name.
It's a bike that needs a quick makeover, replacing the saddle with the bobber model of the same vintage and regaining acceptable comfort, and buying the accessories sold in the US and not in Europe that transform it. Two shortcomings remain: it's hard to turn (insufficient ground clearance), the turning radius requires anticipation, and the range is derisory without a fuel gauge. What I really needed was a slightly larger fuel tank, while retaining the teardrop shape (does anyone know of a crazy accessory maker who would dare to design such a thing?), an easy-to-read speedometer (I've moved it out of the way) with no stupid digital display (we miss the needles) and an integrated fuel gauge, and a fuel cap with an old-fashioned hinge, because where do you put it when you're refueling? I need to work and research these areas.
These are the only annoyances, for the rest, we live, we ride, far from pure speed, the simple pleasure of small roads, bends with torque and air, selfish pleasure because the duo is a bit complicated... The engine would have benefited from a little more power.
I wish you all the best on your Bolt or XV950, and one last detail: why do Europe have to have less attractive models in terms of color? Take a look at Yamaha in the US or Canada... Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
i installed a vance and hines twin slash line on my bolt and i'm tempted to put a kuryakyn hypercharger but since my new line is bigger than the original one i'm wondering if the hypercharger won't touch it!
has anyone tried it?
thanks in advance Rating : 4/5 Respond to fabien80
I've installed a 2 in 1 V Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
I found its looks discreet and nice, and its comfort decent.
I'm happy with it, it's a bike for local travel.
I like its torque and I'm having a great time on it.
The only downside is its rather limited turning radius.
All in all, it's a good machine that I'll be happy to take into the mountains. Rating : 4/5 Respond to Monjoli
The only complaint is that its range is a little short (200km).
For good comfort, set the springs to maximum, otherwise you're puncturing the shocks every time the road fails.
Grand V to all Rating : 5/5 Respond to roland
Rating : 5/5 Respond to steph
you're a "youngster" to me, but I recommend this purchase if you want to ride not too far from home and play with a torquey engine.
And I think you can negotiate the price significantly at Yamaha.
So, if you can, go for it!
Biker friends, Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
i've tried the HD pseudo copies, frankly a disaster
i was ready to buy a 48 or a 1200CA sporster. It's from Daude and overpriced, so I'm going back to Yam. What's more, it's much cheaper! Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
I'm thinking of buying the xv950!!!
Where did you find the exhaust line and how much did it cost?
If you have a picture I'm interested...
Rénald Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
Puig76@aol.com Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
I tried out the Harley Iron for comparison.
So, to sum up, I prefer the Yamaha because it's smoother on the engine and gearbox, holds the road better and is easier to manoeuvre. What I didn't like so much on the Harley was the lack of peachiness, but that's for sure not the same, roadholding and shock absorber, difficult to stop and find neutral.
For your information, the problem with the air filter on the right-hand side of the Yamaha Bolt can be solved by changing the air filter and cover (250 euros).
As far as I'm concerned, everything else on this bike is just about perfect, and it's great fun to ride.
The only snag for me is the price, which hurts my wallet!
Cdt, Rating : 5/5 Respond to blolo
No, the only thing that really stops me is the price, which is way too high. At 8500 euros with ABS it would be nice :)
So I'm off to HArley to try out the IRON, which is almost the same price, if not cheaper. Rating : 4/5 Respond to blolo
Sold for 9500â'¬, that's almost 1000â'¬ more than a new Iron with ABS negotiated at an HD dealership.
What a disappointment! Rating : 1/5 Respond to nio101
8500 for the R would be nice
Rating : 4/5 Respond to Le Gorille