With several large displacement cruisers already available, Yamaha is putting the big-inch battle on hold to focus on middleweight cruisers. After launching the liquid-cooled V-Star 1300 a year ago, the Japanese manufacturer strikes back for 2009 with the all-new V-Star 950. Easier to tame than a Yamaha XV 1900, this newcomer will appeal to riders looking for user-friendliness, affordability and (just) enough power to enjoy safe, two-up thrills.


Elegant
The design of the 2009 V-Star 950 is not revolutionary, but it's still a fresh take on the traditional cruiser. Judicious proportions and sleek lines give the bike a certain elegance; in fact, it looks like a cross between the XV 1900 and a Stratoliner S. With this model, Yamaha is directly targeting the highly-popular Kawasaki VN 900.

As evidenced by the success of the V-Star 1100 and the entire Star lineup, the company seems to have found the perfect recipe to create a functional yet stylish cruiser. The new V-Star 950 is no exception, using a simple approach for an effective product. Special attention was paid to details like the extensive chrome accents, full-size, "floating-type" rider floorboards, 18-inch front and 16-inch rear aluminum wheels as well as the bold new instrument panel mounted on the fuel tank.

Modern Engine
The all-new, air-cooled V-twin powering the 2009 V-Star 950 generates 54 horsepower and maximum torque at only 3,000 rpm. The cylinder heads feature 4 valves per cylinder while the fuel injection system uses two 35-mm throttle bodies and a throttle position sensor. Newly-designed, 4-hole, 2-directional spray Denso fuel injectors (one per cylinder) ensure great fuel economy.

Yamaha engineers claim to have enhanced the riding feel thanks to a "dual stage type" muffler that produces a throaty exhaust note. The extremely-low engine position and lack of balancing shaft primarily aim to reduce the overall weight and give the engine more "presence". As an added plus, the V-Star 950 uses a low-maintenance, clean and quiet belt for final drive.

A mere look at the list of features shows that the new 950 makes no compromises. With a generous size, a relaxed riding position and one of the lowest seat heights in its class, the new 2009 V-Star 950 will make friends among riders of all sizes. Yamaha is filling the void between the V-Star 1100 and the much smaller V-Star 650 with a modern, affordable middleweight cruiser that's visually different from the competition.




Photo Credit : Yamaha