2009 Yamaha V-Star 950 Test Drive: V-Twin Bike is a Fun Middleweight Cruiser

Yamaha's Star Motorcycles division made headlines this year when it took the wraps off the nearly 200-hp 2009 V-Max , but the $18,000 pavement scorcher isn't exactly the best choice for sensible commuters or ...

[Rob]

Beatuiful...can't wait to see it for real. Lots of conflicting reports of colors ...some contradict the Yamaha web site....the only negative I see is that they use the small 16" windshield as the stock shield...so plan on spending another $200 for a medium (19.5") or tall 24") shield.

[God Hates Dinosaurs]

ha ha is this writer in Yamaha's pocket or what?
A 618 pound 950cc ride is a "middleweight" that's good for commuting? What a joke! This is a BIG BIKE.

[Goat]

God Hates Dinosaurs wrote:

ha ha is this writer in Yamaha's pocket or what?
A 618 pound 950cc ride is a "middleweight" that's good for commuting? What a joke! This is a BIG BIKE.

If this is a BIG BIKE, what would you call the Roadstar with a 102ci (1670cc) engine. Or the Stratoliner with a 113ci (1854cc) engine. Or bigger yet, the Vulcan 2000.
By no means am I saying that this is a small bike, but by TODAY's standards, this is a middle or the road middleweight which runs from 600cc to 1300cc.

[Rob]

No...I'm not "in Yamaha's pocket"....just a customer that can't wait to see this bike in person. From all I've read the only negatives are:
1. The (stock Tourer) windshield is too short.
2. The floorboards are said to touch down too easily in the shallowest of turns.

R

[ExcuseMe]

YAMAHA for us,Baby! Have owned 650's in the past. Bought a V-Star 1100 five years ago. Luv it! Just recently had trouble,with it not wanting to start every time the starter button's pushed. Any ideas what could be the problem?{It's been in the shop, and they found no troubles,said the starter tested okay.} But,the same problem's still there!