Review: 2009 Yamaha V-Star 950 & V-Star 950 Tourer

Basem, How long has the big bike trend been cooling? Does that mean my Roadstar will become a dinosaur soon?

Quick, sell the Road Star and buy a scooter! Just kidding…

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, there’s been a gradual slide in the premium cruiser market over the past year, and a rise in the entry and mid-level cruiser market (as well as an increase in the touring cruiser segment.) But just because bike sales fluctuate doesn’t mean they’re going anywhere; ride safe, and enjoy your Road Star!

Basem

Thanks Basem, Phew!
That had me scared there, just like with the plunge of my investments in the market.
“The sky is falling, the sky is falling!”
Chicken Little was right.

May I ask , how tall is the person riding the bike in the pictures? I am trying to get a feel for how low slung those bars and windshield realy are.
I sure would not call this a “girls” bike or an entry simply because there are a ton of 650’s still out there and this is well above them and looks pretty darn good.

Ken,

That’s me on the bike, and I’m 5′11″.

I found the stock windshield a bit low (as I mentioned in my review), and would upgrade to a taller one if I were touring with this bike.

I wouldn’t call it a girl’s bike, either– it’s got a couple of advantages over a 650, while retaining a very low seat height (26.6 inches!)

Basem

It looks like you may have demo’d the SHORT windshield (16.5″ from top of headlight cut out to top of windshield). I ask that because Yamaha Customer Support told me that the “stock” windshield that will come with the 950 Tourer is the MEDIUM ht. windshield which is 20.5″. From your pictures it appears that the windshield was the SHORT one.

Can you recall? (I’d hate to buy a new bike and have to replace the windshield immeadiatly)

Thanks

Rob,

I double-checked with Yamaha, and the stock windshield on the 950 Tourer is, indeed, the short one. Click here for a picture of a Tourer accessorized with the medium height quick-release windshield… hope that helps.

Basem

So overall do you think this bike will handle highway cruising at 70-75mph well enough or should I be looking at the old but proven 1100.
Also wondering how it stacks up compared to the Vulcan 900 in comfort and ergo.
Bang for the buck is what I look for.

Ken,

The 950 feels at ease during 70-75 mph cruising… it may not get to those speeds as quickly as the 1100, but it’s perfectly adequate with a nice, tall 5th gear.

Ergo-wise, it’s somewhat similar to the Vulcan 900… personally, I was a touch more comfortable on the V-Star 950 on longer rides, but that can vary from individual to individual. Both have somewhat compact ergos, which might be more comfy over the long haul for shorter folks. I’m 5′11″, and occasionally wished I had more room on both bikes.

Basem

Thanks for the link to the pictures of the accessorized 950 Tourer looks nice! Some of those accessories are not listed on the Yamaha site. Perhaps they will eventually or perhaps those were non-Yamaha aftermarket stuff.

Still somewhat disapointed to learn that the lowest of the 3 windshields is the stock one ….so I suppose I’ll need to plan on spending another $150 for the medium ht windshield or spend about $400 on the removable retro-fit. Too bad the stock Tourer doesn’t come with the quick change hardware.

I’ve read everything I can get my hands on about the 950. It seems like the perfect bike for me since I prefer a smaller displacement bike. I know myself, if it is capable of going 180mph I’ll get it there, and I value my license as well as my life.

I’ve been happy with my Star 650 other than wanting a belt drive, fuel injection, alloy’s with tubeless tires, and more leg room, which brings me to my question.

I cramp up on the 650 after as little as an hour, and have been looking at trading it in for the 1300 since I find it comfortable. Does the 950 have as much leg room as the 1300?

ago-o4,

Here’s the official word from Yamaha:

The leg room is slightly less than the 1300. The floorboards have been moved forward 21mm and down 20mm to make more leg room. However the seat is 41mm lower, so that tightens things up a bit again. The final difference is not much though.

Cheers,
Basem

Whats the word on the colors for the 950 (USA)? I’ve seen conflicting reports. (Tommy Blue, Dark Cherry, Candy Red, Silver, Black)

Rob,

Colors are indicated in the photo gallery.

Basem

Thanks….I hope you are correct I love the Black Cherry….even though the Yamaha site shows ONLY red, black and silver for the USA.

Hi, was just curious what’s the max speed the 950’s capable of reaching before power cut?

I hear and read that the new Yamaha 950’s floorboards touch down in the slightest of “leans” ….any word on that??

One article (from another site) said that the 950 cruises smoother then the 1100 above 70mph, how true is this.

I live in Wyoming and we have a lot of wind, wonder how the 950 can handle a thirty mile hour head wind. I have a BMW now. Like the lower seat, and wonder what top end is mph.
Ron

>floorboards touch down in the slightest of “leans” ….any word on that??

Any word? Yeah: “absurd”.
>floorboards touch down in the slightest of “leans” ….any word on that??

Any word? Yeah: “absurd”.
My floor boards have touched twice in 5k miles. 
Drive like an adult, no problem.
My floor boards have touched twice in 5k miles. Drive like an adult and no problem.

My floor boards have touched twice in 5000 miles. Both times I was driving like a child.

Sold my C50T in Mar. Now wanting a 1700 Nomad.Can’t afford THAT! Can the pulleys be changed on the 950T to accomadate lower rpm at hwy speeds and no sacrifice low end take-off ability ?

I do love the bike, but let’s be honest with ourselves.

I have the 950 tour model. I am 5′9″ athletic build, well proportioned as an average man. The bike is smooth at 75- 80 mph, maybe less because I think the speedometer is inaccurate so maybe 70-80 mph. Engine and gear ratio sound just right at HWY speed.

Windshield is short. Seat is very uncomfortable. It’s to hard, not much padding. Floor boards scrape sometimes. I do love the bike, but do not think it should be considered a tourer, because the comfort is not there. Maybe with mods like a new windshield and a new seat it might become a tourer?

Passenger? All riders should spend some time back there and realize do not take a passenger for anything beyond 5 miles or so. It is very uncomfortable. I think the seat is ever harder and the back rest is not anatomically correct for a passenger. Maybe with some more moding you can possibly make it a touring bike for a passenger?

I’d like to call this bike not a tourer, but call it a SDhyw. Short Distant Highway Bike.

This is a great bike. It stands up to bikes with much greater engine displacement. Get a new seat and a new windshield, if you are tall and you’ll be on it for miles and miles. Last weekend did 350 miles with a passenger, no problems. Does well in New Mexico 40mph winds.

Are there any disadvantages w/ pulling the baffle on the 950 tourer? I want mine louder but not ready to shell out 600 bucks for new pipes! Is a thunder header availible?

I just picked up an 09 touring edition yesterday. I put 160 miles on it today with my fiance riding on the back. Besides the fact that I dont think either of us will be able to sit down for a week, I LOVE this bike. The seats are horrible though. The bike cruses easily at 85 miles an hour 2 up (I am 6 foot and about 200lbs) easily hit 100mph passing trucks trying to outrun the rain that was coming up behind us on the end of our trip. I just traded up from the 650 (gave it to the gal) I still think I would prefrer kicking around on the 650 for fun , the weight difference does make a lot of diference when doing harder riding or traversing soft sand. Over all though I think I will be very happy with this bike for some time. I would recommend this to anyone seriously looking for mid range touring bike.

This is my 950 story. I picked up a 2009 touring today. After 100 miles, this is my feeling; what a mistake! 950 is a great bike but not for the $8k (including ttl) I paid. for $6k it is a good bike. I had a 2003, 650 V-Star Classic with a windshield. What a bike. I loved it. I sold it to move up with touring pkg for longer rides. Before writing the check, I test drove the 950. I sat on the bike, I did not like it. I rode it, I was not impressed. I did not get the feel of I like this bike. I did not like it! The very first thing I noticed was the hot engine air around my legs. Next, floor boards touching ground on turns. I told myself pass on this, but what choice I had? The 1100 with choke and carburetor? No. The new 1300? Too big, heavy, and expensive for my taste. The Suzuki C50T? Maybe I should have! I figured I was not used to the 950 yet. It was bike of the year after all! So, I bought it, but as of now I think I should have not. I am not saying 950 is a bad bike, but for me it was not a good transition. It did not measure up. I guess I had too much expectations. I read too many good things about it. Most of it marketing. It has good power. It handles well. It looks OK to fine, appearance wise. But I want more. What has turned me off is; low windshield, uncomfortable seat, low floor board, not so comfortable to view and read speedometer (dark coloring, small writings) and the worst – hot air blowing toward my legs, the right leg specially from knee down (I had two layers of pants). All of these make the ride no fun for me, so far at least, although it handles well. I will write again as I put more miles on it. Let me reiterate, it is a good bike but not for the money. You will find prices well below MSRP on the net, but why? A first timer, or transition from non cruiser or much smaller bike may enjoy 950 but for the money I paid, I think I should have investigated other options. But was/is there any? Oh, I was mostly sold by awesome treatment of the Yamaha dealer people.

I totally agree with Kasra to a T… Nice bike, not great..and a little over priced. I paid 8022.00 OTD and wish I thought harder and longer. If the bike was 5999.00 +/- then it’s worth it. I too need a seat as my butt was sore for 2 days going 79 miles from the dealer to my door. The windshield is 2-3″ too low, the controls are a little to far back. The kickstand is a joke. I have to look down for it, because it’s too far back. My thought is…this is for some one with a 30″ inseam 5′6′- to 5′9″. If I was Yamaha…I would put a nice seat on from the beginning…as when you test drive you have a good feeling about the bike to begin with…Time will tell with me…

I bought an end of the year sale 950LT for $8000 and Yamaha sent me another $200 for riding the demo at Daytona’s Bike Week. My only complaints are the hard seat and the too low windshield (I’m 5′8″). I love the sound and the saddlebags. I use to ride a Harley Dyna Superglide 88. It seems the same power.

I have been looking for a motorcycle, Like a lot of you that have placed a quote. I have to think about where I will ride, Which is mostly in town and short hops on the freeways. Mostly back roads with my wife or my baby girl. Like most of us out there I want a good deal for my money, Not to much money and not to heavy to ride+ It has come down to the Kawasaki 900 classic or the V Star 950. The Vulcan needs a gear ratio change to ride on the freeways without looking for another gear. The bike has tube tires and spokes rims, If you get a flat you will have to cell phone up a record to tow you in. The good news is its water cooled, has comfy egos and is a little less money than the air cooled V star 950. I’m 5′ 9″ with a 29″ inseam, I have sat on the Vulcan 900 classic but not the V Star 950. Comfort is more important to me than even looks. So if the Star 950 doe’s not fit me from jump, then the Kawa will get the nod. I think both of these bikes are great. the 950 has better cruising gas mileage and lower cruising rpms at 75–80 mph. But no corner clearance and being air cooled some what puts me off. But the Star 950 has got rid of most of the bugs that the Kawasaki 900 has.

I bout this bike last week for $5499 added 24inch windsheild and back rest for a grand total of $7124. I like it. I’m 5′ 11″ and 180lbs. This bike of course is really easy to navigate. I’m a new rider and I’m sure later in time I will move on to something bigger, but for now I can see this bike lasting me for at least 3 years….well thats how long it will be before I pay it off.

Really, it’s a nice bike and yes I did scrape the floor board once but its not a race bike. I made a GOOD SOLID choice.

After sitting on a 2009 950 Tourer, agree with Paul (#22)… lots going for this bike but the seat would be a nightmare on a long ride… Dealership is asking nearly $7k for an unused bike that’s now 2 years old… how much more will I need to shell out to make that plywood plank as comfy as my cushy 1100 Classic’s seat? Have yet to test ride one, they tell me the 950 is not as buzzy on the highway as my 1100… hope to find out next week after some of the snow melts.

I bought a 2009 V-Star 950 Tourer in Oct of 2010 for $8000 even. It’s a very beautiful bike and a LOT of fun to ride. Unfortunately, there are some HUGE defects. First, they recalled the bike because of a faulty seal in the fuel injectors which could possibly ignite the bike. Then, on February 26 of 2012, my rear wheel seized and caused about $2700 worth of damage to the adjacent parts. Since it is 6 months out of warranty, Yamaha refuses to assume responsibility for this defect. They had to CUT OFF THE REAR WHEEL to begin repairs. I am currently preparing to take them to court. Also, I am NOT the only one that this has happened to. I have stumbled across others in my gathering of evidence…