The V star 950 is a fantastic all around mid-level cruiser. It has a "Big Bike" look due to its long wheelbase, saddle bags, and wide beach bars. If you are under 5' 10", the low 26.5" seat height will still allow you to keep both feet flat on the ground. Plus, the bike itself has a low center of gravity, making it easy to handle for even small riders. However, the wide beach bars are more conducive to bigger guys with longer arms. For smaller guys, you might feel like you're almost "stretching" to reach the grips. It has plenty of power on power on the freeway and in 5th gear, the RPMs feel very low, so the engine isn't taxed. Very little vibration at 70-80 MPH. The air cooled engine gives the bike a nice, clean look without an ugly radiator hanging in the front. Belt drive means practically no maintenance required up through 25,000 miles, and very quiet. Most owners don't like the relatively quiet exhaust, but I thinks it's just right. I am not really a "loud pipes" guy but to each their own. This is probably the most reliable, affordable mid-level cruiser on the market. I have a 2009 Tourer with 8K miles on it, and it runs like new. I love the 950T!
Got my eye on a Vstar 950 but the 2 bikes I have owned were both liquid cooled. I'm concerned about getting my legs barbequed while sitting at red lights in the summer time. Your thoughts?
If you live in the Southwest and plan on doing lots of summer riding YOU might have some issues with the heat, but the 950 engine won't. With its ceramic lined cylinders, you could take the 950 into Death Valley and it would do just fine. That said, your time at red lights should be minimal. I live in the Pacific Northwest, and our summers are pretty mild. I've ridden in 90 degree heat and at stop lights it can get a little toasty. But I love the fact of one less "fluid" to maintain, just oil and brakes is enough for me. Plus I like the cleaner look with no radiator. The 950 sits long and low, with plenty of power on the freeway, even with two up. For the price, you simply cannot go wrong with the V Star 950. Test drive it and compare to others in its class. Let us know which bike you end up with!
Your video was the final influencer in my decision to buy my new 2015 950 Tourer... I have had dozens of rides over the last 45 years. Didn't want anymore big 800 pound monsters. Being in my mid-sixties i don't need 0 to 60 in 3 seconds... This is as you say a very capable machine!
Beep Beep "That means get the fuck outta my way!" LOL Great comments - so many reviews focus on handling, braking, etc. (which is good) but don't address reliability and service. Your comments are very good!
Good video. I have a 2019 Yamaha Bolt. I love it. I made a air ride seat cushion from a 10 inch riding lawnmower inner tube and I covered it with black vinyl fabric folded over it and stitched on the right and left sides with a speedy stitcher and laced with paracord on the 4th side. It is shaped like a stingray and I put gromets on the wings to tie it down with. I ride on a 3 inch cushion of air. I can't feel any bumps when riding over railroad crossings. So what I have is a bobber style bike with a reliable engine that rides better than a Gold Wing.
Aluminum rims. Oh, and thanks for the nice review. I am new owner of an 09 950 Tourer and am having a blast. I do agree about the radiant heat from that upper pipe. You have to really look out for burns if wearing shorts. I hope you have many care-free miles of enjoyment.
Great review and I wanted to let you know I bought my wife this same bike and we LOVE IT!! I do all the work myself on it and it is very well built and extremely reliable! I have a Dyna Glide and she and I take weekend runs all over the place and the only gripe I have is NO FUEL GAUGE! you have to watch your trip meter and fuel up accordingly. Your right about it being a performer on the highway. THE BAGS ARE UNREAL!!! You cant find better bags on any other bike in my opinion! The bags are large and great quality leather. Don't worry about the belt....THEY LAST A LONG LONG TIME! The secret? Inspect it often for wear and rock damage. The belt guard should protect it in that respect. Have a great day and keep the shiny side up!
Hey thanks for dropping buy, I was watching biker bits and his Suzuki 850 has a decent fuel gauge. My 950 does have a light that pops on when I hit the reserve tank. Whenever that happens, I fill up as soon as possible. I agree with you though. I use one trip meter for gas, one for oil changes and the third for service prompts. Thanks for stopping by and visiting.
Great vid man and great review. I was about to buy the 950 when the dealership had clearance pricing that put the 1300 in my affordable range (see response to Don Maclaren) but that 950 is an awesome bike and just like the tourer package because of the great hard saddle bags that are so spacious and so easy to open/close and lock. I had to laugh about the part in your vid when you told your wife what you were going to do. I'm 45 and just got back into riding now that my kids are grown and drive and take care of themselves. I would love to drive the new 1300 everyday of the year.. but in Utah the winters can be a little brutal and have a lot of snow. So I can't get rid of my car. But good on ya for being able to do it and braving the monster rains you guys get. Nice bike man.. keep on rollin!
Awesome video. Lots of useful information. This video just placed the Yamaha V-Star 950 Touring high on my list for purchase. Thanks for posting this video.
I am also a “motorcycle as a service” (borrowing lingo from other industry). As long as it is warm enough and the sal and snow is gone, I am a man in a saddle with more than one horse power. Great review man. Hope you still have it and putting miles between those two tires. Planning on getting it soon
Great review! I found this review straight forward with a lot of great information. I'm looking hard at this bike myself. It looks great and is substantial in size and performance. felt great to sit on at the dealer. Thanks again! Tom
Same here! Just found this video after searching for videos on the 950T. I have a several in my area for sale. The one I like the most is a 7165k mile 2009 in silver for $4,999.
I just bought my 950 2014 last Dec. And I had watch your video 3 years ago. And I wanted this bike as my first cruiser. Just great info about your cruiser sold me on my new purchased. Now I am learning the turn radius and heel to toe shifter once I mastered that it be more fun for me to ride it. Btw awesome video
Scratch, thanks for a great review. I currently own a 1996 Yamaha Virago XV 750H since it was new, and I love it. It has been a little tough to keep up with traffic on freeways (engine sounds strained, images in mirrors disappear, etc.) so I have been eyeballing a 2013 version of your bike with only 7K on it. Hearing your long term review has given me the confidence to step up!
Good review. I had a 07 vstar 1100 custom in black cherry and I wish I had never sold it. I had a good reason and didn't mind because I was buying a Harley. I've liked my Harleys I'm on a 2014 xl1200t. 26k-ish miles right now and it's a pretty good bike but I tested the 950t and love the sound of that motor. My sportster sounds like a sewing machine that's tough to get used to even after 26k and 28k on a 2012 Iron. If it weren't for the service I get from Old Fort Harley I would've gone back to Yamaha. I've also bought a couple Hondas and 1 for my wife. I went on a group ride with a guy and his wife on the 950t and they absolutely had no problem hanging with me. Very impressed. I've also considered the 1300 Deluxe and like it but it seemed out of breath at 80ish on a very windy day but it was still very comfy and it was a demo bike. I am going to trade for something I just haven't decided what but this put a big plus in the 950 column. Stay safe.
Thanks for the review. I'm seriously considering a 950 V Star for my first bike and I'll probably hang on to it for a long time. At least until I can afford an Indian Roadmaster.
Mine has 40K, runs and sounds perfect but I have done all the maintenance. I think this bike will go 100k easy. I would love and Indian Roadmaster myself though.
Hugely late comment but its still a relevant post for people like me been looking for my final bike before age forces me to hang up the skid lid after a few biking decades. Your information has been really handy as many years ago i spent 15 years bike commuting in the UK And any bike that gets used that regular shows up any major problems. Short of it is ive got a 950 being delivered in a few days Shes 8 years old but with 8100 dry use only miles on the clock. Thanks for your vlog helped alot. Stay safe fingers crossed for a better last half of 2021 Lee
My first and favorite bike was a 1990 Virago 1100. I had forward controls made for it, lowered the seat, put a medium shield, switched the backrest for a 750 backrest, lifted the bars an inch, shorter mirrors and smaller blinkers, had it dyno-tuned after removing some extra weight and mostly drove it long distance here in San Diego. Boy, I sure miss it. I've been driving a Royal Enfield Meteor 350 with Wanna-Be forward controls. As much as I like this little bike, here in San Diego I need some extra pep. Test drove a V-Star 950 2010 today and was impressed but they were asking too much for it. Still looking. Thanks for the great video, very much enjoyed it, it was like I was sitting next to you having a cup of coffee just chatting.
Thanks for your reviews and videos. Based on them I decided to finally get a bike, a 2014 V Star 950 tourer. I must say your review made the final decision. Thanks again. Am loving it.
Thomas Killen Thanks Thomas. I'm still really enjoying mine. It keep running great and it keep running better. I may eventually get another bike; however, I will be keeping this one. I don't think I can let it go. Thanks for the very kind words as well.
ScratchinMyAss Same here. I just bought a 2011 VStar 950 Tourer (11600 mi) yesterday. this video was the BEST review i've found for the model line. great job.
Thanks for stopping by. For whatever it's worth, I just rolled the clock over 10k and the bike is running strong with no problems. I still enjoy riding her very much.
very nice. one of my first and favorite bikes was a TX 650 yamaha which was very similar to the triumph 650 and in fact sounded a lot like one without all the maintenance issues. It was very reliable and awesome to ride and would be a collectable today had I stored it. been up on 2 since 73 on the streets and since 67 in the dirt. live to ride!
Diamond Coles I couldn’t get approved for a new bike and I’m getting this bike with 30k miles on it. Was a bit iffy on if I’d like it but this video sealed the deal for me. Looking forward to my new ride.
Nice review... The V Star 950 Tourer is my daily driver too for the last 8 months and about 6300km. Previously, I had a Vulcan 900, MV Agusta Brutale 750, FZ8, but the V Star is the best. I changed the seat, handlebars risers, and added a highway bar. Ready for long trips, fuel economy, services every 10000km, very comfortable, easy to ride in the city.
Nice review, I have been enjoying your videos, I have had my 950 since October and am I love with mine, now I have to go down stairs to start her, lol. Now I have to get a go pro to film my rides. Keep up the good work bro.
Hey Papa, thank you so much and Happy New Year. I would sleep with mine but my wife wouldn't like it. When I put it in for a tune up in a couple of days I am having some Kurakayn speakers put on. Should be interesting.
"A damn good bike at a damn good price." That's a pretty nice summary of your experience. Nice review. I'm selling a Concours and looking for something to replace it with. I'm also considering a Roadstar 1700 but the added fuel economy and enough power to get the job done with the 950 make it appealing. Thanks for sharing your info.
took mine on a 4 day ride with the wife to us 129 . Ran great .1103 miles in 4 days .Was thinking about a bigger bike for road trips but not now. good review .
I got mine in 09 when they first came out. Really my only complaint is the floor boards tend to scrape in tight turns. It definitely helped to get a little beefier tires on it to give it a little more clearance, but I still drag from time to time. It will surprise you and scare the crap out of you the first few times lol. It's actually designed to give, and it also has a scrape guard so it really doesn't hurt it. Nothing stopping you from going back to pegs though. I'm actually thinking about stripping the bags and windshield and floorboards off temporarily to play around with it. I got the Rush exhaust slip on. Incredible sound. My father got the same bike and went with the Cobra slip on. Rush definitely sounds better we think. I also have the Cobra Fi2000 although I'm seriously thinking about just spring for the full blown power commander. I'm also thinking about getting a hard chrome pipe for it, but that may have to wait a year. ... P.S. I almost forgot to mention there is actually a kit for the floorboards that slides the floorboards forward a couple inches, and I've heard it also gives you about another inch or so of clearance so you don't scrape as much. Can't remember now where I saw it, but it was on a major site.
I was dragging my floorboards everywhere until I rebuilt my front forks. The seals were leaking on one side so the front end was lower than it should be. It's something that happens you don't realize it.
Thanks so much as there is too many bikes to choose from. Had Harley in 70's rode for 3 yrs/365. One ride on a BMW & I put all the freakin' vibration & loud pipes behind me for good~! Great review as I am looking for something lighter than Royal Star I had. Thanks again!
Hi Bro! I love your Video, ive just got a Yamaha Xvs1300 same colour as yours.im in the uk age 57, giveing up the Car is a real good thing. Like you said! There real good bikes good value.i have a yamaha 535 Virago aswell a 1997 model.thanks for the Video Bro, im so glad i found you on youtube.
I'll be honest with you, my 950 will cruse 80 mph all day long without being upset about it. I feel no vibration at those speeds and I have plenty left for a burst up to 100mph. I don't ride 2 up so there is the difference. If my wife had expressed an interest in riding I would have bought the 1300. Also, the 1300 is a water cooled bike and not an airhead. You are not going to pay much more for the 1300 so I say go for it! Please note, many complain about the Yamaha 650 winding out on the freeway, I don't ever experience that with my 950. Having said that it would be nice if Yamaha went to a six speed transmission. Hope this input helps.
Yes to the six speed transmission! I had a 1986 Shadow 700 that had a six speed and I loved it. Honda called it "overdrive" and had the cute little light that came on letting you know you were in overdrive. The light was a nice touch, but I could usually tell which gear I was in.
thanks for your review. I recently picked up a 2013 vstar 950 to replace my vstar 650, which will be the wife's ride now. Taking delivery on it this spring, so for now all I can do is look for as many videos on the bike as I can find and watch, I really hate winter. Anyway good review and insight thanks! oh also like the horn upgrade, something I will consider. I will be adding a slipon as one of my first upgrades either a cobra, or v&h, or even the rush.
Hello losttourist, thanks for visiting. I'm approaching 9k on the clock now and still no problems to report. The bike sounds strong and runs well. I think you will find it has plenty of juice especially since your wife is going to ride on the 650. My wife won't get on my bike or ride one either. You are a lucky man sir. If I were planning on riding double, I may have opted for the 1300. I ride with bigger bike all the time. No problem keeping up. I'm a bit on the short side so I find the 950 fits me perfect. When this weather warms up about a month more, I have made it my goal to take at least 4 camping trips to state parks. Drop by any time. I'm going to check out your RU-vid Channel shortly. Live long and prosper.
Thanks for the review, I have been riding for 14 years and am used to riding larger more powerful cruisers, sport bikes, & sport tourers. I was interested in the 950 since it was such a good looking bike, but I was concerned it wouldn't have enough power for me. I found one for a great price and test drove it with the assumption that I would be dissapointed with the power and end up looking at a different model. I was pleasantly surprised, this bike won't yank your arms off or throw you back, but it had more than enough power to hit highway speed and plenty of gumption to go on up to over 100mph. I bought the bike and just enjoyed filling up my 2nd tank after calculating 50.6 mpg and that was all city miles on the first tank with me only commuting to work and back. I got a few things I will tweak on it: needs mustang seats, the OE seats don't feel like they would be much fun for any kind of day trip. Slip on exhaust for a better sound and K&N air filter so it can breath better, I also drilled a few holes on the side of the air box to let in a little more are besides the warm air from between the cylinder heads. I also plan on installing a radio from Ron's radio's onto my windshield for my listening pleasure! Overall I am excited about owning this bike and looking forward to putting many miles and years of riding on it. Thanks again!
Hey man I was searching around looking at some videos on these bikes and came across this I think I bought your bike!!! Crazy it has all the same stuff installed down to the custom seat got it from a guy outside Houston !!!
Thank you for your review. First off, big respect for the sacrifice you've made to support your child's college fund - it speaks a lot to your character. I just recently traded in my Yamaha Vstar 650 Custom for the 950 Tourer. I'm still breaking in the bike so I have not yet taken it on the highway. That being said, what are your thoughts on taking the bike on a 250 mile trip? I'm assuming it would require approx. 2 gas-ups but will hold its own on the highway? I'm not a fast rider and am just looking for solid speed at 65-75 mph with enough throttle left over to get out of any trouble if necessary. How do the breaks feel at that speed? Thanks for your review!
I have a 2010 V-Star Tour (bought it new in 2010) my first bike and I love it! Get the BAT WING Fairing, got one for my 2010 V-Star tour - ITS GREAT! with the lower deflector, it REALY cuts back on the wind resistance.AND with a quick change you can remove it effortlessly! changed the stock tire for the "Mustang" seat. VERY NICE! Also got the touring trunk (universal) (with rack) online for about $80 BEST INVESTMENT TO MY BIKE YET! and Highway bars for about $250... All upgrades for under $3K
i have a 2011 raven version. Great bike. i rode the tail of the dragon with it in sept of 2016 and have taken a number of trips within a 300 mile range and lots of highway time with no problems. the finish is excellent and it is very reliable. I would prefer the instrumentation to be on the bars and would like abs. 5 speed feels fine on the highway...not too revved out because of the gearing i've read. Sometimes I would like a 6th gear though. people often mistake it for a harley, but i tell them it'll last longer with half the maintenance. customization is a challenge because of availability of parts, but it is pretty nice as is with a seat change if you're going on longer rides.
Forget about Harley. You've got a well built bike at a very reasonable price. Thanks for your review! You did a nice job sharing the details and your experience. Just remember, when you get to school and take Public Speaking class, drop the "and a" that you use as filler during your spoken presentations. It'll go smoother and you'll sound much better. More fluid in your spoken presentation, which helps to come across as confident and convincing. Otherwise, very nice job, and nice bike choice!
Hey R Jo, I'm going to go back and listen to this video and take note of your comments. Sadly, last December, I suffered E.S.R.D., Kidney failure. I am on dialysis now and I feel better, however. This many months later, I have a speech problem and several other issues resulting. The most noticeable and I don't know what the medical term for the problem is but what happens is. I think faster than I can speak. Sometimes I may sound a bit confused but I'm not. Perhaps if I think about your comments, watch the video and apply your critiques I will improve.Thanks again for visiting!
I had an '09 950 Tourer and sold it as it was kind of boring. Three bikes later I'm back to a 2011 950 Tourer. The bike is not exciting, but it is super reliable and does nothing wrong! I did 1037 miles on it in 18 hours on the stock seat with no complaints. I may look at a 1300 Tourer, but for now my 950 is hauling my old butt anywhere I ask it to.
I feel pretty much the same way. Last year my kidneys failed and I went on to dialysis. I sold my beloved 950T because I did not want to risk an accident and any more medical complications. I will never regret owning it. I put 20k trouble free miles on that bike. My current love is my 2017 Chevy Colorado. I'm soon putting a soft topper on it and I will be making some camping videos. Hey, I really appreciate your comments and that you stopped by. Live long and prosper.
yes I have to agree at 80 miles an hour on my Yamaha 950 V Star is Just chillin cruising down the highway without question no vibration just a sweet per
Was sup loved the review. just bought a new 12 vstar 950 standard.Yes I said new 17 miles on the clock. I cannot wait to put some miles on her. she is candy red and ready to rock.I am moving on up from a 93 nighthawk 250 and I gotta say its nice to be able to pass people lol.Wanting to get a windscreen and bags soon. the horn sounds loud. Good riding my friend
Hey congrats. I rode a V-Star 250 before I bought mine. I loved that little bike, until I got over 55 mph. Just over 9k on the clock with my 950 and it's running great. Safe travels and let me know when you get some videos up. Live long and prosper!
Very good review man, I'm probably getting one in March. I'm 5'3 & my feet can touch the floor on this model, it has a great low seat height. I'm looking at getting either a 2011-2013.How is the maintenance with this bike? Any known issues?
I was thinking about changing out the wide beach bars as it felt like I was "stretching" my arms out all the time. Basic cruiser bars would be more comfortable, but the beach bars have a "cool look" factor that makes the 950 stand out next to its competition. Then I came across Krator 3.5" risers on Amazon for only about 30 bucks. Ordered a set and wow, what a difference! The stock risers are 2", while the Krator's give you an extra 1.5" height with 1.5" pullback. Plus, these risers have excellent quality chromed and add beauty to the bike. So now I am definitely keeping the beach bars. Note that the 3.5" inch risers will take all the slack available from your brake and clutch lines, but you won't need cable extenders. Also note that these will slightly reduce your turn radius because the bars will now just touch the chrome bezel on the tank at full turn. I plan to get a couple of tiny rubber bumpers and epoxy them to the bars where they touch the bezel, to minimize any change of dents or dings in the bezel. But the difference in comfort, especially for long rides, is well worth the 30 bucks!
The feel of the stock handle bars seems to suit me. I did have a custom seat made and did some other changes. You should always make your ride, your ride. Personally, I really likes the handle bars on my 09, yamaha 250 v-twin. They reminded me of the handle bars on the old Schwinn Stingray's. Remember, the ones with the banana seats? In 2012 yamaha changed those for some handle bars with horizontal opposing grips.
I’m 69 years old and have owned 13 different Harley Davidson motorcycles in a 50!year riding career. Recently moved into a townhouse community where I needed a quiet bike. After a lot of research I got rid of my 2012 Electra Glide Classic and picked up a 2016 Yamaha 950 Tourer. I will always love the Harley but my riding needs changed and I want to keep riding. Also the lower weight is great. I cannot do the trike thing. As info I never paid more than $10,000 for any Harley I ever owned. The pricing is way out of control, in my opinion.
I liked your review. Someday I will look to the 950/1000. I've been riding only 2 months now and am a beginner, but getting better everyday. I really enjoyed your 950 tour and I'm really impressed by yamaha. I currently ride a Vstar 650 classic I look forward to moving up and will need something in the future that is touring (2up) capable.
I don't know what you are riding now Doug; however, I was riding a 250 V-Star for 2 years prior to buying the 950. In my younger days I rode a 550/4 Honda. I was a little apprehensive about the 950 until I went to a Yamaha test ride day. I always thought the bike would be too much for me. After I rode it I realized I feel safer on the 950 than I did the 250, especially if you get caught in the rain. The bike has the power you need but it is also very forgiving, it won't throw you off. I would think next riding season you would probably be ready to move up.Thanks for dropping by.
Great video! I just bought a 2014 V star 950 touring model last week. I love it. My question to you is this, did you have any back firing or popping after you had the cobra slip on exhaust put on?
Little bit of popping when I decelerate in lower gears but none at all when accelerating or idling. To tell you the truth, I like the bit of popping when I decelerate, I think it sounds mean and any extra noise around cars is a good thing in traffic. After the Yamaha guys put the pipe on they asked me if there were any issues with backfire and said they could adjust it. The popping I speaking of is not at all a bang like a back fire, it's more like my bike clearing its throat. Hey, thanks for visiting. I made this video about 8 months ago. I still love my 950 and it still runs great. Cheers!
I’ve got a 14 950 Vstar and another couple of bikes before that one all I have ever used is 87 non-ethanol fuel with a little Marvel mystery oil and I’ve always done well with that.
I've had my 2014 vstar 950 tourer now for 16mos. Went around the country last summer hitting every state of lower 48, and then some. Over 20K on it now and no issues whatsoever (apart from the high heat on the exhaust side of motor from the get). MPG ranged from 47-60 depending on speeds. Best mpg on those windy mountain roads at low speeds. Would find myself cruising at 80 without realizing it on interstates, the engine was that smooth. I did notice today, though, that the plastic generator cover on the exhaust side is rippling. As if the chrome skin is going to peel. Wondering if anyone else has noticed this on theirs? Apparently it's not a recall issue, but it is a $100 piece of plastic. The only cause I can imagine is heat. I'm considering the 3hr ride to the dealership today to ask. It's January, but supposed to hit 70, so .... GOTTA RIDE!!!!! Thanks for any input.
Yeah, I ride an 800 vulcan and it drives me around just fine, Ive found my self doing 120KPH with no issue... Until I put even a light passenger on it. Then it becomes a sit back and relax kind of ride. You can still do the speed limit, but passing power runs out the door and down the street.
Bought my new 2014 star 950 this is my first riding season. I love the bike so far and have only found that the shifting is a bit 'clunky' …apparently this is just the way it is …wondered if you or others found this too? Great bike ….thanks for your review.
willyb933 Hi Willy, sometimes mine seems a little clunky as well but mostly before the engine is warmed up. After the bike warms up it shifts real smooth. Take it back to the dealer and tell him about your concerns in case the clutch needs adjustment. I'm told you want just a little play in the clutch lever. Hope this helps. Often when I'm at a stop light next to a Harley you should hear how clunky those things are when they shift. Cheers
Good, informative review. I'd like your opinion on something. I'm considering getting this bike and I'm comparing it against the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom (water cooled)...then accessorizing that bike with hard bags and other touring necessities. My concern with your Yamaha...I live in Arizona, and I wonder how this V-star keeps it cool? I will be riding the bike during the entire year. Any thoughts on the efficiency of your bikes ability to keep its cool? I don't want to bump up to the V star 1300. What state are you in? Thanks for your help!
+Joe Monkey I live in Houston, Texas. I used to live in Phoenix. Temperatures here are comparable but not quite that hot. I don't know what part of Arizona you live in. So far, I have had no over heating issues. I do change my oil about every 1500 miles well sooner that recommended. Someone posted on here that they were loosing chrome off of their head cover but I have had none of that. In my opinion, the fit and finish on my Yamaha is top shelf. No rust or corrosion but mine is garaged every night. I bought my 950 in the Touring model. I can remember thinking many times that I save allot of money rather that adding parts. Came with hard leather bags, windshield, floorboards and a back rest. Piecing those parts out would have been $1500 to $ 2000 for the same quality. Also be certain there are the parts you may want available before you purchase the Kawasaki. Thanks for watching my video and I hope this input helps. 4 years in and I have no regrets on my Yamaha. Excellent bike to date.
I have shaft drive 650 Yamaha. Almost bought a 950 a year ago but backed out at the last minute.Love my 650, 52 mpg without FI. If you do your own mechanic work it cost very little to keep the splines greased.
+I Jabbs I bought a 650 in June 2015. Another great Yamaha V-star. The only comment I would make is that I've taken on I-5 a couple of times, and once you get up to about 75 mph it starts to run out of steam. I wouldn't want to ride regular rush hour traffic on a large city's interstates, where the flow of traffic is 80+ mph. Where I live, though, the average pace is more like 60 MPH, and the 650 does fine.
yeah it's a nice ride. I bought a ion camcorder unfortunately it's not a Wi-Fi. I found out once you download it with Wi-Fi you could just simply download it from the camera itself. so I will buy one so I can get some videos up. like the music you're playing on your videos peace out
I just bought the same bike a month ago and love it !! I am a new rider and for a week was using the heel shifter. Then for a couple of weeks I got used to the toe shifter. I just got a pair of Icon 1000 elsinore boots size 13. The boots are bad ass but cant fit toe under the shifter. Not too much space between toe shifter and floorboards. I wish there was a way to raise the entire shifter. I now have to get used to the heel shift again cause these boots look too cool !! lol
One I got used to the heel and toe shifter I really like it. I got some boots from Leather Up dot com and they don't fit under the shifter. I do find the boots to be useful because if I stop on a gravel of slick spot, the bike is heavy and my feet could slip out from under me otherwise.
sheik you can adjust the shifter a little to get your boots to fit. I didn't like the heel shifter sticking up so far . 2-up at 60-65 the wife & I get 55-56 mpg . scratchmyass ,nice review well done the only issue was the scraping. loosened the mount bolts & pushed up the mount .got better but the bike is too fun so I'm going to file the hole about 2mm .
Greg, this is a great bike for two up riding, I ride with my wife all the time, I live in the hills of southern Missouri and I have enough power to pass when going up steep hills. It is a great bike.
Is it harder to ride when the foot pegs are forward on the bike? Because I just started riding last year and my foot pegs and shifter are close to the middle of the bike
I have a 2011 vstar 950. Had it for a few years. As a solo rider it is an awesome bike in town or on the interstate from timebto time. Riding with a passenger is another story. The bike screams at 70 and needs a 6th gear. Also could use dual disk on the front because loaded stopping isn't that good. Myself at 220 and with a passenger of 150 there is only 30 lbs before you hit capacity. I'd rather not load to capacity or over and make riding more unsafe than it already is. If you're riding with a passenger frequently especiallybon longer trips go with a bigger bike.
I always rode solo so I had no issues. I was around 220 myself but my wife never wanted to get on. I took the rear seat off and had a custom seat made. If I get another bike it will be an Indian Cheifton or a gold wing. Out in the suburbs where I live the 950 was a perfect size and handled the occasional country rides just fine. Hey, thanks for dropping by and ride safe!
BTW, my bike now has 23,000 miles and never had any problems. Also there's a slight difference on mine since I'm in California, next to my left floorboard on the uptube is a evaporative emissions canister (California models only)
leave the air box intact ! you are correct in the water intake..... an older video of min e shows my 2007 kawasaki vulcan 2000, 125 cui monster with a hyper charger air box that disabled it in the rain........form and function over looks!
Man I wanted a Vulcan so bad. They stopped making the 750 I wanted and I tried and tried to find one with low miles bu couldn't. Thanks for your thoughts on the airbox. Some of my ridding buddies make fun of mine. They are just weekend warriors. I need this bike running every day so I can earn a living. Live long and prosper my friend. I still have more of your videos to watch and I will.
How is that windshield? It looks shorter than mine. I have the 1300. My windshield is too tall to see over and it causes extream buffeting when I wear my helmet.
Great video. I recently bought a Vstar1300 and am deciding if I should soften the rear suspension. Any suggestions?? Seems a bit stiff. Perhaps that's normal. No intentions of riding with a pillon.
Hey Scratch nice video..... Got a quick question for ya....I'm 5'8" tall and weigh 240lbs...Do ya think I'm too big for a VStar 950 Tourer..?? I haven't had the chance to get to the dealer and sit on one yet but love the looks and the price is within my range.... I'm currently riding a 2013 Sportster 1200 and can't stand the vibration and the shake, rattle and roll the whole time I'm riding... I hear the V Star 950 is a smooth ride....
Those are pretty much my dimensoins when I bought the bike. Never felt underpowered and fit me like a glove. My wife won't get on a bike so I don't know how it rides 2 up. Have since lost about 50 pounds and I still can't tell any difference. Usually cruse around 80 mph on the freeway. No vibration and a smooth ride. Still has more for a good burst at that speed but honestly, 80 mph is my personal floor limit. If I had to go faster I know I could but I don't real want to. I think this is the curve where some riders want a 6 gear. For my riding skills and pleasures, I don't need one. You put 5 or 6 riders together with 5 or 6 beers and the mines bigger than your mentality kicks in. Not the sort of riding I do. Load that sucker up with a ridge pack, tent, chair, fishing poles and pack the saddle bags with ice and cold fluid and she'll go all day long. Get you there in comfort and alive. I've never raced any 1200 Sporties but I don't have any trouble keeping up with them. Often when I ride with other mid sized crusers the owners are pulling up behind me at the light and asking me what my bike is. I've never regretted buying it and I still love it. Harley's are not my thing so I am biased.
Sounds good....heading to the dealer to check out a 2016 leftover.... If all goes well I should hopefully be able to take it home in a few weeks... Ride safe....
I have one question, I have a vulcan 800 5 speed and when I get on the highway I'm looking for a six gear all the time. I was really considering buy a 950 but was really worried that I would be searching for the six gear since the yamaha is only a five speed. Any advice or thoughts? Great vid
That's a really good question. The best way I can answer is this. When I'm on the freeway I'm usually in the 70 to 90 mph range. That is probably as fast as I want to go. Having said that, I think 80 mph is the sweet spot. Yet, it still has plenty of throttle response if I need it. Sadly, they don't put a tachometer on these things I should probably do that myself. At 80 mph, it sounds fairly busy but it does not get tired. The cylinder walls are ceramic and the cooling fins on the motor are deep. I'm at about 9,500 miles now and the bike still feels tight to me. I noticed the speedo on the V-Star 1300 and the Strato-liner 1850 goes to 120 yet the speedo on mine goes to 130. Those bikes weigh 150 to 200 lbs more respectively so my assumption is weight vs CC's is somewhat relative to Hp and rpm. The guys I trust at my Yamaha dealer tell me I'll know when I am stressing the motor because I will feel it. So far, I have not felt it and I think the motors are build to handle the rpm's. The fastest I have had the bike, according to a buddy with a 6 speed harley chopper was in the 115 mph range. I was not looking at my speedo, that is actually way to fast to be riding for my taste. Everyone I ride with has a bit more power than I do yet they all have a healthy respect for my 950. Please keep in mind I use my bike mostly for transportation and I try to be reasonable on what I expect from it. If I ever get anything bigger, I will have to test ride it first because my bike fits me like a glove and I can throw it around pretty well on the road. 883 Harley's don't bother me a bit and for that matter, my previous V-Star 250 surprised many a 883's up 60 mph. I do have to tell you though, I really wanted a Vulcan 500 with a 6 speed transmission in the worst way. They quit making them before I had a chance to buy one. In summary, unless you are planning on riding over 80 mph allot, I would not even worry about it. If you are planning on doing allot of high speed riding, a sport bike may be more to your liking. I hope I helped David. I'm very happy with my bike and it's still a great ride at just under 10k on the clock. Thanks for stopping by.
I have a 2011 Star 950 tour edition that came in red. I got the same rear rack you have but I think I only paid $170 for it. Also I put on an engine guard and highway pegs makes for a real comfortable ride. Where did you get your tank bib from? I have a GoreTech tank bag that left some abrasions. Also for what's worth on my channel I have some service videos for oil changes, air filter and spark plugs, save $$ and check it out.
Joseph Murray You got a deal on the rack compared to what I paid. I opted not to put on the engine guards because I did not want to add the extra weight. So far, knock on wood, 3 years in, I have not dropped it. Almost did once in a parking lot but I was able to muscle back up before it touched the ground. I got the bib from the parts dept at my Yamaha dealer, I think I paid $70 for it. My gut, has scratched the chrome spedo cluster on the tank but the bib has kept my tank pristine and I figure I could easily change that chrome cluster cover if I go to sell it someday. On that note, every time I have contemplated trading up, I go out into my garage and still like what I see. 3 years in with this bike, it's almost paid for so I think if I do decide on a bigger bike, most probably an Indian Cheifton, I'll just keep this one. I have heard rumors of a 4 cylinder, fuel injected RoadStar so that could sway me away from the Indian. Sadly, my dealer says for now, no more Stratoliners. Eventually, I may want to tow a teardrop trailer or a camper so I may want a large displacement bike. My wife won't get on one so the 950 does everything I asked. Every time I ride this little bitch she growls and I love her. I will check your channel. Thanks for visiting! Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too, also I might add that I don't get the fuel range that you get. My fuel light will come on at most 140 miles but I think that because I'm burning California gas that has a higher oxygen content. I just last Saturday broke one of the locks on the saddle bag and wouldn't release, a tiny little pin inside the tumbler had snapped. The new lock should be here any moment but cost me $110. Yikes! Also knock on wood in the 4 years I've had it I've never dropped it but came close once in my driveway. I also still have the original rear seat but my girlfriend doesn't like it after about 25 miles. I've also been seen some RU-vid video on the Indian motorcycle but I'm not to keen on spending $22k on that where I was looking at at very well equipped Yamaha v star 1300 deluxe for around $17k. BTW, I love the blue on that bike.
Shaft is better and more reliable, but it pushes the Cost Up and weight, and it robs quite a bit of power from the bike too. Belts are more efficient, and drops around 50lbs off the total weight of the bike, but less reliable than Chain and Shaft. Chain is very reliable and efficient, but can be noisy, and maintenance is a little labor intensive. Belt is generally used in Cruisers because of the Super Tall gear ratios you can get at the Rear...notice how big that rear gear is.
Which PIAA horn did you put on? Also, did you install yourself? If so, did you have to do anything special or just hook it right up to the old horn? (i.e. did you have to adjust for the difference in electricity with a relay switch to avoid fire?)
Bought this exact same bike less than 5 wks ago. 2012 with only 1585 miles! I have never rode before and thought this might be a bit too much bike for my first (at age 53). It is perfect. Took a motorcycle safety course offered by PA DOT to start. HIGHLY recommend to anyone that rides. Love my bike but it's a bit quiet for me. I was looking at the Cobra slip on muffler like you added. Everyone wants to sell me a FMS (fuel management system) with it. Most say not mandatory but would help performance. Your video says you did not use one. Did the top rated mechanic advised that you can swap this out and no need to use an FMS? I would trust his judgement if so. I believe others want to sell me an unnecessary FMS for $300-$500! What are your thoughts?
I had mine done at Houston Yamaha. Everything I have done to my bike service wise has been done there. According to signs posted in the service department the mechanic who works there is rated 2nd by Yamaha in the nation. I have never been done wrong at this location. If you get aftermarket pipes you have to get the fuel controller. It was not in my budget so I got the Cobra Slip on as they said it was not required. I heard it on another 950 they had just installed and I had to have one. I think if you get the slip on and then change your air intake system you may wind up needing a fuel controller. I think they said adding the slip on did not require removing the catalytic converter. I have passed 2 state inspections since adding this pipe. Please note, Harley Davidson is facing lawsuits for exhaust system issues and I don't know if any of this may apply to what I did to my bike. Has not so far as I know but you may want to ask. Here is what you may notice. I get smooth deep throat rumble when I accelerate; however, it pops a bit when I decelerate while down shifting. I sort of like it, you may not. I do not plan on changing my air intake system because I sometimes get caught riding in the rain and I don't want to suck water into my system. Bottom line is, I am very pleased with the Cobra Slip on. Paid $300 plus $80 for installation at the dealer. There are going to be purists with deeper pockets than mine who will trash this decision but they spent $800 to $1000 dollars for their rumble. You can hear my bike when my videos start. I've had my bike 4 years now. I think it sounds better the more miles I ride it and the bike keeps up with anything cruzer up to speeds as fast as I care to go. Hope this helps, good lick and thanks for dropping by.
Thanks for the detailed response! I did order the Cobra 2215 slip on and it should be here this weekend or early next week. Can't wait to put it on and hear the difference! Thanks again for the help!!! Ride safe and keep 2 on the ground.
I fitted a slip on the other day and the stock silencer had the cat inside it. If you still have your stock one go and have a look inside the clamp end. Unless the US has a different unit you have removed your cat ;-)
Hey Andrew, There are 2 screws on the chrome accent on top of the gas tank. Remove the chrome accent. There is a lip on the underside of the gas tank attach velcro strips under the lip on the gas tank. attach the opposing velcro strips inside edges of the bib. Stretch bib over the tank and attach the velcro. Leave bike in the sun for a couple of hours to soften leather bib. Stretch and reattach velcro one last time. Screw the chrome accent back on to the gas tank. I can't remember where I got the bib. I think I got is from the Yamaha dealer and all the velcro came with the bib. It's really simple. I have a gut so it protects my gas tank from belt scratches.
The floor boards are hinged so when they scrape they don't cause the wheels to loose traction. If you are scraping on wet pavement you should slow down so you don't loose traction. Otherwise when it's dry you will shoot some cool sparks.
yeah, I agree. I test tires for a living and that front tire is on backwards. Your tread grooves are supposed to channel water away from the tire and these grooves and trying to channel the water towards the center of the tire. Hope you have had that fixed since this video was sent out.
Anthony Walden Hey guys, I feel a little stupid about this because I just ride the bike, I don't work on it. My Yamaha dealer put those tires on, my first replacement set. The original tires still had a couple of thousand miles but there was some dry rot in the stock front tire so I decided to change them early. I just made an appointment for the 12k service and I told the service guy they may have put the tire on backwards. I have put about 4k on these tires and they still look good: however, if the front tire is on backwards, has it been damaged? If so, I have an issue with the Yamaha dealer and I'm not sure how to properly resolve it. You advice would be much appreciated.
Anthony Walden As for the bike, several times I have thought about a larger cruser. I don't do any 2 up riding so this bike seems to be perfect for my needs. Some of my neighbors have 25K Harleys and I spent half of that on my bike. It goes as fast as I want to go and Houston Freeways are fast moving. I have never had any problem moving around in any sort of driving conditions. With 12K, the bike still runs perfect. I have a slip on Cobra and it sounds and runs great, no power commander required. As for the air box, I have not made any changes because I sometimes get caught in the rain and I don't want to suck any water into the motor. I am thinking about a micro car this winter either a spark or an IQ because finances are improving a bit. This bike has been my daily driver for two years and has never given me a problem or left me stranded. I really trust it. I am 55 and I will either keep it until I no longer ride or one day buy an Indian Cheif. The truth is, in my opinion, for the money, it would probably be foolish to let this bike go. Thanks Anthony, keep the rubber side down, Live long and prosper...
ScratchinMyAss Short of having the documentation/receipt where you paid the dealership to install the tire on for you, I am not sure they will be much help. It will depend on the integrity of the dealership and I have not found that to be outstanding on any level at any dealership unless you happen to know someone who works there or have built a long standing repor with them from multiple bike purchases. I am only 35, but have owned 11 bikes now with this last purchase of the VStar 950. I take my bike to our local dealership and they know me quite well as I have been dealing with them for the last 13 years. San Angelo is also quite a bit smaller than Houston as well and we only have one Franchise Dealership and a few mom & pop bike shops. I wish you luck on a no hassle front rotation and maybe see if they will knock of $30 or $40 bucks on the service bill for their mistake. Just remember, you catch more flies with honey and vinegar! Ride on!
Anthony Walden Hey Anthony, this Yamaha dealer has always treated me well and I know the service manager. If there is a problem I know they will correct it. My concern is if the tire is damaged having been ridden 4k miles. I'm wondering if they need to replace it or just turn it around and re-mount it. I told him about the RU-vid comments and he asked me to bring it right in. I told him I would wait a few days until I bring the bike in for service. Thanks for the reply.
Have you ever checked your speedometer for accuracy? Mine registers 80 when I am doing 75 and is off by 5 mph almost from 30 on. I am looking for a 32/33 primary drive to reduce the rpms at speed.
+strlcuckoo2 You are not seeing things, mine is off by 10%. According to my garmin, I am seeing what you see, in fact at 35mph I am actually at 31mph. I think this has saved me from seveal tickets so it does not bother me. As for changing your final drive due to RPM's. I don't think you need to unless you are planning on driving around over 80mph for extended periods. Yamaha designed this bike to run like it does for maximum tork and power ratio. If you change your final drive you will loose a noticeable amount of acceleration at lower speeds and put extra stress on your clutch. The cylinder heads are ceramic lined and can easily handle the rpms. Vibrations will tell you when you are stressing the motor. I seldom ride my bike over 80 mph. Even at that speed I have plenty of throttle for a strong burst to 100mph. Every Yamaha I have owned has hat the speedometer difference. I wonder why?
my girlfriend and I are thinking about getting a 2015 v star 950 tourer. I'm just wondering is the 950 good on interstate, without winding out at 5th gear like the 883 sportsters. if so should I just get the 1300 tourer?
+Jeremy stewart It's a better bike than the 883 sportster for sure. For the money no other bike beats it. I've had one for 6 years now and had no problems with it. Tops out about 100mph. I cruise easily around 80mph all the time.I don't ride much 2 up though, so I can't comment on that.
So I am looking at the V-Star 950 Tourer and I live in Houston as well (League City). I was wondering how tall are you? I've ridden on my buddies 2007 Vstar 650 and my knees almost touched the handlebars and I also wear a size 14 shoe, so I had a bit of trouble with shifting on it as well as the foot brake. How tall are you and how is the fit on the bike?
I'm 5'9". My knees come nowhere near the handle bars and I can really stretch my feet forward on the floor boards. Yes, the touring model does have floor boards so the shifter is heel and toe. In other words, you don't have to slide your foot under the shifter to shift gears. Push down with you heel to up shift excepting first gear and then push down with you toe to down shift. Also, push down with with your toe on the forward for first from neutral. I have a custom seat so it lowers the stance just a bit but even with the stock I'm easily flat footed at stop. The bike sits low; however, it stretches out well from the seat to the floor boards. If you are over 6' tall this may be an issue. I was out riding today and reminded myself this is plenty of bike for me. My buddy across the street traded his 1300 v-star for and full dresser Harley. We were talking recently and he said he wishes he hadn't sold his V-Star. I hope this all makes sense and I hope it is helpful. After you get you bike, lets meet up and you can put me on to some good fishing spots. Cheers!
I am hoping to buy a used V-Star 950 Tourer by the end of the year, if not next year. I think my only issue is I need to sit up a bit higher in order to get a better handle on the foot controls. I know how to ride, just I need to find the right bike for me. Also, off subject: are you on the north side of town?
Hey Paul, If I push my knee into the bike I can feel there but it does not feel uncomfortable. I decided not to put a custom air filter on my bike because at the time, it was a daily driver and I often got caught in the rain. I did not want to suck any moisture into my system. The stock air box seems pretty water tight to me. The bike corners well, funny you asked, I was out and about last Saturday and I scraped the floor board cornering on to the street. The floor boards are hinged both tires stay on the ground. I have Michellin Commander II low profile tires one the bike now so the bike sits pretty low. I'm getting ready to make my last payment and the bike looks, runs and sounds great. Not sorry I bought this one at all. Thanks for dropping by.
