YAMAHA XV950 (2013 - 2021) Review

Stock ground clearance is limited and ride quality over rough roads is low, but all of the can be mitigated by fitting a pair of 280mm Hagons

Made even better with an ECU flash.

Low seat height. Mid controls.

Its a good all around bike. I'm fine with 2 hour stints before a fag break and have done around 300 miles in a day before now with no issues, which is a surprise considering my 64 years. Cannot do this on my other bikes. The bike is good around town with a light clutch, positive gear changes and the low down torque of the engine. I love using the bike on sweeping country roads but am also happy with its abilities on motorways.

The engine is perfect for me. Its simple with good power everywhere in the rev range. It will pull well over the legal limit with ease and no fuss. I love the look of the V twin engine and its satisfying rumble.

Build quality is good. No rust or crud so far and it polishes up very nicely. No issues to date.

Fuel consumption is very good for the size of the bike at around 60mpg

The bike has all the basics and also has ABS. That's about it which is fine by me.

The rear suspension is very hard, and the front is quite soft. It is very (too) stable around the bends, but it does take effort if you want to miss a pothole

Well, it's vibey, blurs the mirrors between 55-70, and lacks any top end for overtaking.

No problems with it.

There are quite a few pre-reg'd ones around, I got mine for 6k with 40 miles on the clock.

Now I might be a bit picky, but there's no tacho and no fuel gauge (for a small tank)

Good brakes abs works fine

All good

Had mine nearly 7 years from new,never had any problems

Just change oil and plugs every year,not had to do anything else

Got everything you need

would be better with twin discs but there are fine, the ride is comfortable but after an hour your back gets sore from the lack of decent rear shocks

plenty of grunt and low speed pulling power a higher top speed would enable easier cruising speed at legal limits to feel less revvy

so far so good nothing rattles or broken and starts first time every time. Overall the finish is good and the quality of fit is great, no rattles etc,

great to have belt drive and air cooling no messing with coolant

as before the belt drive is great no chain lube mess and lighter than a shaft

Once I found the riding position (as daft as that sounds) the bike is very comfy and got zero bum numbness! I went for the racer as its seat height is higher (I'm 6ft2) which hopefully gives me that little more room. Also I have no problems with my knee rubbing on the air filter I have read about in other reviews. Its a little hard on the shoulders/arms as the tank isn't wide enough to grip with your knees as you would on a sports bike but again once you find the position all was good. Its corners extremely well but with new tyres and damp roads I wasn't scraping the pegs....yet....just feels like you have loads of control and feedback from the steering. I have to say I was extremely impressed with how it handled. Front brakes feel a little weak when slowing from speed.....but it is brand new so maybe just need bedding in however used with engine braking there is more than enough stopping power. For me the levers seem a little to far away from the bars (And I have big hands) so it might be worth investing in the optional billeted levers which are adjustable.

This is where is shines. Lots of torque, lots of power delivery and not to many vibrations but enough to remind you its a V Twin (you ain't seeing anything in the mirrors at low speeds due to vibration). I felt it was a bit jumpy around town but then again I've been use to an automatic. Engine braking is as expected from a V Twin which helps

to early to say yet but its using a long used reliable engine so can't see any future problems. and its looks well put together and I haven't read any reviews yet of the earlier XV950's having any trouble with corrosion etc so can't see that being a problem for the newer racer.

apart from the initial servicing required at 600 miles ( or 6 weeks) its a standard 6500 miles between them. Once out of warranty will do my own.

Its has NOTHING on it other than ABS... But remember this bike was made so you can customise it YOUR way so I can understand to some degree why Yamaha did this....Would have liked a rev counter though. the indicator controls just feel like they are going to break off everytime I use them (can't feel if I've turn then on or off through gloves) however all others seem fine and in perfect positions for your thumbs etc. The display is basic and very clear and easily seen whilst paying attention to the road. I had the belly pan fitted and the Akrapovic exhaust (Yamaha accessories)......like music to your ears along with the V Twin.....will be removing baffle soon. ALso will add Yamaha LED indicators to the rear to go with the LED back light (why only the back light Yamaha??) I only gave it 3 stars due to the basic bike Equipment is, well.....nothing. However the whole point of this bike is to customise it your way.

If I am picky, the seat could improve its comfort but it's absolutely fine for the regular 130 miles between refueling, especially if you are not doing motorways. I do not carry pillions so can't comment on that but the seat (which I removed) was tiny, so I suspect comfort would be worse for a pillion. Brakes are fine with the front being surprisingly good for a single disc and the ABS on this R spec is not intrusive at all. The suspension is "softish" absorbing well the majority of our road bumps.

Smooth power delivery for a v-twin - but I guess this one's been trialled and tested for years. Absolutely love the torque which is not only present at the low end, making overtaking easy without dropping a gear even at motorway speeds... you ask for it and it replies: "yes Sir, right away!"

Solid built quality, nothing feels cheap, no corrosion anywhere even riding through winter. I do tend to wash her every month and apply adequate protection products.

Great value; first service shy of £120, just serviced it at 4500 miles and it cost me £250 which for a years worth of riding i don't think is bad.

I like it simple, so not a problem; it's a "modern bobber" as i've heard them call it, so it's blacked out and back to basics... but you know what? Basics are great! I will change the stock exhaust though... i would love it if they'd made it a bit gruntier; such a good looking bike, begs for a better and louder sound track.

Just wish that the front brake was a bit better. Back end is a bit harsh, perhaps the R spec is better.

Surprisingly quick, good on the motorway with instant overtaking power, no need to drop down a gear.

I find this cheap to run. The worst mpg so far is 60, best is 73. Insurance costs are very sensible.

Basic but I'm not bothered.Yamaha accessories are unbelievably expensive- ebay is your friend.