Yamaha 950 and FZ09

[FJ1100mjk]

Was at the local IMS today helping out at the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club booth, that was across from the Yamaha booth. Saw this unique 950 and the new FZ09. A couple good looking bikes. Not as good looking as the FJs though. 

The 950 has a Star Bolt engine in it.





The FZ 09 with the new three cylinder engine.

[Arnie]

Interesting that the 950 looks like a HD flat-tracker retro replica.
What is a Star Bolt engine?

The FZ09 is using a cantilevered shock with no linkage similar to the Aprilia Shiver and Kaw 650.  Hmmmm

[fj johnnie]

  The FZ 09 is a sharp looking bike. The local dealer has two. Funny how we all look at them as nothing more than potential donor bikes. That swing arm from the FZ 09 looks impossible to fit on an FJ. Fork tubes of the V-twin thing are the right size I believe. I think it started as a Star Bolt?

[aviationfred]

Interesting that the 950 looks like a HD flat-tracker retro replica.
What is a Star Bolt engine?

I don't know about Yamaha's marketing in the rest of the world. A few years ago Yamaha designated all of their cruiser line models as 'Star Motorcycles'. They use badging that says Star instead of Yamaha.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/

Fred

[Pat Conlon]

I am a fan of triples, that FZ09 looks interesting...

The Star Bolt, hmmmm, I didn't know Yamaha made a trike.....

....oh wait, that's not a rear wheel, that's the sprocket....never mind....carry on..

[FJ1100mjk]

Interesting that the 950 looks like a HD flat-tracker retro replica.
What is a Star Bolt engine?

The FZ09 is using a cantilevered shock with no linkage similar to the Aprilia Shiver and Kaw 650.  Hmmmm

The Star "Bolt" looks to be a counter to HD's 883, and a grab at the entry riders who are looking to buy the 883. Here's some info...

http://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2014-star-bolt-r-spec-test-in-praise-of-simplicity/

http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/08/26/2013-yamaha-star-bolt-vs-harley-davidson-sportster-iron-883-urban-cruiser-comparison-test/

I got a chance to sit on the Kaw 650R

https://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?id=706

and the Kaw 650 Versys

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?id=788

Both were pretty nice. Light and not real large. Around $8K USD. Not bad. The Versys had adjustable rebound damping front and rear, but the Ninja didn't. Both share the same engine with slightly different tune.

I agree about the FZ 09's swingarm. Looks to be a tough graft on a FJ. Read some tests on the FZ 09 and the suspension could be better, but it's really a light bike. It has a good price point, but if you put an aftermarket shock on it and new innards in the forks, some of the savings go away.