Motorcycle specifications YamahaXVS 950 Midnight Star 2009 A night out for a young leading man

the new XVS 950 completes the renewal of Yamaha's custom bike range. It marks the end of the Dragstar, Wildstar and Royalstar epic. From now on, the entire range (3 models from 950 to 1,900 cm3 ) will be called Midnight Star. A name with a Hollywood Boulevard flavour for custom bikes where fluidity of design is of prime importance.
The latest arrival, the "little" 950, enables Yamaha to regain a foothold in the medium-displacement custom sector. The brand had left it fallow since the discontinuation of the 650 Dragstar in 2005.

more discreet, but still tinged with elegance, "imposance" and classicism.(with the NeoStreamline line inaugurated by the big 1900), the 950 fits perfectly into the Midnight line alongside its big brothers, the 1300 and 1900. The same rounded, voluptuous profile, no fault of taste. With its full length, the latest addition to the Stars family is flattering to the rider.
Yamaha has also given it a new engine. A twin of course, modern in its innards and nostalgic in its headlights. Classically air-cooled (the attention to detail extends to the polished finish of the fins), this 942 cm3 4-valve per cylinder, 60°-timed, single-acting engine with 35 mm fuel injection, has almost square dimensions: 85 x 83 mm. Although the stroke is shorter, each cylinder has the same 83 mm bore as the 1300. Taken from the latter, the twin-cylinder uses the same 3-axis architecture (crankshaft / front camshaft / rear camshaft), but with the balancer shaft removed - which quite clearly alters the power curve.

internal components are far more modern than the conventional eye would imagine, such as lightened forged pistonslightened pistons, ceramic-coated cylinders, 4-valve cylinder head and numerous newly designed parts: cams, valves, injection bodies, oil pump, crankshaft, connecting rods, clutch, gearbox sprockets, crankcase cover and exhaust.
The engine's vibrations and rhythm are defined by an interesting cocktail of technical solutions: the engine's hammering is due to asynchronous ignition sequences: combustion is timed at 300º and 420º. The elimination of the balance shaft improves punch, reduces transmission noise and makes the engine lighter... but with more vibrations. Fortunately, the use of forged pistons and connecting rods, as well as silent-block-mounted handlebars and running boards, reduce the propagation of vibrations.
With all this technology, the engine produces a nice 54 hp and almost 8 mkg of torque. It's a long way from the big potato of a power cruiser, but the very low revs (3,000 rpm) at which the maximum torque peaks should provide a nice response.

technically far removed from the R1's famous Deltabox, the classic double-cradle steel frame has nevertheless received a great deal of attention. Although sport is not part of the 950 Midnight Star's specification, the engineers show their concern for roadholding and riding pleasure by modulating the structure's rigidity according to zone. Very rigid around the steering column, more or less flexible in torsion depending on the area.

yamaha presents its new custom as lighter and more dynamic than most of its competitors in the sector. True, but with a wheelbase typical of this kind of beast (1,685 mm, 5 mm less than the 1300), a caster angle of 32.1°, a 130 mm front tire and almost 280 kg on the scales, the 950 Midnight Star will be easy to handle but not really nervous to ride.
In any case, it's here to cruise, not to clash with an MT-03. With its daisy-cutter seat height (675mm), imposing saddle, wide running boards and tapered teardrop fuel tank, the XVS is a welcome sight. Let's hope the suspension (the fork is 27% softer than on the 1300) works smoothly to guarantee comfort on our increasingly bumpy roads.
As the 950's power is sufficient without being formidable, braking is entrusted to a single 320 mm front disc bitten by 2 pistons. A 298 mm disc is used at the rear.
Once in the saddle, just look down to discover the redesigned instrument console fixed to the top of the tank. A nice little detail: the instrument lighting can be adjusted via a button on the left of the handlebars.

engine specifications

- All-new 942 cm³ air-cooled, 4-valve, single-acting V-twin engine
- Bore x stroke: 85 mm x 83 mm
- Compression ratio: 9.0:1
- Compact V-twin, 60º valve timing
- Asynchronous ignition sequences set at 300º and 420º.
- Roof-top combustion chamber
- High torque at low and medium engine speeds
- No balancer shaft to lighten the engine and strengthen its running characteristics
- Triangular-shaped cooling fins for classic V-twin styling
- Right-side air intake and turbulence modulation
- Large-capacity air filter housing: 3 liters
- High-performance fuel injection for instant throttle response and lower emissions
- Optimized squish zone design for improved combustion efficiency
- Forged aluminum pistons and composite ceramic-coated cylinders
- Roller rocker for smoother engine operation
- 2-in-1 right-hand muffler and 3-way catalytic converter
- 5-speed gearbox with right-hand cutaway dog clutch

technical specifications of the chassis

- Newly designed tubular steel double-cradle frame
- 1,685 mm wheelbase chassis
- Reduced seat height: 675mm
- Large 18-inch front wheel for lightweight steering
- 130/70-18 front tire
- New 8-spoke front and rear aluminum wheels
- Front wheel: 18 x MT3.50; rear wheel: 16 x MT4.50.
- Classic steel mudguards front and rear
- 17-liter teardrop-shaped fuel tank
- Long, low "neo-classical" silhouette
- 41 mm forks with 135 mm travel
- Monocross swingarm rear suspension with 110 mm travel
- 320 mm front and 298 mm rear discs
- Cast-aluminum upper fork crown
- Large, redesigned multifunction instrument cluster
- Belt final drive

M.B - Manufacturer's photos