Is it just me or are the Japanese lagging behind with new model development, which certainly isn’t the case with the European brands, right? But Yamaha has just released two new models that made me twitch in a more positive manner and I’m talking about the mental MT-09 and this new cruiser called Bolt.
Now Japanese cruisers, not all, can be about as interesting to ride as an ageing child’s pony with terminal asthma, if you know what I mean? Most, not all, are too big, too soft and dare I say slightly effeminate. So when I first saw the new images of the Bolt I actually took time to look it over instead of just moving on to something more interesting. I liked its stance and funky type ‘Bobber’ design and, unless you have a horrendously low IQ and eat rocks for a living, you’ll know what brand this bike is aimed to take sales from. But if you do enjoy a slice of granite pie and don’t know what I’m on about, it’s Harley-Davidson and their Sportster range.
So on collection day I was actually quite excited to swing a leg over the low Bolt and to find out if it’s just another nut or worthy of the name Bolt. Bit of a silly name though, Bolt, but for some reason it
suits the bike and sounds much better than its ‘real’ name, which is the XV950 (yawn). What will sound better in the pub, I’ve bought a Yamaha XV950 or I’ve bought a Yamaha Bolt and it’s as cool as Jamaica’s famous sprinter?
The Bolt isn’t a totally new bike though because it’s based on the XVS950 thingy that was so good I can’t even remember riding one. However the Bolt has had Yamaha designers busy with its new shape and it’s most certainly been made to customise or personalise, which a lot of people have already. Tap in ‘Yamaha Bolt customs’ on your Goggle/Faceweb/Waaaasaaap, etc and have a look, you’ll be impressed and want to do the same, believe me.
Anyway, inside the Bolt is a 942cc, 60-degree V-twin, with four-valves per cylinder with a SOHC and, for those of you who are interested, it has ceramic composite plating on the cylinders and forged pistons, just like a powerful race bike. The Bolt doesn’t make much power, I’d say in the region of 50hp but low down torque of 80Nm@3,000rpm is what it’s all about. One thing is for sure though, the engine will last forever with its fancy ‘pottery’ internal bits.
At first the Bolt is a bit odd to ride. Its mid-mounted footrests feel a bit awkward to some, but not to me. Within a few minutes I was tearing around like a mad thing, obviously in a controlled environment and not endangering the public, blah, blah, blah. Not only has Yamaha made the Bolt look cool and ride well they’ve also spent time on the rest of the bike’s important parts, like suspension. The Bolt handles better than anything else in its class and maybe everything else above its capacity as well. For once I have a cruiser that has stiff suspension and it turns quickly too, a right good laugh the ol’ Bolt is for sure. And, not only that, the wave discs are superb and easily bring its considerable 250kg mass to a screeching holt, well nearly because ABS interferes with the screeching aspect and can’t be turned off, shame on you Yamaha.
I did tend to ride Bolt quicker than any cruiser from the past, which says it all. Like I said before the motor isn’t massively powerful but it’s ideal for the Bolt and jabbing through the five-speed box will send it to just over 160km/h. The thing I liked the most though is the ‘look how mean I am’ riding position. Squatting in the low (690mm) seat and stretching out to those fat black flat ‘bars, with the big new LCD speedo under your chin is, without doubt, a pleasant place to be and makes you want to growl at motorists every time you stop at the lights, which I never did, honest. But this is what the Bolt’s undivided attitude does to one.
By now you’re probably wondering if the Bolt has any bad points. Well I can’t really think of any, but let’s try. The tank only holds just over 12-litres and I don’t really like the white tank that contains it. It doesn’t match any part of the rest of the bike, but there is a black option if you desire that, and the rear seat shouldn’t be there. Don’t forget though that Yamaha has a huge range of aftermarket accessories to change anything you don’t like/want, like, leather seat, spoke wheels, loud pipes (necessary) and tons of other tempting stuff that will suck your wallet dry but, like I mentioned earlier, have a look on the Net and see what people have done to this bike because I’d do the same.
Before you go up the path of Rand relief you first have to buy a Bolt and, in today’s financial nightmare, it’s not too bad value-wise at R115,000. Of course we’d all like to see it below the 100k mark to take on the 883 but it is a far better a bike on all counts, so there.
So to round it all off the Bolt is most definitely not a nut, if that makes sense? It’s a great all-round bike and not just a cruiser but if you take a spanner, hacksaw and trick parts to it you can make
something really, really special indeed, and I like that- A LOT.
Bike available from: www.centurionyamaha.co.za
Also visit: www.yamaha.co.za
