Hey Bernard, I have the 2014 VS950 and love it. Actually there is nothing I don't like about the bike. The oil and filter get changed once a year with 20W50 synthetic. Starts up each time, runs great and doesn't leak oil and I'm one of those who agree with you, I actually like the seat. On a long trip you have to get off every couple hours anyhow for gas. I did upgrade the exhaust and fuel management to the Cobra three years ago which really opens her up. I pulled and wrapped the baffle with high temp fiberglass. Yamaha's not making this model any longer so it's already destined to be a classic. Off to Pike's Peak from Missouri this summer. Safe Riding.
I’ve been looking at one of these, so I’m doing my due diligence watching these reviews. Got a chuckle at your comment about the fuel gauge. I must be old because I can’t really remember having a bike with a fuel gauge. You learn to plan ur trip, and get gas when you can. The old bikes had a three way fuel peacock, so when you run out, you reach down and switch to reserve. You just learn how far that will take you… Nice review though thanks 😁
I have the same bike, Same year! Mine is liquid silver. Awesome motorcycles! The v star 950 is my first motorcycle & I like it more everyday. I’ve had it for a little over a year, bought used from private seller.
Oi Bernand! Sou do Rio Grande do Sul. Brasil. Tenho uma V Star 950. Mas aqui ela se chama XVS 950 Midnight Star. Sua fabricação foi descontinuada em 2016. A minha é 2012. Adoro essa motocicleta. Só me dá alegria. Confortável. Imponente. E poderosa. A única coisa que me entristece é que o preço das peças dela por aqui estão muito caras. A minha sorte é que essa moto é um tanque de guerra. E o único gasto que tenho é com troca de óleo e filtro. A autonomia dela é excelente. Faço média de 22km/litro na cidade. E 25km/litro na estrada. Não troco minha Midnight por uma Harley. Forte abraço meu amigo!
Good video thank you for posting. I travel 2 times a year by highway on a 6 hour trip wondering if you think this is enough bike to handle a 6 hour highway trip?
Hi All my old bikes never had gas gauges just a reserve tap. I knew the rough mileage before I needed a gas stop so just kept an eye on the odometer ( never even had a trip) I’m thinking of one of these as in 50years of biking never had a cruiser . Thanks for the over view not after super performance as my cafe racer days are long gone ,just as an old guys final bike I want a nice relaxed ride. Couple of questions if you could answer I’d be grateful . Has it been reliable? specially the belt drive as I have seen reports that the primary pulley sometimes comes loose and strips the spline. Covid lock down has stopped bike viewing this side of the pond , but I found one here in UK black with 8200 miles on the clock two new tyres and a new battery.. Thanks ,happy riding everyone . Stay safe
Hi Lee B, Thank you for your comment and questions. To answer your questions - Yes, it has been very reliable. I keep up with the oil changes and wash my bike regularly. You can feel how the bike rides, and if anything changes, you will be able to feel it. The belt drive is a lot more reliable than the chain (I have an R1 as well) and for almost 4 years of owning the VStar, I have not had any issues with the belt. With the one you found in the UK with 8200 miles, that is a good amount, and I think the owner did enjoy the bike. I would take it into a shop and do a full inspection to make sure that parts are not worn out, and if they are and are affordable to fix/replace, you can use that as a bargaining chip to reduce the price the seller is asking for :) Ride Safe Lee B, and Happy New Year
Put a mustang seat on it , hwy bars , phone charger, cobra exhaust, luggage rack, and take it to the mountians in colo , i did awesome ride . Dont lean to much .
I sat on a 2010, 950 Tour with 7200 miles, today at a local independent dealer. Absolutely loved it! The only thing I noticed was the curve of the handle bar at the grips. With my hands on the grips, I noticed my wrists were bent inwards. Not sure how comfortable that would be after some miles, without changing the angle of how I grip the grips. What is all your experiences with this? Thx!
I have the same issue due to a broken wrist & thumb & torn tendons/ligaments in my right hand so I changed my bars to a more straight across bars similar to mini ape hangers.. and it's a big difference in comfort... I like the stock grandpa bars But low speed turning would be hard cause of The limited range of movement in my damaged wrist...
Have an 09 with 3800 miles at Yamaha Sports Plaza in Fairview, Oregon. They are asking $3450. Test ride next Saturday. Thoughts? Original owner sold it back to dealer. Older bike, lower miles, could be problem?
I bought a 2009 v star 950 also. I bought mine in 2015 with 20,000 miles it now has 44,000 miles. Its needed tires, brakes and oil changes. Nothing else. Great bike!
@@reb64000 I bought a 2007 Suzuki Burgman 650cc scooter. $3850. 5800 miles. Nice to focus on other drivers and not shifting or keeping track of what gear I'm in. CVT slows it so as having to use brakes sparingly.
Hahaha compared to my R1, it is quite comfy. There are other aftermarket seats or cushions which you could also get to make the seat feel like a couch.
Hi Aticus. I’m in the market for one of these bikes , What’s your opinion of them and has it been reliable ? The one I’ve been looking at on line has 8400miles on the clock new tyres and battery. Thanks
@@Lee-70ish hi, i can`t speak highly enough about this bike, it is a gem among the mid weight cruisers. sturdy, low, great riding position, belt driven, air cooled, it is a pleasure to ride and own. i have owned a yamaha xv 1700 road star warrior and by comparison the xvs 950 is in my opinion a much better bike.
There is one thing that i don't like about it. On the Highway speeds over 100km / hr i get a lot of buzzing vibrations on my left floorboard. And it could use 6th gear
Hey Bernard, I have the 2014 VS950 and love it. Actually there is nothing I don't like about the bike. The oil and filter get changed once a year with 20W50 synthetic. Starts up each time, runs great and doesn't leak oil and I'm one of those who agree with you, I actually like the seat. On a long trip you have to get off every couple hours anyhow for gas. I did upgrade the exhaust and fuel management to the Cobra three years ago which really opens her up. I pulled and wrapped the baffle with high temp fiberglass. Yamaha's not making this model any longer so it's already destined to be a classic. Off to Pike's Peak from Missouri this summer. Safe Riding.
I have one as well and love it:) Gonna put some Cobra slip ons on her!
I’ve been looking at one of these, so I’m doing my due diligence watching these reviews. Got a chuckle at your comment about the fuel gauge. I must be old because I can’t really remember having a bike with a fuel gauge. You learn to plan ur trip, and get gas when you can. The old bikes had a three way fuel peacock, so when you run out, you reach down and switch to reserve. You just learn how far that will take you…
Nice review though thanks 😁
Just bought a 2012, brand new left-over and I will be taking it out and around. Nice review and keep up the good work.
thank you :) how are you enjoying the bike? are you still riding the same one?
I have the same bike, Same year! Mine is liquid silver. Awesome motorcycles! The v star 950 is my first motorcycle & I like it more everyday. I’ve had it for a little over a year, bought used from private seller.
It is an amazing bike - that is for sure.
Eric X how big are you? I’m just under 6’ and looking for my first bike. Thinking of this or the Vulcan 900.
TIA
garagegorilla63 sorry for late reply man, im 5’4, 165 lbs. ( i lowered mine 2 inches for a little more control flat footing on the ground.)
The only thing i didn't like is speedometer is hard to see when driving... this bike is beautiful machine ❤❤
Oi Bernand! Sou do Rio Grande do Sul. Brasil. Tenho uma V Star 950. Mas aqui ela se chama XVS 950 Midnight Star. Sua fabricação foi descontinuada em 2016.
A minha é 2012. Adoro essa motocicleta. Só me dá alegria. Confortável. Imponente. E poderosa. A única coisa que me entristece é que o preço das peças dela por aqui estão muito caras. A minha sorte é que essa moto é um tanque de guerra. E o único gasto que tenho é com troca de óleo e filtro. A autonomia dela é excelente. Faço média de 22km/litro na cidade. E 25km/litro na estrada. Não troco minha Midnight por uma Harley. Forte abraço meu amigo!
Quite quiet ... 3:27 love the poetry ...
I have the same bike same color but it's a 2015 and I LOVE it. I will be making some camping videos for 2019
How was camping with the bike?
I have the same bike in red and I love it....the blue is sharp too! great review, keep them coming
Thank you, will do
Good video thank you for posting. I travel 2 times a year by highway on a 6 hour trip wondering if you think this is enough bike to handle a 6 hour highway trip?
I absolutely love my vstar 950... Ive taken it on several runs and it keeps up with all them over priced Harleys , easily
it definitely is a fun bike!
So use your trip meter to figure gas usage. Do the math!
Glad am not the only one from 254 on cruisers😂😂
Hi
All my old bikes never had gas gauges just a reserve tap.
I knew the rough mileage before I needed a gas stop so just kept an eye on the odometer ( never even had a trip)
I’m thinking of one of these as in 50years of biking never had a cruiser .
Thanks for the over view not after super performance as my cafe racer days are long gone ,just as an old guys final bike I want a nice relaxed ride.
Couple of questions if you could answer I’d be grateful .
Has it been reliable? specially the belt drive as I have seen reports that the primary pulley sometimes comes loose and strips the spline.
Covid lock down has stopped bike viewing this side of the pond , but I found one here in UK black with 8200 miles on the clock two new tyres and a new battery..
Thanks ,happy riding everyone . Stay safe
Hi Lee B, Thank you for your comment and questions.
To answer your questions - Yes, it has been very reliable. I keep up with the oil changes and wash my bike regularly. You can feel how the bike rides, and if anything changes, you will be able to feel it. The belt drive is a lot more reliable than the chain (I have an R1 as well) and for almost 4 years of owning the VStar, I have not had any issues with the belt.
With the one you found in the UK with 8200 miles, that is a good amount, and I think the owner did enjoy the bike. I would take it into a shop and do a full inspection to make sure that parts are not worn out, and if they are and are affordable to fix/replace, you can use that as a bargaining chip to reduce the price the seller is asking for :)
Ride Safe Lee B, and Happy New Year
@@BernardAkem Thanks W
Put a mustang seat on it , hwy bars , phone charger, cobra exhaust, luggage rack, and take it to the mountians in colo , i did awesome ride . Dont lean to much .
These are very nice motorcycles all around bike
I've always just downshifted and got out of situations like that
and the bike can definitely pick up
Picking mine up tomorrow
Amazing!! How do you like it?
@@BernardAkem love it. Can't wait to get Vance and Hines on that puppy. Stock exhaust doesn't sound that great
I sat on a 2010, 950 Tour with 7200 miles, today at a local independent dealer. Absolutely loved it! The only thing I noticed was the curve of the handle bar at the grips. With my hands on the grips, I noticed my wrists were bent inwards. Not sure how comfortable that would be after some miles, without changing the angle of how I grip the grips. What is all your experiences with this? Thx!
I have the same issue due to a broken wrist & thumb & torn tendons/ligaments in my right hand so I changed my bars to a more straight across bars similar to mini ape hangers.. and it's a big difference in comfort... I like the stock grandpa bars But low speed turning would be hard cause of The limited range of movement in my damaged wrist...
Do you still have this bike
Have an 09 with 3800 miles at Yamaha Sports Plaza in Fairview, Oregon. They are asking $3450. Test ride next Saturday. Thoughts? Original owner sold it back to dealer. Older bike, lower miles, could be problem?
I bought a 2009 v star 950 also. I bought mine in 2015 with 20,000 miles it now has 44,000 miles. Its needed tires, brakes and oil changes. Nothing else. Great bike!
@@reb64000 I bought a 2007 Suzuki Burgman 650cc scooter. $3850. 5800 miles. Nice to focus on other drivers and not shifting or keeping track of what gear I'm in. CVT slows it so as having to use brakes sparingly.
I have a 2008 47000 miles runing great.
That same bike is 5k now.
You lost me at comfy seat :P It's good for like 15 miles them burn sets in.
Hahaha compared to my R1, it is quite comfy. There are other aftermarket seats or cushions which you could also get to make the seat feel like a couch.
@@BernardAkem Had one delivered to day lol Can not wait to put it on!
nice video, i`ve just bought same bike which has been inported from usa. i like your screen, what size is it and where can i get one the same as.
Hi Aticus.
I’m in the market for one of these bikes ,
What’s your opinion of them and has it been reliable ?
The one I’ve been looking at on line has 8400miles on the clock new tyres and battery.
Thanks
@@Lee-70ish hi, i can`t speak highly enough about this bike, it is a gem among the mid weight cruisers. sturdy, low, great riding position, belt driven, air cooled, it is a pleasure to ride and own. i have owned a yamaha xv 1700 road star warrior and by comparison the xvs 950 is in my opinion a much better bike.
Your video got cut off... 😠
Well if you're not going real real fast seven or eight or you can always downshift and it will move on out
Go back to your sport bike then. it's about power to weight ratio and comfort. Oh,and learn how to use a trip odometer.
There is one thing that i don't like about it. On the Highway speeds over 100km / hr i get a lot of buzzing vibrations on my left floorboard. And it could use 6th gear
Omg - yes. I still remember the first time I felt the vibrations - wheew hahah
What I don't like about this bike it's a blue gives me the blues I need a red hot mama
#1... That it's only a 950cc lol!?
Then buy a car
Audio makes it unwatchable.
Thanks for the feedback. Definitely doing some changes to my microphone and recording set up. I appreciate it.