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Yamaha Bolt gets custom treatment

Yamaha Bolt C-Spec
Yamaha Bolt C-Spec

The mean-looking Yamaha Star Bolt C-Spec cafe version has arrived in Australia at $12,699, but there is no word yet on the Racer version.

That’s only $200 more than the R-Spec with upgraded piggyback rear shock, yet it adds clip-on handlebars and footpegs relocated higher and further back for a more aggressive ride, new switches, traditional fork boots, a removable passenger seat cowl, sports tyres and suspension and sporty café paint and graphics.

Yamaha Australia marketing boss Sean Goldhawk says the C-Spec arrives in Envy Green, Liquid Silver.

It’s powered by the same engine as the standard XV950, a 942cc air-cooled V-twin making 38kW (52hp) and 79Nm (58.5ft.lb) of torque.

Yamaha Bolt Racer
Yamaha Bolt Racer

Sean says there is no word on the special Racer edition of the Bolt XV950 bobber which gets clip-on handlebars, rear sets and some café racer styling tweaks.

It will be released in some markets in May, so it could still be on the drawing board for Australia.

The Racer features much a higher riding position with a 765mm seat height, up a whopping 75mm, turning it into a cafe racer rather than a cruiser.

It also has new switchgear, different levers, newly positioned indicators mounted on the lower triple clamp and longer-travel suspension.

Yamaha will also have special Racer accessories, including an Akraprovic exhaust, a sports air filter, billet levers, and Rizoma styling parts.

Yamaha Bolt C-Spec
Yamaha Bolt C-Spec

Yamaha Star Bolt XV950 tech specs

  • Price: $11,999 (base), $12,499 (R) $12,699 (C-Spec)
  • Warranty: 5 years
  • Service intervals: 10,000km
  • Engine: 942cc, air-cooled, SOHC, 4-valve V-twin
  • Bore x stroke: 85.0 x 83.0
  • Compression: 9:1
  • Transmission: 5-speed, multiplate wet clutch, belt drive
  • Suspension: Telescopic fork, adjustable dual shocks
  • Brakes: 298mm discs
  • Tyres: 100/90-19; 150/80-16
  • Length: 2291mm
  • Width: 944mm
  • Height: 1120mm
  • Seat: 690mm
  • Wheelbase: 1569mm
  • Clearance: 129mm
  • Fuel: 12 litres
  • Wet weight: 244kg
  • Fuel economy: 5L/100km