XVS950

Yamaha introduced this 950cc cruiser nameplate for the 2009 model year as a North American market entry in its Star cruiser lineup. The model was positioned as a lighter, more manageable alternative to larger-displacement cruisers, combining classic long-and-low styling with an air-cooled V-twin and fuel injection. Yamaha later used the same basic platform as the foundation for the Bolt family, which arrived in 2013 and was described by Yamaha as being based on the current XVS950A. That shift marked a significant evolution in the same cruiser line rather than a completely separate concept. Yamaha’s own 2017 artwork still features the XVS950 designation, indicating the nameplate remained in use through that model year. The model is notable as part of Yamaha’s effort to broaden its cruiser range with a simpler, more accessible middleweight machine that bridged traditional styling and modern engineering.