Yamaha Bolt R-Spec (XVS950CU) 2014: Specs & Facts

The Machine's Character

The Bolt R-Spec is Yamaha's take on the stripped-down American bobber, and it doesn't hedge on the look. It has a 942 cc air-cooled 60° V-twin in a steel double-cradle frame, with cooling fins on show and no radiator spoiling the lines. It makes 52 hp and 59 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm, so it does its work low in the rev range, through a 5-speed gearbox and a belt final drive. The R-Spec adds piggyback-reservoir rear shocks with preload adjustment, a small touch that lifts the finish. There is no electronics package here. That's deliberate: this is a simple, honest machine and a clean starting point.

The 27.2 in (690 mm) seat and wide bars make the Bolt one of the easiest cruisers to get comfortable on, and it stays settled when the pace rises. It's mechanically simple and durable, and cheap to keep running. It's for the rider who wants bobber attitude without fuss and plans to make the bike their own with parts. The caveats are real: no ABS, a 3.2 gal (12 L) tank, and an output that feels relaxed rather than urgent. If you're shopping a 2020 or 2021 bike, confirm the recall work for porous engine cases near the oil filter was done.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

Show full specs & equipment Hide specs & equipment

Key specifications
Power	52 hp (38 kW)
Torque	59 lb-ft (80 Nm) @ 3,000 rpm
Displacement	942 cc
Engine	60° V-twin
Cooling	Air-cooled
Gearbox	5-speed
Final drive	Belt
Fork	Telescopic
Front brake	298 mm
Front tire	100/90-19
Rear tire	150/80-16
Wheelbase	61.8 in (1570 mm)
Seat height	27.2 in (690 mm)
Wet weight	540 lb (245 kg)
Fuel capacity	3.2 gal (12 L)
Fuel economy	50 mpg (US)

Equipment check

Chassis

Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard

The Truth on the Street

What I know about the Bolt from its owners comes from years of paddock talk, club nights, and the emails and messages riders send me. The pattern is clear. Riders praise how easy it is to live with at a relaxed pace, and the complaints start once the road gets rough or fast.

Easy on the back, easy in traffic

Riders consistently say the mid-mounted controls spare the lower back on long days. They describe light, predictable steering that makes slow traffic easy work. The engine gets the same praise: it pulls from low revs, so riding in town asks for little throttle. Owners say what vibration there is comes through the seat, while the bars and mirrors stay nearly buzz-free.

Rough roads, fast roads, tight corners

Owners call the suspension basic, with little room to tune it, and say the ride suffers on broken pavement. Another common complaint is that the engine runs out of breath on the highway when it's time to pass. In corners, the right footpeg sits further out to clear the airbox and touches down early. Riders say the limited clearance talks them out of pushing hard.

Known issues

Engine case porosity causing oil leak (2020-2021 models)

engine rare Recall

Due to casting issues during manufacturing, some 2020-2021 Bolt models may develop porous engine cases near the oil filter, leading to oil leaks. This was subject to a safety recall (NHTSA recall). Affected units required inspection and potential engine replacement.
Instrument cluster readability issues

electrics common

The digital LCD speedometer is difficult to read in bright sunlight or when wearing polarized sunglasses due to poor contrast and glare. Yamaha has not addressed this throughout the Bolt’s run.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Yamaha Bolt R-Spec pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

Metal-and-Muscle Presence

Rumble & Character

Low-Speed Confidence Despite Mass

Relaxed Boulevard Ergonomics

Living-Machine Feel

Relaxed Torque Authority

This bike Class average

The shape of the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec — numbers and character vs. the average Cruiser

Head-to-head: Yamaha Bolt R-Spec vs. its rivals

Power

52 hp This bike 61 hp Kawasaki Vulcan S 67 hp Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1200CA 60 hp Triumph Speedmaster 100 hp Indian Scout

Torque

59 lb-ft This bike 46 lb-ft Kawasaki Vulcan S 71 lb-ft Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1200CA 53 lb-ft Triumph Speedmaster 72 lb-ft Indian Scout

Displacement

942 cc This bike 649 cc Kawasaki Vulcan S 1202 cc Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1200CA 865 cc Triumph Speedmaster 1133 cc Indian Scout

Wet weight

540 lb This bike 498 lb Kawasaki Vulcan S 584 lb Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1200CA 551 lb Triumph Speedmaster 558 lb Indian Scout

Seat height

27.2 in This bike 27.8 in Kawasaki Vulcan S 28.0 in Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 1200CA 27.2 in Triumph Speedmaster 26.5 in Indian Scout

The 'Should I Buy It?' Score

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Bolt R-Spec is actually built for.

Aerial view of a winding asphalt road cutting through volcanic terrain on La Gomera, Canary Islands. The road curves through sparse green vegetation with rocky volcanic peaks visible in the background and a settled valley to the left. Clear lane markings, dry climate, partly cloudy sky.

Best cruiser for Sturgis?

It's a good fit with one caveat. The Bolt has the bobber look and V-twin pulse to feel at home at any rally, but it's a relaxed bike, and the small tank means planned fuel stops on the ride there.

Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week

Best retro motorcycle for road trips?

This is a strong match. Easy handling, an unhurried pace and a classic bobber look suit slow days through small towns and historic routes. Just plan your stops around the 3.2 gal tank.

Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway

Best touring motorcycle for long distance?

Honestly, look elsewhere. With no luggage system, no cruise control and a 3.2 gal tank, fully loaded two-up days over the big passes turn into hard work on the Bolt.

Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road

Alternatives to the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec

If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.

Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Yamaha Bolt R-Spec. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.