Autumn is a great time to buy a motorcycle. Yamaha XVS 950A Midnight Star - review.

Having left two seasons on my Dnepr Falcon and Brigadier, I suddenly felt the need for something more heavy, powerful, and with a fundamentally different approach to motor-building than the Soviet one. As a result, a new motorcycle appeared in my garage - Yamaha XVS950 Midnight Star.

I will share fresh impressions, photos and a small review of the motorcycle.

Design.
To put it in one phrase, I would say next: modern trends in moto design in combination with a traditional, classical cruise base.

Black, matte color of the engine and frame perfectly matches with the chrome elements, shading and complementing each other.
With all my addiction to spiked wheels and the dislike of casting, I was simply conquered with the disc graphic of the motorcycle.

And in general, it is very difficult to find details that would not fit into the overall stylistics or would not be successful (starting from the shape of the motor, front fender, muffler, device board, handlebar, seat, tank and ending with a low, dynamic silhouette of the entire motorcycle).

The only issue was the rear wing. Together with the seat for the second number, and if you add a bag, it all looks like a "snowdrift" over the "skinny" wheel. Fortunately, I managed to solve this defect with a little blood - removing all the "extra". And with a loaded rear suspension, the ratio of wing-wheel becomes close to the ideal.

Well, as they say, the concept of beauty and practicality are not very compatible.

In order to put my hand to this beauty, I improvised on the subject of the Star logo, made stickers and placed them on blank places.

Engine and Exhaust.
I will not go into detail in the technical specifications, I will describe my feelings more.
Working volume is 942 cc, V-twin, injector, air cooling, belt drive...

All this set gives a sure traction in any conditions of riding, whether it be frequent acceleration and deceleration in city traffic, or a long riding at a speed of 100-150 km / h. There were no problems with rapid overtaking. And the bike wasn’t noticed in overheating.

Pleasantly vibrates at idle (there are no balancing shafts), transferring vibration to the steering wheel and the rear wing.
The sound of a regular exhaust is better than you expect. Quite low, moderately loud. When you stop the engine, the motorcycle sees you off with a pleasantl sound of the cooling metal.

Gear box.
Five-step, with foot switch heel-toe. The transmissions are quite long, including the first one. In the city, in the mode of acceleration-deceleration, the correct choice of transmission is important. Switching is accompanied by a characteristic "clang", and the neutral is easily "caught" in any direction.
Brakes.
According to my observations, at a speed of up to 70 km / h, the motorcycle easily slows to the desired speed. When emergency braking is more than 70 km / h, there is a lack of them. And in critical situations, it is not difficult to block the wheels completely by sending the motorcycle into slip (ABS is absent). So it will not be superfluous to use the front and rear brakes at the same time.

Controllability.
Low seat height (675 mm), wide horn handlebar, make maneuvering at low speeds easy and pleasant. Weight of a motorcycle in 250 kg, thanks to the engine, is not felt while riding, but on the track makes it more stable.

There are no comments about front and rear suspension, moderately hard and "not punched" on uneven areas. Perhaps because of the wide rear end (170/70/16), the bike is very sensitive to the track.
There are no comments about front and rear suspension, moderately hard and "not punched" on uneven areas. Perhaps because of the wide rear end (170/70/16), the bike is very sensitive to the track.

Here are my first impressions of this wonderful motorcycle. There is another advantage in buying a bike at the end of the season, in addition to a more attractive price, - the approaching winter leaves us "hungry." Without trying the taste of the yet-not-known but already loved drink, we are forced to say goodbye to him before the next season begins. It will become even sweeter in spring….